Nexes has designed different short-term training courses to train educators in facilitate game design process in groups. The workshops intended to provide tools and guidance so that teachers, leaders, youth workers or social workers can implement a process of creating board games, whether in groups of children, youth or adults.
The workshop is part of the European Game On project, which brings together six entities from four different countries and which Nexes leads. Among other actions, the project has produced podcasts, researched on the subject, given several local training courses, organized an international seminar, international courses and edited a manual for educators. It is now on its final year and in the upscaling phase. Erasmus+ partially finances the activities carried out.
The workshop is dynamic, experiential and reflective. Starting from an initial theoretical framework, where we define what we understand by inclusion and the various phases of a game design process, the participants are divided into small groups to create a board game. Once finished, each group presents their game proposal to the to receive feedback.
After the proposals have been presented, a joint reflection is carried out on the experiences, skills, knowledge and attitudes that each one has implemented during the process to establish links with inclusion competencies. Finally, the workshop ends with the presentation of the free access resources developed in the Game On project and an individual reflection on how to practically apply the knowledge acquired in the training.
The entire process is facilitated by experts in board games and education who offer resources to encourage creativity, collaboration and the inclusion skills of the participants.
The reasons for creating games in an educational context can be very varied. However, creating a board game is a complex process that requires very diverse skills. The Game On workshops focus on this direction, which focus on promoting skills for inclusion and critical thinking. There is no doubt that creating a group game generates a lot of learning that. Creativity, problem solving, empathy, communication, collaboration, democratic decision making or commitment are some of the competences developed.
If you know of a center or group that might be interested in receiving this workshop, do not hesitate to contact Nexes! Either at info@nexescat.org or at albert.nexes@gmail.com