Who wants to be a billionaire?

Innovator: Arda Deniz Aksular, https://www.linkedin.com/in/arda-deniz-aksular-b5a633138/

Organisation: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Directorate for EU Affairs, Ankara

Setting of the practice: hybrid 

Description of the practice:

For the last 5 years, I use the power point version of famous “Who wants to be a billionaire?” game & TV show in my project cycle management (PCM) trainings. Indeed, this “entertaining while learning” tool is cost-effective, inclusive and appeals to both professionals and juniors.  Although prepared in power point, the game is almost identical to the TV version. Screens and background music is the same, all jokers are available and the game includes a sorting section like the real one. I prepare 15 questions on PCM, sequenced from easy to hard questions and ask them to the player. As the facilitator, I try to imitate the real mimics of the presenter on the screen (e.g. I ask question about player’s background and take a photo at the end). I even provide a dummy cheque signed, as a memory. As in the real game, many people argue that “it is so different to be in the game than just watching”. 

The main purpose of this activity is to make the subject more interesting, sustain the participation and to warm-up. This is also a nice tool to assess the general level of the class and to detect common mistakes. Not only the player but also the participants and the facilitator focus on the stage and the questions. Thus, it captures everyone in the class, almost everyone smiles when I introduce the idea and people are enthusiastic to play the game. 

Indeed, the idea is very practical. It is just a basic PPT template file that works on almost any system, there is no need for a special software, powerful hardware even internet connection. Moreover, there is no need for additional materials, paperwork. Also, the idea is applicable to any topic.  Another merit of this practice is that, the game is very well-known, there is no need to explain the methodology in detail. I experienced that it is both applicable face-to-face and online trainings. Last but not the least, the game is applicable also to vulnerable groups. I included a blind and a deaf person and they succeeded very well. It is tested around 50 times in different audiences and trainings and got quite positive feedbacks. Considering all, application of “Who wants to be a billionaire?” TV show in trainings is a substantial candidate to be one of the most innovative and applicable practices that supports new learning dynamics.