Dance Dance Revolution, Classroom Edition

Even though it may sound atypical, sports video games have been already integrated into school systems in several countries in the world. The United States, Finland, Canada, Singapore, Japan, the UK, and the Netherlands have been implementing AVGs in Physical Education in schools for quite some time. 

Dance Dance Revolution is among the most popular games. Its use became so widespread in physical education classes that in 2012 the Konami Digital Entertainment developed a Classroom Edition of the game. This multiplayer dance game is aimed at promoting physical activity and combating obesity among children and adults.

DDR Classroom Edition is designed to motivate children to stay physically active and adopt a healthier lifestyle. It also provides educators with a fun way to keep their students fit and combat the growing childhood obesity epidemic among school-age children. The dance video game combines exercise with vibrant images and popular tunes to promote physical activity and help kids develop teamwork and social skills while simultaneously giving them a fun outlet. It allows up to 48 players to participate simultaneously, with each player using a dance mat synchronized wirelessly with a PC. The game prompts players to step on corresponding icons on the mat as they appear on the screen, encouraging movement and physical activity to the rhythm of their favorite tunes.

Studies have shown the health benefits of DDR, stating that playing the game for 40 minutes is equivalent to a 5k run. They have also shown behavioral benefits, asserting that the dance game helps instill healthy attitudes and habits in children while demonstrating that physical activity can be enjoyable. The game also allows teachers to monitor vital information such as Body Mass Index (BMI), calorie expenditure, and steps taken, providing a comprehensive fitness tracking system.

DDR Classroom Edition has been positively embraced in the United States as well as in Europe since its introduction in 2012. Even though results about the impact of Active Video Games in youth physical activity levels are mixed, there’s widespread consensus about the game’s role in promoting physical activity, improving social and team-building skills, and serving as a healthy outlet for excess energy among children. Additionally, the game has been incorporated into obesity intervention programs in the US due to its various health benefits, including weight management and diabetes prevention.

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HopaSus Erasmus Sport Plus project was born out of the need of teachers and youth workers from 4 European countries to develop their digital skills and become more resilient in times of pandemics by using sport video games in their virtual or face-to-face classrooms. The aim of the project is to encourage sport teachers to recognize the potential of video games and sport applications and experiment with new strategies for incorporating them into their gyms and classrooms, and to promote the inclusion of “video games addicted youth” by changing the paradigm of persistent stereotyping of video games as predominantly mindless, violent forms of entertainment, into seeing the potential of video gaming technologies as instructional tools that takes out the children from the desk chair out into the sport field.