Reaching a high degree of classroom engagement through game-based learning

Fostering strong classroom engagement can be achieved through game-based learning. Play has always been recognized as a key element in cognitive development from childhood to adulthood. Think about your favorite games, don’t they always keep you entertained? Whether it’s hide and seek, puzzles, construction sets, or board games, games connect to our memories, emotions, and experiences. These connections spark intrinsic motivation and encourage ongoing participation, making play a powerful driver for learning.

The latest edition of the course “Discover the power of Game Based Learning and Gamification in education” was hosted in Tenerife from 21/09/2025 to 27/09/2025. Teachers from across Europe took part, including SIMONA, ILARIA and ANNA from ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO in ITALY, and ANJA from MITEINANDER – FREIE WERKSCHULE MEIẞEN E.V. in GERMANY.

The training week itself was designed as if it were a game, progressing through different levels from the very beginning. Just like starting a new video game, participants were invited to create their own characters to join the adventure. Avatars, symbolic figures, and even new superheroes became tools to introduce themselves, highlighting their strengths and passions. This playful start revealed how diverse and rich the group was, mirroring the variety typically found in any classroom.

In the first level, participants reflected on the educational importance of play and how games stimulate the learning process. They acknowledged that while most teachers can be considered “digital immigrants,” today’s students are truly “digital natives.” Through a challenge focusing on the distinction between gamification and game-based learning, the group clarified that gamification brings game elements into a non-game environment, whereas game-based learning is an approach in which learning actually happens through playing the game itself.

At the second level, participants explored the most widely used gamification framework, which identifies eight major internal and external motivators that influence human engagement. In one of the hands-on tasks, they took part in a role-play exercise, acting out the typical profiles of different types of video game players. This activity gave them practical insight into how game-related motivation works and how it can be applied in an educational setting.

The third level focused on exploring a variety of game-based tools and applications. Participants revisited several traditional games and collaboratively reimagined them as more engaging learning resources. After completing the different challenges and activities, they also had the chance to design their own tools, both in offline formats and through digital platforms, further expanding their teaching toolkit.

In the second-to-last level, participants experienced the most dynamic and interactive part of the training. They went outdoors to take part in a scavenger hunt in the city center, and later tackled a digital escape room filled with riddles and puzzles to solve. These activities encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity, while also inspiring teachers to think about how to gamify their own classrooms based on their students’ needs and characteristics.

After completing all the stages of the “game,” participants discovered innovative ways to adapt even the most traditional games into effective learning tools. They also became familiar with modern online platforms capable of significantly boosting student engagement and bringing fresh energy into the classroom. This journey allowed them to gather practical strategies to make lessons more interactive, motivating, and enjoyable for their learners.
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Discover more about this course here.
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