European Schoolnet is pleased to announce that The Games in Schools Community of Practice report is now available. The community's large number of 548 members attests to the topic's interest as it continues to enjoy a high profile. The report summarizes the discussions which took place between members of the community in the weeks leading up to the Games in School final conference on 5 May 2009 at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, where the results of the study How are digital games used in schools? (European Schoolnet, 2009) were launched. The topics covered were partly chosen in relation to the issues dealt with in Digital games in schools: A handbook for teachers (European Schoolnet, 2009), soon to be published. The topics included definitions, examples, benefits, and issues of concern related to games based learning. Other topics addressed were commercial of the shelf games versus bespoke educational games, and the existing evidence base and future of games based learning.

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Posted by Caroline Kearney at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

European Schoolnet's Games in Schools project is coming to an end, now that the final conference has taken place, the reports have been released, and the teachers' handbook is soon to be publihsed... but is it Game Over? No, Try Again! European Schoolnet is proud to announce that as a thank you to the teachers who took part in the teachers' survey, 8 winners from the study's focus countries have each been awarded an X-Box console together with 7 digital games (including: Harry Potter, Shrek, Lego Star Wars, Bee Movie, Transformers, Kung Fu Panda, and Hotwheels) as well as copies of the study's synthesis and final reports. We hope these prizes will help the winning teachers start or continue enjoying the benefits of games based learning with their students. And the winners who have claimed their prizes so far are....

- Christian Schett from Austria
- Peter Ramussen from Denmark
- Marshal Anderson from England
- Caroline Jouneau-Sion from France
- Lorena Parretti from Italy

Continue reading "Games in Schools Teachers' Survey Winners!" »

Posted by Caroline Kearney at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The research reports are also now available for download.

- Full report (180 page PDF) - English version
- Synthesis report (40 page PDF) - English version
- Synthesis report (40 page PDF) - French version

		Full report (180 page PDF) - English version
		Synthesis report (40 page PDF) - English version
		Synthesis report (40 page PDF) - French version

Don't forget to follow the livestream of the conference and ask questions to the experts on the Community of Practice.

Posted by Alexa Joyce at 05:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The day was concluded by John Dowell (University College London) and Patrice Chazerand (ISFE).

John Dowell remarked the report contains a set of recommendations that are very sound:

• We need exemplars: i.e. how to integrate games in schools? Good practical examples are really inspiring and helpful for teachers to follow
• Should we create a parallel curriculum for 21st century learning? Games can surely contribute. Perhaps on EU level, we need to build such a curriculum?

He concluded by raising the point that some argue from generation to generation that our intelligence is evolving and indeed rising. If this is true, intelligence is also evolving into different forms, such as games and may even be driven by this kind of popular culture.

Patrice Chazerand then ended the conference by remarking that it had been an educational and enlightening experience.

He pointed out: "No single project can answer these questions and Games in Schools is a great starting point."

He also issued a call for action, that participants should try to work together further in the future, and the European Commission Framework programme may provide such an opportunity.

Posted by Alexa Joyce at 04:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The afternoon round table focused on the topic 'Electronic games: shaping their contribution to innovative schooling'. It included contributions from:
- Evelyn Bevort - Centre de liaison de l'enseignement et des medias de l'information (moderator)
- Alton Grizzle - UNESCO Communication and Information section
- Jean Menu - Cite des sciences et de l'industrie / Chamber of commerce of Valenciennes
- Ben Williamson - Futurelab.

Left to right: Evelyn Bevort, Alton Grizzle

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Posted by Alexa Joyce at 03:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This session presented the detailed results of the study, and included the following presentations:
- Context of the study: industry perspective - Patrice Chazerand (ISFE)
- Why do we need to know more about the use of games in schools? Marc Durando (European Schoolnet)
- Teacher survey results - Wouter Van den Berghe (European Schoolnet consultant)
- Case studies - Caroline Kearney (European Schoolnet)
- Comparative policy framework - Patricia Wastiau (European Schoolnet)
- Scotland's got game: and is embracing games-based learning! - Derek Robertson (Learning and Teaching Scotland)

Left to right: Wouter Van den Berghe, Patricia Wastiau, Marc Durando, Derek Robertson, Patrice Chazerand

Continue reading "Games in Schools conference // presentation of the study" »

Posted by Alexa Joyce at 03:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Participants could try out various games in the exhibition area. The following consoles were available to be tried:
Sony Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360. Participants could also try the portable consoles Playstation Portable (PSP) and Nintendo DS.

Here are some pictures of participants playing games:

Microsoft Xbox 360

Sony Playstation 3

Nintendo Wii

Sony Playstation Portable

Posted by Paul Gerhard at 03:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here is a selection of comments and keynotes speeches from participants at the Games in Schools Conference which just opened at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

Some 100 experts gather today at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg to discuss the issue of using Electronic games in schools.

The event can be followed live at http://tv.coe.int/webcast.

Continue reading "Games in Schools conference // opening session" »

Posted by Alexa Joyce at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Opening session
Speeches available soon.

How games mesh with formal education
Views from Ministries of Education and National Agencies
Christian Dorninger - Federal Ministry for Arts, Education and Culture, Austria
Claus Berg - UNI.C, Denmark

Games in Schools study
Patricia Wastiau - European Schoolnet, 'Comparative policy framework'
Caroline Kearney - European Schoolnet, 'Case studies'

Posted by Alexa Joyce at 03:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Patricia Wastiau, European Schoolnet, opens the session to present the views of various national Ministries of Education on the integration of games with formal education systems. The two key speakers were Christian Dorninger (Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture, Austria) and Claus Berg (UNI.C, Denmark).

Continue reading "Games in Schools conference // How games mesh with formal education" »

Posted by Paul Gerhard at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)