Class and wiki

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.