Overall, this workshop has been a great experience. I've enjoyed learning about Virtuoso, but even more the opportunity to collaborate with other educators about the potential for gaming in education.
-Lucas
Friday, June 29, 2007
Day 5 Afternoon
"Who supports and who benefits from your participation in this project?"
My participation in this project stems largely from my association with Dr. Annetta through the EMS594 course. He and the Hi Fives team seem to be a great support team. Initially, I am the primary benefactor of this project because it allows me to see another avenue for technology integration into instruction in a way that's fun and exciting. Ultimately, I hope my students will benefit as well.
-Lucas
My participation in this project stems largely from my association with Dr. Annetta through the EMS594 course. He and the Hi Fives team seem to be a great support team. Initially, I am the primary benefactor of this project because it allows me to see another avenue for technology integration into instruction in a way that's fun and exciting. Ultimately, I hope my students will benefit as well.
-Lucas
Day 5 Morning
"How do you see this game as a tool for connecting with your students?"
I see these virtual teaching environments as a means of providing students with not only an innovative science experience but a technology one as well. I think at the very least, the novelty of the experience will be a point of connection.
-Lucas
I see these virtual teaching environments as a means of providing students with not only an innovative science experience but a technology one as well. I think at the very least, the novelty of the experience will be a point of connection.
-Lucas
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Day 4 - Shut Down and Power Off
Inspiration
Today has been much more productive for me in Virtuoso. I chose a map and began exloring it and adding natural and man-made objects to it. After I had successfully begun construction of a coral reef near the shore I began to think of what a player might do in "my world." If I approach the game creation from a problem-based learning approach, I can begin to think of a number of scenarios that students might experience. As I placed my beached boat, I imagined that it might have an associated oil spill. Perhaps that spill was affecting the local fish populations of the nearby reef. The world-building process can be quite inspirational. Let's see where this goes.
-Lucas
Today has been much more productive for me in Virtuoso. I chose a map and began exloring it and adding natural and man-made objects to it. After I had successfully begun construction of a coral reef near the shore I began to think of what a player might do in "my world." If I approach the game creation from a problem-based learning approach, I can begin to think of a number of scenarios that students might experience. As I placed my beached boat, I imagined that it might have an associated oil spill. Perhaps that spill was affecting the local fish populations of the nearby reef. The world-building process can be quite inspirational. Let's see where this goes.
-Lucas
Day 4 - Afternoon
"What interested you in video games as a form of teaching?"
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm an avid gamer myself. I also love teaching, so anything that blends the two would be ideal. As part of my graduate program in Instructional Technology, we've studied multimedia theories described by Richard Mayer. Whether intentionally, accidentally, or as a result of a sort of common sense, the best games are designed to maximize on the brain's cognitive load without overloading it. You always learn while playing a video game. No, the knowledge may not be practical, but learning does occur. In World of Warcraft, for example, even the most novice of gamers can easily begin playing, questing, and working collaboratively with other players.
How do game designers achieve this? How do they trick us into learning? I'm continually amazed at how much information I and my students who play World of Warcraft know about a world that doesn't exist. This includes knowledge of landmarks and regions, political factions, items and statistics, even history and lore. So as I play, I begin to analyze what the designers have done with the world they've created. How do they structure it? How does the player interface with the world? What makes it intuitive?
The ultimate question, however, is: "What lessons can I learn from what they've done and how can I apply it to an educational game?"
-Lucas
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm an avid gamer myself. I also love teaching, so anything that blends the two would be ideal. As part of my graduate program in Instructional Technology, we've studied multimedia theories described by Richard Mayer. Whether intentionally, accidentally, or as a result of a sort of common sense, the best games are designed to maximize on the brain's cognitive load without overloading it. You always learn while playing a video game. No, the knowledge may not be practical, but learning does occur. In World of Warcraft, for example, even the most novice of gamers can easily begin playing, questing, and working collaboratively with other players.
How do game designers achieve this? How do they trick us into learning? I'm continually amazed at how much information I and my students who play World of Warcraft know about a world that doesn't exist. This includes knowledge of landmarks and regions, political factions, items and statistics, even history and lore. So as I play, I begin to analyze what the designers have done with the world they've created. How do they structure it? How does the player interface with the world? What makes it intuitive?
The ultimate question, however, is: "What lessons can I learn from what they've done and how can I apply it to an educational game?"
-Lucas
Day 4 - Morning
"What do you do well when connecting with your students?"
I'm open and honest with my students. I strive to hold all of my students to a high standard and one that I, myself am willing to uphold. My animamted style and sense of humor allow me connect with many students. Additionally, to a large degree my interest in technology and gaming gives me common ground upon which to build rapport.
-Lucas
I'm open and honest with my students. I strive to hold all of my students to a high standard and one that I, myself am willing to uphold. My animamted style and sense of humor allow me connect with many students. Additionally, to a large degree my interest in technology and gaming gives me common ground upon which to build rapport.
-Lucas
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Day 3 Shutdown and Power Off
End of the Day Reflections
Well, today was my first day, in person, at the workshop. What a blast! I'm really excited about the potential of Virtuoso and simply need more time to begin working in the environment to realize what I could do with it and what my questions are.
-Lucas
Well, today was my first day, in person, at the workshop. What a blast! I'm really excited about the potential of Virtuoso and simply need more time to begin working in the environment to realize what I could do with it and what my questions are.
-Lucas
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