Using commercial games for learning

We love games! And we love using games when delivering training, or when teaching. We bet you do, too—or, you would not have taken a peek at this page.

The good news is that the use of learning games has become pretty pervasive in training and other learning experiences. The bad news is many use games ineffectively when trying to reach the objectives they actually want.

This two day, in-person workshop focuses on leveraging commercial games, so you get the results needed. Not only will you experience tons of off-the-shelf games applied to various learning contexts, but we will share with you how to modify the game play as you align to your goals. We will share a debrief format to ensure your participants take away the lessons intended. We will also discuss major risks and pitfalls when using games, specifically commercial games.

Throughout the two days, we will provide the theoretical framework and the business case for incorporating games into your learning designs.

We will introduce you (if you are not already playing them) to games like Forbidden Island, Fluxx, Pandemic, Barnga, Code Names, Hanabi, Timeline, Civilization, and more. Some take a while to play—so we will show you how to keep your eye on the instructional outcome and not get derailed by the gameplay itself. We will give you a decision-making process for picking a game. And we will help you think through the logistics of buying, traveling, and setting up the games.

On Day Two, you will have a chance to pick a game (from the pile we bring along with us) or use your own. You will rapidly design a module and then facilitate it partially or entirely. The cohort and facilitators will provide guidance and feedback.

Objectives:

By the end of the workshop, you will learn to:

1. Choose which game to use in your learning design according to both your objectives and logistical constraints.
2. Adapt commercial games to your learning designs.
3. Facilitate games for learning… and not just have the participants play merely for fun.
4. Debrief the game using a tried-and-true debriefing methodology to ensure your key take-aways indeed get taken away.
5. Manage the logistics of using games.

Who should attend:

• Trainers
• Facilitators
• Teachers
• Professors
• Instructional Designers
• Anyone who managers and leads learning programs