Following a similar move in Poland, video games will now become an integral part of the state education system in a region of Belgium. 

The Flemish Department of Education and Training has recognised the value of integrating video games into the classroom, by commissioning the Game.Learn.Grow toolbox, developed by Arteveldehogeschool and Mediawijs.

Featuring over 30 ready-to-use activities, tailored for different age groups, including exploring ancient Greece in “Assassin’s Creed”, and rebuilding their school in “Minecraft”, the toolbox serves as a practical guide for both primary and secondary school teachers. It also gives teachers the ability to create their own video-game-based educational activities. 

Regarding the new initiative, spokesperson for the Flemish/Belgian video game industry, David Verbruggen, said:

“We’re delighted with the Game.Learn.Grow toolbox and want to thank the Flemish Department of Education and Training, Arteveldehogeschool, and Mediawijs for making this possible. Here’s hoping the tools lead to an ever-expanding database of quality, game-driven content that prove that games in the classroom are here to stay.”

While ISFE CEO, Simon Little, added: 

“It is extremely exciting to see another European government recognise the value of video games to education in this way. We know from our Games in Schools project that video games have an exciting role to play in the classroom, inspiring an interest in STEM, equipping students with digital skills, increasing student engagement and learning outcomes, developing team-building, problem-solving and mental agility.”

ISFE’s Games in Schools teachers’ handbook has now been added to Klascement, the official teachers’ platform in Flanders. 

Staying in Flanders, the Flemish Government has also committed €100,000 fund to support the Flemish video games sector during the COVID-19 crisis. This is welcome news for the sector, because despite video games already on the market enjoying record sales, development of new games has been impacted by disruption, with employees forced to work remotely and several launches delayed due to employee sickness. 

Flemish Media Minister Benjamin Dalle has also identified the importance of the video game sector to the future of the regional economy. 

AYO.NEWS says:

What can we say other than “fantastic!” As someone whose partner is an educator, I know only too well the challenge teachers face in trying to engage students who are more at home in the virtual world than the real one. Let’s hope lots of other education departments follow 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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