eLearning at TIGS: Di Epoff’s Blog

It is similar to a game environment!

Games are…

- fun

- entertaining

- engaging

- interactive

- social

- repetitive

- often surprising

Also, they have grown up in an audio-visual environment.

Rebecca Thorman’s 2007 blog entry How video games can show us how to engage Generation Y (or anyone)

provides tips for keeping talented Generation Y on-task and motivated…..

“Generation Y doesn’t want to lick envelopes. We’re up for the challenge. Let us lead your next project.

 

…with small steps... Video games give us a big high-five every time we reach the next level, self-motivating us to keep playing.

 

And Generation Y workers are intrinsic motivation junkies. According to Richard Florida, author of the Rise of the Creative Class, Generation Y “values intrinsic rewards more so than salary and benefits.” Extrinsic factors such as money, promotions, rank and prestige don’t do much for us.

 

We’ve been “suckled on the principles of intrinsic motivation,” argues Tamara J. Erickson at Harvard Business Online. We would prefer to have careers that make us feel good and do good for the planet. Shiny external bribes may turn our heads, but intrinsic factors keep our attention long term.

 

Employers can retain young workers by recognizing “smaller steps are far better than big infrequent increments” according to Erickson.

…and celebrate often! With each new level passed in a video game, there is a celebration. It’s rare that people get tired of playing video games. That’s because it’s fun to make it to the next level. Fun and celebration are essential to avoiding burnout. Too many workplaces just focus on the pot of gold, not the colorful journey to get there. Small successes should be shared and merit party-time.”