Using Gamification Simulation Methods for Training, Engaging, and Exploring Career and Entrepreneurship Advancements
By Kat Mahoney
Who would have thought that a birthday present could ignite a passion and set a career path in motion?
It was my son’s 13th birthday when my husband and I decided to give him private pilot lessons. His enthusiasm was palpable, and his performance was remarkable.
But the one thing that exceeded our expectations: his competence. It was not purely due to my husband’s military flying expertise, or our son’s innate talent. Microsoft’s Flight Simulator played a crucial role in honing his skills.
With my background in educational entertainment, and my son’s neurodiverse way of thinking, I realized that gamification could assist in career development.
Gamification is a strategy that applies game design techniques to non-game contexts to motivate individuals and solve problems. It’s about taking the essence of games: fun, play, transparency, challenge, and applying it to real-world objectives.
In many ways, we’ve always relied on games to learn. Whether it’s a toddler learning shapes through a puzzle or a business trainee using a simulation to learn project management, games have always been tools for learning.
What has changed now is technology has enabled gamification to evolve and become more immersive and interactive.
Gamification isn’t just limited to education; it’s making its mark in various industries, such as health, finance, and transport. It is successfully persuading people to change their behaviors, develop skills or solve problems. From apps that reward you for meeting your daily step count to corporate training programs that use leaderboards and badges to foster healthy competition among employees, gamification is everywhere.
In the corporate world, companies are incorporating gamification in their training and development programs. It’s not just about making learning fun, it’s about making it effective and efficient.
And the results are promising. Companies are reporting increased engagement, better retention, and improved performance.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator wasn’t just a game for my son, it was a tool for learning. He gained skills and knowledge that would have otherwise taken years to acquire. The intricate details, the precise instructions, the realistic flying experience, everything demystified the world of aviation for him.
His competence didn’t go unnoticed either, as his pilot instructor was impressed by his knowledge and aptitude. The simulator gave him a sense of purpose and direction and reassured him of his capabilities.
Whether you are a parent, an educator, a trainer, or someone exploring career paths or transitioning from the military, I encourage you to consider gamification in your lessons for exciting, engaging, and effective learning experiences. Because at the heart of it, gamification is about harnessing the power of play for learning, for improvement, and for success.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Kat Mahoney is the visionary leader and executive producer of Katnip & Coffee Work Life Balance and is, among many other distinctions, former National Military Spouse of the Year, and Chair of the Greater Brandon Chamber Military Affairs Committee. To learn more about her program, visit www.katnipandcoffee.com.