OVERVIEW

Today`students present very different characteristics in front of the ones of 20 years ago. Besides they born in a fully digital era which changed their behavior and create for them new profiles and preferences. This determinated one of the main problems in modern education: the lack of motivation and engagement in the learning process. Gamification in the education process and Game Based Learning, can be particularly effective to engage learners and promote active participation and motivation in the classroom and outside it.
Such course, will help you to discover both how to integrate the mechanisms of the game-based learning with the game thinking and to turn the learning process, as a whole, into a game (Gamification) as well as to use practical apps and tools and games as part of the learning process (Game Based Learning). Through an hands-on approach we will analyse and master together Game Based Learning apps and Gamification examples and we will reflect on how to use them with our learners and how to adapt the learning process towards our students’ needs, preferences and attitudes.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

This structured course aims to introduce the participants to the world of Game Based Learning and Gamification and guide the participants through the principles, possibilities, apps and tools that can allow them to address today’s education challenges and adapt the learning process to the students’ needs and profiles.
As well, the goal of the course is to provide for participants the necessary tools in order to increase, everyone in his/her classtoom the engagement of the students, the active participation, the collaboration, the cooperation for solving issues, the sharing and interaction.
The general aim of this course is to promote excellence in education and training by empowering teachers, school staff and managers and trainers with the needed knowledge and skills to use game thinking, approaches and elements in education and training and effectively apply gamification principles and mechanisms in their activities in the classroom or within the courses.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this course the participants will be able:

• to understand the key elements and growing trends related to Game Based Learning and Gamification
• to understand the difference between Game Based Learning and Gamification
• to know the best Game Based Learning and Gamification apps and tools
• to learn the main steps to integrate game-based elements and mechanism in education and how to gamify the classroom
• to learn how to design and create digital badges to represent achievements and to motivate students to act
• to practice and get acquainted with Gamification examples and principles to increase learners’ engagement and motivation
• to exchange best practices and share experiences about Game Based Learning and Gamification with teachers and education staff coming throughout Europe
• to network with individuals and organizations working in the education field in Europe through everyday cooperation and networking activities

MONDAY

• introductory meeting, explanation of practical arrangements, presentation of timetable;
• self-introducing the participants and the sending institutions (PowerPoint presentations);
• icebreakers, introduction to the course; needs and expectations;
• new approaches of the education: how Game Based Learning can help the education system;
• there are differences between Game Based Learning and Gamification?
• Testing and practicing basic Game Based Learning activities.

TUESDAY

• what is gamification?
• groups work and plenary discussion on how the most common challenges that participants are facing with their learners;
• Game Based Learning in everybody’s language;
• testing and practicing some of the most common Game Based Learning apps;
• groups work and plenary discussion on how participants can use the Game Based Learning apps with their specific learners.

WEDNESDAY

• stimulating critical and creative thinking through Game Based Learning;
• stimulating engagement, the active participation, the collaboration, the cooperation for solving issues, the sharing and interaction;
• how to use Game Based Leaning as an opportunity for outdoor learning;
• how to use the mechanisms of Game Based Learning  for a better involvement of the learners and motivate them to act and learn outdoors

THURSDAY

• what are the main steps to design your classroom gamification and learning activities;
• how to choose the most appropriate games and their elements for help you to engage students in the learning process;
• which are the best tools to use in Gamification; presenting and analyzing tools and examples of tools for Gamification;
• group work and plenary discussion on how participants can gamify their classrooms and integrate the mechanisms of Game Based Learning in their teaching activities.

FRIDAY

• how to motivate learners and how to share learning outcomes and your achievments within the learning community in your area;
• how to design, create and award a Digital Badge to track goals and skills achieved;
• how to create a Digital Badge platform and how to test it;
• how to improve and upgrade a lesson adding game elements and mechanisms;
• how to evaluate the learners after using Game Based Learning in your lessons.

SATURDAY

• project summary;
• were the learners expectations been fulfilled?
• final evaluation;
• validation of the learning outcomes;
• certification ceremony;

• By this course we target teachers, trainers of adult learners, educational and career counsellors, school psychologists, headmasters, other education staff working in primary schools, secondary schools, vocational schools, training centers, adult education schools, higher education, kindergartens and NGOs.
• A course group may include teachers and trainers with different levels of professional backgrounds or teaching experience.
• If there are participants who would like to attend a session tailored for a specific level, please contact us to establish together a dedicated session.
• The standard indicative daily programme which is mentioned above can be personalized and adapted to the participants needs and their professional profiles.

• The standard program comprises six days of courses and starts usually Monday and ends Saturday.
• If there are specific request we can organize longer or shorter versions of this course.
• Please, have in mind that we always do our best to be at the participants disposal for accommodate the specific needs of them, being flexible and open to their sugesstions, including to matters linked to accommodation, travel, cultural visits and so on.
• If the participants would like to arrive one day before the start of the course and/or to leave one day after the end of it, in order to enjoy the cultural deeper moments, we can provide an individual to assist them .