The days seem to fly by..before we know it the new year has arrived. I had hoped by now that we would almost be completed with our games and here we are barely begun. My hope is that in the next two weeks (weather allowing of course!) we will complete our mini games, the students will feel much more comfortable with Flash and that their team game ideas are better developed with sufficient research completed to enable sophisticated, educational, socially relevant games. Optimistic, yes but if properly motivated I know these students are capable of doing it. What do you think?
The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination.
Tommy Lasorda
1. How would you describe the best of you?
2. As to your role in Globaloria, what do you think has been your best or greatest accomplishment so far this year?
I have thought for several days on how to address this topic, the correllation between STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Civics I suppose it is sort of like my thoughts about Art. As I tell my students, Art is everywhere, it surrounds us, it is in our homes, our media, our clothes, products we use, etc. According to the Encarta Dictionary, Civics is: "Civics – civ.ics (noun); definition: study of citizenship; the study of the rights and duties of citizens". If we are looking at being good citizens then we should look at ways to improve the way of life for others, whether in our own communities or in other areas of the world.
I believe that our Globaloria students become confused about their role in developing the games that they do. One of the first things we ask them to do is to go to the "Play to Learn" section of the wiki and the first link takes them to another page where the one of the first links are to action game types. Perhaps this leads them to think that their most important function in the class is to create a game that is full of action and extensive game play. I don't think that is our function. I think our students' most important role is to develop a mindset of creating a fun, rigorous, educational experience for THEMSELVES as well as the gamer. In a round-about way I suppose what I am trying to say is that any game can be tied in with STEM and Civics, just by the virtue of making the games relevant to being productive and socially aware global citizens.
So this was posted on Jarraca"s page on Braxton High's wiki. I wanted everyone to see it. More later
Isn't this great! My students loved it. To me it shows a joy of life and just danced for the sheer joy of it. Shouldn't we all feel that way about what we do? Sometimes teachers and students get bogged down with the 'have to's and forget to enjoy the 'right nows'. Just a reminder to live life to the fullest and enjoy the moment. A timely reminder right before Thanksgiving week. Be thankful for the good things in your life and have a great week!
Ok, last week I posted about what makes a good game but now I want to know about what makes a good team. While some schools have their students working individually (and of course at the college level it would need to be working on their own), I think one very relevant aspect of the Globaloria program is having students learn to work as a team. Later in life students will be required to work with people that they don't know, have no common ground or possibly that they even won't like but they will still have to be able to work with them to complete projects or to get the job done. If they have learned from this program how to put aside their differences and look for the common ground then they will have a life skill that is priceless.
To my students in the Computer Assisted Art/Globaloria class, write a blog about what you think is crucial in creating a successful team for designing and completing a thought-provoking, fun, STEM or Civics based game. How many on a team? What should the different members be able to do? Should there be one overall manager/leader or does everyone have an equal role? Answer these questions and other topics relevant to the team-building process.
Ok, so our students have been reviewing games in the Play to Learn section of the Globaloria program. Several of the games are about the type of game genru that can be created. Now the question is...What makes a GOOD Social Issue Game? Do some serious thinking about this and post a RICH blog about how you can create a fun game and still cover a Social Issue, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) or Civic Issue.
Do any of you remember (or in the case of our students seen it on reruns!) Gilda Radner's character on Saturday Night Live called Roseann Rosanna Danna? She was one of the best they ever had on that show. She was definitely one that died too young... Do you remember when she would do the news with Dan Acroyd (I think it was him) and at the end of one of her rants about something he would say something like "what does that have to do with anything?" and she would say her catch phrase: "Well, it just goes to show you, if it's not one thing it's another". That is how I feel. After finally getting over my bout with bronchitis I now have messed up my back. Trying to do some wheel thrown pottery, I sat in the wrong position for too long of a time last Sunday and strained my back. I have babied it along all week but it really became much worse on Friday evening and I was very disappointed to not be able to go to our home football game. I like to support our students as much as possible so I felt bad twice - once for the back pain and once for not being there for our team. Hopefully it will improve.
I did go to our local Communities in Schools fundaraiser on Saturday and helped my Art students do free face painting for anyone that asked. Five students had said they would come and help but only three showed up. We had a good time but since I had to fill in for some of the missing students my back became very tired.
And this leads in a round about way to my closing thought "If it's not one things it's another!" I'll try and stay focused on the positive and let the rest go by the wayside. Don't remember Gilda Radner? Check out one of her videos.
