When we think of professional training, most people picture long slideshows, lectures, or role-playing games that don't seem useful. But research consistently shows that play—the very thing we associate with childhood—is one of the most powerful tools for adult learning.
So, what makes play such a good way to learn at work? Let's look at the science.
1. Play brings out feelings, and feelings help us remember.
Neuroscience says that when we feel something, like happiness, surprise, or even mild frustration, our brains remember it better. You still remember the funny story from last year's workshop, but you don't remember slide #47. Winning, losing, competing, and laughing are all things that happen in games that make you feel good and bad. This emotional charge helps the learning "stick."
2. Games make people want to get involved.
Adults don't learn well when they just listen. Research indicates that we remember merely 10% of what we hear, whereas we retain up to 70% of what we actively engage in. You have to participate in play; you can't just sit quietly at the back while a game is going on. You're engaged by design, whether you're solving a puzzle, answering a hard question, or negotiating in a role-based situation.
3. Safe places to try things out
Playing is a low-risk way to try out new ideas, make mistakes, and learn from them. In a business setting, that means practicing leadership, communication, or decision-making without having to deal with the real-world effects. It's like a fun business simulator for developing crucial workplace skills.
4. Working together while competing
It's not enough for people to just know things; they also need to know how to work together. Games balance competition with working together, which makes teams come up with plans, share what they know, and celebrate their wins. What happened? Better communication skills and stronger relationships at work.
5. Couch trivia is an example of learning through games.
Not all effective training games need a lot of technology or complicated setups. A digital trivia game you can play on your couch can change a training session. The questions make people argue, make them question what they think they know, and make them think quickly. Most importantly, they let everyone in the room speak, not just the loudest people.
Couch trivia is a great way to get people excited and teach them at the same time because it combines competition and collaboration. It's great for workshops, retreats, and even onboarding programs.
6. The Long-Term Effect
Companies that use play-based training often see more people getting involved, remembering what they learned, and even changes in the culture. When workers connect learning with fun, they are more likely to look for it on their own. In other words, play doesn't just make one workshop better; it makes learning a part of the culture.
Last Thoughts
Playing isn't a way to avoid doing important work; it's a way to learn more quickly. Leaders can turn learning from something employees have to do into something they look forward to by adding games to training. A fun game of couch trivia can sometimes be all it takes to improve retention and build stronger teams.
So, what makes play such a good way to learn at work? Let's look at the science.
1. Play brings out feelings, and feelings help us remember.
Neuroscience says that when we feel something, like happiness, surprise, or even mild frustration, our brains remember it better. You still remember the funny story from last year's workshop, but you don't remember slide #47. Winning, losing, competing, and laughing are all things that happen in games that make you feel good and bad. This emotional charge helps the learning "stick."
2. Games make people want to get involved.
Adults don't learn well when they just listen. Research indicates that we remember merely 10% of what we hear, whereas we retain up to 70% of what we actively engage in. You have to participate in play; you can't just sit quietly at the back while a game is going on. You're engaged by design, whether you're solving a puzzle, answering a hard question, or negotiating in a role-based situation.
3. Safe places to try things out
Playing is a low-risk way to try out new ideas, make mistakes, and learn from them. In a business setting, that means practicing leadership, communication, or decision-making without having to deal with the real-world effects. It's like a fun business simulator for developing crucial workplace skills.
4. Working together while competing
It's not enough for people to just know things; they also need to know how to work together. Games balance competition with working together, which makes teams come up with plans, share what they know, and celebrate their wins. What happened? Better communication skills and stronger relationships at work.
5. Couch trivia is an example of learning through games.
Not all effective training games need a lot of technology or complicated setups. A digital trivia game you can play on your couch can change a training session. The questions make people argue, make them question what they think they know, and make them think quickly. Most importantly, they let everyone in the room speak, not just the loudest people.
Couch trivia is a great way to get people excited and teach them at the same time because it combines competition and collaboration. It's great for workshops, retreats, and even onboarding programs.
6. The Long-Term Effect
Companies that use play-based training often see more people getting involved, remembering what they learned, and even changes in the culture. When workers connect learning with fun, they are more likely to look for it on their own. In other words, play doesn't just make one workshop better; it makes learning a part of the culture.
Last Thoughts
Playing isn't a way to avoid doing important work; it's a way to learn more quickly. Leaders can turn learning from something employees have to do into something they look forward to by adding games to training. A fun game of couch trivia can sometimes be all it takes to improve retention and build stronger teams.