From Playing To Productivity How Social and Gamified Learning Revolutionize Training Outcomes

From Playing to
Productivity: How
Social and Gamified
Learning Revolutionize
Training Outcomes
w w w. i nf op ro l ea r ni ng.c om
Table of Contents
03 13
Introduction Best Practices for Gamified &
Social Learning in Employee Training
04 16
From Observing to Achieving: Conclusion: Social and Gamified Learning
Understanding Social Learning for Better Training Outcomes
07 17
Beyond Points and Badges: About Infopro Learning
Exploring Gamified Learning
09
Integrating Social and Gamified Learning:
The Benefits for Employee Training
02 From Playing to Productivity: How Social and Gamified Learning Revolutionize Training Outcomes www.infoprolearning.com
Introduction
Gen Zs and Millennials who dedicated their formative years to Integrating social and gamified learning methodologies is vital
gaming may recall being subjected to the notion that it was in significantly enhancing training outcomes. Social learning
unproductive. Nonetheless, the present-day discourse has encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and active
embraced the belief that engaging in video games can participation among learners, improving understanding and
cultivate essential proficiencies such as knowledge retention, retention.
problem-solving, and social interaction. Moreover, empirical
evidence aside, the undeniable habits of Americans reflect a Using challenges and rewards, gamified learning boosts
profound and widespread affinity for gaming, extending even motivation and creates an engaging learning experience that
to the Baby Boomer generation, who once cast doubt on its enhances knowledge acquisition and skill development. By
merits. combining these approaches, trainers can create effective and
immersive learning environments that maximize the potential
According to a survey by CenturyLink, 33% of individuals play for successful outcomes.
games because they enjoy mental simulation and say it makes
them think more strategically. This eBook equips learning leaders with essential knowledge
about gamified learning and social learning, outlines its
In the corporate world, gamification has emerged as a viable benefits for their teams, and offers practical tips for
strategy to capitalize on the prevailing trend and foster a successfully implementing it in professional development
happier and more productive workforce. Numerous endeavors.
companies have witnessed notable improvements in training
and overall work experience by incorporating games and
friendly social competition.
From Observing to Achieving:
Understanding Social Learning
The Social Learning Theory, put forth by Albert Bandura, suggests that individuals
acquire knowledge and behaviors by observing, imitating, and modeling the actions
of others. This theory asserts that learners can gain new skills and understanding
through vicarious learning by simply watching others.
The social learning theory highlights the significance of internal factors such as
motivation, self-regulation, and self-efficacy, while also underscoring the crucial
role played by the social context and the influence of mentors in shaping behaviors.
The Eduflow survey reveals that more than 80% of individuals acknowledge the
significance or necessity of collaborative learning. However, the surprising aspect
is that only 20% of L&D practitioners actively utilize collaborative learning regularly.
This survey aligns with the results of Donald Taylor's widely recognized global
sentiment survey, where social/collaborative learning was ranked as the second-
most favored subject in the L&D field for 2022. This prominence can be attributed
to the increased emphasis on remote and hybrid work arrangements.
The components of social learning include:
Observation
Observational learning operates through observing others' behavior. It involves observing the outcomes of particular actions in
specific situations and then imitating or mirroring that behavior based on the observed consequences.
Through this process, individuals acquire an understanding of socially acceptable behaviors and identify behaviors that are typically
met with criticism. Observational learning enables people to adapt and approach situations with increased confidence swiftly.
Assessment
Afterward, evaluation is done to determine whether the behavior displayed by the individual under observation aligns with our
personality and if the responses and reactions from others are desirable. If we determine that we desire to praise and recognition
for a certain achievement, we analyze the process through which the observed individual attained such results. Frequently, more
data is needed to determine the specific factors influencing the desired reaction. Hence, observing similar situations is necessary
to enhance our comprehension.
Imitation
Following observing and evaluating a specific behavior, imitation ensures the desired outcome. However, imitation is constrained by
our limitations, such as physical attributes, traits, and personal experiences. In the majority of instances, the consequences of a
behavior are influenced by various factors.
The perspective of others, the context, timing, one's own disposition, and the overall situation all contribute to how people respond to a
particular action. Consequently, establishing a behavior as a habit typically requires repeated positive reinforcement, while a mere hint
of criticism can deter its recurrence in the future.
Identification
Social learning relies heavily on individuals' desire to associate with others and emulate their accomplishments, seeking recognition
from these role models. This process, akin to Freud's concept of the Oedipus complex, involves internalizing and adopting the
behaviors of others. While imitation refers to a single aspect, identification encompasses a range of learned behaviors.
Social learning in the Workplace

Social learning encompasses a variety of modalities, such as peer discussions, collaborative efforts within teams, independent
learning, participation in online forums and networks, engagement in communities of practice, and even the utilization of blogs. Based
on the 70:20:10 learning model, a mere 10% of the learning process is attributed to textbooks and formal courses, while a significant
proportion of 90% encompasses experiential learning, observations, and interpersonal interactions.
Organizations can benefit significantly by fostering informal learning through collaborative and experiential approaches. Social learning
has emerged as a prominent subject of interest within corporate L&D spheres. With the emergence of innovative technologies, skills
are becoming outdated at an accelerated pace, prompting businesses to seek novel approaches to enhance their employees'
proficiencies continually.
Beyond Points and Badges:
Exploring the Depths of Gamified Learning
Gamification is applying gaming formats and strategies to enhance involvement in
specific activities. When applied to learning and professional development,
gamification effectively promotes active participation and engagement in training
endeavors. If one were to inquire about the primary factors that inspire employees,
recognition and rewards would emerge as the prominent responses.
Unsurprisingly, the motivational elements for employees must be integrated into

the learning strategies to cultivate an attentive and driven audience during training
sessions. This is precisely where the utilization of gamification in the context of
learning becomes relevant.
This approach incorporates game elements, such as leaderboards, points, and

leveling up, to simultaneously educate and motivate individuals. Additional game
features include the utilization of game mechanics, where problem-solving
becomes an interactive learning method.
According to Litmos research, the 5 most popular gamification features are
progress bars, achievements, in-app currency, leaderboards, and actual games.
Moreover, story platforms immerse players within a narrative, allowing them to
make choices that shape the story’s progression.
Lastly, competition modes are often implemented in games, fostering a sense of rivalry among players, whether it be through direct
competition or indirect comparisons of achievements.
Gamified Learning in the Workplace

Gamified learning in the workplace has emerged as a dynamic and engaging approach to enhance employee training and
development. Organizations can foster a more interactive and immersive learning environment by integrating game elements into
the learning process. Incorporating gamified learning transforms training content into an engaging and enjoyable experience,
featuring elements such as friendly competitions.
This approach also integrates augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) components, delivering an immersive encounter that
empowers learners and imparts skills through realistic simulations. As learners advance through various levels within the game,
they acquire badges and receive social recognition, fostering motivation to enhance their skills and excel in their professional
responsibilities. By harnessing the power of gamification, companies can revolutionize traditional training methods, boost employee
engagement, and ultimately enhance overall performance and productivity in the workplace.
Our comprehensive eBook, Transforming Corporate Training Programs with Gamification, gives you the knowledge, strategies, and
hands-on advice you need to use gamification to boost your L&D initiatives and achieve outstanding results.
Integrating Social and Gamified Learning:
The Benefits for Employee Training
Integrating social learning and gamification in training programs can
create a powerful synergy that enhances the learning experience and
improves training outcomes. Social learning focuses on collaboration,
knowledge sharing, and interaction among learners, while gamification
incorporates game elements to motivate and engage learners.
Combined, these approaches can foster a dynamic and immersive

learning environment, encouraging participation, competition,
cooperation, and continuous improvement.
According to Orbis Research, the gamification market will reach over

$32 billion by 2025. According to another report by Litmos, the growth
rate for game-based learning in corporations is very high, at a five-year
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 53.4%.
Here are a few of its notable benefits for organizations with the integration of social and gamified learning:
Facilitates a Culture of People-Centric Learning

Employees are an invaluable asset to any organization—the greater the investment an organization makes in its workforce, the
greater the return. A culture of learning, with employees at its core, fosters a well-trained, empathetic, and enthusiastic workforce.
High-performing organizations are significantly more likely to possess a learning culture, which drives innovation and
collaboration crucial for company success. However, simply having a learning culture is no longer sufficient.
Leaders must prioritize their employees and behaviors to establish a people-centric learning culture. Traditional training
structures fail to address the motivational and engagement needs of employees. People-centric learning, on the other hand,
revolves around positive and effective strategies to enhance both aspects.
As per LinkedIn's 2023 Workplace Learning report, 83% of global organizations aim to establish a more people-centric culture,
and 81% of global L&D departments actively contribute to making this vision a reality. Gamified learning adopts a people-centric
approach to foster a learning culture. It aims to enhance motivation and engagement, allowing employees to develop as
enthusiastic and innovative learners.
Improves Employee Engagement

As per a study conducted by PwC, 74% of employees express a strong willingness to acquire new skills or undergo retraining
to remain employed. Employee retention has been a significant challenge for organizations in recent years. Engagement plays
a crucial role in addressing this issue.
Gallup's research indicates that employees who display high levels of engagement are generally less inclined to seek or consider new
job prospects actively. Conversely, teams with low engagement tend to experience significantly higher turnover rates ranging from
18% to 43% compared to teams with high engagement.
Gamification and social learning create engagement by building a sense of community. By incorporating game elements, such as
rewards, levels, and competition, employees are motivated to participate and excel in their training actively. The immediate feedback
and progress tracking offered by gamified learning allows employees to see their growth, identify areas for improvement, and
celebrate their achievements. Moreover, the sense of competition and collaboration fostered by gamified learning creates an
engaging and dynamic learning environment that encourages employees to push their limits and interact with their peers.
Boosts Knowledge Retention

The primary objective of learning is to cultivate employees who can proficiently and consistently apply new principles and
knowledge to their professional responsibilities. Unique training programs can only be deemed successful by retaining and
implementing acquired knowledge.
According to the 2022 Workplace Learning and Development Trends report from SHRM, online/self-paced courses are the
preferred mode of learning for 70% of employees, with online/instructor-led training following closely at 63%. The integration of
gamification in these training programs helps learners promptly put newly learned material into practical use, thus enhancing
knowledge retention.
Bridging the gap between learning and practical application is, at the very least, a contributing factor to the observed
effectiveness of gamified learning in augmenting employee skills and comprehension. Furthermore, the social aspect inherent in
gamified learning contributes to improved retention. Companies that employ social learning techniques establish a stimulating
environment that incentivizes active engagement with the material and the retention of acquired information.
Enables Real-Time Feedback
Do you know that companies typically offer employees an average of 62 hours of training? If learners haven't grasped the
training content effectively, all their efforts in learning will be in vain. This can be evaluated through assessments or by providing
feedback.
But, one of the significant challenges faced by both learners and learning leaders revolves around gauging the depth of
assimilation of new information and determining its practical impact. While employees may grasp the mechanics or theoretical
aspects, the pressing concern is whether they possess the necessary proficiency to apply this knowledge effectively in their
respective roles. A delicate balance must be struck, as spending too little time on the topic can lead to rapid forgetfulness, while
devoting too much time risks employee disengagement and wasting valuable company resources. Skill transfer disparities can
drain corporate training resources and hinder the desired workplace outcomes.
However, a solution comes from real-time feedback through gamified learning, promising insights for all involved. Employees
receive timely, accurate assessments of their skills, helping them discern whether more practice or additional review of learning
content is required. Moreover, this real-time feedback empowers leadership by comprehensively understanding employee
comprehension levels and if there is a need for additional learning training resources to foster better employee understanding
and proficiency.
Best Practices for Gamified &
Social Learning in Employee Training
Gamification offers numerous benefits to employers, yet not all gamified learning
platforms possess equal qualities. To maximize the benefits of gamified and social
learning, consider the following tips:
Make it Challenging for Learners

Games should carefully balance their level of difficulty. If they become
excessively challenging, players may become frustrated and abandon them.
On the other hand, if they are easy enough, players will swiftly lose interest.
Regardless of the type of gamification you opt for, ensuring it provides an
adequate level of challenge to captivate and maintain your employees'
attention is crucial. As your employees acquire more knowledge and skills,
consider gradually increasing the difficulty of sustaining their engagement.
This progressive approach to difficulty will keep players interested without
demoralizing them.
Incorporating multiplayer challenges that require collaboration or competition
among learners will encourage learners to work together. This can involve
team-based quizzes, problem-solving activities, or simulations that can make
them learn from one another.
Use Collaboration Make it Visually Create Healthy
Tools Appealing Competition
Promoting teamwork fosters a thriving Attract learners by incorporating an Utilize leaderboards to instill a spirited
organizational culture and elevates enticing design and creating a visually sense of competition that motivates
team morale. Integrating collaborative captivating experience. Studies have and inspires players to stay focused on
tools is vital in fostering social learning proven that visual aesthetics achieving their goals. Learners will
and enriching the learning journey. significantly influence the duration of strive for excellence when friendly
Employees can contribute valuable user engagement on a platform. rivalry pushes them to surpass their
insights from their own experiences to Moreover, it plays a crucial role in peers. To cultivate motivation and a
facilitate mutual understanding and motivating your employees to strong camaraderie and cooperation,
application of acquired knowledge. participate in their learning journey contemplate organizing employees
Leveraging a learning experience actively. When the platform is intuitive into teams for competitive events.
platform (LXP) offers a range of and visually appealing, it substantially
valuable resources to foster social increases the likelihood of your
learning, including group boards and workers embracing it eagerly.
chats that facilitate collective
engagement among employees.
Incentivize with Mix Things Up
Rewards
Promote active engagement in games by To keep the benefits of gamified learning, it is
offering attractive incentives. Employees can advisable to vary the competitive aspects to
find motivation by attaining badges, medals, maintain a sense of novelty and captivation.
and new game levels, valuable indicators of For instance, one could employ team-based
their learning and advancement. competition for certain games while
maintaining an individual focus on others.
Implementing leaderboards that display the Additionally, incorporating narrative elements
progress and achievements of learners. This into some games and utilizing score-based
fosters healthy competition, encourages leaderboards for others can enhance
learners to strive for improvement, and provides engagement. It is important to avoid adhering
social interaction opportunities. Badges and strictly to a single, monotonous formula.
achievements can also be used to recognize Leveraging a learning platform can assist in
and reward learners' accomplishments, further selecting diverse games to sustain employee
motivating their engagement. engagement.
Conclusion: Social and Gamified Learning
for Better Training Outcomes
Gamification and social learning are ways to invest in your most important resource: your employees. These techniques
make employee training more exciting and effective by bringing enthusiasm and motivation, even for mundane tasks.
With real-time feedback, employees and their leaders can identify areas where more learning is needed and when they
can progress to new topics.
However, gamified learning strategies should be tailored to each company's needs. Changing games and competition
modes, increasing difficulty gradually, and promoting collaboration and team spirit can enhance long-term engagement
and improvement for better learning outcomes.
About Infopro Learning
Infopro Learning is an award-winning workforce transformation organization that unlocks the
potential of employees, clients, and partners. Unlocking potential unleashes higher
performance levels, resulting in outcomes aligned with your organization’s strategic objectives.
Infopro Learning helps you grow, manage change effectively, and ultimately – transform.
Over the last 25 years, Infopro Learning has built services and solutions around training, CONTACT US
Mail us: info@infoprolearning.com
upskilling, and developing people. As a global leader in talent development and managed
Visit us: www.infoprolearning.com
learning services, Infopro Learning offers full-service solutions that support the entire learning Call us: +1(609)606-9984
lifecycle, including strategy, curriculum design, content development, training delivery, learning
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administration, and talent sourcing. Our digital platforms and global infrastructure enable the
accelerated realization of the outcomes associated with full-service solutions.
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© Copyright 2023, Infopro Learning. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without the express written permission from Infopro Learning. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. All other trademarks mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.

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From Playing To Productivity How Social and Gamified Learning Revolutionize Training Outcomes

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From Playing to

Social learning in the Workplace

Unsurprisingly, the motivational elements for employees must be integrated into

This approach incorporates game elements, such as leaderboards, points, and

Gamified Learning in the Workplace

Combined, these approaches can foster a dynamic and immersive

According to Orbis Research, the gamification market will reach over

Facilitates a Culture of People-Centric Learning

Improves Employee Engagement

Boosts Knowledge Retention

Make it Challenging for Learners

Awards & Recognition

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