Game-based learning: Collection of games for teaching published

Meta-analyses have already demonstrated that game-based learning can significantly boost both motivation and learning outcomes. “People play because they love mental stimulation – at any age,” explains educational scientist Dr Johannes Katsarov, who led the Game Didactics project at Leuphana.

As the project draws to a close, the team is now publishing a list of around 270 online games. These are designed to help lecturers find suitable formats for their courses. The database recommends appropriate disciplines ranging from politics and chemistry to law, sustainability and ethics. The list also includes numerous free online games. The collection is searchable, offering a low-threshold entry point for anyone wishing to incorporate playful elements into their teaching.

In addition, around 70 games are available to borrow from the University Library or the Institute for Management and Organisation (Hannah Trittin-Ulbrich), such as the famous sustainability simulation “Fish Banks”. “This enables lecturers not only to familiarise themselves with the methods, but also to apply them directly in their own courses,” explains Johannes Katsarov.

The “Game-Didaktik” project was funded as part of the “Freiraum” funding programme run by the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education Teaching. The aim is to drive innovative development in teaching.

In addition, the open-access book “Games for Higher Education” has been published. Around 100 games are presented across some 500 pages. Among other things, the book describes which target groups they are suitable for, which learning content can be taught using them, and what prerequisites are necessary for their use. Around 80 people from an international background contributed to the book, including academics from Leuphana.