One of the biggest challenges we face as teachers is student engagement. Not just listening, but thinking, reacting, wanting to be part of the moment.

Just this week, I spoke with Jan Bleyenberg, a 73-year-old teacher (and former journalist) at St. Francis School in Melle, Belgium. He found a simple but powerful way to do just that.

Turning Video Lessons into Games

Jan wanted to show his 13–15-year-old students a short film—something meaningful and curriculum-connected. But like many of us, he had that familiar concern:
“What if they just sit back and zone out? How do I make this stick?”

So, he tried something different.

Using Quizalize, he created a quiz tied directly to the video content. Instead of a standard quiz, he turned it into a game—actually, several games. From team battles to arcade-style competitions, Quizalize gave him a variety of fun formats to choose from, each bringing a different kind of energy into the classroom.

As a result, everything changed.

“They were completely focused,” Jan told me. “They wanted to win. They were talking about it after class.”

The students weren’t just participating—they were competing, laughing, learning, and remembering. What started as a video screening became a full-on, immersive learning experience.

If you’re wondering what kinds of games Jan used, here’s where you can take a look: Browse Quizalize’s classroom games…

Check out Quizalize games

One Teacher’s Ripple Effect

Jan is sharing his approach at his school’s next Educafé, encouraging others to explore game-based learning tools too. That ripple effect—one teacher sharing something that works and inspiring another—is what truly sparks innovation in education.

His story is a beautiful reminder that engagement isn’t about just using flashy tech or grand gestures. It’s about giving students a reason to care, and giving ourselves the tools to spark that connection.

Thank you, Jan, for showing that creativity and curiosity never retire.

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🗓️ Join Jan Live

If you’d like to hear more from Jan directly, you can meet him at our upcoming June webinar on Wednesday 11th June at 6.15pm (UK time) where he’ll be sharing his experience of motivating students alongside other amazing teachers from around the world. It’ll be a chance to hear, learn, and exchange ideas across borders.

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