Digital Learning Games (DLG) is a 2 years international master’s curriculum in the Tallinn University School of Digital Technologies. The main objective is to bring together people with different background, form heterogeneous teams, learn from experts and from each other, and make games.
This curriculum is unique because of its interdisciplinary nature. It integrates wisdom from the following domains:
- Design (conceptual and graphical design)
- ICT (user experience design and software development)
- Pedagogy (instructional design)
- Psychology (engagement design and emotioneering)
Classes take place on working days in the evenings, starting at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Average school day duration is 4 hours.
DLG is divided into following main modules:
- Game Design
- Interaction Design
- Developmental and Cognitive Psychology
Subjects
Game Design is a main module of DLG. It covers game design related subjects like:
- Basics of Game Theory and Design
- Design of Gameplay and Core Mechanics
- Design of Game Assets
- Learning Game Design
- Transmedia Storytelling Theories and Methods
- Research and Design of Educational Games
- ICT Based Learning Games in Learning Environment Formation
All subjects combine theory and practice of game design. The outcomes of the courses are design documents, prototypes and smaller games. Games in the bigger scale (bigger teams, more functionalities, comprehensive research) are created during Interdisciplinary (ELU) project and master thesis.
Tallinn University has a Virtual Reality (VR) and Game Lab. In this lab students can experiment with existing VR and computer games and try VR hardware such as Oculus Rift, HTC Vive or Samsung Gear VR. Game design and development teams are also welcome to use lab equipment for making and testing their games.
