This former WilmU game design educator now makes gaming accessible for hospitalized children
This former WilmU game design educator now makes gaming accessible for hospitalized children
This former WilmU game design educator now makes gaming accessible for hospitalized children
September 28, 2022
By Holly Quinn
Summary
For 13 years, Scott Shaw led Wilmington University's Game Design and Development program - the first four-year degree program of its kind in Delaware.
The program quietly put WilmU on the map as a college for students interested in gaming careers, with graduates launching local game companies such as Momiji Studios.
In July, Shaw brought that expertise into a career move to Wilmington's Nemours Children's Hospital, where he works as a game and technology specialist - a position that helps hospitalized children gain access to gaming.
The work has been especially crucial as the pandemic has prevented sibling visits: "Making uncomfortable positions bearable and maybe even fun, that was the draw. Using my talents in terms of game development, gameplay, game theory, game-based learning - all of the things that I had done previously - in a way that could give back to a population that is not in the best place."
Working on projects such as building adaptive controllers or implementing use of VR and AR. Since some hospitalized children may require more than simply having a game system brought to their room, there is a whole range of disabilities and limitations that Shaw has to consider, adding a problem-solving element to the job.
If a child doesn't have fine motor skills in their hands the game interface can be adapted so they can use another body part or bigger buttons to control play.
The growing need for more game and technology specialists in hospitals - a position many people looking for jobs in the gaming industry may not even know exist - is one of the reasons Shaw, with his continued WilmU and student connections, fits the position well.
Reference
Quinn, H. (2022, September 28). This former Wilmu game design educator now makes gaming accessible for hospitalized children. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://technical.ly/professional-development/scott-shaw-nemours-childrens-hospital-gaming/