Today we worked on our games, came up with some good ideas. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now looking at the games that other people have created this week! I'm trying to make myself feel a little better with the fact that the teachers have been doing this a lot longer than us new teachers!
I've really enjoyed this week, it's a shame it can't be longer! I feel like I've learnt so much but this has opened up how little I actually REALLY know. I can do the basic stuff, but when it comes down to the code I start getting really frustrated!
I need a tutor for the next year! Any volunteers??!!
:)
Friday, June 29, 2007
Day 5 Afternoon
Who supports and who benefits from your participation in this project?
Lee County Schools and the principal support me, the students obviously benefit (or will in the long run) and other teachers will benefit when I have enough knowledge to impart to them about the game!
What other technology do you wish you could use or have support for?
I wish I could have a SmartBoard at the school I am going to, that is one of my regrets about leaving the middle school, I had one installed in my room, and at the high school I'll have to sign it out!
Either that or a cart of laptops for the Math building, so the kids could play on the game individually. I hope that the server at school will support the game also, a lot of things don't get through!
:)
Lee County Schools and the principal support me, the students obviously benefit (or will in the long run) and other teachers will benefit when I have enough knowledge to impart to them about the game!
What other technology do you wish you could use or have support for?
I wish I could have a SmartBoard at the school I am going to, that is one of my regrets about leaving the middle school, I had one installed in my room, and at the high school I'll have to sign it out!
Either that or a cart of laptops for the Math building, so the kids could play on the game individually. I hope that the server at school will support the game also, a lot of things don't get through!
:)
Day 5 Morning
How do you see this game as a tool for connecting with your students?
I think this will be a good way to connect with students, especially some of the boys who are entranced with video games! They are amazed when I tell them that I play Xbox.....you know how it is, they think we teachers live at school and don't ever get to leave or do stuff that "normal" people do!
I think they will be amazed that I have created a game, that they are able to play, that should up my cool status! It will be a good way to communicate with them and a way for them to help me improve in game design.
:)
I think this will be a good way to connect with students, especially some of the boys who are entranced with video games! They are amazed when I tell them that I play Xbox.....you know how it is, they think we teachers live at school and don't ever get to leave or do stuff that "normal" people do!
I think they will be amazed that I have created a game, that they are able to play, that should up my cool status! It will be a good way to communicate with them and a way for them to help me improve in game design.
:)
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Shutdown power off
We recruited Ryan at lunchtime today to come join our "cool" group! We also got cool t-shirts with the HiFive logo on them..........hmmm, is it going to be cool enough tomorrow for me to wear my jeans?
Worked a bit on my game this afternoon, couldn't get some of the sound files to work, then some of the code I wrote didn't work after the nth time, so I got really frustrated and quit for the last bit. Played the Impossible Quiz.........really is impossible.........now I have a headache and ready to go home. Also, got to take off this t-shirt as it's on top of my original one and I'm HOT!!! :)
Worked a bit on my game this afternoon, couldn't get some of the sound files to work, then some of the code I wrote didn't work after the nth time, so I got really frustrated and quit for the last bit. Played the Impossible Quiz.........really is impossible.........now I have a headache and ready to go home. Also, got to take off this t-shirt as it's on top of my original one and I'm HOT!!! :)
Day 4 Afternoon
What interested you in video games as a form of teaching?
I feel that they are a medium that children work with already, and are ahead of adults in that respect usually, so to be able to incorporate teaching into that works creating something that the children are already interested in, but working some educational learning into the equation also.
I feel that they are a medium that children work with already, and are ahead of adults in that respect usually, so to be able to incorporate teaching into that works creating something that the children are already interested in, but working some educational learning into the equation also.
Day 4 Morning
What do you do well when connecting with your students?
I enjoy my students, I like being part of their lives, and enjoy listening to their experiences. I think I am a pretty good listener and the kids confide in me, I take the time to inquire about what is happening at home, and in general, do what I can to make them comfortable in the classroom. I always offer them respect with the understanding that respect is offered in return.
Do you have any concerns about connecting with your students?
Not really, my only concern is that I get too attached to my students, and feel that they are my own kids, I feel the pain of their disappointments and joy of their successes. I worry that I cannot do enough for them to ease their teenage years, and this worry carries over into my home life. My concern is trying to set boundaries!
:)
I enjoy my students, I like being part of their lives, and enjoy listening to their experiences. I think I am a pretty good listener and the kids confide in me, I take the time to inquire about what is happening at home, and in general, do what I can to make them comfortable in the classroom. I always offer them respect with the understanding that respect is offered in return.
Do you have any concerns about connecting with your students?
Not really, my only concern is that I get too attached to my students, and feel that they are my own kids, I feel the pain of their disappointments and joy of their successes. I worry that I cannot do enough for them to ease their teenage years, and this worry carries over into my home life. My concern is trying to set boundaries!
:)
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Shutdown power off
Well, had a little fun today, even though it took me a while to wake up! I wish we could do the lessons in the morning instead of the afternoon, because in the afternoon I'm so sleepy and can't concentrate fully!
Alice had fun on the HiFives website looking at bad stuff!
I had fun downloading sounds but my neck and back are killing me and I'm feeling uninspired to write right now so...................bye! :)
Alice had fun on the HiFives website looking at bad stuff!
I had fun downloading sounds but my neck and back are killing me and I'm feeling uninspired to write right now so...................bye! :)
Day 3 Afternoon
Describe how your students learn best.
Hmmmmm....very strange question, it's a little hard to describe how they learn best, without knowing which particular students. All students are individuals and it's hard to lump them all together to describe.
However, they learn best when they are engaged and feel part of the subject matter, if you can associate what they are learning to the real world and/or if you have a vested interest in them and their life.
They like to feel important (as do all of us!) and I believe that if you care about your students they will be able to feel a sense of belonging to the class, and thus care about the outcome of the class, and their fellow students.
This also helps because it gives them a safe place to be and doesn't start off the 'fight or flight' reflex and thus allows learning to take place.
Is that what you were driving at? :)
Hmmmmm....very strange question, it's a little hard to describe how they learn best, without knowing which particular students. All students are individuals and it's hard to lump them all together to describe.
However, they learn best when they are engaged and feel part of the subject matter, if you can associate what they are learning to the real world and/or if you have a vested interest in them and their life.
They like to feel important (as do all of us!) and I believe that if you care about your students they will be able to feel a sense of belonging to the class, and thus care about the outcome of the class, and their fellow students.
This also helps because it gives them a safe place to be and doesn't start off the 'fight or flight' reflex and thus allows learning to take place.
Is that what you were driving at? :)
Day 3 Morning
Describe your teaching.
I enjoy teaching, I enjoy relating with the children, finding out what they are thinking and doing. It helps me plan my lessons, I never teach the same from one day to the next or from one year to the next. I believe that I could be better organized and that would improve my teaching. I think that kids are predisposed to learning as long as the learning is adapted to how they learn. I use what happened the day before to inform my teaching for the next day. I like to engage the students by using different forums for teaching, whiteboard, smartboard, pairs, groups, individuals, games, student teaching, etc. I am open to new ideas and if someone knows how to do something better I will try it. I like to rearrange my classroom as otherwise I get bored and the kids get too used to where they are and the ease of chatting! I think that if they get the chance to teach someone else what they have learnt it will cement the knowledge into their brains. Or if they get the chance to use what they have learnt to create work/a game/something else they will understand it better.
I'm kind of a 'fly by the seat of my pants' teacher. If I'm doing something and it's not working it's not unusual for me to change direction, keeps me and the kids on their toes, and interjects some human quality. I like to use anecdotes and jokes in the class to get their attention, funny voices, humor all the time, if I can smile about something and they can too, it will grab their attention and make them remember it later.
Well, I could go on typing forever, but I guess I better do something with my game, after I get another jolt of Java to keep me going...........anyone got and IV out there so I can get the caffeine directly into my veins???!! :)
I enjoy teaching, I enjoy relating with the children, finding out what they are thinking and doing. It helps me plan my lessons, I never teach the same from one day to the next or from one year to the next. I believe that I could be better organized and that would improve my teaching. I think that kids are predisposed to learning as long as the learning is adapted to how they learn. I use what happened the day before to inform my teaching for the next day. I like to engage the students by using different forums for teaching, whiteboard, smartboard, pairs, groups, individuals, games, student teaching, etc. I am open to new ideas and if someone knows how to do something better I will try it. I like to rearrange my classroom as otherwise I get bored and the kids get too used to where they are and the ease of chatting! I think that if they get the chance to teach someone else what they have learnt it will cement the knowledge into their brains. Or if they get the chance to use what they have learnt to create work/a game/something else they will understand it better.
I'm kind of a 'fly by the seat of my pants' teacher. If I'm doing something and it's not working it's not unusual for me to change direction, keeps me and the kids on their toes, and interjects some human quality. I like to use anecdotes and jokes in the class to get their attention, funny voices, humor all the time, if I can smile about something and they can too, it will grab their attention and make them remember it later.
Well, I could go on typing forever, but I guess I better do something with my game, after I get another jolt of Java to keep me going...........anyone got and IV out there so I can get the caffeine directly into my veins???!! :)
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Shutdown power off
Ok..........today was fun, but my eyes are about to goggle out of my head, I'm really not used to staring at the computer for so long, and my bum feels like it's been cemented to the chair!
I have managed to achieve quite a bit today, I built a level with lots of signs and objects, still have to figure out some of the glitches like how to move the objects closer and further away from me without them disappearing into the ground!
Alright, I'm done, I'll be back as Arnie says!
:)
I have managed to achieve quite a bit today, I built a level with lots of signs and objects, still have to figure out some of the glitches like how to move the objects closer and further away from me without them disappearing into the ground!
Alright, I'm done, I'll be back as Arnie says!
:)
Day 2 Afternoon
How does the technology you currently use enhance your students learning and your teaching?
It gives the students a chance to listen to someone other than me, in the lesson presentations and the United Streaming videos. Also, it gives them a view of the subject matter in a forum to which they are accustomed, as most of them are a lot more technologically able than us teachers!
Most of the review games, and websites, give them another vehicle for practice of skills, with less teacher intervention and less reliance on pencil and paper or the dreaded worksheets!
How do you know?
They are not shy in sharing whether they like or dislike something and this helps in lesson planning and knowing whether to do something the same way with the next block of students or if I need to modify the format so that it is more engaging.
Also it helps to create the notes in powerpoint form, that way it is very easy if a student is absent to just print a copy of the notes for them.
It gives the students a chance to listen to someone other than me, in the lesson presentations and the United Streaming videos. Also, it gives them a view of the subject matter in a forum to which they are accustomed, as most of them are a lot more technologically able than us teachers!
Most of the review games, and websites, give them another vehicle for practice of skills, with less teacher intervention and less reliance on pencil and paper or the dreaded worksheets!
How do you know?
They are not shy in sharing whether they like or dislike something and this helps in lesson planning and knowing whether to do something the same way with the next block of students or if I need to modify the format so that it is more engaging.
Also it helps to create the notes in powerpoint form, that way it is very easy if a student is absent to just print a copy of the notes for them.
Day 2 Morning
How do you currently use technology in the classroom?
I had a SmartBoard in my room last year, so would use the lesson presentations for Math on that, with the kids contributing their answers... they love to work with the SmartBoard.
I would also use United Streaming which has a plethora of videos that tie in to any lesson that you would teach.
I have also used Orchard, which is a review program and has games incorporated into it. We had it at school for Math and Reading.
I've also used the Internet for research with the kids, and for playing Math games.........there are lots available, one website which is really quirky is Mathcats.com
I endeavour to use as much technology as possible, but also incorporate some of the more traditional approaches to teaching, as I believe that it's important to maintain a balance between playing with learning, and getting the basics of a subject so that you actually know what you are playing about, not just guessing!
:)
I had a SmartBoard in my room last year, so would use the lesson presentations for Math on that, with the kids contributing their answers... they love to work with the SmartBoard.
I would also use United Streaming which has a plethora of videos that tie in to any lesson that you would teach.
I have also used Orchard, which is a review program and has games incorporated into it. We had it at school for Math and Reading.
I've also used the Internet for research with the kids, and for playing Math games.........there are lots available, one website which is really quirky is Mathcats.com
I endeavour to use as much technology as possible, but also incorporate some of the more traditional approaches to teaching, as I believe that it's important to maintain a balance between playing with learning, and getting the basics of a subject so that you actually know what you are playing about, not just guessing!
:)
Monday, June 25, 2007
Shutdown power off
Thoughts about today
The morning was pretty fun, because we didn't do much but play! But then in the afternoon you made me work! Creating the game should be fun, although my beginning today was not too auspicious, because I managed to bury my Start person, lose grass in the sea, and go into the dark beyond...........I guess it's all a learning experience!
Will hopefully be able to get more to grips with it as the week goes on, but for now, I can't type anymore as my eyes are starting to glaze over from looking at the screen for so long
Bye, see ya tomorrow :)
The morning was pretty fun, because we didn't do much but play! But then in the afternoon you made me work! Creating the game should be fun, although my beginning today was not too auspicious, because I managed to bury my Start person, lose grass in the sea, and go into the dark beyond...........I guess it's all a learning experience!
Will hopefully be able to get more to grips with it as the week goes on, but for now, I can't type anymore as my eyes are starting to glaze over from looking at the screen for so long
Bye, see ya tomorrow :)
Day 1 Afternoon
Why are we here?
We are here to develop exciting educational video games for children.
What are you excited about?
I'm excited about my new laptop...yay! and the opportunity to create a game based on Algebra 1 because that is what I will be teaching next year.
What are you concerned about?
I'm concerned that I either won't be able to create the game properly (I'm a real perfectionist! :) ) or that I won't be able to come up with ideas that tie into the curriculum and are easily adapted to the game format.
We are here to develop exciting educational video games for children.
What are you excited about?
I'm excited about my new laptop...yay! and the opportunity to create a game based on Algebra 1 because that is what I will be teaching next year.
What are you concerned about?
I'm concerned that I either won't be able to create the game properly (I'm a real perfectionist! :) ) or that I won't be able to come up with ideas that tie into the curriculum and are easily adapted to the game format.
Day 1 Morning
What are your feelings about video games in general?
I think video games are a fun use of time, as long as they are balanced with some outdoor activities also. My husband can sit and play video games all day, and will try and try at one level until he can get through, I get really frustrated and give up after a few tries.
I prefer to play puzzle video games, and have used a Playstation and Xbox. I love playing Fusion Frenzy and Tiger Woods Golf.
What are your feelings about video games as learning tools?
Video games as learning tools are a great idea. They have been going for ages, as I remember playing the simple Math games when I was a child. Now that we have so many technological advances, and kids are able to play video games so young, it seems almost as if they know how to operate a computer before they can talk! The whole idea is great as long as kids are not playing video games exclusively to the exclusion of everything else, which is what sometimes happens. A good balance is needed.
I think video games are a fun use of time, as long as they are balanced with some outdoor activities also. My husband can sit and play video games all day, and will try and try at one level until he can get through, I get really frustrated and give up after a few tries.
I prefer to play puzzle video games, and have used a Playstation and Xbox. I love playing Fusion Frenzy and Tiger Woods Golf.
What are your feelings about video games as learning tools?
Video games as learning tools are a great idea. They have been going for ages, as I remember playing the simple Math games when I was a child. Now that we have so many technological advances, and kids are able to play video games so young, it seems almost as if they know how to operate a computer before they can talk! The whole idea is great as long as kids are not playing video games exclusively to the exclusion of everything else, which is what sometimes happens. A good balance is needed.
First day
Argh! just created my blog and she decided to change the name on us, so now I guess I have 2 blogs! One is Pippa's space and the other is this one. :)
Don't really know what we are supposed to be doing today as I loaded the game yesterday at home, and got killed 26 times in a row..........so today I'm just sitting here next to Wendy and Alice playing Word Whomp on Pogo..........is that allowed??!!
Oh well, I'm sure someone will tell me soon, but for right now I'm having fun!
:)
Don't really know what we are supposed to be doing today as I loaded the game yesterday at home, and got killed 26 times in a row..........so today I'm just sitting here next to Wendy and Alice playing Word Whomp on Pogo..........is that allowed??!!
Oh well, I'm sure someone will tell me soon, but for right now I'm having fun!
:)
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