As the year winds down, we’re reflecting on the wide array of topics we’ve covered on the blog in 2024. From advances in artificial intelligence to the growing impact of scholastic esports, this has been a year of innovation, exploration, and transformation in game-based learning and educational technology. This resource roundup gathers all the resource-roundups from this year, making it easy to revisit key insights and dive deeper into your favorite topics. Whether you’re an educator, developer, or enthusiast, there’s something here for everyone.
January launched us into 2024 with a look at the trends and opportunities shaping the year ahead. We kicked things off with a guide to the Top Game-Based Learning Conferences to Attend, where educators and developers can connect with thought leaders and explore groundbreaking ideas. Next, EdTech Predictions for 2024 offered insights into the rise of AI, microlearning, and blended learning environments, all of which promise to redefine how we teach and learn. Finally, Gaming Accessibility in 2024 celebrated advancements like Sony and Xbox’s expanded accessibility tags and innovative features like Blind Driving Assist in Forza Motorsport. These articles offer a forward-looking view of where game-based learning is heading and how we can all be part of it.
February focused on the 21st-century skills that learners need to thrive in an ever-changing world. In Game Your Way to a Career: Entrepreneurs, we explored how esports and game-based learning can foster entrepreneurial thinking through activities like designing sponsor decks, creating marketing plans, and managing events. Research Roundup: Game-Based Learning and Critical Thinking Skills compiled studies showing how games improve analytical thinking in classrooms, from social studies to nursing programs. Finally, How Video Games Teach Communication Skills highlighted games that enhance literacy, empathy, and teamwork—essential for personal and professional success. This month’s articles made it clear that game-based learning is more than a trend; it’s a cornerstone of future-focused education.
April was all about artificial intelligence and its growing role in game-based learning. In Game Design with AI, our Chief Creative Officer shared his philosophy on balancing AI-generated efficiencies with the human creativity at the heart of great games. Creating A/V Video Game Content with AI explored how AI is transforming voiceovers and music composition, offering cost-effective solutions while maintaining artistic integrity. Articles like Game Production and AI and QA, Games, and AI showcased how AI is streamlining workflows, from project management to quality assurance. Wrapping up the month, Video Game Art and AI addressed ethical questions and celebrated the potential of AI to empower artists. Together, these blogs painted a nuanced picture of how AI is reshaping educational game development.
In July, we delved into the powerful synergy between game-based learning and STEM education. Teaching Sustainability with STEM Games explored how games like Minecraft Education are making environmental science engaging and accessible. Game-Based Learning, STEM, and Young Learners examined how coding games introduce computational thinking to preschoolers and science simulations captivate kindergarteners. Project Roundup: Science Games by Filament Games offered a behind-the-scenes look at our collaborations with PBS KIDS and the Smithsonian, transforming STEM concepts into interactive adventures. Finally, Research Roundup: Game-Based Learning and STEM Education highlighted studies proving the effectiveness of games in teaching complex topics like AI and underwater acoustics. This month underscored how games are driving STEM education forward.
August turned the spotlight on social-emotional learning (SEL) and how games build critical life skills. How Video Games Build Resilience examined studies showing how games teach perseverance and grit through safe spaces for trial and error. Excellent Video Games for Social-Emotional Learning showcased titles like Spiritfarer and Signs of the Sojourner, which teach empathy and emotional intelligence. In Research Roundup: Game-Based Learning and Social-Emotional Learning, we broke down studies linking games to better emotion regulation and social skills. Finally, Mindfulness Apps and Games to Help You Find Inner Peace offered a guide to tools like Calm and Playne, which combine gameplay with meditation. These articles revealed the transformative potential of games in SEL.
October celebrated the rising influence of esports in education. How Educational Esports Enhance STEM Skills explored how competitive gaming fosters technical proficiency and teamwork. From Classroom to Arena: Integrating Esports into School Curricula showed how programs like NASEF align gaming with educational goals, making esports a powerful learning tool. Articles like Career Pathways Opened by Scholastic Esports and Leveling the Playing Field: How Esports Foster Accessibility for Students demonstrated how esports is creating inclusive opportunities and preparing students for diverse careers. With a focus on problem-solving, teamwork, and accessibility, this month’s blogs captured the transformative power of scholastic esports.
November capped the year with a look at cutting-edge technologies reshaping education. How AI Analytics Are Revolutionizing Education showcased how institutions like Wharton and Saga Education are using AI to drive social impact. The Power of Personalization: How AI is Tailoring Education to Every Learner highlighted tools like Korea’s adaptive digital textbooks, proving that personalized learning is the future. In Mixed Reality in Education: Four Game-Changing Applications, we explored how MR is transforming everything from music education to medical training. Together, these articles celebrated the incredible potential of technology to transform teaching and learning.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re inspired by the innovations and insights that have shaped this year. From AI to STEM, SEL to esports, game-based learning continues to break new ground, opening doors to more engaging and impactful education. Ready to explore what’s next? Reach out to us to start your own educational game development journey—let’s make 2025 another landmark year for learning and play! Bookmark this post and stay tuned for even more insights from the Filament Games blog. Together, we’re building the future of education!