Training games are so much more than just "fun and enjoyable." They're a fantastic way to train and teach skills to your online and classroom learners engagingly and creatively. When designed correctly, they can ensure your participants are tuned in.

But, how do you do it? It starts with one key principle: making the game serve a purpose beyond just entertainment.

The Real Power of Games

Games are so effective because they tap into our natural human desire for competition, curiosity, and mastery. When a game is tied to a learning objective, it transforms a potentially dull lesson into a thrilling challenge. It's the difference between listening to a lecture on cybersecurity and playing a game where you have to defend your digital castle from waves of cyberattacks.

Games provide a safe space to fail. In a game, making a mistake doesn't have the same consequences as it does in the real world. This freedom allows learners to experiment, try new strategies, and ultimately learn from their errors without fear of failure.

Think of a pilot trainee using a flight simulator. They can crash the plane hundreds of times without anyone getting hurt, and with each crash, they learn something new about flying.

Games also give you immediate feedback, a huge advantage over traditional learning methods. Instead of waiting for a test or a review session to see how you're doing, a game tells you right away if your answer was correct, your strategy worked, or if you made the right move. This instant feedback loop speeds up the learning process.

Finally, games foster active participation. Instead of passively listening, learners are actively in the driver’s seat. This hands-on approach is far more effective for retaining information and building skills. It turns a boring training session into an experience where every participant is fully invested, and that's how real learning sticks.

NOTE: Don't underestimate the power of a wrong answer, either! Seeing how your audience responds to a question can help you pinpoint exactly what they know, highlighting knowledge gaps, misconceptions, and areas of strength.

How to Build a Game that is both Fun and Effective

So how do you harness this power? It's about more than just adding a leaderboard. It’s about building a narrative that makes the learner want to participate.

1) Start with an AHA!
Rather than kicking off your session with a lot of chatter, try to give your group a surprising insight right from the start. Show them an interesting video, technique, or idea that can spark new thoughts. This approach acts like a discovery switch, getting everyone ready to uncover even more exciting ideas as the session progresses.

2) Build in Reflection Time
Set aside time for personal reflection because great ideas are often hiding just below the surface. Preview and Summary Slides are a great way to add additional teaching points that can precede and follow a question. This allows the introduction of new content or support information for the question. The key is to go beyond the question and the correct answers in your session.

3) End with an AHA!
At the end of your session, everyone will have lots of fresh ideas and information. Add a Word Cloud (TALLY, DASH,CONFIDENCE) Open-Ended or Polling Question to encourage your group to share one exciting realization they had during the session. This allows everyone to focus on key takeaways.

Training games aren't just a fun side dish; they're the main course. When you use them correctly, games are more than just a diversion—they're a catalyst for real growth. They create an environment where participants can learn by doing, fostering engagement and retention that traditional methods can't match. This isn't just about playing a game; it's about building knowledge, strengthening teams, and truly internalizing the lessons that matter.

We’ve got a real treat for you! Why not try a game in your classroom today! Here are three FREE SPOOK-TACULAR trivia games you can send out to your trainees to let the ghoulishly good times roll!

Try BRAVOZONE in your next training session

Start creating more of those exciting "AHA!" moments for your audience today and keep your attendees engaged every step of the way!