Can ’serious games’ be an effective tool for workplace learning?

Researchers from UCL are analysing a serious game called TARGET to see if it could help workers develop skills such as negotiating and trust-building in the workplace. Serious games are video games designed for a primary purpose other than pure entertainment. A collaborative project between 17 partners, including UCL, TARGET aims to use the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) environment provided by the game to support the development of workers. Recommending specific sub-games or missions for each learner to play, the TARGET system helps them develop skills in project management and innovation.  For each game, the learner interacts with computer-based characters within a 3D virtual environment and encounters simulated project management missions, tasks and problems.   "There is currently a lot of interest in serious games such as TARGET as they have the potential to provide an engaging learning context for learners.  Serious game applications include edutainment, higher education, health care, corporate, military and non-government organisations," said Charlene Jennett (UCL Computer Science).