David R.

David is a dynamic and innovative educator with a diverse background in both industry and education. With over a decade of experience as a software developer, he has a deep understanding of the technical aspects of computing. Over the past 24 years, David has been dedicated to education, with the first 18 years in the Scottish college sector, specializing in Computer Games Development, and the last 6 years at Porter-Gaud, a private independent high school in Charleston, SC. At Porter-Gaud, he teaches a variety of courses, with a highlight being the project-based VR course for juniors, which utilizes Unity3D, C#, and Meta Quest VR headsets, culminating in a Shark Tank event with industry experts. A Microsoft Certified Teacher Trainer, David has led numerous teacher training courses, primarily focusing on games-based learning and development. His contributions to the field have been recognized by Microsoft, where he has been selected as a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE) and awarded the prestigious Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) title for his work with Kinect for Windows. David's commitment to innovation in education is further demonstrated through his involvement with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in developing, writing, and verifying qualifications, curriculum, and assessments for various computing subjects. He has also been instrumental in creating educational games that utilize gaming hardware like Kinect and wireless Xbox controllers. His work has garnered accolades, including the SQA Star Awards Winner for Innovation and a nomination for a BAFTA in the category of Young Game Designer Mentor of the year. David's presentations at events such as ALTc, CAS, and BETT have showcased his educational games and the TouchDevelop platform, further establishing his reputation as a leader in the field. In the future, David plans to continue exploring the potential of Virtual Reality in education and develop new projects that integrate cutting-edge technology into educational settings.