Game-Based Learning in Teacher Education

Abstract

As educational technology is rapidly changing, greater emphasis has been placed on preparing the next generation of teachers for effective technology integration into the classrooms. In this article, the authors describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of a course on digital game-based learning (DGBL) developed for the preservice teacher training programme in health science education in Flanders, Belgium. The objective was to provide an opportunity for teacher students to explore (i) the possibilities, considerations and constraints related to the use of digital games, and (ii) the practical design and try-out of a game in classroom settings. Results show that the games’ inclusion in the formal curriculum helps students to experience how DGBL can contribute to teaching and learning, improves self-confidence on technological skills, encourages the students to use DGBL in their future teaching activities, and enables them to engage their supervising teachers into using games in their classrooms.