Exploiting formal, non-formal and informal learning when using business games in leadership education

摘要

When planning and using game-based learning processes, it is tempting to allow business games to take center stage and carry the process. As indicated, games cannot carry the process alone. The formal process should complement the game with other didactic activities, such as theory presentations and reflective processes. Room should also be made available for less formal processes to allow participants to relate new findings with existing understandings and to build bridges with relevant practices outside the learning situation. Leaving space open in the program for non-formal and informal processes to unfold facilitates participant understanding and also allows for collaborative processes and free-flowing group conversations. Business games offer a great opportunity to engage participants in interactive, collaborative exploration and to develop shared frames of reference. The game might take center stage in the process but should not be viewed as such in terms of learning. The game should be a considered platform for other, less formal processes to emerge.