Renderas:sect2. Features of an Effective Learning Game

Balance The game format should present an appropriate mix of chance and skill. Too much chance makes the game boring and mindless; too much emphasis on knowledge reduces the game to a test.

Easily adaptable An effective game format should be “open” to your content and can be written to the level of any audience. Some games even allow you to adjust the level of competition you wish to bring to your audience.

User-friendly The game format is easily understood, so participants are quickly converted into active players.

Fun to play The game promotes player involvement and continued interest.

Flexible The game can be modified to fit into almost any training facility and any time schedule.

Selecting and preparing a new learning game to use in your training can be a risky procedure. To help you experience the preparation and play of a learning game, this issue of Info-line offers you five fully adaptable learning games, selected to fill a specific, yet differing function in the training plan. Each game will be presented in terms of its learning objectives, features, and mode of play.

With the exception of “Lecture Bingo” by Sivasailam Thiagarajan, these games were created by this issue's author and are adapted from his books, Games That Teach and Games That Teach Teams. To expand your understanding and application of learning games further, consult the list of references and resources at the end of this issue. Finally, to help you prepare your own learning game, use the job aid Adapt-and-Play Guidelines—also developed by the author. It is a valuable worksheet that you can use over and over again, incorporating your own content.