On September 20, 2023, the Dutch Media Literacy Network (Netwerk Mediawijsheid) organized an expert event in which researchers, educators, developers and other literacy-related groups convened to discuss the current state of Educational games and apps. The main question w
as how we can improve media literacy skills through the use of digital games. The trigger for this event was a research project by research teams from Utrecht University (including myself) and Erasmus University Rotterdam called “DIGITAL LITERACY GAMES: Digital games designed to support digital literacy skills acquisition”. It was funded by a KIEM Go-Ci grant by Regieorgaan SIA (part of NWO). The results of this research project were presented during the event and, among other presentations, formed the basis for several expert discussions. It was an interesting event with lots of inspiring presentations and discussions.
The results of this expert event have now been published in a report called Enhancing Effective Media and Digital Literacy through Digital Games: Insights and Advise from Research and the Work Field (translated from Dutch), authored by Jeroen Jansz (EUR), me (UU) and Teresa de la Hera (EUR) with support from Laura Cañete Sanz, Julia Kneer (EUR), and Jasper van Vught (UU). The main results, including nine main recommendations based on these results, are presented on the website of the Dutch Media Literacy Network here.
The full report can be downloaded directly via this link. A short 10-points design tips document for effective media literacy games based on the research project can be downloaded directly via this link.