Experiential Learning & Gamification

You’ve heard us talk about experiential learning and gamification, but what do these fancy terms actually mean? And more importantly—why should you care?

At Toppler, we believe that the best way to learn, grow, and innovate is through experience—not through endless slides or lectures. Science backs us up on this: people retain up to 75% of what they actively do, compared to just 10% of what they read (National Training Laboratories, 2020). That’s why gamification and experiential learning aren’t just fun buzzwords—they’re game-changers for businesses that want their teams to be more engaged, creative, and productive.

Let’s break it down.

What Is Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning is learning by doing. Instead of just absorbing information passively, people engage in hands-on activities, reflect on their experiences, and apply their learnings in real-world situations.

💡 Example: Instead of reading about leadership theories, imagine actually playing out a leadership scenario in a safe environment where you can experiment, fail, and improve.

The power of experiential learning:
✔ Increases knowledge retention (Harvard Business School found that people remember up to 90% of what they do versus 5% of what they hear).
✔ Boosts problem-solving skills by encouraging trial and error in a risk-free setting.
✔ Creates emotional connections to learning, making it more impactful and long-lasting.

How to use it in your organization:
✅ Swap traditional training for role-playing, simulations, or team challenges.
✅ Encourage employees to learn from real-world projects rather than theoretical case studies.

What Is Gamification?

Gamification is the use of game elements (like competition, challenges, rewards, and storytelling) in non-game settings to increase engagement and motivation. It taps into our natural love for challenges, progress, and achievement.

💡 Example: Turning a sustainability training into a team challenge where employees compete to reduce waste in their department—and earn rewards for creative solutions.

The power of gamification:
✔ Engages the brain’s reward system, making learning addictive and fun (Stanford University, 2018).
✔ Increases motivation and participation—one study found gamified experiences increase engagement by 48% (TalentLMS, 2019).
✔ Encourages creativity and innovation by turning work into an interactive experience.

How to use it in your organization:
✅ Introduce team competitions, point systems, or progress badges to learning initiatives.
✅ Create gamified challenges where employees solve real business problems through play.

Why Experiential Learning & Gamification Work So Well Together

When you combine experiential learning and gamification, you create a powerhouse of engagement, creativity, and real-world impact.

🚀 Google uses experiential learning in its leadership training, where managers learn through real-world scenarios rather than theory.
🚀 Deloitte gamified corporate training, leading to a 50% faster completion rate and more enthusiastic participants.
🚀 Salesforce uses gamification in onboarding, increasing knowledge retention by 40% compared to traditional training.

Bottom line? People learn better when they’re actively involved and having fun. Gamification turns experiences into powerful learning moments, making teams more engaged, innovative, and productive.

Want to See It in Action?

At Toppler, we design experiential learning workshops and gamification strategies that transform the way teams learn and innovate. Whether it’s leadership development, sustainability challenges, or team-building, we bring learning to life.

🎲 Ready to experience the power of play? Let’s talk!