Today many of the math and physics cohorts had the opportunity to attend the e-sports workshop organized by UME Academy. Building upon the idea that "play is learning", the event introduces how computer games can be used as an educational tool, arguing against the stereotypical view that games are harmful to children.
For the first part of the day, we participated in a game-creation activity using the Unity platform, which can sometimes be brought into the classroom to stimulate creativity and improve students' digital literacy. I believe the skills that students can acquire through these kinds of games can be very rewarding when they enter the real world. In the 21st Century, technology skills and creative thinking are two of the most important ingredients in personal success. Encouraging kids to practice their cognitive and creative skills online and experiment with certain software will bring more good than harm in the future.
The second part of the day entails learning about the game of Fortnite, which is incredibly popular among today's children. As teachers, I think it's important to understand the world in which students live in, part of that is being curious about what they are interested in and what they like to do. Using Fortnite as an example, we can get an idea of the type of games they play on a daily basis, and what strategies and artistic expressions they can use by playing these games.
Moreover, teachers were once students as well, and everyone grew up playing games and gaining knowledge through these activities. As modern teachers, we should try to explore what students are able to learn from games rather than denouncing computer games altogether. As mentioned by the presenters today, gaming addiction among children is often a byproduct of various socioeconomic factors, such as the lack of parental guidance and bullying, and many students often use excessive gaming as a means of escaping from reality.
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