Using Game Design to teach almost anything. Tales from the Serious Game Design Summer School. Professor DI Dr. Maja Pivec. iGBL Keynote, Cork, Ireland, 2014

1. Using Game Design
to teach almost anything
Tales from the Serious Game Design Summer School
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

2. researchanddesign.fh-joanneum.at
Interaction and Knowledge
Game-based Learning | Applied Game Design | Mobile
Game Design | Game Design for Teaching | E-learning
& Mobile Learning | Gamification in the Workplace |
Learning in Virtual Worlds | Change Learning |
.
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

3. researchanddesign.fh-joanneum.at
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

4. www.serious-sports.org
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
Game Design for Teaching

5. www.greengamesproject.com
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
Game Design for Teaching

6. www.engagelearning.eu
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
Game Design for Teaching

7. “Video games can stimulate learning of
facts and skills such as strategic
thinking, creativity, cooperation and
innovative thinking, which are
important skills in the information
society”
(European Parliament, 2009, p.4).
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

8. “Young people often perceive the
use of games for education as an
un-serious activity.”
(Pivec, 2010)
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
Hence, we use game design not game play…..

9. Serious Game Design Summer School
• Tampere, Finland, 2010
• Tampere, Finland, 2013
• Graz, Austria, 2014
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

10. Serious Game Design
Summer School
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

11. Course Overview
• 14 Day course – 4-5 ECTS
• 1-2 x 30 minute lectures per day
• 1 x 15 minute expert session per day
• 3 x 90 minute practical work
• Group work
• 3-4 students in each group – mixed
gender, mixed culture.
• Serious Game Design
• Concept design, design documents,
development plan, prototype.
• Group assessment:
• Innovation, quality, completeness.
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

12. Course Overview
Submission requirements….
• Completed game design concept
document
• All topics as per lectures
• Professional format
• Creative design
• Prototype product
• 5-minute group presentation
• Attendance of 80% of the course
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

13. Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
Learning Outcomes of the course….
 Game design for smart phones and tablets
 Game industry awareness and business opportunities
 Work and collaboration in intercultural project teams
 Applied project management and time/ resource planning
 Communication and presentation techniques
 Problem solving skills
 Entrepreneurship

14. • Define team:
• Roles, project phases, timeline.
• Define game:
• Title, genre, target audience.
• Define concept:
• Abstract, gameplay, game elements.
• Test concept:
• Play analysis, prototype usability.
• Create document, prototype and presentation:
• Innovative, informative, professional.
Course Overview
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

15. Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
Course Lectures include….
Course overview, serious game design
Industry roles, concept documents and the development cycle
Storyboarding, scripts & character design
Educational games and learning outcomes
Player interaction and screen design
Cultural, gender & social aspects
Development tools & environments
Sound design & iterative development
Animation, modeling, & programming
Pitching, presentations and promotion

16. Why Group Work
 Combined individual knowledge
 Combined different strengths
 Group motivation
 Group ideas / mind mapping
 Collaboration - work place preparation
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

17. Support from Game Industry
“The SGDSS has been on of the most profitable learning
experiences I’ve ever had. Very valuable information, highly
skilled professionals, many good contacts”
- Pau Yanez, Spain
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

18. “During the two weeks, I learnt so much about game
ideas, game development and design. It was incredible
to share my mind and ideas with others”
- Dominic, Austria
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
Student Views

19. Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
Learning Outcomes of the course….
 Game design for smart phones and tablets
 Game industry awareness and business opportunities
 Work and collaboration in intercultural project teams
 Applied project management and time/ resource planning
 Communication and presentation techniques
 Problem solving skills
 Entrepreneurship

20. E-Heath Concepts
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

21. E-Heath Concepts
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
• Chance of receiving CPR when needed, less
than 30%.
• Success factor limited but without CPR, almost
always fatal.
• “Staying alive” and “Another bites the Dust” are
perfect rhythms .
• CPR – 100 beats per minute
• Compression only is recommended for adults
• Compression and breathing for children
Collateral Learning

22. E-Heath Concepts
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
• 75% of the worlds population spend hours
hunched over their mobile device
• This can cause “Text Neck” which results in pain
felt in the neck, shoulders, arms, wrists.
• If left untreated, can result in flattening of the
spinal curve, early arthritis, nerve damage, etc.
• Exercising the neck and shoulders periodically
can offset “Text Neck”
Collateral Learning

23. E-Heath Concepts
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
• Different types of Color Blindness
• Normally only in Males (8%), but in rare
cases also in females (0.4%).
• There is no treatment for inherited Color
Blindness (linked to X chromosome)
• There is no successful early detection for
young children
• Living with color blindness can be
managed if detected early enough.
Collateral Learning

24. Sustainability Concepts
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

25. Sustainability Concepts
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
• Many consumers do NOT understand energy
rating labels and what it means to them.
• Energy efficient devices can reduce
consumption by up to 30%.
• Vampire devices use up to 10% of a
households power consumption.
Collateral Learning

26. Sustainability Concepts
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
• Recycling colors differ for many countries,
even across Europe.
• Many Countries still do not have recycling
bins for public use.
• There is no universal standard for public
recycling, bins, colors, labels, etc.
Collateral Learning

27. E-Inclusion Concepts
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

28. E-Inclusion Concepts
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
• Awareness of difficulties for people with
disabilities
• Awareness of migrant issues of being
accepted
• Realization that there is no easy answers but
public awareness can help.
Collateral Learning

29. SGDSS’13 Mobile App
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

30. Serious Game Design
Summer School Secrets…..
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

31. Success Criteria
1. Forming Teams
2. Forming Ideas
3. Using Blogs
4. Involving Experts
5. Iterative Testing
6. Presentations
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

32. Forming Teams
• Early Team Work
• Mixed Gender
• Mixed Culture
• Mixed Skill Set
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

33. Forming Ideas
• Well Researched Topics
• Report back to Class
• Ensure alignment of:
• Target Audience
• Platform
• Concept
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

34. Using Blogs
• Encourage Daily Reflection
• Branding assists with:
• Ownership
• Entrepreneurship
• Investment
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

35. Involve Experts
• Ask Industry Experts other Teachers
• Provide Variety of Topics
• Look for a Superstar!
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

36. Iterative Testing
• Continual Testing within Groups and Target Audience
• Test Concept, Format, Platform
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

37. Presentations
• Pecha Kucha Style
• Encourage Practice
• Scaffold the Presentation
Technique
• Show Bad Presentation
Examples
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

38. Success Criteria
1. Forming Teams
2. Forming Ideas
3. Using Blogs
4. Involve Experts
5. Iterative Testing
6. Presentations
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

39. Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec
Learning Outcomes of the course….
 Game design for smart phones and tablets
 Game industry awareness and business opportunities
 Work and collaboration in intercultural project teams
 Applied project management and time/ resource planning
 Communication and presentation techniques
 Problem solving skills
 Entrepreneurship

40. Summer School Websites
summerschool.engagelearning.eu sgdss14.engagelearning.eu
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

41. Using Game Design
to teach almost anything
Tales from the Serious Game Design Summer School
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

42. Success Stories from Students
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec

43. Questions
maja.pivec@fh-joanneum.at
www.majapivec.com
Prof. DI. Dr. Maja Pivec