On October 31, UNCW held it’s first TechXperience event, designed to showcase tech-related initiatives underway across the university and to foster collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing within the UNCW community.
Ray Pastore, Jeff Ertzberger and Amber Colon were among the presenters at the inaugural event.
Dr. Pastore is a professor of instructional technology at the Watson College, faculty advisor for the UNCW Esports club, started in 2019 and coordinator of WCE’s Esports certificate programs introduced in 2020. He talked about the growth of esports at UNCW and across the nation.
“When we first talked about bringing esports to UNCW just a few years ago, it was a market differentiator, but now it’s a ‘must have,’ like a recreation center or a food court,” he said. “There’s not a college without an esports club in North Carolina.”
Pastore said he is proud of the growth of esports at UNCW, which now boasts 10 competitive teams and a discord with more than 800 members. The esports club hosts campus and community events, and several alumni of UNCW’s certificate programs are making their mark in the industry.
“Esports has the great benefit of engaging a broad audience,” he said. “Now, only one in 10 students play a high school sport, but nine out of 10 play video games. Our esports club gives students a way to be involved in something, and our certificate program helps them gain industry knowledge, grow their skills and build a portfolio.”
During a presentation titled, “The ABC's of Artificial Intelligence (AI),” Jeff Eerzberger and Amber Colon shared updates on several AI platforms, and their experiences working with university faculty and teachers on the effective use of this emerging technology. Dr. Ertzberger is director of technology at the Watson College and Amber Colon is a technology specialist in Watson’s Ed Tech Office.
“AI can be useful in organizing information and improving writing, but the various platforms aren’t all the same and none of them are 100 percent accurate,” Ertzberger said. “We partner with faculty and teachers in 141 schools who are all working to figure out how to use AI technology in positive ways to get students thinking and collaborating. The technology is still new and platforms are continuously evolving.”
Additional presenters at the tech conference were:
UNCW’s Informational Technology Services (ITS) planned the TechXperience event.
WWAY, October 31 UNCW hosts inaugural "TechXperience"
This article has the following tags: Research & Innovation Watson College of Education