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My company, PIXELearning, is running further half day hands-on workshops on experiential learning. Each one with a different focus, all are free to attend but with a small and limited capacity. It’s a chance to see how immersive learning can be effective as an alternative to classroom training whilst saving on training budgets.
“Chalk Talk 101” is aimed at anybody interested in learning more about Immersive Learning Simulations (ILS) aka “serious games”. What is, and how do I implement a successful game?
http://chalktalk.eventbrite.com October 23rd
“Chalking up your skills” covers personal skills development such as Leadership, and Diversity and Inclusion
http://chalkingup.eventbrite.com October 30th
“Calling a Serious Solution” will focus on the areas where role play works particularly well such as Customer Service, Call Centre and Sales Training.
http://callingaserioussolution.eventbrite.com November 6th
Venue: The Serious Games Institute in the centre of Coventry, West Midlands.
VNU’s ‘Tech Talk’ (www.trainingmagevents.com) is one of the few email newsletters that I am subscribed to that I actually get around to reading these days. Today I broke my Tech Talk ‘virginity’ with an email response to the following post….
GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME
A reader is wondering what kind of games others are incorporating into their e-learning programs. “I’m looking for activities that break up the training a little bit, perhaps adding some levity where appropriate. But at the same time, these games should serve to reinforce the curriculum’s learning objectives. I’m looking for options that we could apply specifically to online delivery scenarios.”
Whilst this is a perfectly reasonable question to ask – especially if the poster is unfamiliar with what is happening in our cosily (still) niche serious virtual immersive games-based simulation worldsindustry (note: irony), I think this is the perfect example of where those of us that preach about the potential of serious games et al should be piping up to help move our learning and development colleagues forward.
Here is my response….
“The statement (e.g. “looking for activities that break up the training a little bit”) suggests that the assumption is that “the training” is, perhaps, somewhat tiresome to work through and that, therefore, a (fun) game element will serve as a refreshing interlude. Whilst this is by no means a bad thing, how about thinking about using ‘serious games’ (or immersive simulations) in a more central role within your learning strategy? “
“If your subject domain includes a describable environment, process, or system that can be simulated, and in which goal-orientated scenarios can be embedded, then games/sim are the missing bit of the training jigsaw for fostering true learner mastery. By all means use discreet, high-energy ‘frame games’ (e.g. the typical game show format) as motivational jolts, but don’t expect these alone to deliver a significant tangible impact.”
We can hold Serious Games and Virtual Worlds conferences and techfests for eternity, but it is genuine everyday needs like this that offer the best potential for establishing a sustainable beachhead in what is, lets face it, a skeptical and risk-averse mass audience still.
