Course Description
This training program equips participants with both theoretical foundations and hands-on experience in leading games and interactive activities that are adaptable to various settings and designed to develop specific competencies. Teachers will explore effective strategies to tailor games for different circumstances and educational goals, gaining practical skills in using everyday objects as game tools, ensuring session safety, maximizing learning outcomes, and guiding reflection sessions to support personal and social development.
Core topics will include techniques for providing constructive feedback, fostering motivation, and building teamwork, cooperation, and communication skills. Throughout the course, participants will receive practical guidance on session preparation, delivery, and wrap-up, with particular attention to engaging reluctant or reticent participants.
The training combines diverse methodologies, including individual and group work, role-plays, experiential learning activities, and group sharing sessions, with optional outdoor activities (weather permitting) to broaden the learning experience.
Upon completion of the theoretical and practical segments, participants will have the opportunity to lead their own game-based sessions, receiving personalized feedback from both the trainer and peers.
The knowledge and practices gained in this course are designed to be fully transferable to various educational environments—classrooms, field trips, camps, and other community settings—where play and collaborative growth are central to the learning experience.
Objectives
Firstly, it is very important to understand the pedagogical role of games in education. Teachers have to grasp the benefits of incorporating games into the learning environment, recognizing how games can enhance students’ cognitive, social and emotional development. Secondly, teachers should know how to develop skills to facilitate and animate classroom games. They will learn and practice techniques to effectively lead various types of games maintaining a positive and inclusive atmosphere in a class.
Besides, teachers will gain skills in designing or modifying games to align with specific learning goals, ensuring that games are both fun and educationally meaningful. Teachers will learn to balance enjoyment and learning by game-based activities, promoting critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving.
Finally, teachers will learn to use games as a means of emotional intelligence, creating a supportive class in which all students can thrive. Not only will this toolkit help teachers play in a classroom, but they will also learn how to play beyond the four walls in a camp, or on a trip.
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Understand the Educational Value of Games: Gain insights into the pedagogical benefits of games, including how they support cognitive, social, and emotional development. Develop a foundational understanding of why games can be valuable tools in the classroom.
- Develop Facilitation Skills for Classroom Games: Acquire techniques for leading and managing various types of games effectively, ensuring a positive and inclusive environment. Learn methods to engage students actively, balancing structure with freedom within game-based activities.
- Design and Customize Games for Learning Objectives: Build skills in designing, adapting, and selecting games to align with specific curriculum goals. Practice creating educational games that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while maintaining a balance between fun and learning outcomes.
- Foster Emotional Intelligence through Game-Based Learning: Explore strategies for using games to support students’ emotional growth. Learn to create a supportive and nurturing environment that promotes social and emotional development through interactive activities.
- Expand the Use of Games Beyond the Classroom: Discover how to apply game-based learning techniques in diverse settings, including outdoor or off-site activities such as camps and field trips, to promote experiential learning and teamwork.
Target Group
This course is designed for educators of all levels as well as individuals interested in this topic.
Learning Outcomes
During this course, we focus on a dynamic and diverse range of methods to explore and apply extracurricular activity themes, practical programs, and exercises. Each session is designed to actively engage participants, whether through pair work, small group and large group discussions, or interactive and experiential activities as well as some role-plays. Through situational exercises and opportunities for personal reflection, participants can deepen their understanding of the material while developing valuable facilitation skills.
A unique aspect of the program is our collective participation in immersive large-group games, followed by sessions where participants teach each other various group games. Together, we analyze how to lead these games, discussing their facilitation techniques, ideal application contexts, and potential impact on different audiences. This collaborative approach fosters a deeper understanding and allows everyone to gain insights into practical ways of creating engaging learning experiences.
We prioritize enjoyment and interactivity, understanding that these elements are essential for meaningful learning. Our playful yet structured exercises are intentionally designed to foster a supportive and engaging environment where participants feel motivated and confident.
By the end of the course, participants will leave with a versatile toolkit of experiential learning methods, empowering them to incorporate engaging, interactive games into a variety of educational and professional settings. Whether for class excursions, camps, or structured group activities, participants will be equipped to foster organized, purposeful play that enhances learning and teamwork in any program where students come together.
Learning Programme and Tasks
| Day | Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3 | Session 4 | Session 5 |
| Day 1 | Introduction to Games in Education | Benefits of Game-Based Learning | Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Benefits | Group Discussion: Real-life Applications | Reflection: Key Insights |
| Day 2 | Techniques for Game Facilitation | Creating an Inclusive Game Atmosphere | Practicing Facilitation Skills | Role-play and Scenarios | Reflection & Feedback |
| Day 3 | Designing Games for Learning Outcomes | Aligning Games with Curriculum Goals | Balancing Fun and Educational Value | Workshop: Customizing Games | Group Reflection: Designing for Diverse Needs |
| Day 4 | Games for Building Emotional Intelligence | Strategies for Emotional Support through Games | Classroom Case Studies | Role-play: Fostering a Supportive Environment | Reflection & Peer Feedback |
| Day 5 | Applying Games Beyond the Classroom | Outdoor and Experiential Learning | Designing Off-site Games and Activities | Presentation of Customized Game Plans | Course Reflection & Certificate Distribution |
The course at the Pula venue is 6 days, with the SPRE dissemination project on the last day.
Dates and Prices
| Language level: | English B1 and above* |
| Locations: | Budapest (Hungary), Pula (Croatia) |
| Time: | 9 AM to 2:30 PM daily (extracurricular activities outside of learning activities) |
| Dates: |
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| Price: | Budapest: €430 (5 days), Pula: €510 (6 days) - including an extracurricular activity and a welcome lunch or dinner |
*The language of the course is English, linguistic aid may be provided for speakers of Hungarian with lower language abilities.
Conditions
The course complies with all rules as set in the Quality Standards of the Erasmus+ program. Extracurricular activities are in addition to the lessons, and study groups are international. Note: should the latter condition not be met, participants will be informed 40 days in advance.
Payment facilities: participants with funding from the actual year’s project budget may ask to request a deposit of EUR 100 to guarantee their places on the course and pay the rest of the fees later.
It is possible to take part in 2 consecutive courses, please book both separately. A price reduction of 15% will be applied.
