Course Highlights
This training game design workshop will:
- Outline how games can add life to training and impact what students retain.
- Help participants determine which games to use and when.
- Explain the game creation process and prepare participants to develop their own games.
- Suggest options for repurposing existing games.
- Discuss strategies for deploying games effectively in the classroom.
Course Overview
Let go of my LEGO®! Models, toys, games, and other tools for engaging learners can have an enormous influence on the success of a training session. Well-executed games and exercises can focus participants, facilitate social interactions, reinforce the practical application of new skills, and energize a group. This course covers the essentials of using games and game-like activities in the classroom.
Participants begin by exploring the benefits and challenges of using games in training, discussing the importance of aligning games with learning objectives and timing them effectively. They will learn how to set clear game goals and differentiate between games designed purely for engagement and those crafted to reinforce specific skills or concepts. Participants will also review various game structures—from board games and simulations to role-playing and team-building exercises—to determine which best suit different training scenarios.
Throughout the program, participants gain familiarity with essential game design vocabulary and the key ingredients of effective gameplay, including rules, goals, mechanics, and manipulatives. A focus on repurposing existing games will provide cost-effective solutions, while a set of guiding questions will support designers as they make strategic choices.
Practical exercises will prepare participants to evaluate games critically and deploy them confidently. Evaluation criteria will include effectiveness, engagement, difficulty level, and alignment with learning objectives. Participants will also explore how to handle unexpected gameplay outcomes, ensuring a positive learning experience for all.
The following outline highlights some of the course’s key learning points. As part of your training program, we will modify content to meet your business objectives. Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of the participant materials prior to the session(s).
Program Objectives
At this program’s conclusion, participants should be able to:
- Explain when, why, and how to use games, game-like activities, and gamification in training.
- Identify a game’s goals and align them with training objectives.
- Describe various games and their structures.
- Use a game designer’s vocabulary effectively.
- Create game-like activities and basic games.
- Repurpose existing games for classroom application.
- Ask strategic questions during the design process.
- Evaluate a game for its effectiveness in meeting learning objectives.
- Successfully use games to support learning outcomes.
Workshop Modules
- Follow the Rules: Guidelines for Using Games in Training
- Game Goals: Where Do I Want to Go
- Games People Play: Understanding Common Structures
- The Elements of Play: Examining a Game’s Ingredients
- Pie, Points, and Property: The Purpose of Play
- Making Choices: Questions Good Designers Ask
- Finding Inspiration: Repurposing Existing Materials
- Game Over: Evaluating Games
- Rolling the Dice in the Real World: When Bad Games Happen to Good People
Target Audience
This workshop is ideal for trainers, instructional designers, and facilitators who wish to:
- Integrate games and gamification into training programs.
- Learn methods for creating and customizing games for various learning objectives.
- Discover new ways to engage participants.
Suggested Format
- Half-Day Onsite Training Course
Questions This Program Answers About Training Game Design Training?
- How can I incorporate games to make training more effective?
- Where can I find methods for designing custom games for training?
- What techniques can I use to adapt existing games for the classroom?