Experiential Games: A Success Guide and a Hat Factory!
As we’ve mentioned in a previous article, educational games are dynamic tools that enhance engagement, collaboration, inclusion, and experiential learning.
What determines the success of an educational game? The use of the term “game” might mislead us into thinking it’s something relaxed, unstructured, and without rules. As we will discover, it’s quite the opposite!
What you’ll find in this article:
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- Key principles for the success of an educational game
- An example of a successful experiential game
Key Principles for the Success of the Game
The Role of the Trainer (or Trainers)
The foundation of a successful educational game lies in the proper facilitation by the trainer or training team supporting the program.
- The trainer needs to know the rules of the game very well.
- They must have a clear plan from the start on how the game connects with the learning objectives.
- They should master the art of reflection, helping participants gain meaningful insights after the game ends.
- In educational games, as in all experiential learning, the trainer mainly acts as a facilitator. By managing group dynamics, they ensure respect for all opinions, inclusion, and participant collaboration.
Design and Alignment with the Training Program
When designing a training program, we define the goals and the learning outcomes we want to achieve. The game acts as a complementary, complex educational exercise, aiming to reinforce the program’s key concepts.
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- The game needs to be clearly aligned with the learning objectives.
- It should take place at the right moment in the program.
Quality of Materials, Rules & Space Setup
Experiential games -as with the entire training program- must use high-quality materials.
- The game rules must be clear and serve a specific purpose.
- Instructions given to participants should be precise and easy to understand.
- The trainer should ensure the space is properly set up for the game in advance.
- Finally, external factors (noise, interruptions, etc.) should ideally be eliminated or at least minimized during the session.
Debrief / Reflection
The debriefing after the game is the cornerstone of experiential learning. Everything that precedes it aims to create a productive reflection process.
- The debrief typically lasts about as long as the activity itself. It must be given space and time to maximize the learning impact.
- Participants activate their critical thinking, linking what they experienced to personal challenges and moving toward self-awareness.
- The trainer formulates exploratory questions and facilitates meaningful discussions.
An Example of a Successful Experiential Game
From Game Tree’s wide range of experiential games, let’s look at our game “Hat Factory”. This fast-paced game transforms participants into two (or more) hat production teams competing for the highest and best quality output. Time management, adaptation to change, and task prioritization are critical for success. Participants must apply skills in planning, coordination and communication.
“Hat Factory” can be included in training programs on Time & Change Management, Effective Communication, or Team Building & Teamwork, depending on the focus of the session. For example, in a Time Management program, the concept of task prioritization and the Eisenhower Matrix will have already been discussed. The game significantly reinforces the understanding of this model. During the reflection phase, the experience is compared to real workplace situations of the participants. Naturally, this requires proper organization and skilled facilitation by the trainer!
Closing
The success of educational games in adult learning depends on meticulous design, effective facilitation, and alignment with program objectives. By applying these strategies, learners actively engage in the process. They learn through examples and critically reflect on their next steps. After all, isn’t the primary goal of adult education to reshape dysfunctional beliefs and habits?
Further Reading:
Educational Games for Adults: Learn Through Play
The Benefits of Experiential Learning and Game-based Learning
Key Takeaways
The success of experiential games depends on meticulous design, proper facilitation, and alignment with program goals.
The role of the trainer, the preparation of space, and the quality of materials are critical factors for success.
Reflection after the game is the cornerstone of experiential learning.
At Game Tree, we deliver learning experiences that go beyond the ordinary. We design and implement customized training programs for executives, leveraging experiential learning and educational games. Find more information about our services here.