Games Makers

• Engage participants in game creation, leveraging generative AI to assist in designing and developing the game; 

• Encourage creativity and practical application of AI tools in education; 

• Practise how to leverage generative AI in innovating education practice and the creation of content;

• The responses from this challenge can be applied in the classroom or workshops; 

• Experiment with gamification and playful learning. 

What you need

Setting it up

• Participants need access to a generative AI tool; 

• An explanation of what counts as an educational game and some examples for inspiration, e.g. Jeopardy, Tay’s Teaching Toolkit, Wordwall, WISC-Online Game Builder;  

• A basic understanding of gamification or playful learning–how and why games can be used in a pedagogically sound way in education. 

How long does it take?

• The time required varies depending on the complexity of the game design. Designing and testing the game may take between 30 minutes to several hours.

How it works

1. Select a generative AI tool and decide how you want to use it. This could include 

   1. generating game ideas; 

   2. updating/customising an existing game (e.g. generate ideas/questions); 

   3. creating supporting materials (e.g., writing game rules, creating images); 

   4. constructing the ‘script’ in a role-playing game;

   5. developing the entire game; 

   6. using it as part of the gameplay. 

2. Direct generative AI to create a game. For example, "Create a vocabulary review game for 2-4 players, including rules and necessary materials."  You may wish to iteratively refine your prompt or better define the scope. A few things to consider: 

   1. Game Concept: Decide on the type of game you want to create (educational or fun) and determine the learning objective, if any.

   2. Number of Players: Decide how many players your game will accommodate (e.g., 1-10 players).

   3. Modality: Determine whether your game will be played in person, online, or either.

   4. Materials: List all materials players will need to play your game, such as cards, dice, game boards, or digital tools.

   5. Game Rules: Step-by-step instructions on how to play your game. Ensure the rules are clear and concise.

3. Test Run: Play the game with a partner or group to ensure the game rules are easy to follow and the game is playable and enjoyable.

Suggested follow-up

• Game hour/night to test run the games. This ensures playability of the games and as a forum for feedback and discussing how to use games/playful learning effectively.

• If the games are used in a class setting, encourage teachers to share their experience and student reactions.  

• Exploring how different generative AI tools can enhance game design could be a beneficial follow-up activity.

Where it works well

• This challenge works well in fostering creativity, collaboration, and practical use of generative AI in a fun and engaging way. 

• Education games created in this challenge can be used directly in the classroom. 

What to watch out for

• This game assumes participants are familiar with generative AI tools and prompting. 

• The design process can take time, especially if participants are not familiar with games. 

• The notion of ‘game,’ ‘fun,’ ‘student enjoyment’ may cause anxiety, especially for those who feel they don’t know what students/other colleagues find ‘fun’ or  ’enjoyable’. 

• Test running the games can be time consuming.

Authorship