The project had two aims: to enable teachers to integrate game design methods into computer science and art lessons, and to get their assessment on whether introducing game design in their classes could interest pupils for IT. The key objective was to gain the corroboration and meaningful feedback of practitioners (arts and informatics teachers for 15+ year old students at general schools) of the innovative potential of integrating game design into their classes. To achieve this goal, we focused our activities on a conceptual approach for such an integration tested and developed with over 20 teachers. Obstacles and challenges in developing a common course syllabus were discussed with them. The partnership thus managed to establish a first evidence base and interested user pool for a larger follow-up project which would lead to effectively introducing game design in school teaching as part of arts and informatics curricula. The participating teachers have used the material developed and thus ensure the durability of the successful implementation and provide a solid foundation for the continued development in direction of a future implementation into the school curricula.
Europe needs a digitally skilled workforce with an IT proficiency. General education schools play a salient role when it comes to both digital skills development and career choice. Therefore, an innovative approach to attracting and incentivising young people to acquire programming should be integrated in the school curricula approach. The concept of introducing game design as part of art and informatics education combined needed first to be tested with teachers for the feasibility of knowledge transfer. The development of a common course syllabus that would be informed by both arts and informatics relies heavily on the confidence teachers could acquire in teaching game design in their classes, without having to actually be a game design expert. The project, therefore, targeted above all teachers in arts and informatics and through them the end beneficiary, their students. The aim was to get their feedback on the idea and feasibility of introducing game design into arts and informatics education in secondary schools.