Educational Game Design - Free Lecture

Experience the joys of game-based learning with this free lecture on Educational Game Design, offered to you by sociologist, educator and game designer Konstantinos Fousteris, and D6 Learning.

📌The event will take place via Zoom on the 4th of November 2025 (18:00 Central European Time, 19:00 EET, 17:00 UK time, 12:00 EST).

Educational Games used to be considered boring experiences that took the fun out of gaming, for the purpose of learning. That is no longer the case as, with modern developments in education and game design, it is not only possible for designers to create engaging and fun Special Purpose games, but for educators to utilise commercial games as pedagogical tools.

In this free, two-hour-long lecture, you will get a taste of how a commercially successful game can be used to achieve multiple different learning outcomes, including transversal competencies, that cannot be developed with traditional teaching methods and lessons.

We will analyse the popular digital game “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”, explore its past usage as an educational tool and figure out new and engaging ways it can be transformed into a learning and pedagogical experience. We will also explore the best ways to use it as part of a curriculum or a stand-alone activity and the best places for the educational activities to take place, whether they are in a classroom, or a completely different place.

What will you learn

• How to analyse a commercial game and recognise its pedagogical potential
• How to pass on knowledge, train skills, and develop competencies through game-based learning
• How to overcome the challenges and obstacles that educators face when using such tools
• How to best implement game-based learning, as a standalone activity or as part of a curriculum
• What is the proper environment for pedagogical activities that utilise play as a tool

Join us as we take a dive into the fascinating world of game-based learning and learn how to transform a game from a fun pastime activity to a strong pedagogical tool and a learning experience.

Konstantinos' full "Introduction to Educational Game Design" course will begin on November 14, 2025.

Find out more about the course here: https://www.d6learning.com/course/introduction-to-educational-game-design