Solar Village – A Gamified learning environment for higher energy engineering education

Abstract

In this report, the novel gamified learning environment “Solar Village” for higher engineering education is described. The principles of gameplay, platform, user interface, and workspaces are explained through commentaries and examples taken from two energy engineering courses provided by the Aalto University. The next steps of the learning environment’s further evolution are discussed. Moreover, the opportunities and challenges of a comprehensive gamified education model are addressed, including the perspectives of student learning and the society plus the teacher’s role in the digitalized and AI-assisted higher education. The report is to encourage university teachers and software developers to consider implementing the presented learning environment in new courses, degree programmes, and disciplines. It is to provide sufficient basis to guide the further development of the learning environment by way of proper game engines.