The ELA Blog

Did you realize that play is seen as a vital aspect of cognitive growth from infancy to adulthood? Reflect on your beloved games: isn't it accurate that you never tire of playing them? Whether it's hide and seek, puzzles, building sets, or board games, there are unseen connections weaving our memories, experiences, and emotions tied to playing. These connections are all rooted in the innate motivation and involvement they spark in our minds!
 
​The new edition of the course “Discover the power of Game Based Learning and Gamification in education​” took place in Bologna from 21/01/2024 to 27/01/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Stefan, Ruja, Diana and Christian from Bayerischer Volkshochschulverband e.V., Adina and Cataina from Public Kindergarten no.1.

​During the initial session of the course, we delved into the evolving dynamics of generations, exploring how they have transformed over time. We also examined how the landscape of popular toys has shifted across different generations, reflecting societal changes and technological advancements, but also the continued engagement to playful experiences. Furthermore, we engaged in a reflective dialogue on the pedagogical significance of play, recognizing its profound impact on cognitive development and learning processes. This initial discussion set the stage for a deeper exploration of these themes throughout the course.
 
We introduced participants to the Gamer Starter Pack, where we delved into meaningful experiences within the gaming environment. Through this examination, we discussed the potential applications of these experiences in educational settings.  As the main outcome of the second level, we defined the most common gamification framework as the process through which 8 major internal and external motivators influence human engagement. During one of the practical activities, players engaged in a role-play where they acted like the most common types of video games players, reaching a hands-on understanding of game-driven motivation.

In the final stages of the training course, we lived the most active and engaging experiences. We went outside to enjoy a scavenger hunt game in the city center and were locked in a digital escape room trying to solve riddles and puzzles to escape. This not only was the foundation for participants to discover the best and easiest tools to create a personalized digital escape room for their students but also gave the group a common challenge and purpose. Indeed, as a heartwarming gesture, they gifted the trainer with the most beautiful present imaginable: a personally designed escape room, tailored to her interests. This thoughtful gift underscored the profound impact of our shared experiences and highlighted the creative synergy fostered within the group thanks to the playful design.

Having overcome all the levels of our game, participants had the opportunity to learn new ways of making the most of the most traditional games to transform the learning process. They also got acquainted with modern online tools able to produce a significant improvement of students’ engagement and bring a spark in the classroom!
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Discover more about this course here.

Engaging with the outdoor has a significant positive influence on human cognitive, behavioural and emotional growth since ancient times: even today it is common to feel awed or impacted by spending time in nature or observing natural as well as urban sceneries. Outdoor education represents a pioneering educational method that tackles two critical issues in modern society: firstly delivering enduring top-notch education and secondly fostering an understanding of the urgent need to conserve our planet amidst the looming challenge of climate change.
The latest edition of the course titled "Outdoor education: a new way of teaching and learning" was held in Tenerife from 21/01/2024 to 27/01/2024: participants hailed from different European countries, with Kristers and Mārtiņš from Babite Secondary school, Maciej from Zespol Szkolno Przedszkolny in Zagórze.

​​Commencing with the definition of Outdoor education, we investigated the various methods available for facilitating student interaction with the outdoor, which does not necessarily mean always being in natural settings, such as forests: notably, a part of the training was devoted to Urban outdoor education within the city. At the beginning participants gained proficiency in teaching subjects such as science, mathematics, music, art, language and others by experimenting with activities designed to direct their focus towards their immediate surroundings.
Another part of the course emphasised the utilisation of a large number of tools in natural environment within local parks: as a matter of fact the games and activities that were tested garnered high appreciation and served as a source of inspiration for participants in sharing their activities with the rest of the group as well as in devising their own outdoor activities.
Participants also delved into the principles of Non-formal education (NFE), namely a pedagogical approach that places various concrete outdoor activities, which were encountered while engaging in activities or tasks, at the heart of the learning process. Consequently, by guiding students through the complete cycle and ensuring we pose the appropriate reflective questions, they have the opportunity to relate the new knowledge they acquire to their lives and effectively apply it.

​The final part of the course was dedicated to customising an outdoor experience tailored to the target group of each participant: so they culminated their learning journey by crafting an outdoor lesson on the subject taught following an exploration of the principles of outdoor learning, an understanding of the significance of 10 Kurt Hahn rules and engagement with urban and natural activities. Towards the end of the week, considering the age level of their students as well as the skills and topics they wished to address, each educator meticulously planned the session, then they presented their plan to fellow participants, receiving feedback on areas for improvement​.
These days served as a tangible demonstration of the effectiveness of experiential outdoor learning: through hands-on method participants gained firsthand insight into what an outdoor education activity entails and acquired the necessary knowledge to orchestrate one for their pupils.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that throughout this course participants had the opportunity to delve into an extensive array of activities and games that they can reproduce with their students, underscoring the idea that learning extends beyond the confines of a classroom!
Explore further details about this course here.​