TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Filip Gábor
The project aimed to innovate game-based learning and gamification approaches to education, building on a strategic partnership known as Breakout Box. It sought to adapt the immersive educational escape room methodology to larger groups by creating smaller, practical boxes that can be used simultaneously by various groups. The project responded to needs for more immersive and interactive learning processes, scalability for varying group sizes, and digitalization of learning tools. The objectives included enhancing game-based learning skills among youth workers, exploring the use of escape games and breakout boxes as educational tools, and developing educational breakout box concepts to be used in the youth work field.
The target groups for this project included youth workers and educators actively involved in the partner organizations or in organizations within their network. The participants were from Czechia, Estonia, Italy, Spain, Latvia, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania ensuring international diversity. They were expected to have a specific interest in discovering innovative approaches in youth work and a commitment to developing and disseminating educational games. The country balance was ensured by equal representation from each participating country, with a focus on maintaining a gender balance throughout the activities.
The team consisted of 3 trainers and facilitators from Estonia, Czechia and Spain.
A range of non-formal learning methods was employed during the training course, including ice breaking, team building, discussions, small group work, world cafes, case studies, simulations, interactive lectures, open space technology, and reflection. These activities were designed to cater to various learning styles and ensure the overall quality of the training course. The training was built upon the basic concept of game-based trainings, and after the main activity, local activities such as game events with young people and fellow youth workers were expected.
The project was expected to benefit youth workers and their organizations by introducing a new innovative approach and methodology for daily work, enhancing the competences of youth workers, and providing 6 physical copies of the developed breakout boxes and a manual for further development of game-based approaches. The participants gained a deeper understanding of game-based learning and the ability to create engaging educational sessions for youth. The project aimed for sustainability by continuing work on game-based learning approaches, publishing all outcomes on a dedicated online hub, and creating over 10 local events for dissemination of the results.
I was one of the full-time trainers in charge of preparing, delivering, and analyzing the training course in cooperation with my colleagues. My responsibilities included developing and running the sessions, as well as mentoring participants throughout the process. I was also responsible for tracking the follow-up activities and evaluating their effectiveness and impact.