ESA: Game-like Training Increasing in the Workplace

ESA: Game-like Training Increasing in the Workplace

June 24, 2008

Yesterday, GamePolitics reported that the NYPD is considering the use of video game technology to train its personnel.

They’re not the only ones.

According to a new ESA survey of 150 large U.S. companies and non-profits, 70% train their employees with interactive software.  Additionally, more than 75% of those companies already offering simulation game-based training expect to expand their usage in the next three to five years. 78% of those not currently on the bandwagon are expected to hop on in the next five years.

Said ESA CEO Michael Gallagher:

Businesses across the spectrum, from automobile manufacturers to financial service providers, are utilizing entertainment software to help educate their employees to better serve their customers and improve their bottom lines.  Interactive technology is a valuable tool in workforce development and this study underscores the fact that video games have become a mass medium helping Americans live, work and of course play.

The majority of companies surveyed claim to be satisfied with the results and sophistication of their interactive training programs. They cite a reduction of costs, faster and more consistent training, ease of measuring employee participation, and better information retention as the biggest advantages.

-Reporting from San Diego, GP Correspondent Andrew Eisen never had one lesson
 

Comments

Re: ESA: Game-like Training Increasing in the Workplace

I love video games and all, but there are some jobs that require hands on supervision and working a physical set of controls to master.

This is, however, a great approach for cutting the cost of training with jobs that can be done via computer though.

Re: ESA: Game-like Training Increasing in the Workplace

Sorta on-topic maybe.

There was one system i found to be very neat.

IT work orders were assigned a point value based on difficulty, time needed, and priority.

Workers got work orders on a first come first server basis, the system was setup in a way that made you only pick work orders that you had the rights skills to fix, or you were confident you could learn to fix.

People leveled up, got points, and small monetary rewards.

So for little or no extra pay, they turned the employee's competitiveness towards improving service and improving employee skills.

 

Re: ESA: Game-like Training Increasing in the Workplace

Sounds like a really fun and motivating system!

A recent "game like" simulator I saw was to introduce students to heavy machinery operation. Had some of the nicest looking and rugged peripherals I'd ever seen (a tripped out operating chair and dual joystick things with control pads located on either side. I had a go at it and the program was surprisingly responsive given that it was just a sampler.

Re: ESA: Game-like Training Increasing in the Workplace

General Motors and Raytheon are doing this as well. I'm a GM technician. Part of our training involves a simulation like game that resembles a bad 80's adventure game. Basically you get a work order a PC and any tools needed for diag and you can play around attempting to figure out the problem.

 

In theory it's awsome in execution it fails miserably.

Re: ESA: Game-like Training Increasing in the Workplace

One big costumer who got egg on his face with virtual training is the US Navy.

Remember the reports about failed maintenance inspections for navy ships these past months ? And possible the GW carrier fire ?

One contributing factor to slipping maintenance were faulty simulations, teaching the wrong* things or leaving out critical details*.

*for both: under actual circumstances on a ship. That counts weight, duration and interuptions.

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E. Zachary Knight: No, the link is the same
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