Gamification - the future of training

Online learning and training methods based on "gamification" are the way of the future.

This was highlighted by Ian Clark, regional MD for Fox ITSM SA, during an exclusive interview with ITWeb. He described gamification as "learning by doing" and stressed that this is a great way to teach IT management concepts.

"Gamification is a method of training that you can blend in with traditional classroom training methods, but allows people on courses to learn by doing, rather than just sitting and listening," said Clark.

According to Clark, gamification uses simulations by providing students with hands-on, real-life problem scenarios that they have to solve. "By doing the task themselves, the course attendees are able to figure out how things work and are able to see the results themselves, rather than just listening to someone telling them how it should be done."

People have different preference and training needs, Clark noted, adding that he has recently seen a movement towards online learning.

"As bandwidth improves, online learning will become more and more prevalent and I suspect that we will begin to combine this learning method with gamification," he said, dubbing this "online gamification".

He cited the interest in Fox ITSM's online learning offerings, termed CloudTrainer, as an example of the fact that younger generations have lost interest in classroom-based learning and favour online training offerings. "Our entire business is running in the cloud," he said, adding that, as fewer cloud-related incidents occur, he predicts that more people will adopt online training offerings.

But planning is essential. "There is just not enough strategic planning when it comes to training," said Clark, adding that companies need to ensure employees know why they are actually being sent on training courses in order for them to really gain value from the course.

As an IT governance and service management training and consultancy company, Fox ITSM offers related training courses. According to Clark, companies that are successful when it comes to governance are those that are planning and discussing strategy before they actually get into it.

"The companies that are getting governance and compliance right are prepared to sharpen the axe before they chop down the tree," said Clark. "Having good governance means a company has the necessary controls in place to allow senior management and executives to evaluate and monitor what staff are doing within an organisation."

When it comes to governance and compliance, he noted that key stakeholders need to understand what these concepts mean before they can implement successful processes.

"The pressure is on, but companies need to be doing a little more planning, thinking and research before they put their foot to the floor," he concluded. "Think and plan before you act."