Adding fun and games to training programs

CITES is the central IT organization at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The CITES Help Desk is a constantly changing environment and keeping our students up to date is a challenge. We want a fun way to reinforce our training program, provide new information on existing services, and foster better teamwork among our staff. To solve this dilemma, the Help Desk develops web-based learning games. Our presentation will showcase the development of these games and highlight the lessons learned from two divergent types of games.The Dockside Mystery was played in late 2005 and featured a fully integrated storyline with interactive characters, 3D environments, and an automated testing and grading system. Prizes were awarded to the students who earned a top score. With our spring 2006 game, Stump the Chump, we took a dissimilar approach. Players relied on their peers to answer work and non-work related quiz questions in a game-show atmosphere in which the students were pitted against the full-time staff. Contestants competed for bragging rights only.Home-grown learning games are a possibility for any group which has the creativity, drive, and means to develop them. Our newest titles illustrate the wide range of approaches that can be taken to meet the challenge of teaching through fun.