The Faculty of Education at Comenius University has launched a brand-new course Educational Game Design, designed for future teachers. The opening class took place this week and set a creative, inspiring, and dynamic tone for the semester ahead.
“Educational games are not just a trend – they represent a powerful bridge between play and learning. Our goal is to prepare students who can design innovative tools that enrich teaching, support motivation, and respond to the needs of modern classrooms,” said doc. Martin Kuruc, guarantor of the course.
A Hands-On Beginning
The first session introduced students to the fundamentals of game-based learning (GBL), gamification techniques (GT), and educational game design (EGD). Through interactive activities, brainstorming, and small group discussions, students began exploring how game mechanics can be used to support not only cognitive learning but also social and emotional growth.
For many, it was their first time thinking about the classroom as a space where games can become central tools for engagement. “It was surprising to see how theory like motivation models or the flow concept can be turned into real design ideas for games,” noted one of the students of pedagogy.
Students’ First Impressions
The atmosphere during the class was filled with curiosity, laughter, and the excitement of trying something new. Students quickly realized that educational game design requires both creativity and structure. “I’ve always enjoyed games, but now I see them in a completely new light – as something that can genuinely improve learning outcomes,” said one of the future teachers. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with my classmates and seeing how our different perspectives can shape the games we create,” added another student.
Looking Ahead
Throughout the semester, students will work in teams to develop prototypes of tabletop, card, or digital games. They will test them, refine them based on feedback, and finally present their projects in front of peers and mentors. The best games may even continue to live on through crowdfunding campaigns and potential publication on the Gamifactoryplatform.
This course is part of the international project Learning 2 Play 4 the Future, which connects pedagogy, game design, and innovation. With guidance from experienced mentors, students will gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills and confidence in designing educational tools that respond to the challenges of 21st-century learning.
The first class was just the beginning. In the coming weeks, we will watch ideas grow into real, playable games that might one day be used in classrooms across Slovakia – and beyond.