Let’s Play – seriously! Learning together through hands-on game design

Game design has been shown to aid constructionist learning, as the requisite abstraction from reality and the building of sensible representations of the world require an understanding of contextual rules (Kafai, 1995, 1998; Kafai & Burke, 2015). In the fast-developing, unpredictable space that generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has created in higher education, we contend that participating in game design can also help one form a deeper understanding of learning content. AI literacy has become a necessity in the increasingly AI-infused world. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that a sound knowledge of responsible GenAI use can improve learning (Hazari, 2024; Furze, Perkins, Roe & MacVaugh, 2024). Consequently, lecturers are challenged to equip students with the requisite AI literacy for success at university and beyond (Luo, 2024).

In the first part of this workshop, participants will be introduced to key concepts and approaches relating to game design. In the second part, a game design studio team will be simulated to conceptualise, prototype, test and refine a proposed AI literacy game for students.

Participants will learn about approaches to game design by exploring different homegrown serious games, including digital escape rooms, board games and narrative-driven immersion games. They will also have the opportunity to help design an SU AI literacy board game. The game is aimed at teaching students about responsible GenAI use in higher education and is meant for online use. In the process, participants will gain the skills required to design their own serious game.

In summary, therefore, the workshop will offer participants a) knowledge of various approaches to game design, b) enhanced AI literacy, and c) the chance to help design an easily accessible game aimed at improving students’ AI literacy, i.e. helping students understand key AI concepts, types of AI tools, and issues relating to their responsible use. Once the final version of the game is produced, it will be freely available for use at SU.

Target audience

Academics teaching students

This workshop will be limited to 24 participants.