Next-Level Learning through Game-Based Creation

Many teachers are now embracing the use of video games in education. A common adoption of games and learning is through gamification, or game-based learning. At Cleverlike, we’re challenging educators to go to the next level: don’t just have your students play games, but blend various core subjects by teaching them how to create games related to core subject matter. This is game-based creation.

The creation process directs student excitement toward engaged learning of core material, plus adds valuable technical career skill development into the mix. Through project-based lessons students learn new skills in industry standard tools that empower them to creatively demonstrate their knowledge in core subject areas.

Creating the EcoGaming Museum

For example, Laura Compton is a teacher in the Santa Ana Unified School District in Irvine, California. She says, “It started as an idea: what if Biology and Video Game Design didn't just sit next to each other on a schedule, but actually were integrated with each other? EcoGaming was the answer.”  

Her students chose climate change and biology-related topics such as ocean pollution, wildfire risk, and biodiversity loss. After performing research and learning about their topics, students used Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) to build virtual museums with immersive exhibits to teach others.

Students left with real climate science knowledge, real design skills, and “maybe most importantly, a sense that they had something worth saying about the world they're inheriting.”

Laura leaned on our Cleverlike Studios team for curriculum partnership and professional mentorship, as well as Epic Games for the UEFN platform and learning pathways that made student-built worlds possible. She was a recipient of the Institute for Teaching for the Impact Grant from the California Teachers Association, which made the program possible. 

Take a tour of the virtual museum and see how these students learned important lessons in  biology, while simultaneously building design and creation skills in UEFN, a key platform used by creators around the world. 

Transition from Game Play to Game Creation

Brian Dickman, founder of Cleverlike Studios, notes that this type of game-based creation enables students to utilize their gameplay skills in Fortnite and apply those like an artist uses a canvas. 

“In game-based learning, the content is developed and architected by someone else and is assembled inside the game that students play. By contrast, when creating, students are the researchers, designers, and developers of the learning experience. They dig deeper to make it interesting and to convey important facts about the core subject, AND they leverage both their existing gameplay skills and new development skills that they learn.”

Cleverlike works with teachers like Laura and districts across the country to teach and scaffold skills from beginner to industry certification in Unreal Engine. Contact us to learn more about bringing this type of program to your students. Just like we did for Laura, we’ll help you set up a cohesive program to combine your core course material with game-based creation.