New computer games learning lab inaugurated

On 10 September, the Exploratory Learning Lab was inaugurated at the University of Gävle.
The aim with this new computer games learning lab is to make more school pupils interested in technology.

Lars Bengtsson, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University, conducted the inauguration in front of about 40 guests. He explained that the new lab will be a creative place for education, research and collaboration for the University and the surrounding community.

After several years of work, Project leader Claes Westelius was very happy at the inaguration of the new interactive lab. He thanked several partners, including Ljungbergsfonden, Microsoft and the non-profit organisation Kodcentrum, which targets middle school children.

Guests from Microsoft and Kodcentrum

Among the guests at the opening ceremony was Tomas Sokolnicki from Microsoft:

“In this way, we become involved in inspiring young people to think that technology is fun, so that they can be creative. In the long run, they may choose to educate themselves and work in this field.”

Fia Jurén from Kodcentrum looks forward to borrowing the game lab:

“This lab gives us an opportunity to come to Gävle and conduct activities here together with the University and the students. Our main target group is middle school students, grades four to six. For example, we organise programming courses. This lab can become a meeting place that is not just about consuming a game but also an environment for creativity.”

Many uses

In the space, located in the basement of the library, there are board games, game consoles, and seven large TV screens with different types of games. In addition, the lab provides VR technology, iPads, and programmable Lego robots.

The lab has many potential uses, but, primarlily, the target group is teachers in primary, secondary, and upper secondary schools in Gävleborg who can borrow the lab for teaching activities. The new lab, which has been built with support from the Ljungberg Foundation, the Swedish Research Council, and Microsoft, aims to serve as a bridge to higher studies in technology.

“There are similarities with Tom Tits. The idea is that this lab should be activity-driven, meaning that the students themselves should try different things, not that they should listen to lectures,” Claes Westelius says.

Teachers can book the lab

Teachers in Gävleborg County can all use the lab. To ensure that the time spent in the lab will be as beneficial as possible for the students, there are several different pedagogical concepts for full or half days that teachers can use.

Several concepts for school students are under development. One example is "The Smart City," where students can create a 3D model of a city, which they later can visit and walk through using VR technology. Additionally, the games available can be used to gain insight into historical environments.

“Teaching about the Battle of Verdun during World War I is, of course, fundamental, but to go down into the trenches with the help of VR technology and see what it looked like adds yet another dimension,” says Claes Westelius.

The lab can also be used in technically-oriented study programmes at the University and in the University’s research.

“We hope to establish a natural exchange with the schools in the county so that school classes that come here can simultaneously participate in research projects in educational sciences," Claes Westelius says.

Contact

Claes Westelius, project manager. for Exploratory Learning Lab, University ofGävle
E-mail: claes.westelius@hig.se
Phone: 0734 60 72 08

Anders Munck, press officer
E-mail: anders.munck@hig.se
Phone: 070-794 65 23