University of Helsinki
Session questions(s):
What one can learn through games in sustainability education?
What kinds of games are there?
How to develop games for learning?
Session description:
– Games can be a powerful tool to make knowledge more memorable; to evoke feelings and meaning that contribute to deeper learning; and to help one become aware of the lenses through which they look at the world.
– Learning objectives should be in the centre when developing educational games, including assessing the benefits and challenges of different game media and platforms. Elements, such as whether the game is played solo or collaboratively, strongly impact the learning experience and outcomes. Maybe the future is in combining different game media: physical and digital; individual and group; AI or VR…
– The learning most often happens in the aftermath of the game, hence a good amount of time should be reserved for the discussion and analysis of the results, as well as “ventilation” of emotions. This should apply to different game media and formats in educational context.
Session lesson(s):
– Games can be a powerful tool to make knowledge more memorable; to evoke feelings and meaning that contribute to deeper learning; and to help one become aware of the lenses through which they look at the world.
– Learning objectives should be in the centre when developing educational games, including assessing the benefits and challenges of different game media and platforms. Elements, such as whether the game is played solo or collaboratively, strongly impact the learning experience and outcomes. Maybe the future is in combining different game media: physical and digital; individual and group; AI or VR…
– The learning most often happens in the aftermath of the game, hence a good amount of time should be reserved for the discussion and analysis of the results, as well as “ventilation” of emotions. This should apply to different game media and formats in educational context.
Session keyword(s):
gamification, sustainability education, learning objectives, futures thinking
Johanna Välinoro
Design Institute, LAB University of Applied Sciences
Joula Siponen
INAR, HELSUS, University of Helsinki