The Education and Training Foundation pilots new Essential Digital Skills game

The Education and Training Foundation (@E_T_Foundation) has released a new online game designed to test teachers’ and trainers’ Essential Digital Skills. The game, called DigiVille, will form part of the ETF’s Essential Digital Skills CPD Programme which supports both practitioners and managers in the FE and Training sector to roll out Essential Digital Skills qualifications and extend their own digital skills, mapped to the national standards.

Installed on the Enhance Digital Teaching Platform, the new game is based on roleplay focused on a maths Tutor who specialises in adult education. The player works through a range of different scenarios talking with colleagues and learners, picking different options along the way which build up a knowledge and confidence score. At the same time, the player is signposted to relevant training resources where skills gaps are identified.

Currently the DigiVille game is being piloted and is open to anyone to play. Ultimately, the game will be for those who have undertaken Essential Digital Skills (EDS) training on the Enhance Digital Teaching Platform. When all 20 training modules have been completed, users are awarded an EDS course badge which is time-limited for a year – recognising that technology moves on and users need to keep their digital skills up to date. The game will provide a fun means for EDS badge holders to review their knowledge and confidence and refresh their course badge at the end of a year.

Vikki Liogier, the ETF’s National Head of EdTech and Digital Skills, said:

“The introduction of the DigiVille online game represents an important step in the evolution of the Enhance Digital Teaching Platform. The philosophy that underpins the platform is user-centred – we want the user experience to be fun, interactive, and engaging so that CPD is enjoyable and effective. The game offers a different approach to brushing up knowledge and the self-assessment of our confidence level in delivering essential digital skills. There are no right or wrong answers. We are looking forward to feedback on the pilot from colleagues in the sector, so that we can ensure the game is as good as it can be and provides a basis for further similar developments.”

The DigiVille game pilot will run until the end of June 2021. Users are asked to play the game and then provide feedback through a short online questionnaire.