How can games be designed to be both engaging and effective in supporting learning? Associate Professor Thomas Bjørner from Aalborg University, Denmark, will give a guest lecture at Tampere University exploring the opportunities and challenges of designing serious games that combine engagement, motivation, and meaningful learning outcomes.
There is already substantial research showing the potential of games to promote engagement and motivation. However, an important challenge remains: how can we design serious games that are engaging while also targeting specific learning objectives and providing evidence of learning outcomes?
In his lecture, How Can Games Be Designed to Engage and Motivate Learning? Prof. Bjørner will discuss this challenge through research and examples from game-based learning and serious game design. The lecture will consider the relationship between engagement, motivation, game design, and learning, as well as what is needed to move beyond engagement alone toward games that can meaningfully support learning.
About the speaker
Thomas Bjørner is Associate Professor at Aalborg University, Denmark, and Head of the Media Innovation & Game Research (Me-Ga) research group (https://me-ga.create.aau.dk/) in the Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology. His research covers serious games, game-based learning, user evaluation, technology acceptance, and qualitative and mixed-method research. His work on game-based learning has particularly examined how serious games can combine engagement and motivation with educational purposes.
Practical information
The guest lecture will take place on Thursday, 17 September 2026, from 11.00 to 12.00 in Tietotalo, room TB207, Hervanta Campus.