Motion Based Learning: A Modern Turn On Game-Based Learning

Game–based learning has slowly but surely been making an impact on the learning industry over past few years. This new way of learning has been successful across a variety of learners – from high-school and college students to corporate learners. Yes, the types of games that are being developed vary as per the audience profile. But as a mode of learning – game-based learning has been ubiquitously successful.

We, as e-learning developers, keep questioning ourselves on the effectiveness of various learning methodologies that come into play in technology-enabled learning. There are many strategies that can be adopted when developing game-based learning, as we have discussed in a previous post titled “Creating Games for Learning: Strategies for Learning in a ‘Different’ Way“. Motion-based learning is one of the new ways that increases the effectiveness of games in learning.

With the help of motion-sensing technology, like that of Kinect in Xbox 360, Leap Motion, Tobii etc, learning can be made ‘motion-aware’ or ‘motion-based’. Here are a few ways of accomplishing this:

• While the learning is in progress, the motion of the learner can be studied and inferences can be made accordingly.
• For instance, using the Eye-Tracking feature it can be deduced if the learner has enough focus or is getting distracted frequently.
• Similarly, Facial expressions and Head positions can also be studied and a true measure of learner engagement can be formed. This will enable us to modify learning environment or learning content and suit it according to the preferences of the learner.
• Physical activities can be inserted into the learning activity to provide the learners an opportunity to practice physical skills or nuances needed in their line of work.
• This may include a set of physical movements for achieving the optimum speed, force or pressure required for a particular task, e.g. while learning a sport.
• The learning environments can suitably change or adapt as per the motions of the learner, to benefit the learner and provide a life-like learning experience.
• The learning environment can mimic real-life responses as per the learners’ progress through the course and provide authentic experiences in a simulated environment.
• The level of difficulty or the context can also be adjusted as per the learner’s response.
• Special needs of different trainees can also be understood by motion-sensing through gestures or voice recognition. The learning environment can then align to the needs of the learner for increased effectiveness.

The benefits of motion-based learning can be implemented in a corporate scenario for a multitude of training’s, catering to different learning needs and individual learners.

Motion-based learning for the Sales Function: While knowledge about a particular skill, say Presentation Skills can be passed on via a instructor lead session or via an elearning course, motion based trainings can help organizations setup an environment where their employees can come and practice the skills they learned. These include communication skills, body language, posture, facial expressions, finesse in presentation and so on. With real-time feedback, these trainings can provide the learners multiple tries to perfect the skill. They can also create a simulated environment with real-life scenarios to practice the skills as well.

Motion-based learning for the Operations Function: Functioning and operating machines can be learnt through motion-based learning – providing the learner a life-like experience in a stress-free simulated platform. Complex procedures like medical surgeries can also be practiced and perfected using the technology. Safety operations training that require long hours in the field can be learnt in the simulated environment and can be revised whenever and wherever the learner feels the need.

Motion-based learning for Human Resources: While many organizations conduct paper based Psychometric tests to evaluate a recruits personality trait, motion-based psychometric tests can take these tests a step further by providing life-like immersive scenarios and judging the prospective employees by their response. This would provide a true evaluation of the capabilities of the prospective employee and help the HR team to align him or her to the best suited role in the organization. Induction programs could also benefit from motion-based learning through a virtual exploration of the organization or orientation for a foreign location.

Motion-based learning for Special Needs within an organization: Training courses for differently-abled employees could also be developed with motion-sensing technology where the course would align itself to suit the special needs of the learner. For instance, motion-based trainings can recognize hand-gestures to align a particular course to a sign-language interface to suit a differently-abled learner. Employee wellness programs that include physical activities and competitive events can also be motion-based.

As for any new way of learning, there is a positive as well as a negative side to the adoption of motion-based learning. The biggest gain is the opportunity to provide experiential learning which involves the learners physically to increase effectiveness by leaps and bounds. Another benefit is the ability to study and understand the physical activities of the learner and utilize them to create better learning content or environment. This new way of learning also creates learning environments that can align and adapt as per the needs of the learner – thus creating an avenue for personalizing learning.

On the negative side, motion-sensing technology is still evolving and can be expensive to implement. Also no one can refute the fact that no technology can yet simulate real-world complexities entirely – so there needs to be some room for training on the field. Another concern is the ethical nature of some implementations that can evade the personal space of learners.

Motion-based learning is an emerging way of learning that is sure to develop monumentally in the coming years. Adopting it to suit your learning needs would warrant a close inspection of the pros and cons. We at G-Cube are enthused by the emerging possibilities of motion-based learning and are aggressively investing in R&D in this space. Keep watching this space for more on our experiences with motion-based learning – and write to us at in**@gc**********.net to know more.