Business and association leaders rely on meetings to convey important information and train their teams. However, sharing information in a memorable way is sometimes a very daunting task. Using an audience response system for individual and team competition is one way to significantly boost retention of important information. Audience response technology equips meeting organizers to easily implement Digital Game-Based Learning.
Using games and competition to boost business results, also referred to as Gamification, drives up attentiveness and engagement during any program. Attendees are keen to know if their answers are correct and how they are doing compared to others on the team. This helps improve learning outcomes and increases the number of attendees who are proficient with the learning objectives. A quiz game, for example, can be used to review new policies, hone sales techniques, or build team relationships.
Each person attending the meeting participates using a wireless handheld keypad or their own phone, computer or tablet. Responses are tracked in real time to game questions posed by presenters. The audience response system software tabulates the data from individuals and teams and immediately displays scoreboards with comparative results.
There are 5 main advantages of digital Game-Based Learning:
- Creates competitive environment--The chance for team play encourages individuals to strive for their best and use teamwork to achieve more than they could on their own.
- Stimulates focus - Real-time discussion and analysis of learning topics through interactive PowerPoint games strengthens participants’ attentiveness to subject matters.
- Increases participation - Participants will be more willing to provide honest feedback and overcome the “shyness factor” when using electronic keypads to voice their opinions.
- Enhances meaning and boosts retention - Active learning provides better focus and awareness which leads to greater memory recall in participants.
- Provides an engaging experience - Games boost the energy of the room to catch participant’s attention and provide opportunities for peer interaction.
In addition, the use of clickers or an ARS response system can make meeting time more efficient. By posing instant assessment questions as a session occurs, a presenter can determine the need for more or less time allocated to individual learning objectives. Less time is spent on the topics attendees have already mastered. This provides more time to cover additional material that attendees need. Instructors have greater control over the effectiveness of each presentation and their learners’ focus. They get more done in less time while delivering a more engaging experience.
One tool for learning games is the OptionPower Group Competition Module. This is a software add-in that brings quiz game polling functionality to PowerPoint presentations. Presenters use the tool to add interactive game questions to PowerPoint presentations. Adding a two or three quiz questions during an hour of instruction significantly enhances participant focus. It stimulates peer interaction as teams collaborate and scoring results are revealed.
The process of implementing interactive learning games is simple. Simply add polling slides to existing slide decks or take advantage of game templates that are similar to popular TV games. Custom templates with meeting specific content and deliver attendee engagement and fun. This system helps create Jeopardy PowerPoints or Who Wants to be a Millionaire PowerPoints for technical training or meetings to enhance sales and leadership skills.
PowerPoint game templates allow users to quickly make last minute adjustments if a new topic of concern arises during the meeting. This flexibility provides a simple way to develop an effective training game for any meeting. The audience response clickers and polling software are easy to implement. Little or no meeting time is required to teach attendees how use the system. They simply hit the button on their device that corresponds to the answer they believe is correct on the screen.
To learn more about use of an audience response system for gamification at your next meeting, click the button below.
