Developing games for scientific training: a workshop for the creation of alternative learning experiences

Providing alternative learning experiences can be an effective way to keep learners engaged and games specifically designed for learning have been used across a range of topics. Games can be used in scientific training, and this is becoming increasingly relevant as much scientific training and related practical components move to screens rather than the lab. In this case, games can be used to provide interactive, group-based, learning experiences that can keep learners engaged and motivated. However, most scientific trainers do not have experience or knowledge of game development and so would not be able to create effective learning games for their trainees. Here, a workshop is described which introduces participants to game mechanisms suitable for scientific training games and game design elements used in effective game development, whilst keeping a focus on their required learning objectives and target audience.