Epic Games

Written By Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

Epic Games, founded by Tim Sweeney in 1991, is a prominent American video game and software developer known for creating popular titles like Fortnite and the Unreal Engine, a powerful game development platform. Sweeney, a programmer with a background in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, sought to revolutionize the gaming industry by providing both immersive gaming experiences and robust development tools. Epic Games has achieved significant milestones, including a user base of over 350 million for Fortnite and numerous awards such as BAFTA Games Awards and the Game Developers Choice Awards.

Differentiation

What sets Epic Games apart in the educational sector is the Unreal Engine, a versatile game development tool used in various educational contexts. Unlike other game engines, Unreal Engine offers a free, comprehensive suite for students and educators, enabling them to create high-quality 3D projects and simulations. This makes it a unique resource for integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education into homeschooling curriculums.

How to Get Started and How it Works

Getting started with Epic Games and the Unreal Engine for homeschooling is straightforward:

  1. Download the Unreal Engine: Visit the Epic Games website to download the engine for free.

  2. Create an Epic Games Account: Sign up for an account, which is necessary for accessing the engine and other resources.

  3. Access Educational Resources: Epic Games offers a plethora of tutorials and lesson plans tailored for educational purposes. These resources include step-by-step guides on creating projects ranging from simple games to complex simulations.

  4. Curriculum Integration: Homeschooling parents can integrate Unreal Engine into their lessons by incorporating projects that teach coding, physics, and creative design. Activities can be both independent and collaborative, requiring an internet connection primarily for initial setup and updates.

Educational Concepts Taught

  • Game Design and Development

  • 3D Modeling and Animation

  • Programming (C++ and Blueprints)

  • Physics and Mathematics

  • Problem-Solving Skills

  • Project Management and Collaboration

What Users Love

Users appreciate the robust educational value of the Unreal Engine, highlighting its ability to engage students in hands-on learning experiences. The extensive library of tutorials and community support make it accessible even for beginners. Many parents have noted the improvement in their children's problem-solving abilities and creativity through game development projects.

What Could Be Improved

While highly beneficial, some users find the Unreal Engine's learning curve steep for younger children. The need for a powerful computer to run the software efficiently can also be a limitation for some homeschooling families. Additionally, while there are many resources available, finding the right ones for specific educational goals can be overwhelming.

How Homeschool Parents and Teachers Can Make Learning Fun

Homeschool parents and teachers can utilize Unreal Engine to transform traditional lessons into engaging, interactive experiences. For instance, ninth-grade history teacher Nick Pant from Dayton Regional STEM School uses Unreal Engine to have students create Virtual History Museum Projects. These projects allow students to design their dream museum, incorporating historical standards while using their creativity to make the museum float on water or reside inside a volcano. This approach turns potentially dull subjects into exciting, hands-on learning opportunities, fostering a love for learning and enhancing storytelling skills through technology.

Fortnite: Educational Value and Parental Concerns

Fortnite, one of Epic Games' most popular titles, has sparked debate among parents regarding its educational value and suitability for children. Some argue that Fortnite can teach strategic thinking, teamwork, and spatial awareness through its gameplay. However, concerns about screen time, exposure to in-game purchases, and potential addiction are significant. It's crucial for parents to balance gameplay with other educational activities and set boundaries to ensure a healthy gaming experience. While Fortnite is primarily entertainment-focused, its collaborative and strategic elements can offer indirect educational benefits when played in moderation.

Advice from Parents

Experienced homeschooling parents suggest starting with simple projects and gradually increasing complexity as children become more comfortable with the tools. Joining online communities and forums dedicated to Unreal Engine education can provide valuable support and additional resources. It's also recommended to integrate Unreal Engine projects with other subjects to create a well-rounded educational experience.

Overall Educational Value Score: 60/100

Epic Games, particularly through its Unreal Engine, offers a highly engaging and unique educational tool for homeschooling. While there are some concerns regarding potential addiction and exposure to violence in games like Fortnite, the platform’s overall educational value remains high due to its emphasis on creativity, problem-solving, and advanced technological skills. Homeschool parents can leverage these tools to create a rich, interactive learning environment that caters to diverse educational needs.

Positive Score: 66

  1. Uniqueness (9/10): Epic Games, particularly through its Unreal Engine, offers a unique blend of game development and educational tools. The platform's capacity to create high-quality 3D projects and simulations is unparalleled in the educational sector, making it a distinctive resource for integrating STEM education into homeschooling curriculums.

  2. Engagement (8/10): Many homeschool parents and students find the interactive and creative nature of Unreal Engine highly engaging. The ability to design and develop games and simulations keeps students motivated and interested in learning, transforming potentially dry subjects into fun, immersive experiences​ (The Homeschool Mom)​​ (Cathy Duffy Reviews)​.

  3. Accuracy (7/10): The information and tools provided by Epic Games are accurate and reliable. The platform is consistently updated to ensure users have access to the latest technology and resources, which maintains its educational integrity.

  4. User-Friendliness (6/10): While the Unreal Engine is a powerful tool, it can be challenging for younger users or those new to game development. However, extensive tutorials and a supportive online community help mitigate these issues​ (The Homeschool Mom)​.

  5. Pedagogy (7/10): Epic Games demonstrates an understanding of various developmental stages and effective teaching strategies. The platform's flexibility allows educators to tailor their approach to fit the needs of different learners, promoting effective learning outcomes.

  6. Homeschooling (7/10): Homeschooling parents appreciate the platform for its adaptability and the ability to incorporate it into various educational contexts. It supports a wide range of subjects and learning styles, making it a versatile tool for homeschool education​ (Cathy Duffy Reviews)​.

  7. Learning Focus (7/10): The emphasis on deep learning and the application of skills such as coding, problem-solving, and creative design is a strong point of the Unreal Engine. It goes beyond rote learning, encouraging students to engage with complex concepts in a meaningful way.

  8. Personalization (7/10): The Unreal Engine offers significant opportunities for customization, allowing educators to tailor projects to meet individual learning needs. This flexibility supports a diverse range of learners, including those with specific interests or learning styles.

  9. Special Needs (6/10): While the platform is not specifically designed for special needs education, its customizable nature allows for adaptations that can benefit students with learning disabilities such as autism and ADHD.

  10. Value (8/10): Given that the Unreal Engine is free to download and use, it provides excellent value for its educational benefits. The only potential cost is the need for a high-performance computer to run the software efficiently.

Negative Score: -6

  1. Boredom (2/10): Due to its interactive and engaging nature, Epic Games’ Unreal Engine is unlikely to cause boredom. However, some younger children or those not interested in gaming might find it less engaging.

  2. Addictive Components (4/10): Fortnite, one of Epic Games’ popular titles, can be addictive for some children. It's essential for parents to monitor and balance gameplay with other educational activities to ensure a healthy experience​ (Epic Games)​.

  3. Violence (3/10): Fortnite contains some violence, which might be a concern for parents of younger children. The presence of combat and competitive elements could be inappropriate for certain age groups​ (Epic Games)​.

  4. Unhealthy Competition (3/10): Competitive aspects of games like Fortnite can lead to unhealthy competition among children. Parents should be aware of this and guide their children to ensure a positive gaming experience.

  5. Excessive Prioritization of School Standards (1/10): Epic Games focuses on creative and immersive learning rather than strictly adhering to school standards, making it a suitable tool for promoting deep and meaningful learning.

Who It’s an Ideal Fit For

Epic Games and the Unreal Engine are ideal for families looking to incorporate advanced technology and creative design into their homeschooling curriculum. It's particularly beneficial for students interested in game design, animation, and programming. Older children and teenagers with an interest in STEM fields will find it especially engaging.

Who It’s Probably Not a Fit For

Families with very young children or those without access to high-performance computers may find the Unreal Engine less suitable. Additionally, if the primary focus is on traditional academic subjects without much interest in technology or gaming, other educational tools might be more appropriate.

Grades

The Unreal Engine is suitable for a wide range of grades, from upper elementary to high school and beyond, depending on the complexity of the projects undertaken.

Cost

The Unreal Engine is free to download and use, which makes it a cost-effective option for educational purposes. However, families may need to invest in a capable computer if they do not already own one.

Ways to Get It

Epic Games provides the Unreal Engine for free on their official website. Additional resources, including tutorials and educational materials, are also available for free or at a nominal cost within the platform.

Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

For the last 20 years, I’ve taught over 2000 children in 3 countries (of all socio-economic backgrounds). I pioneered an English language program in a conflict region in the Middle East. I’ve worked as a bilingual public school teacher at some of the highest and lowest performing public schools and in all five boroughs of NYC. I’ve tutored 18 subjects in three languages to some of the wealthiest families in NYC, San Francisco and Paris to make up for shortcomings in private schools they were paying up to $60,000 a year to attend.

Since 2015, I’ve helped hundreds of parents start microschools (way before this was a household buzzword). I founded CottageClass, the first marketplace for microschools and learning pods that was part of the Techstars 2018 class. In 2019, I created a virtual learning program to help families through the pandemic, a free online math tutoring program (masteryhour.org), and schoolclosures.org, a hotline developed in collaboration with Twilio and 80 other partners including Khan Academy, Revolution Foods and the Crisis Text Line, that served 100,000 families impacted by school closures.

I’ve climbed trees with children in forest schools in San Francisco, and tested new digital apps with kids in seven countries.

I’ve also coached dozens of families at different stages in their homeschooling journey. Most recently, I founded Modulo with homeschooling dad, best-selling author and tech entrepreneur Eric Ries, to help families curate their children’s education, social and childcare experiences drawing from a diverse array of in-person and online resources.


During the last three years, I’ve devoted much of my time to reviewing and testing secular homeschooling curriculum and other resource. I’ve spent the last three years talking to thousands of secular homeschooling families, and poring over tens of thousands of secular curriculum reviews and testing physical curriculum and digital apps for with hundreds of students to find the highest quality, most engaging, personalized learning materials for every type of learner.

I’ve spoken about homeschooling and modular learning at multiple venues including SXSW EDU, NY Tech Meetup, and on the LiberatedEd podcast.

In 2022, Modulo was one of 8 organizations who were awarded the Bridge Grant from the Vela Education Fund to expand access to homeschooling and modular learning to under-resourced communities.

My experience in education and homeschooling has led me to believe that there is no perfect education for every child, but families have an extraordinary amount of wisdom they can apply to building the perfect education for their individual child.

My goal with Modulo is to make it possible for any family to easily build a customized education that their child will love, and that will empower the whole family to thrive, taking into account, social, emotional and academic needs.

I love to answer questions from parents and receive feedback on how we can improve Modulo, so feel free to reach out anytime! I personally answer all the questions and comments readers leave on my blogs.

In my free time, I like hiking, traveling the world, tasting ceremonial grade matcha, enjoying dark chocolate.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with highest honors, with a double degree in French Literature and American Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies.

And I love to learn!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/
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