This July, the JOYFUL project reached an exciting milestone! From July 16th to 20th, 2024, partners and participants gathered in vibrant Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪 for a Learning-Teaching-Training Activity (LTTA) dedicated to testing and refining the board game developed as part of our Erasmus+ initiative: JOYFUL: Journey of Optimising Well-being through Fun and Unique Learning.
Testing the JOYFUL Game in Real Time
The LTTA focused on live testing the JOYFUL board game - an innovative educational tool aimed at improving workplace well-being in NGOs and educational institutions. Designed to promote mindfulness, resilience, and stress management, the game was put through its paces by participants from Germany, Greece, and Romania.
The activity combined:
Learning: Participants were introduced to the game’s educational purpose, mechanics, and methodology.
Training: Through hands-on sessions, participants practiced using the game as trainers and educators, while offering insights into its usability and effectiveness.
What Made This Event Special?
🤝 The collaborative nature of the activity allowed NGO employees and volunteers, project trainers, and game designers to work closely together. Participants explored:
How to effectively implement the game in training sessions.
Techniques to adapt it for various audiences and scenarios.
Improvements to game mechanics and educational outcomes.
A highlight was our participation in the Berlin Brettspiel Con 2024 - an international board game festival where game enthusiasts and professionals tested the JOYFUL game, providing invaluable feedback that will shape its final version.
Why Does This Matter?
The JOYFUL board game isn’t just about fun—it’s about fostering well-being, collaboration, and mental health awareness in NGOs and beyond. This LTTA served as a crucial quality control step, ensuring the game:
Achieves its educational objectives.
Meets the needs of trainers and educators.
Creates a lasting positive impact on workplace well-being.
Next Steps for JOYFUL
With the feedback gathered during the LTTA and at Brettspiel Con, the project partners will:
Finalize the Trainer’s Guide to support facilitators. 📘
Prepare for Multiplier Events, where the JOYFUL game will be introduced to wider audiences. 🌍
This is just the beginning of an exciting journey. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to optimize this unique tool for well-being and education! 💪✨
