A 6:45am departure from Hamble Community Sports College, with two students quickly revealed why iOs ‘Changing the Game’ event was important. We had hardly reached the motorway before the two boys in the back were ‘plugged in’ and the two adults in the front were left to amuse themselves.
With a really good run, we arrived in plenty of time and received the warmest of welcomes from Andy Goff. Andy certainly made the boys feel like true VIPs for the event and as their teacher, I really appreciated that extra effort.
Simon Jenner, Head of Incubation at Birmingham Science Park Aston’s ‘Entrepreneurs for the Future’ programme, opened the conference, reflecting on the Science’s Park’s esteemed visitors only yesterday, before presenting a context for our event today. The mantle was then taken up by Ray Maguire, iO Chairman and Chairman BAFTA Games Committee, who simply and concisely, if a little over dressed (dress policy stating ‘lets just say don’t feel that you have to wear a formal suit’) highlighted the importance of a symbiotic relationship between the gaming industry and education, with neither one given greater importance than the other.
Any illusion of harmony was quickly shattered by two digitally, now unplugged’ teens, who demanded accountability for their dire digital diet in school with a rather unsubtle slide entitled “My school can’t support me.” They delivered an aggressive presentation, as they had been asked to, but they also shared their ‘hopes, fears and aspirations,’ for their digital professional lives given their stinging criticisms of ICT lessons focused on search and email. It certainly stimulated the audience and I must say I was so proud of the way they admirably and respectfully answered a flurry of questions that followed.
The conference proceeded to offered a refreshing mix of research, education and industry presentations, primary, secondary and FE, start-ups with established gaming goliaths. We were able to hear how gaming technology was being used to engage and inspire learners, from good great ICT practitioners like Chris Leach (Head of ICT, Winchester House School) and Alan O’Donohoe, (Head of IT, Our Lady Catholic School) to how Interactive Fiction platform ‘Quest’ was being developed with education in mind, with invitations to get involved and support young start-ups like to Barcode Beasties and established software companies alike. Lastly, I would like to thank Sean and Steph, two iO Ambassadors and computing undergraduates, who kindly took upon themselves to chat to our students, and give them then little reassurance they needed.
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Envious I couldn’t have been with you. It sounds as if your crew contributed to and gained so much from the event and Andy really seems to be making huge waves in pushing the Games industry and education closer together. That can only be a good thing
Our students really enjoyed themselves, Perhaps some of the sessions didn’t hook them, though they weren’t really aimed at students. I was very impressed with the way they handled the questions, very honest and sincere.
As for Andy, I think it has a lot to offer both sectors he is doing his utmost to bring them closer together.