Informatics education is evolving. Today’s students — digital natives — don’t just learn through textbooks and lectures. They build, explore, and understand the world through games, simulations, and interactive tools.

At Digital First, we believe in making informatics engaging, accessible, and fun. That’s why gamification and creative tools have become essential elements in rethinking how we teach computational thinking and digital skills.

Here are a few powerful tools already making a difference in classrooms — and some inspiration on how to use them.

🎮 Minecraft Education Edition

Source: education.minecraft.net

Best for: Computational thinking, collaboration, environmental simulations

A favorite among students, Minecraft Education Edition allows learners to explore coding, logic structures, and even sustainability through immersive world-building. Teachers can use it to simulate computer science principles, explore digital citizenship, or challenge students to solve real-world problems collaboratively.

💡 Example: A teacher builds a virtual city and asks students to design an eco-friendly neighbourhood using redstone logic to manage energy flow.

🤖 Scratch

Source: https://scratch.mit.edu/

Best for: Introductory programming, storytelling, creativity

Scratch helps students understand basic programming concepts using visual blocks. It encourages creativity through game and story development and is a great starting point for students new to coding.

💡 Try this: Ask students to create a quiz game that teaches users how to stay safe online, reinforcing both programming and digital literacy.

Figure 1: Editing the “The Three R’s | Earth Day 2025 ” project

🌍 Tinkercad

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Logo-tinkercad-wordmark.svg

Best for: 3D modeling, digital creativity, computational design

This easy-to-use platform introduces students to the world of digital fabrication and design. While it’s often used in STEM contexts, Tinkercad can be integrated into informatics by exploring design thinking and digital product creation.

💡 Challenge your students to design a digital product (like a phone case or gadget holder) and present their creation as a tech entrepreneur pitch.

🧩 CodeCombat

Best for: Game-based learning, real coding practice (Python, JavaScript)

In CodeCombat, students learn programming by progressing through levels in a fantasy game environment. It’s great for practising syntax and structure while staying engaged in a story-driven adventure.

💡 Mission idea: Ask students to work in teams to conquer a coding dungeon — comparing strategies and learning through collaboration.

🎓 Why It Matters

Tools like these aren’t just about fun. They reflect the functional and creative ways students already use technology in daily life. Integrating gamified and interactive approaches supports the Digital First goal: to help students become active creators, not just users of digital tech.

Whether through Minecraft, Scratch, Tinkercard, or CodeCombat, gamification empowers students to engage, explore, and learn — one quest at a time.