State of Washington Approves GDevelop-centric Curriculum

Mr. Nguyen's class.

Today, we speak with Nam Nguyen. Nam is a teacher in the glorious state of Washington, in the United States. He's been using GDevelop with his students for a while, and recently, got GDevelop certified by the State of Washington for use in classrooms! Take it away, Nam!

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Can you please tell us a bit more about how you’re using GDevelop in your classroom?

GDevelop has been pivotal as we introduce 7th and 8th graders to the exciting world of game design. GDevelop has been the perfect tool for this, striking the ideal balance between challenge and engagement, ensuring our students are motivated but not overwhelmed.

One of Nam's students working with GDevelop.

This past year, we've taken our program a step further by integrating Arcade Interactive Software with GDevelop, allowing us to create comprehensive, step-by-step tutorials. This blend of tools has not only made learning game development more accessible but also more enjoyable for our students.

You mentioned these efforts have been highlighted elsewhere. Can you share that article with us?

Our efforts caught the attention of Arcade Interactive Software, leading to a case study that highlights both our use of their platform and the versatility of GDevelop's Game Engine. You can read about our journey here: Arcade Software Blog Post.

Thanks to your support and these innovative tools, our middle school students are not just learning about game development; they're engaging with it hands-on, with a genuine sense of enthusiasm and achievement.

What makes GDevelop the right fit for where you and your students are?

I'm reaching out from Washington state, a place where Career Technical Education (CTE) is not just thriving but flourishing. Leveraging feedback from students, I've had the remarkable opportunity to develop a Video Game Design (VGD) course at our middle school. Our journey to secure funding and gain official endorsement involved presenting a comprehensive Course Framework to OSPI, our state board of education.

One of Nam's students working with GDevelop.

The swift approval we received speaks volumes to the robustness of our curriculum plan, which is significantly enriched by incorporating GDevelop. This platform has been nothing short of revolutionary, offering our students vast opportunities to delve into game design and grasp intricate programming concepts.

How long have you been using GDevelop, and what are some of your proudest achievements with GDevelop in your classroom?

Our achievements extend beyond the VGD course's approval. With GDevelop's adaptability, we've successfully integrated dual credit with Art, enhancing the course's appeal and educational value. Over two years, this course has evolved into a versatile entry point for students at various coding proficiency levels.

Initially, we utilized the Bloxels engine to cover foundational design elements such as sprites, animation frames, and frame rates. After the initial three weeks of using Bloxels to lay the foundational design elements, we transitioned to GDevelop.

Mr. Nguyen's students working on a game.

Why did you transition from Bloxels to GDevelop?

This shift significantly enhances the learning experience for our middle school students. It allows them to delve into coding with a newfound level of creative freedom, profoundly impacting their engagement and eagerness to explore more advanced aspects of game design. Their enthusiasm is so pronounced that they've affectionately nicknamed me the "Code Dealer," a testament to their growing interest in deepening their game design skills.

This change also enables them to delve into coding with a level of creative freedom they hadn't encountered before. Their enthusiasm for learning and experimenting with more complex aspects of game design has led them to affectionately nickname me the "Code Dealer"—a nod to their keen interest in expanding their game design skills and knowledge.

What is next for you and your students?

As I've mentioned before, VGD has become so popular that we needed to bring in another teacher. Together, the new teacher and I reviewed and updated the interactive arcades I created in GDevelop. This process helped the new teacher become familiar with GDevelop, enabling them to kick off the semester by teaching two more courses.

Nam assisting a student during the game design process with GDevelop.

I feel incredibly lucky to be teaching in Washington, especially being part of the Ridgefield School District, where I receive strong support from our administrators. Their commitment to our STEM program's vision not only makes a significant impact but also enables me to connect with experts in specific STEM fields, like you, bringing real-world applications directly into my classroom.

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Thank you for using GDevelop with your students, Nam! And congratulations on getting your curriculum approved by the State of Washington!