Information Scavenger Hunt in a Game Show

If you need to train and motivate people to use a resource such as a handbook, manual or online database, here's a clever way to make a tedious topic into a fun challenge.

You can use Game Show Presenter software to present an information scavenger hunt where the resource is used as an "open book" test disguised as a challenging game show. Each question in the game show presents a research challenge. Trainees must use the resource to find the answer. Doing so develops familiarity with the resource and skill at using it under pressure to solve a problem.

While most quizzes just reward people for what they already know, the idea here is to reward them for what they can find out. Moreover, it builds the skill of "finding out." It motivates people to excel in the game by mastering the organizational structure of your resource. The table of contents, the index or search tools -- topics that would normally put a training class to sleep -- become the tools that give winners the edge in a lively and fun game activity.

Benefits of this approach:

• Builds skills at using the resources to find and apply answers.
• Breaks down resistance to using the resource by having trainees repeatedly use it in a challenging activity.
• Rewards the successful use of the resource with points and praise in the game.

The possible applications for this idea are quite diverse. Just last month, we heard from customers using it to train real estate brokers on rules and regulations and to train call center workers to use a new database tool to quickly handle caller's questions.


If you'd like to know more, leave a comment or send us an email. Also, we'd like to hear your ideas for using games to overcome training and educational problems.