Videogame education in practice: the Icelandic context

In Iceland, technology is not seen as a threat but as an opportunity. We understood this very clearly during the three-day training mobility in Reykjavík, hosted by our partner RÍSÍ, as part of the Erasmus+ project Gaming and Parents. With us were educators, parents, and young people involved in the project, all eager to explore how to integrate digital tools into education in a healthy and participatory way.

We began our experience with a visit to Framsýn menntun, a school that naturally combines sports, technology, and eSports. Here, matches are played both in the gym and in LAN rooms, and the goal is not just performance but also teamwork, balance between body and mind, and emotional management. The learning environment is designed to support growth, offering spaces that adapt to different learning styles and individual needs.

We then visited two major upper secondary schools in Reykjavík: Tækniskólinn and Fjölbrautaskólinn við Ármúla. Both offer advanced programs in technology and creative fields, with a strong focus on accessibility and inclusion. Gaming is used as a tool to develop soft skills, engage students, and promote active participation. The approach is hands-on and practical, with a deep trust in the potential of young people.

One of the most meaningful moments was a conversation with a youth eSports coach from Iceland. He shared how he works with students aged 11 to 18, not only focusing on technical and strategic aspects, but also addressing mental health, family relationships, pressure management, and respect for rules. It is a well-rounded educational approach that sees gaming not just as a challenge but as a learning environment.

This experience gave us a new way of thinking about digital education. In Iceland, technology is embedded in everyday life, accessible and shared, and the school system has embraced it without losing sight of the importance of human connection.

We return from this journey with new ideas, valuable contacts, and a strong desire to keep experimenting. In the summer workshops ahead, we will try to bring some of this Icelandic perspective with us: concrete, balanced, and open to the future.