The Home for Games-Based Learning
Inside the Games-Based Learning Alliance, educators, academics, designers, researchers, creators, and professionals like you come together to meet and support one another, get answers to burning questions, learn from other experts, participate in growth challenges and more.
Games for Teaching, Training, Learning, and Development
You may have played games all of your life. You may already be a teacher, educator, instructor, trainer, or professor. But you may never have combined these two areas before. Introducing: Games-Based Learning which is the use and application for games for learning. Those include video games, table top games, card games, board games, role-playing games, simulations, and serious games. The difficult part about games-based learning is HOW this can be used in your own practice.
Introducing the Games-Based Learning Alliance
The Games-Based Learning Alliance (GBLA) is your home for learning how to apply games for teaching and learning. The alliance connects academics, educators, designers, researchers, creators and professionals in a space to discuss and share best practices using games, gamification, and games-based learning for teaching, learning, training, education, and development.
At the Games-Based Learning Alliance, we’re proud to serve a worldwide community of likeminded educators using games for teaching and learning.
The Games-Based Learning Alliance
The Games-Based Learning Alliance is our private community for like-minded educators motivated by purpose, committed to self-improvement, discovery, and the desire to do and share the work of using games for teaching and learning.
We realize that every educator’s journey will be unique, but we all benefit from common experiences within the alliance:
Enriched education and professional development
Thought providing discussion and knowledge sharing
Professional networking with curated individuals
Interactive collaborations and discussions
Access to vetted advice and powerful insight
Community Ideals and Benefits
A safe place to ask question, engage in inquiry, experiment with ideas, play test games, commit to challenges, and learn and grow without fear of judgment or rejection.
Relationship building opportunities with like-minded academics, educators, designers, researchers, creators and professionals that lead to prosperous partnerships, established friendships, and collaborations.
Full access to a growing library of shared videos, podcasts, articles, journals, webinars, and courses covering a multitude of different areas in games-based learning
A community that welcomes members from diverse backgrounds including race, ethnicity, gender, orientation, neurodiversity, and ability.
A focused environment to accelerate learning and networking
The games-based learning alliance is where serious academics, educators, designers, researchers, creators and professionals share their knowledge and resources to create a wholesome and forthcoming community.
Inside the Games-Based Learning Alliance
The alliance enjoys sharing our experiences and best practices. That leads to a unique and engaging community that includes…
Learning channels for discussions around specific topics such as simulations, serious games, gamification, and games-based learning
Discovery channels for member networking, collaborations, and more
Private channels for focused discussions among member cohorts
Private 1:1 messaging between community members
Serious and Motivated Members Wanted
Curious. Driven. Intellectual. Creative. Willing to connect, share, and learn from one another. If that sounds like you, and you’ve been looking for a community of other liked-minded individuals then you’ve come to the right place at the Games-Based Learning Alliance.
Is the Games-Based Learning Alliance a good match for you?
It's a match if you…
Believe in humility, empathy, creativity, and curiosity and are accepting of others regardless of their appearance, ideas, and backgrounds
Accept the responsibility to give as much as you receive because you know that the community is only as good as those that contribute to it
Are ready to participate in giving and receiving of feedback that may at times challenge your thinking
Have already contributed something to the games-based learning community dialogue through games, projects, publications, articles, blogs, podcasts, videos or more
Feel like it's a match?
Outstanding! Here's what you need to do to join:
Complete our application—Click here or the button below to access our application. It's short. We review applications in the order in which they were received.
Be patient—Invites will be issued on a rolling basis. Please be patient with us as we process them. The wait time for applications is variable.
Accept your invite - If we choose your application, then you'll receive an invite to join the community via email. It will contain a special link to sign up for the community.
Current Members
“ I’ve gotten to know other games-based educators, had a chance to chat through challenges and opportunities, and launched new endeavors with fellow members.”
“The Games-Based Learning Alliance has provided a steady and joyous community experience throughout the pandemic. I've gotten to know other games-based educators, had a chance to chat through challenges and opportunities, and launched new endeavors with fellow members. It continues to be a delightful part of my month.” - Jessica Creane, IKantKoan Games & Immersive
“Our strength lies in the fact we are working towards similar goals - the promotion of GBL in educational and organizational learning settings, but also that we have many different experiences and perspectives, so that the learning is constant.”
“Especially during the difficult, and disconnected, times of lockdown, the Games-Based Learning Alliance has been a very welcome support for my work. I have been able to take inspiration from others who immediately get what I am talking about when I ask a question - because they know the field so well. I hope I have been able to offer the same service to others within the group. Our strength lies in the fact we are working towards similar goals - the promotion of GBL in educational and organizational learning settings, but also that we have many different experiences and perspectives, so that the learning is constant. I come away from each meeting, and now our Mastermind group, with fresh inspiration for my work and the knowledge that I can call on this network for help with design, promotion, making new connections, or even just a (very) knowledgeable listening ear.” - Sarah Le-Fevre, Ludogogy Magazine / Games for Good
“They’re always helpful and supportive, and they’ve been a great help to my own gamification work. ”
“I've been inspired by listening to and learning about the projects and ideas of the members of The Games-Based Learning Alliance. By joining the Alliance, I've become an integral part of an inventive, thoughtful, pragmatic, knowledgeable, and welcoming community of people working on the same kinds of problems I am. They're always helpful and supportive, and they've been a great help to my own gamification work.” - Jim Egan, Brown University
“The Games-Based Learning Alliance is an excellent resource for educators and professionals looking for ways to integrate games for learning strategies. ”
“The Games-Based Learning Alliance is an excellent resource for educators and professionals looking for ways to integrate games for learning strategies. I have been able to connect with many like-minded professionals. It has been great to leverage some of the resources shared in the community and to bounce ideas off of fellow members. Highly recommend!” - Dustin Staats, Board Gaming with Education
“I find myself connected to thoughtful, creative, like-minded folks. We exchange encouragement and support on monthly calls and through our shared online community forum.”
“The Game-Based Learning Alliance (GBLA) is exactly that... an alliance! I find myself connected to thoughtful, creative, like-minded folks. We exchange encouragement and support on monthly calls and through our shared online community forum. I'm so grateful to be in this collaborative community with thought leaders in games and learning, getting insights from their perspectives from around the globe! #winning!” - Adam Lupu, Limitless Harmony
“ It is good to talk with with people who have a different approach to games. Dave Eng is an excellent group facilitator and he knows a lot about game-based learning.”
“The Games-Based Learning Alliance is an eclectic group of people with a wide range of backgrounds and experience of developing and using 'serious' games. It is good to talk with with people who have a different approach to games. Dave Eng is an excellent group facilitator and he knows a lot about game-based learning.” - Andy Yeoman, Focus Games Ltd
“To hear what other professionals are working on, and brainstorm solutions to my own projects is beneficial for all. Since GBL is so unique it can be a struggle to brainstorm with those outside of the practice.”
“The GBLA is a great way to network, learn, and share with other game-based learning professionals. To hear what other professionals are working on, and brainstorm solutions to my own projects is beneficial for all. Since GBL is so unique it can be a struggle to brainstorm with those outside of the practice. Having a place with like minded professionals with a similar language and understanding is critical to growth. And they are all great people, so that's a bonus!” - Micah Sawyer, Root Inc.
“It’s useful and encouraging to meet with diverse people who share a common passion for learning and games, and are willing to listen, share and challenge.”
“The Games-Based Learning Alliance was a natural outcome of a small group of people who wanted to connect around making games for learning. We were looking for ways to share our projects, get insight and support, learn from each other and expand our knowledge. It's useful and encouraging to meet with diverse people who share a common passion for learning and games, and are willing to listen, share and challenge.” - Sue Baechler, Originaliti Media Inc
“This past year, I struggled much like many other educators. I found myself at sea, seemingly alone in my instruction and curriculum amidst the chaos of the pandemic. However, I joined the Games-Based Learning Alliance at just the right time to revitalize my love for using games in the classroom”
“This past year, I struggled much like many other educators. I found myself at sea, seemingly alone in my instruction and curriculum amidst the chaos of the pandemic. However, I joined the Games-Based Learning Alliance at just the right time to revitalize my love for using games in the classroom and to generate ideas and solutions with likeminded individuals. Not only have I found a collaborative group with which I can learn from, I have found a community who shares my love for using games to reach others. The Games-Based Learning Alliance has been a true support group through hard times, and I honestly think it grounded me in a way that I did not expect. I've never joined a professional group with so many diverse and talented folks, and they inspire me to be the best instructor I can be. I'm grateful for their encouragement and leave our meetings invigorated and excited to take on the challenges that lie ahead.” - Kimberly Tolson, Tabletop Tolson at YouTube
“What I’ve found most valuable in recent years is connecting with other games-based learning professionals to share ideas and learn from each other.”
“I've been informally learning about games-based learning in a self-led way for a few years, and implementing it in my learning design practice. What I've found most valuable in recent years is connecting with other games-based learning professionals to share ideas and learn from each other. The Games-Based Learning Alliance has been a great way to do this, and I've gotten some great help and advice, as well as always having a sounding-board. The Mastermind sessions a sub-group of us have been doing within the Games-Based Learning Alliance have really helped me to push myself to do more of what I really want to do in this field, and get great feedback on progress. Everyone in the group has been super-helpful, and I'm always learning whenever I participate, as well as giving back to the group with my ideas and experience.” - Terry Pearce, Untold Play
“GBLA is a resource unlike no other because it is a collaborative collective of educators and professionals working actively to design, develop, and improve pedagogical advances as it relates to games in education”
“GBLA is a resource unlike no other because it is a collaborative collective of educators and professionals working actively to design, develop, and improve pedagogical advances as it relates to games in education. From k-12 to collegiate to corporate settings, all aspects of games and gamification are discussed and real, actionable feedback is shared for the collective benefit. GBLA is an excellent place to grow your professional learning network and my go-to for advice to figure out my pathway forward.” - Kathleen Mercury, Teacher, Podcaster (Games in Schools and Libraries, On Board Games)
“ I was also researching games-based learning for my doctoral dissertation and was hoping to find people I could connect with to learn more and share some ideas that I have had both in my research and at work. ”
“The Games-Based Learning Alliance has been a wonderful opportunity for me to learn, connect and grow in my development as an instructional designer. At work, there are not a lot of opportunities to connect with others about games-based learning design. I was also researching games-based learning for my doctoral dissertation and was hoping to find people I could connect with to learn more and share some ideas that I have had both in my research and at work. Since joining the Games-Based Learning Alliance I have met some very innovative and talented people, found additional resources for my research, and even had a chance to participate in a virtual role-playing game!” - Jenny Varrichio, PhD, Unitedhealthcare
“The GBLA provides a supportive network of others who “get it” and are happy to provide feedback to cultivate those ideas. ”
“One of the hardest things about working in the Game Based Learning space is the blank looks you get from well meaning colleagues who just don't have the interest in the area or the time to immerse themselves. The GBLA provides a supportive network of others who "get it" and are happy to provide feedback to cultivate those ideas. Each member brings a fresh perspective which helps you grow as an educator and as a designer.” - Scott Beattie, CQ University
“Since I was just entering the commercial side of games-based learning after being an academic, I was concerned about finding a community that would be supportive and insightful. GBLA is all that and more.”
“GBLA is fantastic! Since I was just entering the commercial side of games-based learning after being an academic, I was concerned about finding a community that would be supportive and insightful. GBLA is all that and more. Within a month of joining, Dave helped me to connect with some other individuals in the field who helped me raise my business's visibility. The monthly GBLA meetings are some of the best hours I spend in a week. Dave keeps them focused and relevant, and I always walk away with a new insight or a new question to chew on. GBLA has been a terrific investment for my company and I will definitely be renewing my membership.” - Ray Kimball, 42 Educational Games Coaching and Design
“The Games-Based Learning Alliance came at a time when I was looking for others to connect with who were using games for learning”
"The Games-Based Learning Alliance came at a time when I was looking for others to connect with who were using games for learning. I saw what was being done with games before; but I didn't know how it was being used by others. I was mostly looking for other people to connect and share ideas with since there weren't any other people at my work / job / organization / business / institution to discuss this with. Then came the Games-Based Learning Alliance! Now I no longer feel like I'm working alone. I was able to connect with other people who were doing the same thing. I found a group of people who would all help each other.” - Stefan McNinch, UnboxEd
“Joining GBLA was and still is the
best decision I have ever made ”
“Joining GBLA was and still is the best decision I have ever made in terms of personal development and finding the right community of professionals who are excited about sharing their wisdom and helping one another succeed. These wonderful professionals are working collectively to enhance the way we teach the next generation of leaders. They are not afraid to experiment and color outside the lines to reach their noble mission. It is truly an honor to be a part of GBLA.”
- Dr. Silviana Falcon, Associate Professor Business and Health Administration, Florida Southern College
“GBLA has a diverse group of educators excited to connect games and education, from teachers to professors to CEOs. ”
“I had just finished my dissertation on Game-Based Learning when I came across the Game-Based Learning Alliance. I was excited to join. Since joining, this group has allowed me to not only discuss my research with like-minded individuals but also help me learn from people who have been there. GBLA has a diverse group of educators excited to connect games and education, from teachers to professors to CEOs.” -Kevin Jennings EdD