In an effort to meet the growing demand for education and job skills training, companies, organizations and governments around the world are turning to innovative technologies and training techniques. The expanding use of distance learning initiatives, serious games and computerized simulations has brought a new learning experience and life-changing opportunity to millions of individuals.
As the success of e-learning solutions becomes evident, more organizations are adopting these solutions for their learners. The result is a growing understanding of how to successfully implement these new learning solutions. Here are a few success stories of companies and institutions that have incorporated one form or another of e-learning, gamification, serious games and-or 3D simulations into their learning strategy.
E-Learning:
In some of the world’s poorest countries, the difference between scratching out a meager existence and having a hopeful future is availability and access to education. The Sri Lanka Government recognized this as a national problem and created the Open University of Sri Lanka in response. The OUSL has the distinction of being the only school in the nation’s university system that offers degrees from graduate through PhD level, entirely via distance learning. More than 18,000 students enroll in OUSL’s e-learning program annually.
Serious Games:
Marriott Hotels International successfully implemented a game-based strategy for attracting people who may be interested in a career in the hospitality industry. The company launched a game called “My Marriott Hotel” and promoted it through Facebook. In this game, players learn to manage a virtual hotel restaurant kitchen including ordering provisions, staffing, meeting quality standards, etc. Players from more than 100 countries have signed up to play the game, and more importantly, 30% of participants in the game click on the option that takes them to Marriott’s job application website.
General Electric is one of the largest suppliers of diagnostic imaging equipment used in hospitals and clinics around the world. In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of hospital efficiency, GE created a game called “Patient Shuffle” that allows players to virtually manage the patient flow in a large hospital environment. Aside from being addicting, Patient Shuffle also raises awareness of how complex a hospital can be, and gives average folks a better appreciation for the role that doctors and nurses play in our healthcare system.
Training Simulations:
Geological exploration and modeling is a particularly interesting area for development of 3D simulations and scenarios. Using digital images that can be rotated and viewed from any angle allows for safer and less expensive training to take place in otherwise hazardous conditions. Merla, Inc. is a manufacturer of valves, actuators and high-pressure fittings designed for the oil and gas exploration industry. Using a 3D simulation program, Merla was able to train their clients on how to assemble these fittings in a virtual setting before attempting them in the field. The simulation programs could even be downloaded and viewed in the filed just prior to installation. The result was fewer damaged components, a safer work environment, and bragging rights to an industry-leading technology.
The use of 3D simulations for training emergency response personnel has been a common practice in some countries for years. When the Italian government did a study of the effectiveness of emergency responders in that country however, it was not pleased with what it discovered. Italian firefighters were found to be lagging far behind other European countries in both readiness and effectiveness1. A possible cause for this was the almost complete absence of any serious games or 3D simulations within Italian firefighter training programs. In 2009 a system was put in place that used 3D simulations to teach basic technique, tactics and strategy to incoming firefighters. Comparisons made in 2013 showed a vast improvement in firefighter readiness in Italy.
Learn What E-Learning, Serious Games and 3D Simulations Can Do For Your Company
Here at Designing Digitally, Inc., we specialize in the creation and development of game-based learning systems that help to train today’s workforce. Our customized online learning solutions help to deliver a faster and more consistent training experience for employees and learners. Let us know what we can do for your organization by clicking here to request your free quote.
1Towards a knowledge intensive serious game for training emergency response services– Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (ISCRAM)