How do you make game-based learning learner-centered?

The greater the autonomy you allow your learners, the higher their level of engagement and self-motivation – resulting in more involvement with the learning process and improved learning outcomes. Learning that’s structured around this principle is defined as learner-centered learning or student-centered learning.

Learner-centrism uses innovative teaching methods to promote learning and communication between learners and teachers. Learners need to be taken seriously as active participants in their own learning. The aim is not just to train learners on the specific information being taught, but also to imbibe “transferable skills such as problem-solving and critical/reflective thinking”.

How does learner-centered e-learning work?

Learner-centered e-learning works under a few principles:

Active learning: Involves high-level learner engagement and interaction with the material, beyond cognitive processing.

Deep learning and understanding: Prioritizes internalization of learning and connection to real-world concepts and situations.

Increased responsibility and autonomy: Allows learners to guide their own journey, accepting their role as an independent learner with the support of facilitators, not instructors.

This method of learning improves:

• Student motivation
• Independence
• Responsibility
• Flexibility

Using learner-centered e-learning in game-based learning

Good games, by their nature, almost ‘trick’ learners into learning. They engender skills through gameplay, without the learner even realizing it! Since they are learning organically, self-motivation levels are high. High-quality games use learner-centred e-learning practices during learning game development, such as sandbox learning, systems thinking, and building cycles of expertise.

Systems thinking

In game-based learning, systems thinking is a key principle, linked to deep learning and understanding as well as problem-based learning techniques. Systems thinking involves a holistic approach during learning game development, and understanding the fact that a system is greater than the sum of its parts due to the interaction between them. 

Sandbox learning

Allow learners to build their own worlds within the game. During learning game development, set up an option to encourage world-building, especially in multiplayer teams, allows learners to play with the characters within the broad strokes of gameplay. It’s used for learning and practice in a risk-free environment. Learners can revisit concepts, explore possibilities, practice and develop skills in their sandboxes.

Reduced teacher dependence

By creating a virtual guide within the game world, the teacher becomes a part of the learning game but is not treated as the fount of all knowledge and wisdom. 

Mistake-driven learning

When learners try, they will make mistakes. That’s a good thing – after all, mistakes made in controlled circumstances are a great way to understand different possible paths and make your own way organically to the best solution. Mistakes and ‘losing’ in game-based learning can be a real win for your learner-driven game-based learning strategy.

Simulations and roleplay

Games structured around a story through which the learner plays as protagonist are ideally designed for learner-centered learning. Since the learner is in the driver’s seat, they can make their own decisions and their own learning pathways. For example, they can choose which modules to engage with and in what order.

Game-based learning is highly engaging and extremely learner-oriented. When the right instructional design strategies are applied, game-based learning becomes ideally suited to learner-centered e-learning principles. Reach out to our team of experts today to learn more about learning game development, game-based e-learning and learner-centered e-learning.