Try, err, learn. Games as hype or Holy Grail?

March 2 2016

Is there too much optimism associated with the use of computer games in teaching? What possibilities and challenges do the games offer, and is there a difference in the learning effect between commercial games and educational games?

The Fritt Ord Foundation, in collaboration with Spillpikene.no, PressFire.no and the Centre for ICT in Education, invites the public to a critical debate and exploration of games such as The Walking Dead, The Witness and Minecraft. Take part in discussing learning outcomes, different teaching plans and how to work for better, more strategic use of games at school.

Date: 2 March 2016
Venue: The Fritt Ord Foundation’s premises, Uranienborgveien 2, Oslo

From 4.30 p.m.
We invite the public to an open house, where it will be possible to play The Walking Dead, The Witness and Minecraft/Computercraft. Light refreshments will be served.

6.00 p.m.
Participate in an open discussion with:

  • Björn Berg Marklund, Department of Information Science, University of Skövde
  • Tobias Staaby, gaming educator, and Stine Håheim Stensønes and Jørgen Wegner Lønning, pupils from Nordahl Grieg Upper Secondary School
  • Vibeke Guttorsmsgaard, senior adviser at the Centre for ICT in Education
  • Lisbeth M. Brevik, associate professor at Department of Teacher Education and School Research, University of Oslo
The session will be moderated by Martin Bergesen.

Free of charge and open to everyone. Registration on Facebook. Please tell others about the event.


Update: Thanks to all participants! Footage from the debate has been uploaded to the Fritt Ord Youtube Channel.

The project Digital Lives was established by the Freedom of Expression Foundation in collaboration with Spillpikene and PressFire. Visit our website and take part in the competition on digitaleliv.no

Read more about the project here.

The hashtag for the event and the competition is #digitaleliv