Games in Schools 2023 – the latest handbook for teachers

European Schoolnet (the network of 34 Ministries of Education) and Video Games Europe have teamed up to launch the fifth edition of Games in Schools, a project aimed at training teachers across Europe on the use of commercial video games as pedagogical support in the classroom. The project started with a 6-week long MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) during which teachers will examine the opportunities but also challenges offered by integrating games into our teaching and learning. It will explore topics like playful learning, thematic learning, social and emotional learning, game design, and provide practical examples of gaming tools and activities that can be used in your daily teaching practice. In September, we launched the 2023 Games in Schools Handbook: . Following a successful back-to-school webinar bringing together over 130 teachers, educators and education policy makers, where we discussed how video games can be used in the classroom and highlighted how video games can support inclusive education and help pupils acquire essential (digital) competences - a key objective of the European Year of Skills - we invite you to download this comprehensive guide. Chapter 1: Why use video games in education? Chapter 2: Learning with video games Chapter 3: Using video games for thematic project-based learning Chapter 4: What can we learn from video games? Chapter 5: Designing and making video games Chapter 6: Why is it important to teach about video games?

Why use video games in education?

In this chapter, we cover:

Why use video games in the classroom?
How do we learn with games?
Inclusivity/Accessibility and games

Learning with video games

In this chapter, we cover:

Language & literacy games
Numeracy & cognitive games
Movement & physical games
Video games that support social & emotional learning

Using video games for thematic project-based learning

In this chapter, we focus on:

Rhythm, DJ and Dance video games
Sports video games
Film franchise video games
Underwater video games
Environmental video games
Open-ended video games
Video games based on historical events

What can we learn from video games?

In this chapter, we focus on:

What do video games do well and how can we take the mechanics of video game and apply that to traditional classroom setting.
Thinking about digital rewards/badges
How to change the language of the classroom to be more engaging