Mrs. Franks English Class

April 22

2009-04-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

We are seeing "light at end of tunnel." Both groups will have an interesting game to present at the end of the year. All are working well together. This class has been a positive experience for the students, and word is getting around for next year. I will be taking up two more English classes and wont be able to continue with Globaloria, but two additional teachers have signed on, and Mr. Allder will be continuing.

april 1

2009-04-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

class making progress on their games. they seem to be working well together to solve problems. I'm optimistic about the learning taking place and how engrossed they are in their projects.

Class and wiki

2009-03-23T12:26:00.000-07:00

Class is making progress on their games. I created a checklist on Word today as a handout, as I am accustomed to doing in my other classes and have done in this class before. It only occured to me today, however, that I ought to create the document on a new wiki page and create a link to it. Seems obvious, and it is, but I didn't do it until now. It's been very hard to change my tried- and-true habits, but, like my class, I'm making progress.

The latest

2009-03-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

Skills and ideas are coming together now. Teams are piecing together their games and progress is speeding up. We recently created a wiki checklist that students used to earn a grade (200 pts). Next we will create a checklist for thier game scenes. We had a team with a great ideas, but were having trouble simplifying and organizing the tasks. After giving them time to work through the issues on their own, Mr. Allder stepped in to give them more direct guidance. This team has a much clearer focus now, and morale has improved. Overall, things are looking good.

2-13-09

2009-02-13T11:19:00.000-08:00

Practicing demostrations today. Half of class absent, frustrating. Kids have been learning and they're doing well, but they don't relish the thought of demonstrations. I gave them an outline of what to discuss to help them along.

2009-01-29T11:35:00.000-08:00

January 29

Class was productive today. Jim showed students his game example and corresponding code, and led students through the process of their own mini-game. I floated around room and helped individual students. Worked well.

January 26

2009-01-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

This was the first class after the workshop. I reassured our class that they are on the right track, and I reinforced the ideas of transparent learning. I also told them to go back and embed files onto their wiki pages, not just links, and I told them to save everything they do. I tried to reassure them that it is ok to post "mistakes" or failed attempts, but most students seem a bit hesitant to do that. "But it's not good" was a common refrain. We all feel a little better that we don't have to have a certain percentage of the games completed, however.

12-1-08

2008-12-02T11:20:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to report that our students are still highly engaged and enthusiastic about Globaloria class and their games. I had the opportunity to write a description for a new club called "computer aided projects." A number of our Globaloria students signed up so that they could have more time to work on their current games, as well as to use their flash knowledge to work on an additional game requested by the art teacher. The students are seeing how the skills they are developing are useful and in demand by other professionals. This insight gives them a sense of pride and is self-motivating. It's exciting to be a part of a program that is having such a positive impact on the students.

Game Pitch Day

2008-10-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

10-23-08

Today was interesting and it went well. We had two faculty members come in and be clients so that our students could sell their game ideas to them. The students created game pitch pages with animated graphics to pique their interest. Students got to explain their games ideas, game play objectives, and why their games would be useful in the classroom. After presentations, all teachers gave feeback on presentation style. The experience was very helpful for the students in that it gave them presentation practice, and it revealed areas where their game ideas needed greater clarification and thought.
I'd like to invite these "clients" back after students digest the feedback, develop their games more, and have more presentation practice. I'd like for students to have before and after insight as a way for them to see their progress. We recorded the presentation with a flip camcorder, but when I try to save, it says my computer has no available space on the hard drive. I'll have to give the camera back, so I may not be able to follow through with the before and after idea like I want.

Oct 17

2008-10-17T11:00:00.001-07:00

I laid out plans for students today on making presentation sales pitches. I will be inviting faculty members who may be using the games being created. I gave students a rubric to go by to help them make a successful pitch. I am enthused about this idea because the professional skills really need emphasis among my students (and it's easier than struggling with technical questions :-) ).

Oct 6

2008-10-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

I set the kids loose today to continue experimenting with Flash and with the tutorials. They are naturals. They have already created animations and a few have rather sophisticated drawings. They are well past what I learned in three days during the summer. They are really engrossed in the program as well. You could have heard a pin drop in class today. Now that they've had time to familiarize themselves with the program, I think we can get back to visualizing their games and creating a paper prototype.

Globaloria-Game Concepts

2008-09-26T11:21:00.000-07:00

Students are working on refining their game concepts. One team went out and interviewed faculty/staff for information to incoporate into their games. The other team is moving a little slower but have set a goal to have concept refined enough to begin paper prototype next time. They came up with team names today. Good for creating team unity and getting them thinking as game designers rather than individual students. Good day today.

Globaloria-the latest

2008-09-25T15:03:00.001-07:00

After 15 minutes of waiting for my computer to open up the blog page, I am finally on. Only now My blood pressure is up and I have to very soon race off to my daughter's socceer practice. Next week we are having statellite installed (big, long, drawn out persuasive argument with my husband-he finally caved). Globaloria I think is off to a good start. Kids are getting their ideas into focus for their games. We have our computers now, and next week we'll have flash installed. Jimmy has been leading kids through code to update wiki, user gallery, getting them set up on blogs, etc. and I've understood what he's done so far, so that's a good sign. All kids are showing a willingess to work. One has been out for a week due to illness-that concerns me. I can catch him up though. Been superbusy between yearbook and my English classes. Have been focusing most energy getting those things off the ground first. Hope to turn more energy to this program now, especially now that everyone has his/her own computer and is not constantly on mine.

Playing to Learn day 2

2008-09-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

Students seem very enthusiastic and had insightful things to say about the games they evaluated (we had them present at the Smartboard). They are starting to formulate ideas about what they would like to create. It's exciting to see them excited. Jimmy and I have created our own lesson plans for them, which have worked well, but we need to make sure they cover the assignments under course topics also --just to make sure we cover all bases.

sept 8

2008-09-08T11:18:00.001-07:00

Ok. Mr. Allder noticed that I haven't been blogging so I figured I better get on it. I actually have been "blogging" in my curriculum notebook on paper, but obviously that doesn't count. It is a habit deeply etched habit, however. Blogging on the internet is a strange feeling--it kinda makes me paranoid. My thoughts are out there for everyone to see--scary. I feel class is going well. All my classes are starting to settle into a routine, so I will get into a flow with this class shrotly, and we will take off. It's been great team teaching. I think this set up will prove very successful.

Catching Up

2008-08-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

Jimmy is putting me to shame so I have to get cookin' with this blogging site. Last workshop ran better. I have a better overview of program and what we'll be doing, as well as when we'll be doing it. I've decided not to worry so much about my awkward tech skills; it'll come in time. I'm looking forward to what our students will do with this program, and seeing how it will benefit them. I really want to encourage them with the dual credit idea. I also look forward to working with Jimmy. He has truly "caught the vision" and has anticipated issues and potential problems I had not considered. I will be writing up a division of labor soon and running it by Jim, since I feel I may be most helpful with administrative tasks.

Aug 19

2008-08-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

I finally got in to my blog! I am excited about the year, though I wish I understood the flash program. I am confident, however, that my students will jump in.

Reflection of Globaloria

2008-07-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

There has been an avalanche of information. I am trying my best to take it all in and make sense of it. I feel that I will get the hang of it, but it will take time and lots of practice. I always worry about the time factor because of the myriad of responsibilities I have-teaching and otherwise-but I have met people who will be a nice support system for me.

Test Run

2008-07-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

Wondering how this is going to look. First time doing this. Hope to blog with some fellow teachers once I get this going.