The project results have the potential to be integrated by different branches of the education systems of the participating countries, such as Higher, Adult and School Education: entities active in these fields could adopt the Conceptual Framework or use the Platform to create innovative, engaging e-learning experiences, thus contributing to a reinforced response of Education and Training systems to the current digital education challenges.
A research in the six partner countries will be implemented to analyze "Game-Based Learning: Best Practices & Requirements for Digital Environment".
At each national level, best practices in game-based learning in offline and online environments will be collected to provide an analytical input on how successful cases of gameplay applied to education and training are designed and implemented in the Partners’ countries, and Focus Groups with VET teachers, trainers and learners will be implemented to gather their needs and requirements.
The results will be used by the transnational research team to identify the process and system features and the game elements to transfer into a Conceptual Framework for Game-based e-Learning Programs.
This Results will provide the structure which will guide the design of the Game-based e-Learning Programs Templates.
The Framework will be developed around the findings, recommendations and conclusions of the "Game-based learning: Best Practices & Requirements for Digital Environments” Report, through data analysis and literature review.
It will consist of a structure to combine game elements (dynamics, mechanics and components) for different target groups in the different stages of online learning experiences, as identified in the Five-Stage Model by Gilly Salmon, Professor of E-learning and Learning Technologies at the University of Leicester (2004): Access and motivation; Online socialization; Information exchange; Knowledge construction; Development.
Six Game-based e-Learning Programs Templates, designed with and for VET teachers and trainers, will be produced.
They will be based on the innovative Conceptual Framework, resulting from the most successful (derived from best practices) and required (derived from the focus groups with a representative sample of the target group) elements, dynamics and mechanics of gameplay in both offline and online learning environments.
The Templates will be designed to be flexible and work with any curriculum, and provide learners with key competencies for lifelong learning: digital and technology-based competencies, interpersonal skills, the ability to adopt new competencies, problem-solving, leadership, autonomy and responsibility, decision making, and adaptability to change.
An online learning platform will be developed to drive information, tools and resources to support and enhance the delivery and management of Game-based e-Learning Programs.
The Platform will provide a wizard to create e-Learning Programs based on the Programs Templates: VET providers will be able to generate and manage their own game-based e-learning programs, reward progress and achievements as well as implement gamified assessments, by choosing the template they prefer, adding/deleting components according to their needs, and providing the platform with the information and learning material they need to transfer into their program.
The platform will be tested in pilot with VET providers and learners and refined accordingly. It will also host a long-term virtual transnational community composed of education and training providers interested in innovating their practices through digital game-based learning and sharing knowledge and experiences.
Video tutorials, e-learning modules and use cases for teachers and trainers, and an interactive user manual for learners will be developed to support the correct and consistent creation, implementation, and management of Game-Based e-Learning Programs on the e-learning platform.
These outputs will provide educators with skills and knowledge about concepts and models related to e-learning, gamification and game-based learning, about how to effectively deliver engaging and innovative online and distance learning experiences.
