Frustration...

Frustration is the name of the game right now.  I feel like I am running circles with the students.  So many of these kids are in here only because there was nothing else to sign up for.  The equipment isn't working well.  We don't have Flash 5 installed and may not until JANUARY!!??  I strongly feel that middle school first year student NEED a different curriculum...they can not keep up and then just give up.  I admit to strongly relying on my "senior" students and am very thankful that they are there to help or I would probably pull every bit of my hair out! 

"We" are just now on playing to learn and choosing a topic.  There is no way we will have the prototype done in time to enter the contest.  Some of my students haven't even DECIDED what there game will be.  I can see that it's going to be a fight to get them to make their games educational.  I am thinking next year that I may assign topics...

Take a minute to evaluate where you are...

Guys, I've been asked to adjust the schedule to match where you are.  As we discussed last week, as a class, we are all over the place.  Some of you are missing class, some of you are wasting time and some of you are working on blogs and wiki's at home.  Blogging and your wiki are the two things that you can work on anytime you have an internet connection.  I know that we still struggle with connectivity in the classroom and we are fighting to have computers that work, therefore it is more important than ever that you use every minute you can when you do have a computer that works.

MAKE SURE you are blogging after each section is finished.  So far you should have an introductory blog, Join the Community, etc...Check your wiki!!  Remember to update the flash items that you make to your wiki.

Checklists will be reviewed next week and your paper prototype needs to be ready to film by the 14th!

ARGH>>>>

OK guys!  I know that we are having blogger issues.  I am doing this blog from home!  I hope it posts.  I want to remind you to TRY and blog as you finish each session!!  Some of you are doing Meet Flash and some are working on your Mini Game already!  GREAT job!  You're learning so many things that your games will be fabulous!  Please make sure to answer the questions indicated at the end of your wiki ON THE BLOG!  We should be able to access now that the switch has been replaced!!!  Good LUCK!!!

I am watching YOU!!!!!  :-)

Blogging

We've been in school almost 3 weeks now and we are moving along slowly.  Most of you will just create your blog this week and make your first blog post.  Introduce yourself, let us know who you are and what you are interested in.  Make sure you include a picture.

This is going to be the place to come every day once we get set up.  I will post your assignment and your learning log ideas for the day on my blog.  You will need to blog at least once a week AND every time you finish a section, you must answer the questions at the end by blogging the answers.

Have fun with this and remember, blogging and wiki updates CAN be completed at home!!

Week 2...

Well, we're havfing connection issues again, but you all have handled that very well!  This week our plan is to continue learning about our wiki's and to learn to make a blog.  Remember to update your learning log daily and answer all questions from the wiki on your blog.  Don't get upset if connection becomes an issue and you don't get something uploaded...we'll get it the next day.

Learning....

We are quickly learning the limits of technology and how much we can get done in a class period.  You've done well with your surveys and all but one of us have a wiki account.  Tomorrow we will begin the course overview so you'll have a really good idea of the adventure we're embarking on.  We'll then get started on making our individual wikis.  Check out Bryce, Ethan, Anthony or Frank's wiki pages to get an idea of what you can do!

Ready for a new year!!!

Hi guys!  It's time to get back to work in Game Design!  Those of you who are returning are going to find some new things on the wiki that are going to make your life easier!  Those of you who are just starting with us are going to have a great time learning to make an educational game! 

We have some important things to remember.  We are concentrating on SCIENCE concepts that are appropriate for YOUR grade level.  We also are going to make FUN educational games that are NOT quiz games!!

We already have two students who have started work on their game (I'll let you guess who...Bryce and Ethan)! :-)  If you're on facebook, search The Science Behind Magic to check up on their work!!

Check out this fun, educational game as you begin to think about what we're doing in this class!

Life:Discovery