FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Doesn't using games to learn take longer? Doesn't it slow down the learning process?

The answer is "compared to what?" Compared to standard "tell-test" classroom or web learning, definitely not. Tell-test learning is designed to tell you everything (it is typically sold and measured in terms of how many hours this takes) whereas games are designed to be won as quickly as possible. While commercial game makers often try to make the game very difficult in order to prolong the experience to provide value for money, this does not have to be the case for training. The best Digital Game-Based Learning carefully calculates the ratio of gameplay to learning to keep the player in the flow state along both dimensions. This actually speeds up learning.

This is not to say that there are not even faster or more efficient ways to learn for those able and willing to use them. It is possible to learn to speed-read a textbook, or to answer hundreds of questions on practice exams. A forced march will always arrive sooner, but with fewer people intact.

What slows down the learning process most is generally not difficulty, but boredom.

I need support. What other companies are using Digital Game-Based Learning?

You are not alone!

A great many leading companies are using Digital Game-Based Learning in one or more forms. Many are listed in the case studies in this book.

It is true, though, that Digital Game-Based Learning has not yet "crossed the chasm" (in the terms of Peter Moore's book) from early adopters to the business mainstream. This means you will have to seek out these early adopters to find your support group. One good source is this site..

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