Future of Gaming

My fellow Globaloria Educator from Shephard University posted the following quote in her November Blog: If you thought games were solely for entertainment, think again.
"Seventy percent of major employers utilize interactive software and games to train employees according to... the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The study data also showed that more than 75 percent of businesses and non-profits already offering video game-based training plan to expand their usage in the next three to five years. And more than three-quarters (78%) of organizations not utilizing this technology today are likely to offer it in the next five years." - from the Entertainment Software Association's website.

This is an incredible acknowledgement of the importance of teaching Globaloria in our schools. Yes, the gaming skills are important. But in addition are the skills that take a project start to finish: imagining, developing...starts to sound like Globaloria tutorials.....

Great work takes hard work

http://pingmag.jp/2005/12/09/the-website-development-process/

I just lifted this site from TJ's blog because it has such truth in it about how to mentally engage in taking our Globaloria game-making through all the steps to completion. The Globaloria experience presents a real-life way of learning. Fits and starts. I find that sometimes formal education simplifies things too much in a "if you follow-the-directions, you will get there way" that does not reflect reality. The path to a great idea, or project, or game is never that straight forward. Innovative, great work comes from taking a risk and just starting. Then comes revisiting, changing, throwing it out, researching, starting again, talking it through, restarting, make some progress, reassess, change, move forward. A fluid, ever changing path. Lots of "Eureka" moments, lots of "this is driving me crazy" moments. It is the ability to engage oneself honestly in the process that brings success, satisfaction, and personal growth.

Georgia Tech Article on Our Courts

Georgia Tech has a blog devoted to Journalism and Gaming. This is an explanation and review of "Do I have the Right?" on Our Courts site.

http://jag.lcc.gatech.edu/blog/2009/09/dihar-games-and-semiotic-domains.html#trackbacks

Let's really encourage each other

PRAISE - Part One: There's more to praise than telling someone, "That's' good', 'great', 'fabulous', 'wonderful'...." The educational buzz the past few years is that adults do not do a kid a favor by praising indiscriminately. After a while it all sounds the same and loses its power to encourage. In little kids, the urge to do whatever the teacher wants takes over. They get addicted to the "great", "wonderful", and try hard to please the teacher by doing whatever it takes to get that word. I've seen a 4 year old create an original drawing and be so impressed by the adult reception ("Wow!, Great!, Amazing!"), he stopped creating and just drew the same thing over and over trying to elicit the same response. THE LESSON? Sincere, thoughtful responses with detail and examples gives more real encouragement. My young artist missed the crucial lesson - not that the squirrel on the tree was important, but that his conception and artistic representation were "unique", "clever", "accurate". These kinds of words encourage not that the student should, "Do something to please me!", but rather "Continue to explore being 'unique', 'clever', 'accurate'...."

All in this together

Ha! Not only do I get to read what my students write, I also get to listen to their favorite music. That's fun. In her review of my QI report, Ingrida suggested that my students find more gadgets to put on their blogs. We all had fun experimenting. Several students took over the role of teacher at the interactive white board to teach others how to do what they had just figured out how to do. Thanks Bree and Rachel. I see more of this happening. My challenge to the class is to find something neat to teach to everyone else. You are a tremendous group of students!

Daunting, and yet inspiring

It is daunting, and yet inspiring to read other Globaloria blogs. I am impressed by the creativity - in words, and also in use of color, gadgets, images that you, my students, have in total control.
As I read your blogs, I can see your curiosity, anticipation... like we all are on the edge of a huge slide, ready to push off. Maybe it's more like skiing. The ride down will be fraught with dangers, trees to avoid, trolls jumping up from hidden dens. I think that Globaloria itself is a game...with quests, keys, hints, wrong paths....may we all successfully reach the goal!

Making progress!

Just finished an intense 90 minutes of class, trying to get everyone to where they need to really get started. I am so impressed when I see break throughs. This is such a work in progress. Moving the whole class forward is a challenge. We are all at different places in the skills and abilities and experiences we bring to Globaloria. (Me included!) I appreciate the willingness of more experienced class members to help others. I appreciate everyone's perseverence and patience as we complete all the account building, and site exploring. I'm excited!