Smart Work 2027: ‘Soldier Somewhere Out There’ Role-Playing Game
The Smart Work page presents everyday innovations and success stories developed by the employees of the City of Hämeenlinna.
I have used educational role-playing games in history and social studies as an applied way to learn various topics through gamification. Having a background in role-playing myself, I wanted to combine my hobby with my teaching.
In the role-playing game, pupils immerse themselves in the Winter War and the Continuation War from a soldier’s perspective. Each pupil receives a background and makes choices during the game that affect their character’s story. In addition to battles, the pupil encounters situations such as meeting a war orphan during the game.
Gamification has been used in teaching to foster historical empathy and the ability to identify with another person’s situation. I will continue to develop educational role-playing games and collaborate with the Tammenlehvän Perinneliitto (Heritage Association of the Oak Leaf).
Developer
Jani Malmi, Senior Teacher of History and Social Studies, Lyseo Comprehensive School