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Smart Employers Turn to Video Games for Digital Training

Posted by ann.shea | Filed under Corporate Training, Human Resources, Learning Trends

For many of us, when we think about video games we either head immediately to the childhood nostalgia of Mario and Sonic or cringe at the thought of endless noise on the television distracting our kids on a daily basis. In either circumstance, video games are not something that come to mind as tools or resources in the professional realm. But, as the technological world grows and expands, so too does our understanding of technology and its uses. Today, some employers have begun integrating interactive entertainment and gaming technology into their education and training regimen for employees. As traditional and online schools have begun to incorporate interactive learning and educational video gaming into their curricula, it makes sense that the business world would follow suit.

Using interactive software and video games as tools for employee training and development makes a lot of sense for the modern job market. Online interaction and technological know-how plays a vital role in business success and professional growth. Using video games to train and develop new and old employees can have several key benefits for employers, employees, and business—take a look:

Attracting the Candidates

Using video games and interactive tools does more than just successfully develop employees’ business skills. Many employers are using video games and interactive technology to entice the candidates they really want to apply for positions. One software option allows job seekers to download a three-dimensional video game that gives “players” a better understanding of the company’s office, interviewing process, and actual business projects. This can be a great way to encourage individuals to join your team. While this may sound like overkill to some, tools like this can help candidates differentiate your company from your competitors. The military uses similar techniques, setting up military videogame centers in malls to help recruit people to join. This first-hand look into the company from the outside can be extremely beneficial for the potential employee, but also for the employer. Employees who gain some understanding of the company through interactive gaming technology can more easily decide if they are a good fit.

Engaging Employees

Employee engagement is a vital aspect of maintaining a successful business and successful employees. Some employers are using gaming suites to help their employees better understand company goals, procedures, and business. By giving employees a more immediate look into the ins and outs of business, they can feel more involved, better educated, and more in-line with the company as a whole. Engagement, involvement, and synergy among all employees are very important to overall morale and productivity. Gaming objectives like this one also help employees with knowledge retention. They are able to interact with business material in a real hands-on way, helping them to retain the information they learn. When employees feel like they are part of the development and under-workings of a project, they are more invested in its outcome.

Retaining Happy Employees

Video gaming in a professional context has also been shown to help employees relieve stress, refocus their energy, and avoid burnout and boredom. While this can mean setting up a game room full of popular video games and distractions, it doesn’t always mean that. Thinking beyond setting-up a break room with fun toys for employees, using video game technology that actually pertains to the material and projects that employees are working on works better to refocus and re-energize. Retaining employees means finding ways to help them relieve stress and avoid burnout. Work with them to find new ways to explore old subjects or common projects.

Lenore Holditch is a freelance writer and blogger for www.toponlinecolleges.com. Lenore loves writing about education and current academic trends. She uses blogging as a way to educate students and student-hopefuls in the best academic choices for their needs. You can reach Lenore in the comment section below.

Tags: Employee Engagement, training, Video Games

7 Responses to “Smart Employers Turn to Video Games for Digital Training”

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Eli Anenoglou Says:
May 24th, 2013 at 10:20 am

Studies have shown that the brain is mechanical in nature. Thus it adheres to and responds to computer programs much easier than verbal commands. I think this is a great idea and something that we need to start using in our schools in order to get kids more involved in their classes.
Satisfied Customer Says:
June 3rd, 2013 at 8:26 pm

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