Online 1 to 1 guidance for children taking a self led learning journey. Exploring the rich diversity of learning offered through designing, playing and making games
Unschooling is a term coined by John Holt: a modern educator who pinpointed problems with the traditional school system and methods of teaching. At its core it is child-led learning, a holistic method of education.
Human beings are fundamentally natural learners - civilisation was built by people before there were schools and we see it in our preschool children who learn to walk and talk without the need of school. In fact, all too often we see that boundless enthusiasm for learning, that boundless energy for exploration and that boundless motivation extinguished when starting school.
Here at boundlessMind we believe in providing everything a child needs for them to direct their own learning and accelerate their self-discovery through games. Creating a fun, nurturing environment without demand or expectation. We trust the child to direct their learning, we provide the expertise and go on their journey with them.
Unity and Unreal Engine are fantastic game engines that can help bring game ideas to life. However, we've found that discovering how to best harness the power of them is quite tricky. Even the best tutorials are great for making the game that the tutorial describes but leaves the inner workings of the engine a complete mystery.
That's where the BoundlessMind: Game Engine comes in. We work alongside the young person to build a game engine from the very beginning. They end up with their game, but also a deep understanding on how a game engine works. Information they can then apply to Unity or Unreal Engine. Also, along the way we get to grips with Java, Python, C++ or C#.
I’m a seasoned game designer and producer with experience in the industry spanning over four decades now. My passion for games started in the 1970s playing D&D and hanging out in arcades as well as writing my own games in the 80s. I turned my hobby into a successful career in the 1990s, designing and producing several commercially successful games. But, I achieved this without any qualifications after having missed a large proportion of school due to health issues.
My love for games stems from their positive impact on my life, and I took a break from the industry to delve deeper into this subject. In 2006, I earned a BSc with honours in Psychology, with a focus on the positive role games can play in children’s mental health.
I’ve enjoyed a very successful career in the games industry despite not following a conventional path and I see a lot of kids today just like I was back in the 80s and 90s: lost, struggling and just not feeling like they fit in. That was me. But here I am now, with a passion to pass on everything I’ve learned; proof that it’s ok to be different, in fact, it’s cool to be different. Because it’s those that think differently that will be shaping and building the world of tomorrow.
I’ve now come to specialise in mentoring and tutoring in computer science and game design, from the basics to advanced levels, academically and for fun. I help students build their portfolios and develop games that stand out in the competitive games industry. To that end, I’ve developed a bespoke 2D game engine that helps students unleash their creativity and unlock their game design potential – and gives them a deeper understanding of the commercial game engines they may come across.
I’m also passionate about creating a low demand nurturing environment for students to explore their ideas without fear of failure, building their confidence and ultimately helping them excel. I’m fully DBS checked and have extensive experience working with children with ASD, PDA, ADHD, anxiety and trauma.
When I’m not designing games or mentoring students, you can find me pursuing my other passions from playing guitar, acting on stage, making films, to flying planes overhead. I’m also motivated by big challenges, whether it’s cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End (twice) or by running across the Sahara Desert competing in the Marathon Des Sables.
If you'd like the team to get in touch to discuss how we can support you with our mentoring or tutoring service, please feel free to fill out our contact form. We'll be in touch as soon as possible to talk you through the enrolment process.