Press B to Belong: creating inclusive gaming clubs in your school

Complimentary for DLTV Members

In this session participants will be introduced to digital games-based support programs, and will learn some practical strategies and resources they can use to create the conditions for an inclusive gaming club in their school.

Based on research from the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, you will learn about the different ways you can structure your programs, find ways to ensure that everyone can participate and review a number of recommended games that are both school appropriate and engaging for children and young adults. Not a gamer? No problem at all, as this workshop is designed for all teachers, allied health professionals and school support staff.

This 1hour workshop will be followed by a Q and A session with the host.

Who Should Attend?

• All teachers and school support staff

About the facilitator:  Dr. Matthew Harrison

Dr. Matthew Harrison is an experienced teacher, researcher and digital creator with a keen passion for utilising technology to enhance social capacity building, belonging and inclusion in education. He has taught in Australia, South Korea and the United Kingdom at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Matthew is currently coordinating Autism Intervention within the Master of Learning Intervention, and is the Co-Director of Student Experience at the University of Melbourne Graduate School of Education. His research primarily focuses on neurodiversity, inclusive education and the effective use of digital technologies as teaching and learning tools. As a gamer, he has a particular interest in digital games-based learning and intervention.

Matthew's PhD thesis examined how cooperative video games can be used as spaces for developing social capabilities for students with disabilities and neurological differences. Building from this innovative research he co-founded the social enterprise Next Level Collaboration, an inclusive community for neurodivergent children that uses cooperative video games to build confidence and social capabilities. He also proudly serves as the Vice President of Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria.