Entry name: Pin Shen Teh
Describe your entry, including why you should win:
With over a decade of experience in digitally transforming education both domestically and internationally, my tenure as a Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University underscores my eligibility for this year's prestigious award. Throughout my career, I have championed innovative approaches that not only align with the Jisc digital transformation framework but also exemplify the fundamental principles of FELT.
A notable accomplishment has been the seamless integration of digital gaming, with a particular emphasis on Minecraft, into higher education pedagogy. Recognising the efficacy of play in modern digital learning environments, I spearheaded a groundbreaking initiative wherein students and faculty collaborated to recreate our university campus within the virtual realm of Minecraft. This pioneering project has not only revolutionised the educational landscape but has also provided an immersive and interactive platform for teaching, learning, and community-building activities.
Beyond the confines of my own teaching sphere, I have undertaken the responsibility of facilitating training workshops and coaching sessions for fellow educators. Through these initiatives, Minecraft has been successfully integrated across various academic programmes and faculties, fostering creativity and critical thinking among students. Moreover, I am deeply committed to fostering global collaboration and knowledge-sharing among educators. As an active participant in the Minecraft Teacher Academy, I regularly engage in webinars and training sessions to glean insights from industry experts and exchange innovative ideas. Furthermore, my outreach extends to conducting workshops for educational institutions abroad, thereby amplifying the reach and impact of my pedagogical endeavours.
My continuous dedication to leveraging cutting-edge technologies, exemplified by the integration of Minecraft into educational practices, coupled with my fervent commitment to fostering collaboration and inspiration within the academic community, underscores my candidacy for this esteemed award.
Describe the impact of your work internally and externally, on your students, colleagues and peers, how it was developed, and what others could learn from your work?
My efforts have made a notable impact both within and beyond the institution, thanks to the incorporation of cutting-edge technology, specifically the Minecraft metaverse, into educational practices. Recognising the significance of play-based learning in today's digital landscape, the integration of Minecraft into higher education has proven particularly advantageous, especially for students immersed in digital gaming culture. Through the creation of dynamic, interactive, and collaborative learning experiences spanning various subject domains, I have significantly enriched the educational journey for learners. Moreover, the establishment of a virtual campus environment within Minecraft has played a pivotal role in inclusive initiatives, ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities for underprivileged students in our community.
The influence of this initiative transcends the university realm, with my provision of training workshops and coaching sessions for colleagues seeking to integrate Minecraft into their pedagogical approaches. Consequently, Minecraft has been seamlessly integrated into programmes across three faculties, with its usage steadily expanding each academic year. Furthermore, the outcomes of this endeavour have been disseminated at prestigious international conferences, facilitating the exchange of insights and perspectives with fellow researchers in the digital education sphere.
Moreover, I have proactively endeavoured to share my experiences and expertise with a broader audience. Workshops have been conducted for local schools and educational institutions abroad, advocating for the adoption of Minecraft as a potent educational tool. By engaging with the Minecraft Teacher Academy and actively participating in webinars and training sessions, I continuously refine my skills and collaborate with educators worldwide. Through these collaborative efforts, I contribute to the ongoing evolution of innovative teaching methodologies and the enhancement of educational outcomes on a global scale.
Please describe how your work is aligned with CMALT & FELT principles?
My commitment to innovative educational practices through the integration of digital games, particularly Minecraft, reflects my firm belief in the power of play as a means of learning. Recognising the digital fluency of today's students and the widespread popularity of Minecraft among them, I have championed a transformative initiative aimed at redefining teaching and learning within my institution and beyond.
At the forefront of this initiative was a pioneering project I led, orchestrating a collaborative effort involving 20 students and staff members. Together, we embarked on the ambitious task of recreating our university campus within the virtual realm of Minecraft. This endeavour resulted in the creation of a dynamic digital platform conducive to interactive teaching, immersive learning experiences, and vibrant social interactions.
The innovative use of Minecraft as an educational tool has facilitated engaging and collaborative learning activities across various disciplines, transcending traditional boundaries. Moreover, it has served as a catalyst for promoting inclusivity and broadening access to education among disadvantaged youth in our community.
In our commitment to outreach, we have extended the benefits of our virtual campus to underprivileged students through educational workshops conducted in local schools. The enthusiastic response from both students and teachers underscores the effectiveness of this approach in fostering a deeper engagement with learning.
Furthermore, I have taken proactive steps to empower my colleagues by offering training workshops and coaching sessions on integrating Minecraft into their pedagogical practices. This endeavour has yielded positive outcomes, with successful implementations observed across three faculties within the university, with plans for further expansion on the horizon.
The outcomes of our project have been disseminated at international conferences on digital education, where I have had the opportunity to share insights and exchange ideas with fellow educators and researchers. Additionally, I have conducted workshops for educational institutions abroad, contributing to the global conversation on innovative teaching methodologies leveraging the Minecraft platform.
As a certified Minecraft educator, I am committed to continuous professional development and collaboration with educators worldwide. To this end, I have enrolled in the Minecraft Teacher Academy, actively participating in webinars and training sessions facilitated by seasoned experts in the field.
As describe above, I have revolutionised education by turning traditional learning into engaging digital experiences. Its immersive and interactive nature offers valuable insights to educators, showcasing the versatility and impact of my work in higher education.
Supporting evidence:
The integration of Minecraft into teaching and learning at our university has yielded noteworthy results, serving as a source of inspiration for educators seeking innovative approaches to pedagogy. Below are some exemplary instances showcasing the transformative impact of Minecraft within our educational context, which I hope will inspire others to embrace similar practices.
1) Students learn fundamental coding concepts and develop problem-solving skills in an engaging and accessible manner. (https://youtu.be/qoch6GzLSwY)
2) Students create structures in Minecraft that simulate visual abstract representations of building effective websites. (https://youtu.be/aelUNWJkTz0)
3) Students collaborate and organise information within our virtual campus, enabling them to make informed business decisions. (https://youtu.be/slOgpOzczgI)
4) Minecraft is used to enhance students' understanding of efficient business process execution through real-life scenario simulations. (https://youtu.be/Mb1bsEYAaWM)
5) Students explore logic gates in a fun and interactive manner, gaining a deeper understanding of the subject. (https://youtu.be/bSOfANEpbWI)"