In this chapter, the value of serious games for the workplace is borrowed from three intersecting knowledge domains: Learning, Modeling & Simulation (M&S), and Play. From each domain, we will present possibilities and limitations. It can be concluded that gaming can play a serious role in training and development at the workplace.

Korteling, J. E., Helsdingen, A. S., Theunissen, N. C. M. (2013). Ch.7 – Serious Games @ Work: Learning job-related competences using serious gaming.In A. Bakker & D. Derks (Eds.), The Psychology of Digital Media at Work (pp. 123-144). London, UK: Psychology Press LTD / Taylor & Francis Group.
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Abstract

[From the introduction] In our rapidly changing society, formal training alone cannot meet the need for development of working individuals. For this reason, serious games increasingly are gaining interest as a potentially valuable, efficient, and effective alternative for conventional training at work. Serious gaming for application in labor organizations can capture many characteristics and processes of the job. It can be used to train many relevant competencies of workers in a realistic, attractive and challenging manner. Serious gaming fits with recent theories of learning and instruction that promote a form of learning through experience, by doing, such as discovery learning (i.e., Gerven, 2003), action learning (i.e. Smith & O’Neil, 2003), and experiential learning (i.e. Jiusto & DiBiasio, 2006). Such theories advocate an active, central role for the learner and use authentic (realistic, practical, job-related) learning environments that require educators to adopt more supportive rather than directive roles (Johnston & McCormick, 1996; Salter, 2003). Although game-based learning builds on the “learning through experience” tradition, in itself it is a relatively new learning technology. In this chapter, our discussion on the value of serious games for the workplace will borrow from three intersecting knowledge domains: Learning, Modeling & Simulation (M&S), and Play. Figure 7.1 shows that serious gaming can be positioned at the heart of these domains. From each domain, we will present those issues that are most relevant for serious gaming. On the basis of this presentation, we will show the possibilities and limitations of serious gaming for professional learning and training objectives and how gaming can play a serious role in training and development at the workplace.

Keywords

Serious gaming, On-the-job learning, Digital media, Competencies, Simulation, Play, Modelling, Learning

Topic: Learning Innovations
Code: N3002