Be a Game Changer - show your Experience in Digitization, BIP-ID: 2021-1-DE01-KA131-HED-000005600-1

BIP Coordination: Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, D HEILBRO01

BIP Partners (2): Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, B GEEL07 (Belgium); IMC Fachhochschule Krems GmbH, A KREMS03 (Austria)

Enhancing participants’ understanding of digitalization, information and knowledge transfer within teams, and fostering an in-depth exploration of technologies and their practical applications.

The aim of the BIP was to deepen and reflect on participants’ knowledge of digital transformation through international collaboration, using game development as a pedagogical method.

The BIP was conducted in three phases:

Phase 1: Virtual exchange before the on-site seminar. During the first meeting, students received an introduction to digital transformation, an overview of the joint project, guidance on the use of the shared learning platform, and detailed information about the seminar. The groups met online each week to discuss their weekly tasks and collaborate on their project work.

Following the online preparation phase, the participants met in Heilbronn, where experienced game coaches introduced them to the processes of game development. Participants also had the opportunity to become familiar with Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences and the city of Heilbronn through various excursions. After five intensive working days, all groups had successfully developed a functional prototype, and further iterations were carried out through peer reviews.

The third phase took place after the on-site week and focused on the online refinement of the games. Participants were given three weeks to improve their games before the final submission. As a result, both digital games and board games were developed, which were subsequently tested by school students.

The entire BIP required intensive collaboration among the teaching staff regarding course design and content. Overall, the BIP was a success in terms of both academic and international cooperation. Neither of the two partner institutions had previous experience with BIPs; however, following their participation in Heilbronn, both partners expressed their intention to organize a BIP at their own institutions and would like to involve Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences as a potential partner.

Participants were able to deepen their knowledge through the international dimension of the programme. Survey results indicate that international collaboration was highly appreciated and evaluated very positively. After several years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, personal interaction was particularly valued. Many participants stated that face-to-face exchange differs significantly from online interaction and is clearly their preferred format. As a result, motivation for the online game-development phase tended to decrease.

Game development as a learning method was particularly well received by the IT students. However, the in-depth exploration of the topic of digital transformation did not progress to the same extent. This aspect will therefore be strengthened and improved in future editions of the BIP.

We shared our experiences of organizing and conducting a BIP within the faculty and aim to encourage other lecturers to promote international collaboration within their courses. Thanks to the on-site phase of the programme, we were able to introduce ourselves as hosts to the international participants and hope to attract some of them as future exchange students. At the same time, we aim to motivate our own students to spend a semester abroad. Corresponding Erasmus agreements have already been concluded.