Teaching: First Year of Teaching

Approaching the conclusion of my first full year of teaching at Gloucestershire College as an Associate Lecturer in Games Design and Development, I've found myself reflecting on the significant milestones and accomplishments of the past year.

Throughout this period, I've had the privilege of instructing over 60 students across 6 diverse course groups, spanning from equivalent to GCSE level to final-year degree-level students. I've built and delivered lessons covering essential aspects such as design fundamentals, narrative development, and Unreal Engine 5 development, which were well received and will continue to be part of our curriculum into the next year.

I've spent an average of 20 hours per week in face-to-face teaching, during which I've assessed and provided feedback on approximately 400+ assignments as well as begun to advise and standardize with colleagues on our marking and expectations of work.

Further to my role as Associate Lecturer, I was given the additional role of a 'course leader,', which required that I oversee students' entire academic journeys and have already commenced planning and supporting the next cohort of students I will lead next year.

Beyond the classroom, I've played an active role in aligning our course material and teaching methodologies with the evolving demands of the games industry. This commitment has been instrumental in ensuring that our students are well-prepared for the dynamic landscape of the gaming sector.

I led the movement of building stronger industry connections, aiming to better prepare our students for their future careers, enliven their current learning experience, and confirm that our course achieves what employers' skill needs are, and have worked with my team to make changes to our curriculum to better align ourselves.

Alongside my work at GLOSCOL, I've continued to be involved with the greater games industry by starting work as an Individual Ambassador for Women in Games and continued development of future releases under "Queer <coded> Games". Leveraging these roles, I've been working to empower students to achieve their aspirations within the gaming industry.

Throughout this journey, I've maintained a dual focus on personal growth as a games producer and designer. I've dedicated time to my passion projects, consistently developing and refining my skills. Actively engaging with the broader games industry, I've attended events and connected with inspirational figures, posing questions that have shaped and guided my work.

In essence, my first year at Gloucestershire College has been a dynamic and fulfilling journey, marked by educational excellence, industry relevance, and a commitment to both personal and professional development.