FCS blends e-learning with gaming to infuse fun into 'knowledge acquisition and reinforcement'

Date: August 24, 2004

Noida (Near Delhi): The Noida-based FCS Software Solutions Ltd is turning to 'intelligent, interactive gaming' concepts to deliver impactive, engaging and fun solutions to its e-learning clients in the UK, US and India.

According to Ms Sabina Rahman, Creative Director at FCS Software Solutions Ltd: "By using games as one of the mediums for reinforcing and testing knowledge acquisition, we give the learner a fun ambience plus an inquisitiveness to attempt the game. It draws the learner's mindspace and interest completely, thereby justifying the purpose of having the online learning module in the first place."

Most of the corporate trainings are moving online from classrooms because of the growing Internet bandwidth and cost-effectiveness of e-learning. Says Mr Vineet Narang, VP (Strategic Planning and Business Development at FCS): "Companies are relying more and more on e-learning to upskill their human resources and enhance productivity. As much as 60 per cent of corporate training in the US and UK is being done via e-learning today. Especially the UK market is a highly mature one - it is driving the e-learning growth across the world."

Though not a new concept, gaming in e-learning has taken on different dimensions lately. The earlier concept focused on fun but no reinforcement of knowledge during the game. "Ours is a well thought out strategy to not just sustain the fun element of gaming but also to use it for imparting or reinforcing knowledge," says Mr Narang. "No longer is it a game of showing images with animated text. The market now expects engaging learning modules."

FCS uses realistic images and environment, instead of animations or sketches, to avoid a very raw, immature look and feel. "We treat learners as adults," says Ms Rahman. "It makes them identify with our modules and lowers their resistance levels to capture their interest."

At times, corporate employees are imparted training on soft skills, like problem-solving, negotiations, relationship building, which can be taught only by the means of certain interactive tools and exercises. "Once we give these tools and exercises the shape of a game, it draws the complete interest of the learner," says Ms Rahman.

FCS e-learning innovation transcends gaming to use interactive intros and animations along with rollover information. The company has customized engines to meet the rising customer expectations. "After a lot of research on the e-learning strategies and learning behaviors, we at FCS have evolved certain processes, automated tools and templates ready to provide customized
gaming and interactive solutions embedded into e-learning courses."

FCS expects to sustain its high growth in the e-learning space. "We have been on the forefront of experimenting with new ideas and innovations," says Ms Rahman. "Future is going to be no different. We actively study every completed e-learning project internally, along with the client feedback, to formulate innovations for future projects."