Is it a waste of time? Why gaming matters in 2023!
Plug into the AERO Conference- How Youth Are Leading the Education Revolution this Friday, Nov.3rd, from Noon-1 pm PST for the LTPN Youth keynote:
What if Gamification Holds the Code for Successful Learning in the 21st Century?
Register now for the AERO Conference:
There is no question how popular gaming has become especially popular for youth and how challenging it is for many adults to try and control this “time wasting activity.” But really is it a waste of time? It turns out, our youth are learning very important skills in an open, team-based environment that rewards an authentic approach to critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. And it is this approach where FUN, Play, Gaming, and Technology accelerate learning.
Each person has a unique learning style that best suits them. Living The Potential Network ( LTPN) provides an intergenerational environment for individuals to participate by learning to trust themselves to have answers for themselves, and then how to listen to others and appreciate diverse points of view. Agreeing to disagree, and experimenting with alternative possibilities in a virtual Minecraft Game provides a safe space to discover and practice breakthrough solutions. This practice empowers confidence and respect and a pathway to how to behave and respond in real-world situations. When people understand their strengths, unique learning styles, unique superpowers, and how to recognize these traits in others, learning, teamwork, and creativity emerge.
When engaging in a game, such as Minecraft, parents, grandparents, and caretakers along with their children have fun, using their imaginations, in the design of a better world. Passion follows purpose and with it, an authentic sense of being fills the space and what we are doing naturally inspires motivation. This nature-based approach enables success, joy, and positive results in what we choose to do. Today we will discuss how gaming enables creativity, teamwork, and effective group collaboration for strategic problem-solving. All of this is enabled by leveraging technology as a learning- accelerator integrating the synergy of fun and playful, meaningful pursuit and at the same time breaking down the barrier of understanding – what gaming has to do with learning.
LTPN AERO Presenters:
James Schmidt, age 22, is a graduate of Village Home Resource Center and is currently pursuing a psychology degree at Chemeketa College. He is a founding member of the Living The Potential Network (LTPN) Youth Advisory Council. (YAC) and has recently initiated a Learning With Minecraft program that integrates how gaming technology is a medium that develops an intergenerational experience which engages creativity, collaboration, leadership and community.
Toby Walsh, age 19, is the administrative assistant and project manager for LTPN and is a key technology enabler for Learning With Minecraft. Toby has been overseeing the Minecraft Server for the West Oregon Homeschoolers and is facilitating the team in the creation of custom learning environments for the Learning With Minecraft program for LTPN as well as monitoring each session to help participants and other admin facilitators.
Don White is a LTPN Facilitator and is a strong advocate for FUN, play and leveraging technology which accelerates learning opportunities. He has built a career in business development across a wide variety of technology companies. He is the father of two sons ages 27 and 23. Don’s son, Skyler, did not thrive in the traditional public school learning model. Skyler discovered High School Robotics which addressed his sweet spot for project based, creative, collaborative learning. When James explained his vision for the Learning With Minecraft initiative, Don offered to assist as a mentor.
More info on the AERO Conference:
The Youth-Led AERO Conference takes place November 3rd & 4th. You can see from the diverse facilitators and schedule that you will hear from youth across the globe. There will be time for networking, reconnecting with old friends, and making new ones.
We believe that highlighting what youth are working on, their stories, ideas, and recommendations is more important than ever. Youth are leading the way, and we all need to work together for the Education Revolution.
This event is free for anyone 23 & under, please register here and we are asking anyone 23 & over to choose from one of these options. Whether you can attend or not we ask if you could share this event with your networks.
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