Video Games in European Schools: 2023-2024 Research Results
This Games in Schools research report, Video Games in European Schools, provides a comprehensive analysis of the use of video games as educational resources in classrooms, surveying 1,474 teachers across 26 European countries. The findings demonstrate that the appropriate use of video games enhances student motivation, accommodates varied learning styles, and helps explain complex subjects, including for students with special needs.
The report highlights European best practices for developing game-based learning, offering diverse examples to inspire teachers, educational institutions, and governments. It encourages reimagining education through a digital lens, emphasising the potential of video games as a complementary tool to traditional teaching methods.
List of European case studies:
- Belgium: In 2023, the annual “Education Meet Games” event brought together more than 400 educators, game developers, and experts to discuss game-based learning.
- France: Supported by the French Ministry of Education, the “Learning by Making Games” project, including ScienceXGame—a chair created by École Polytechnique and Ubisoft—promotes educational innovation.
- Italy: Since 2018, the “Maker Camp Contest” project has used Minecraft to connect history, culture, and civic education in Italian schools. The annual IVIPRO DAYS event further explores how video games can be used as educational resources and cultural tools.
- Luxembourg: In 2022, the Ministry of Education introduced a comprehensive “Digital Sciences Curriculum,” which includes “Games” as one of its core topics.
- Poland: In 2022, the Ministry of National Education incorporated the video game “This War of Mine” by 11bit Studios into the national secondary school curriculum, along with supporting materials to assist teachers in using the game effectively.
- Romania: From 2022 to 2023, the Romanian Game Developers Association implemented the Games in Schools project, involving 8,000 pupils in Years 5 to 8 with enriched lessons in subjects such as history, mathematics, and English through video games.
- Sweden: In 2020, the Region of Gothenburg used Minecraft in a project designed to engage young people in civic decision-making processes.
- United Kingdom: Since 2014, the Digital Schoolhouse initiative, run by the UK video games trade body Ukie, has provided a wide range of events and activities for teachers, schools, and pupils.