Games Atelier was developed as a new educational tool, to be used in secondary education in The Netherlands. With Games Atelier, pupils could create, play, share and view their own locative mobile games with GPS equipped mobile phones and an internet application.
Creative and playful use of technology motivates and stimulates pupils and will enhance the learning effects. The first game was played 14 March 2008 by the mayor of Amsterdam, Job Cohen. All grammar schools could further join a nationwide contest called the Mobile Game Quest, organized in 2009.
Computer games stimulate fantasy, curiosity and are challenging. Playing together can also strengthen the social skills of pupils. Most games are offering entertainment. There is a growing demand for games and simulation within education, but there are not many suppliers making games based on the development of skills that can be used within the classroom. A solution for this situation can be the creation of good examples. Not only in the form of a model game, but primarily by letting pupils and teachers create their own games.
Games Atelier was a joint project of four partners: Montessori Scholengemeenschap Amsterdam (MSA), Stichting Voortgezet Onderwijs Bijlmermeer (OSB), Dienst Maatschappelijke Ontwikkeling Gemeente Amsterdam (DMO) and Waag.
