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Since its , the beta game-maker tool has shown just how creative children are and how keen they are to share their creativity with the Ö÷²¥´óÐã. Hundreds of thousands of games have already been made with the tool. The Ö÷²¥´óÐã aims to encourage people to create with digital technology as well as just to consume, and we feel we’re tapping into an emerging trend.

The tool doesn’t require any technical knowledge - only the gem of an idea and a willingness to experiment is needed. And, as a result, an exciting world is opening up in which children begin to take control of the myriad of bits and bytes that now surround them.

Academic research is increasingly stressing the importance of out of school, informal learning in helping to develop people’s interests and hobbies into deeper digital engagement and participation.

By tapping into their existing interests - games in this case – and providing the tools to do so, hundreds of thousands of children are successfully making this transition from digital consumer to digital creative. It is the beginning of a lifelong learning journey; from just playing games, to actually creating them.

Early audience feedback and engagement

Launched as a beta, has shown just what’s possible, but one of the keys to its success is that it’s not been created and developed in an ivory tower. It’s been released very early – as a beta - in order to harness the power of real world feedback. And it’s this feedback that means that the children who create the games have a say in the way the tool develops.

It’s with the same spirit that we’d like feedback on a new tool. It’s very early days – pre-public beta in fact - but we want to involve younger audiences to help us explore different ways they can get creative in other areas. Creating and collaborating with friends on music visualisations could be one example.

13 to 18? Or know someone who is? Get involved!

To help shape the product, we want to hear from you. We’re recruiting a small trial group, to run for seven weeks. As part of the trial you’ll get to use the tools ahead of everyone else, provide feedback and suggestions and help make it a great success.

To apply - just copy and paste the paragraph below into a new email, and send it to Ö÷²¥´óÐãCreate@bbc.co.uk. Please do not include any personal details in this email. We will then send you further information and instructions when we’re ready to get started.

• I am aged between 16 and 18

'I am aged between 16 and 18 years of age, and would like to help test out the new Digital Creativity tools and can report bugs or suggest new features for the site.

I also agree to read through the Online Safety Tips at before I begin with the trial.

I am aware that I will need to have a Facebook account in order to be a tester and will use this to access this creative site.

I am happy for the Ö÷²¥´óÐã to email me back with further information on the trial.'

 

 

• I am a parent or guardian of a 13-15 year old

'I confirm I am the parent or guardian of the child concerned. I give my permission for the child to help test out the new Digital Creativity tools and can report bugs or suggest new features for the site.

I also agree to read through the Online Safety Tips at with them before they begin with the trial.

I am aware that the child will need to have a Facebook account in order to be a tester and will use this to access this creative site.

I am happy for the Ö÷²¥´óÐã to email me back with further information on the trial, for me to share with the child.'