Gamified learning for primary school children 

The app combines digital literacy with traditional educational topics

Spotted: The European Union (EU) is becoming increasingly digitised, but the digital skills gap remains, with recent research finding that only 54 per cent of Europeans between the ages of 16 and 74 have basic digital skills. At the same time, demand for important emerging digital skills is rapidly growing.  

Recognising that the job market is changing much faster than educational systems are, Germany’s Edtech startup Edurino has introduced a gamified learning app for young children. The app uses haptic toys led by a fox named Mika, along with an ergonomic touchscreen stylus and online lessons to integrate essential digital knowledge with traditional educational topics. 

Co-founders Irene Klemm and Franziska Meyer work closely with occupational therapists and educators to design the games and approaches. By combining reading, writing, and mathematics with natural sciences, coding, logical reasoning, creativity, and media literacy, children begin to build a comprehensive skill set that provides them with the foundational knowledge for eventual careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths) industries.  

Children place their figurine on the device, and the app starts the correct set of games. Currently available in German, one of the starter sets includes an English language learning option, and the company is considering adding other languages to the platform.   

The company recently closed a €10.5 million series A round of funding and, following a regional expansion in Europe, plans to begin working in other European markets by the end of 2023.  

Springwise has spotted other technologies assisting education, including an app that helps screen children for mental health concerns, and a virtual reality role-playing game that helps develop understanding of discrimination.

Written By: Keely Khoury