Nintendo Switch used to teach programming and promote logical thinking in Japanese elementary schools 

In the first such initiative in Japan, elementary schools in a city in Kumamoto prefecture have been using Nintendo Switches in programming lessons (Source: Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun). The aim is to cultivate 6^th graders’ logical thinking skills by teaching them to develop their own games. 

The initiative was launched at one school in the city of Yamaga in Kumamoto prefecture back in 2021, with cooperation from Nintendo. At the time of writing, it has since been implemented at a total of four local schools. The programming lessons are part of the E-City Yamaga Project, which purchased 90 Nintendo Switches for the initiative, and also aims to promote e-sports in the area. 

When the lessons using the Switch were first introduced, schools expected some backlash from parents and teachers, but according to the local newspaper, the programming lessons were well-received on the whole. 

The principal of the first school to introduce the lessons commented, “I was convinced that by going from being game players to game creators, the children would develop a different way of perceiving things.” He added that it was encouraging to see children who find studying hard but are good at games get the chance to enthusiastically teach their classmates. Some of the games that children have made have introduced aspects of local culture.  

The city’s general strategy division would like to eventually introduce these programming classes to all elementary schools in the city – however, they currently only have 90 Nintendo Switches and would need a total of 500 to enable every child to have their own device in the lessons.