Explore expert insights, practical methods and fresh ideas that can help educators and aspiring game developers turn learning challenges into engaging experiences.
Learn to Play for the Future (Learn2Play4Future) is bringing together education, game development and innovation to explore new ways of making learning more engaging. As part of the project, we are pleased to present a new series of educational videos featuring lectures on game-based learning, educational game design, gamification and inclusive approaches to game development.
The video series offers students, educators, game developers and anyone interested in innovative education an opportunity to explore key concepts and practical approaches to creating meaningful educational game experiences.
Learn, play and create
Educational games are more than entertainment. When thoughtfully designed, they can encourage motivation, active participation, experimentation and deeper learning. The Learn2Play4Future project aims to support this potential by developing the practical skills of university students and strengthening cooperation between higher education institutions, educators and the game development sector.
The new lecture series provides an introduction to some of the theories, methods and practical tools that can help turn an educational idea into an engaging game. From understanding what motivates players to designing accessible learning experiences, the lectures cover different stages and perspectives of educational game development.
The series brings together experts from different fields and explores a range of topics relevant to educational games.
Self-Determination Theory — Carina Fabritius
What makes us want to learn, participate and keep going? Carina Fabritius introduces Self-Determination Theory, exploring the role of motivation in learning and how educational experiences can support learners‘ psychological needs.
Understanding motivation is an important foundation for designing games that encourage meaningful participation rather than simply rewarding players for completing tasks.
Flow Theory — Carina Fabritius
A great game can make us completely immersed in an activity. This experience is often described as flow. In her second lecture, Carina Fabritius explores Flow Theory and its relevance to educational experiences. The concept can help game designers think about challenge, skills, feedback and engagement when creating games that are both enjoyable and educational.
Designing Educational Games with ADDIE and SAM — Elwira Lewandowska
How can an educational game be designed systematically? Elwira Lewandowska introduces instructional design models, focusing on ADDIE and SAM and their application to educational game development. These approaches provide structured ways to analyse learning needs, design educational experiences, develop solutions and evaluate their effectiveness. For educators and aspiring game developers, instructional design can provide a useful bridge between educational objectives and game mechanics.
Introduction to Game-Based Learning and Educational Game Design — Jakub Žaludko
What is game-based learning, and what makes a game educational? Jakub Žaludko provides an introduction to game-based learning and educational game design. He is examining the relationship between learning objectives, gameplay and player experience. The lecture offers an accessible starting point for anyone interested in understanding how games can become meaningful learning environments.
Crowdfunding and Market Integration of Educational Games — Jakub Žaludko
Creating a game is only part of the journey. How can an educational game reach its audience? In this lecture, Jakub Žaludko looks at crowdfunding and market integration of educational games. He is highlighting aspects that developers and educators should consider when moving an educational game from an idea or prototype towards a wider audience. The topic connects educational innovation with entrepreneurship, sustainability and the realities of the game market.
Educational Digital, Tabletop and Card Games
Educational games do not have to be digital. This lecture explores different forms of educational games, including digital games, tabletop games and card games. Each format offers different opportunities for interaction, collaboration and learning.
By looking beyond a single type of technology, educators and game designers can choose formats that best match their learning objectives, target audience and educational environment.
Ideation of a Game — Martin Engler
Every game starts with an idea. But how do you turn an initial idea into a game concept? Martin Engler focuses on game ideation, exploring the creative process behind developing game concepts. The lecture can help students and aspiring developers move from brainstorming and identifying opportunities to shaping ideas that can eventually become playable experiences.
Inclusive and Accessible Design for Educational Games — Tomáš Farkaš
Educational games should be designed so that as many learners as possible can participate. Tomáš Farkaš explores inclusive and accessible design for educational games. He is focusing on highlighting the importance of considering different abilities, needs and learning contexts during the design process.
Accessibility is not simply an additional feature to consider at the end of development. It can be part of the design process from the very beginning, helping create educational experiences that are more inclusive and welcoming.
Watch the lectures and join the conversation
The lecture series reflects the multidisciplinary approach at the heart of Learn2Play4Future. Developing successful educational games requires more than technical skills. It also involves understanding learners, educational objectives, motivation, game design, accessibility, creativity and the wider context in which games are used.
By bringing together universities, students, educators and game development communities across Europe, the project creates opportunities to share knowledge and develop practical skills. The lectures are an important part of this knowledge-sharing process. They provide inspiration and practical foundations for students who will go on to work on educational games and prototypes as part of the project.
The educational video series is available through the project’s YouTube channel, where you can explore the lectures and learn more about educational game development and gamification. Whether you are a university student discovering game design for the first time, a teacher looking for new approaches to learning, or a game developer interested in educational applications, there is always something to discover. Follow the Learn2Play4Future project for more educational resources, project activities and updates.