Translating Business and Learning Needs into Game Design: The Power of Vicarious Learning & Abductive Reasoning (Part 1 of 3)

In today's fast-paced corporate environment, training programs play an essential role in equipping professionals with the necessary tools to thrive. Yet, there's an evident gap between conventional learning approaches and the dynamic challenges of the workplace. This three-part series unravels my journey into the realm of game design, firmly grounded in pedagogical principles like vicarious learning and abductive reasoning, and aims to provide a comprehensive view of:

Part 1: The pressing business and learning needs, and the transformative potential of vicarious learning and abductive reasoning in addressing them.

Part 2: An in-depth exploration of design considerations essential for molding these principles into a compelling training game.

Part 3: Real-world impact, showcasing initial data analysis and the learning outcomes from users engaged with this novel approach.

Why Am I Sharing This Journey?

The intersection of business needs, learning principles, and game design is a nuanced landscape, often veiled in mystery. My motivation stems from the scarcity of resources that elucidate how these complex facets intertwine. By sharing insights on the pedagogical foundations, design considerations, and analytical facets behind serious game design, I aspire to start discussions with fellow practioners and designers.

The Business Imperative

Businesses worldwide are currently operating in a state of uncertainty and transitioning from an industrial era to a digital age.?The Covid 19 pandemic has accelerated this process, and has forced companies to reassess their business models and processes. Advancements in the field of AI and Machine Learning has disrupted the key structures of how companies do business and these developments have led to considerable changes in the way business operate.

The pace of change is accelerating and the competition for right talent is fierce. And ‘talent’ no longer means the same as ten years ago; many of the roles skills, job titles of tomorrow are unknown today. In view of these digital disruptions, ?managers are expected to possess a diverse range of skills and abilities.

Understanding Perspectives

This skill involves seeing situations from another person's viewpoint. It encompasses empathy, listening, and recognizing different experiences and interpretations of situations. Interacting with colleagues from diverse backgrounds is commonplace. Grasping their perspectives can pave the way for better collaboration and understanding. It can also enhance communication, leading to more productive team dynamics and successful project outcomes.

Modelling Positive Behaviour

Demonstrating constructive, ethical, and commendable behaviors in action, irrespective of the situation. Displaying positive behavior not only sets a personal standard but also influences those around. This can foster a supportive work environment, motivate peers, and position an individual as a role model within the team or department.

Reflecting

Analyzing actual incidents or scenarios to extract insights and lessons, and applying that knowledge in future situations. Past experiences, whether personal or of others, offer rich learning opportunities. Reflecting on these experiences allows individuals to make better decisions, anticipate challenges, and be more prepared for similar situations in the future.

Inferring from Incomplete Data

Drawing reasoned conclusions based on limited information, especially when complete data isn't available. In any role, there will be times when one needs to make decisions with less than perfect information. The ability to infer in such scenarios ensures that the individual remains proactive, resourceful, and can drive tasks or projects forward even in uncertain situations.

Understanding Nuances

Recognizing the subtle differences or shades of meaning in communications or scenarios. Every workplace is nuanced, with layers of explicit and implicit communication. An individual's ability to pick up on these nuances can lead to more effective interactions, better understanding of tasks or instructions, and a harmonious working relationship with peers.

In essence, while these skills might appear subtle, they are instrumental in defining an individual's efficiency, effectiveness, and interpersonal relationships within any organization. Developing them can significantly enhance one's professional journey.

Vicarious Learning & Abductive Reasoning

While many training programs offer knowledge, few equip employees with the empathy, perspective, and decision-making prowess that real-world challenges demand. There is a strong need to turn into pedagogical approaches that support these skills by design and incorporate them into training programs. ?

Vicarious learning allows learners to experience scenarios from various viewpoints, instilling empathy and understanding. On the other hand, abductive reasoning hones the art of making educated guesses based on available data - a skill vital in our ever-evolving business landscape.

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Design parameters to consider while incorporating Vicarious Learning and Abductive Reasoning into games

Vicarious Learning:

Observing Perspectives: The very act of stepping into another person's shoes, even in a game, allows the player to vicariously experience the emotions, perspectives, and potential thought processes of the characters involved.

Learning from Mistakes: If the game presents past scenarios where things went wrong due to certain actions or decisions, the player learns indirectly about the consequences of such choices.

Emotional Responses: By understanding the aggrieved person's perspective and the emotions they felt, players are vicariously learning about human reactions and potential outcomes in similar real-life situations.

Abductive Reasoning:

Problem Investigation: The player begins with a problem or an outcome (the issue that occurred to the colleague) and has to work backwards to understand its cause, which involves making educated guesses based on the available information.

Gathering Clues: As the player collects bits of information and statements from different characters, they'll be piecing together these disparate clues to form a cohesive understanding of the event. This process of hypothesizing based on partial data is at the heart of abductive reasoning.

Resolution Seeking: Once the player has gathered enough information, they'll need to infer the most likely solution or resolution to the problem. This conclusion, drawn from the given evidence, is a direct application of abductive reasoning.

Game Design Considerations

For such a game to be effective in fostering both vicarious learning and abductive reasoning:

The character perspectives are well-developed and realistic. This will make the vicarious learning experience more authentic.

Provide enough clues and information, but not so much that the solution becomes obvious. This will challenge players to actively employ abductive reasoning.

Offer feedback or reflections on players' decisions, allowing them to learn and adjust their reasoning methods as they progress.

As we navigate the multi-dimensional space of corporate training, it's paramount to leverage innovative methods that resonate with contemporary challenges. By combining game design with powerful learning methodologies, we're not only enhancing training efficacy but also redefining the very essence of learning. Join me as we dive deeper into the design and analytics of this intriguing intersection in the upcoming articles.