Teaching the next generation to be confident with coding
The UK has world class strengths in software development and communications with creative industries exports the highest per head in the world at £17.3 billion.
To ensure growth in the UK’s digital economy is sustainable, the next generation need to be equipped with the relevant skills and improving programming skills for young people has been recognised as a priority in the UK and Europe.
'Vocational training in programming using a games-based approach,’ (V-Game), is a Key Action 2 Strategic Partnership in the field of vocational education and training.
Led by Leeds City College, the project is creating the ‘V-Game’ based learning environment. Partners across Europe including Estonia, Greece, Italy, Malta, Romania and the UK are creating the game-based learning environment to boost interest among students to learn the technical features of programming.
From HTML to JavaScript, the game enables players to gain and apply skills that work towards modules in web production and client customisation on students’ Level three courses. The project involves VET students between 14-18, trainers, employers and awarding bodies to ensure job market and academic requirements of a National Diploma Level 2/3 qualification are met.
'V-Game' is giving students a unique opportunity to be involved in all aspects of game development from market needs analysis and design to functionality and testing - Gina Yates, Leeds City College
Getting involved
Project partners have held a kick-off meeting in Leeds, as well as transnational meetings in Estonia and a multiplier event in Malta. All of which have been vital in the development of the game. Students have been actively involved, contributing to the content of the market needs analysis and all partners have engaged students in the ideas for characters, settings and genre of the game. Watch a prototype storyboard for the game in the YouTube video below:
Engagement and communication
All organisations have used various methods to ensure good communication across the partnership. These include regular meetings using Google Hangouts and the European Student Community area has just been launched to encourage more interaction between different student cohorts.
Next steps
The project has used several methods to share its successes including producing a project newsletter and Flickr image album. The game will be supported by an e-Learning platform which will be set up during the project and include training materials on how to use the V-Game.
Gina Yates, Transnational Partnership Manager at Leeds City College, said: "Along with students from V-Game partner countries, the impact of student consultation and feedback is driving the design, genre, playability and overall quality of the game. In Leeds City College, the finished game will be used as a learning tool, so to have student involvement and direction in these early stages is invaluable both for the students own learning and the suitability and relevance of the finished game for its target users."
Want to find out what your college has to gain from Erasmus+ funding? Take a look at our VET funding page to find out.
