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Getting More from Training Game Shows |
Improved Retention
Many of us use quiz and game shows within our training curriculum to generate fun and excitement during the program. Here is an idea that can perhaps stretch the program's learning and retention value by making the game or quiz show you present more collaborative and interactive.
We've known for a long time programs that engage participants also improve retention. Take a look at the below learning retention chart, which demonstrates a direct relationship between the participant's active involvement, and the level of learning retention.
Why not make those "end of program" game shows you've incorporated into your training program as a review piece more interactive by having your trainees develop the questions for the game as the program is presented. Here is a suggestion on just how to accomplish this.
Begin your training program by immediately establishing teams. I would recommend teams of four to five individuals; however larger teams will work as well. Tell your teams that they will be developing questions based on the course materials presented during the program and to be used in the "BIG GAME" at the end of the program. Awarding a prize to the winner is always a nice touch. Inform your teams that they will also be responsible for each team member's understanding of the materials presented. In this way you've set the stage for individuals to help one another during the program and because you're designing it to be collaborative, they will have plenty of opportunity to interact.
Developing the Game Questions
Questions should be developed by participants in either multiple choice or True/False format. It is best if you have a template for capturing the questions (built in MS Word, Excel or PowerPoint) which will also make it easier for you to compile the questions later on in the program.
Individual trainees will be asked to concentrate as the program material is presented and to jot down ideas they have for possible questions for the "BIG GAME". Tell your trainees that they will not only be developing questions but must also include additional and supportive information concerning each question. I'll speak more to this point in a second. Explain to your group that the emphasis of the game will be to promote real and practical learning for the core ideas expressed in the training. It is important not to develop questions that are too obscure or simply created to "stump" the other teams. They should however, be both challenging and designed to make you think. In addition, questions that are too obscure will be eliminated from the game (by the trainer), and it is to each team's advantage to have as many of their questions included in the game as possible.
At the end of each program training module, teams will be given ten minutes to review their individual team member question submissions, and discuss which questions they may want to submit for inclusion in the game. You may even allow each team to have a short strategy meeting before the training begins to discuss how they will decide which questions will be submitted by the team. You'll need from 25 – 40 questions in total (1 -1 ½ hours of game play), and keep in mind some questions will be duplicates, while others may not make the cut (You make the final decision and you may also wish to add key questions that you feel must be included in the game). I would guess you may be asking for two to three questions from each team per training module.
Questions should be developed with supportive information (versus just the answer itself). In this regard teams must include additional written information with each question which supports the question's relevance to the course materials. Each member of the team should be able to speak to the question as well. It is not only important that the team know the correct answer to their questions, but also that each team member be able to expound on the question itself (requires a greater level of understanding) should the facilitator ask the team member/s to do so.
Compiling the Game Questions
The good news is that you didn't have to come up with all these questions and additional information yourself. The bad news is you still have to select and compile the questions and then place them into your game. This is the reason I wanted to suggest a template perhaps built in MS Word, Excel or PowerPoint. In this way you should be able to cut and paste questions quickly into your game. If possible you may even have participants type the questions, answers and additional information directly into your template. Below (download link) is a questions file (template) that we use for our TGI XF games. Once questions are placed into this MS Excel file, they can be imported into many of our games (XF Style Games – see www.training-games.com).
Downloadable file: http://training-games.com/TGIdownloads/Questions Database XF.xls
In addition TGI makes a 6-Pack of various Quiz Show Games (Jeopardy, Hollywood Square, Wheel of Fortune etc) developed in PowerPoint. Additional information on these games can be located at: http://www.training-games.com/powerpoint_games.html . Any of these will work well as your program wind-up and review game.
At the end of your program everyone will be excited to compete in the "BIG GAME". They will, of course, be hoping that they will get their own questions, or that their cleverly created questions will confound the other teams. Don't hesitate however to stop the game and explore understanding of a particular question. Remember, you have experts in the room ready to expound on the question, and provide additional information for greater understanding to the rest of your group (the originating team).
Here's Why This Exercise Works So Well
When your group is participating in the development of a quiz game there are several obvious benefits. As seen clearly in the above chart, we learn more when we engage. Instead of zoning out as PowerPoint slides slide by (tricky huh!), trainees will be engaged and try to craft questions that they will submit to their respective teams in hopes these may flummox other competing teams. As teams meet after each module there is a great opportunity to review what has been just presented. The objective of the exercise is to decide upon great questions to submit for the upcoming game, however, obviously such a review provides a grand opportunity for your teams to share in a motivated discussion of the training information presented.
Remember that each team must be able to expound on the questions they submit, and may be asked to speak to the question during the course of the game. In other words, if they wish to submit a question, it is important that each member of the team understand why the question is relevant and be able to clearly speak to it. Finally the game itself will be fun and engaging. It is an excellent way to end the program, certainly a joint effort, and of course a stellar final review of the program just presented. |
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