Some people hold the notion that games aren’t professional, but presenting knowledge through the use of interactive games often results in higher engagement, and better adult learning.
Interactive activities can be a very efficient way to deliver your training message and have it stick in the mind of your audience.
We like to call the idea of adding learning games to your presentations “gamification,” and have found it to be both stimulating and a useful way to help an audience retain important information.
Explore these simple yet effective ways gamification can stimulate your audience and result in more successful presentations.
1. Games Foster Friendly Competition
Competition can be powerful because it taps into our naturally competitive spirit. There are a number of benefits associated with a bit of good-natured rivalry.
It’s what psychologists call an extrinsic incentive, because the motivation to act is sourced by an outside force, not internally, and it often fosters instant results.
Feelings of competition stir your participants to focus under pressure, naturally prompting them to take quick action and problem-solve. That classic competitive rush can encourage groups to challenge each other and put more thought and focus into individual contributions.
Competition also typically arouses our senses and causes our bodies to release chemicals to our brains, increasing our heart rate and, as a result, our engagement.
2. Games Promote Play!
For those who have read the popular business book Fish: A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results, the authors talk about the incredible power of “play” and how it can be used to stimulate workforce involvement.
This idea is so profound, it’s been adopted by corporations such as Southwest Airlines, Sprint and Nordstrom in their company training sessions and business models.
People simply want to be entertained, and there’s some part inside all of us that enjoys making an activity fun.
3. Games Require Engagement
It’s hard to nod off and not pay attention when a crowd of eyes is waiting for a response, so audience members will be more attentive during a game.
The human brain can only truly think about one idea at a time, according to research in neuroscience. That means, when you ask somebody a question, they consider only your question for a few moments. So, games promote focus.
Getting your audience involved often works better when all members are in it together. Group effort is a great way to get ideas and positive energy bouncing around your presentation room.
4. Games Increase Collaboration & Teamwork
Scientists found that a flock of geese can fly over 70 percent further as a group than if the birds flew alone.
That’s because a team of flapping wings creates a stronger uplifting force in the air. The same idea can stand true for team interactions among people.
If you are presenting to an audience with similar careers, beliefs or common interests, collaboration can help the group bond or produce solutions together.
There’s no denying the power of teamwork, and in the business world, we’re always using buzzwords like synergy (from the Greek word “synergos” which translates as “working together”) to produce greater results.
Encouraging your audience to participate in competitive team activities fosters friendly social interaction will give your audience that extra level of engagement you’ve been trying to facilitate.
Make Your PowerPoint More Engaging Today!
Ready to more actively involve your audience in your presentation?
We offer the OptionPower Group Competition Module so you can add interactive games to your PowerPoint presentation.
Create your own questions with different interactive templates that are spin-offs of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Jeopardy, Smarter Than A Sixth Grader and more.
Audience members can compete as individuals or as part of teams, using their OptionFinder keypads, tablets or their own smartphone to participate.
Learn more about our Group Competition Software for PowerPoint and boost engagement in your meetings and learning programs today.
