On Monday, June 29, 2026, the Open University Čakovec (POU Čakovec) hosted its inaugural Game Day—an event dedicated to gamification and the application of educational games in adult education. The gathering brought together gaming and learning enthusiasts interested in applying innovative methods, such as gamification, to adult education. The event aimed to showcase contemporary learning approaches that use game elements to foster higher motivation and active participant engagement.
The program commenced with a presentation by Andrea Štefić, who introduced the concept of gamification and its numerous benefits in adult education. This session also provided an in-depth look at the Erasmus+ GamifiedEd project, coordinated by POU Čakovec. The project focuses on modernizing adult education by developing and implementing innovative educational materials based on game mechanics and dynamics.
The event also served as an excellent opportunity to learn about regional initiatives in related sectors. Lucija Bakulić from Tech Park Varaždin presented GAMESPARK—the Center for the Development of the Gaming Industry. Attendees learned about the Center’s activities, collaboration opportunities, and the potential for further development of gaming projects in the region, highlighting a valuable connection between technology and lifelong learning.
Jana Bračko then showcased the outcomes of the Erasmus+ InclusiGardens project, also implemented by POU Čakovec. Through this initiative, three digital games and one educational card game were developed. Special emphasis was placed on the game development process using the innovative vibe-coding method. Sharing these experiences provided participants with valuable insights into the practical aspects of creating educational content tailored to modern learners.
The most dynamic part of the event was the playtesting session. All attendees had the opportunity to personally test the developed games and exchange feedback. This interactive segment practically demonstrated how effective and accessible educational games can be as tools for encouraging learning, collaboration, and critical thinking outside the traditional classroom setting.
We thank all the attendees, speakers, and partners whose participation and engagement made this event possible. POU Čakovec remains committed to developing innovative educational content, and we invite you to continue following our website for updates on the GamifiedEd project and announcements of future activities.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes (AMPEU). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
