310 Gamification vs. Serious Games: Differences and Similarities for L&D
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Tuesday, March 27
Games and Gamification
Salon 2
Gamification and game-based learning are both buzzwords in the education and training industry. Although both are innovative ways to train your learners, they cannot be used interchangeably. While both relate to education, how they do so varies considerably. Organizations are warming up to the idea of using gamification and serious games to train their employees. However, many organizations are still unsure of the benefits of gamifying their training needs.
This session will examine the benefits and best practices, along with the contrasts between serious games and gamification of learning. Every organization has its own unique learning needs, and just because it is cool to gamify does not mean you should do so in every situation. In this session, you will explore the approaches to using gamification and the aspects of gamification and serious games that make people want to play. You will also use examples and case studies to discuss similarities and contrast differences between gamification and serious games.
In this session, you will learn:
- About best practices to ensure a successful understanding of gamification
- About first steps you can take into the gamification realm
- What to look for when implementing gamification into your learning
- What learning means in a serious game
- How to nurture a serious game
- How to evaluate a serious game
- When to implement serious games—and when not to
Audience:
Novice to advanced designers, developers, project managers, managers, directors, and senior leaders (VP, CLO, executive, etc.).
Technology discussed in this session:
Whiteboard and HDMI projector.
Andrew Hughes
President
Designing Digitally, Inc.
Andrew Hughes is the president of Designing Digitally, Inc. and has over a decade in the strategical planning and development of enterprise custom gamified learning solutions for government and Fortune 500 clients. Andrew is also a professor at the University of Cincinnati and prior to this was a contractor for the US Department of Education, Ohio Board of Regents, and General Electric. Andrew oversees a team of 30 employees and is focused on ensuring the clients’ challenges are met with engaging, educational, and entertaining learning experiences.