“52 steps” – a game based programme for development of pupils’ career competencies

Kristīne Vilcāne and Jolanta Jērāne have created a comprehensive career learning program using gaming techniques called "52 steps" that can easily be integrated in daily learning processes and provides opportunities for developing a variety of career competencies in pupils. The programme has been designed for use in the classroom by teachers and school career counsellors.

The program was developed based on the use and application of the original coaching tools created by the authors: (i) Modern fairy tales promoting growth mindset "52 truths. About you. About me. About life."; (ii) Metaphorical associative cards for developing creativity "52 Answers"; (iii) “52 Steps Up” cards for building supportive habits. The tools were designed to help children and young people (adults, too) learn through a game format, making the learning process more exciting and easier. The program for educators and school career counsellors to work with these methods in a career learning context was developed to stimulate interest and open creativity in applying any gaming methods in their work.

The program is generally suitable for career guidance counsellors, primary school, secondary school or upper secondary school teachers, regardless of the subject they teach to pupils aged 7 to 19. The "52 Steps" program has successfully been applied by approximately 75 teachers and career counsellors in the cities of Riga and Liepāja, including teachers from schools with a special education program and continues to be disseminated via workshops for school career counsellors organized by the Riga Municipal School Board Career Education Methodological Centre.