Online Ethics

Last week, I had you to read an article from the Huffington Post about people who were fired over facebook posts.  I was interested to know what your opinion is of people who post things online and are then fired or arrested for those things.  There is a fine line between sharing your life and the things in it and being unresponsible or unreasonable.  I think that people who are arrested over facebook, twitter, and other social networking information deserve everything they get.  If you don't have enough common sense to know that you shouldn't post illegal things online for everyone to read, then I'm glad that you got caught. 

I also wonder about people who don't realize that they shouldn't post personal things online when they have a high profile job.  The interesting article to me was the one about the guard from Buckingham Palace that was calling Kate Middleton bad names online.  Did he really think that it would be okay to ridicule her in such a public way?

Teachers and other school officials have also come under fire lately about friending students online in social networks and sharing cell phone numbers with students.  As a teacher, sometimes it is crucial that students have my cell phone number (such as during an FBLA trip).  I realize that all communications between myself and my students should remain absolutely professional, and that is what I strive for every day, no matter what the interface is, be it in person or in cyberspace.  Here is the bottom line for me:  common sense and professionalism are two of the most important things in the life of any teacher or anyone who works with the public.  A lack of those two things could easily get anyone fired (or arrested)!

Where to begin...

This school year has gotten off to a good start, and it seems like we are already settled into a good routine.  This semester with Globaloria seems good for me.  During the first few days, we struggled with internet speed and the speed and availability of the wiki.  Several people downloaded Firefox so that they wouldn't have to rely on Safari or Internet Explorer.  (We feel like Firefox doesn't have as many quirky issues as the other two and overall is a better quality browser.  There are also other browser options such as Opera and Google Chrome.)  We also installed Adobe Flash CS 5.5 on most of our Mac lab computers, but some of those needed an update to the Operating System before Flash could be updated.  In many ways, it seems as if Murphy's Law is trying to apply itself to us, but we just won't let it!

Summer Blues

I've had many experiences this summer, including conferences in places I've never been before like Nashville, TN, and I've gone to my first national FBLA conference in Orlando, FL.  I became a mentor in the Globaloria program, and I attended evaluations for virtual school.  (There are many high school classes available online through WV Virtual School, even career technical courses!)

Personally, I replaced my refrigerator and cleaned out my closet and kitchen cabinets.  I haven't been to one single yard sale (which is unusual), and I haven't read any books at all (also unusual).  In about 2 weeks, we will be heading back to school.  It's hard to believe that the summer has passed so quickly!  (I'm a little sad about that, and I'm sure you are, too!)  I hope your summer was great...  see you soon!

New School Year, New Priorities

This coming school year will be just as exciting for me as the previous two years.  This represents my third year teaching, and my second year in the Globaloria program.  Somehow, I still feel like all of this is new.  I have so many improvements to make, so many things still to learn.  I suppose I was like many students when I first became a teacher.  I thought that after so long, that I would know everything; there would be this magical process by which I would have all of the knowledge that I need... and I would pass that on to students.  Ta-Da... Poof!  (Magic, right?)

In reality, there is no magic unless you make it.  I have continued to learn and improve on my skills, have determined that I have much improvement to make, and I can never let myself get stale.  I want to use Web 2.0 technology to improve my teaching, and I want to have more interactive projects in my classrooms to improve student learning.

So just like every other journey, I keep going, I keep taking one step at a time.  The important thing is, I keep taking steps, I keep moving forward.  I reject letting myself get stale, I welcome challenges... I look forward to Globaloria year two!

Summer 2011

How is your summer going?  Mine has been a whirlwind!  I have been to training... on vacation... and to an FBLA Conference.  I have only been at home for about 5 days this summer!  I still have another conference in Nashville, more training, and some girl time with my "bestie" in Houston scheduled for just before school starts back.

Summer is a great time for reconnecting and refreshing skills.  I really enjoy reading, and haven't had much time to do that this summer, at least not in reading a novel.... but I have been reading online and re-reading marketing material so that I can earn an additional teaching certification.

What have you done to stretch yourself this summer?  What have you done to learn and keep growing?

Flash animation

Just a cute little Flash movie that I saw that I thought some of you might enjoy!

Wrap Up

All of our games are in the wiki Game Gallery.  Go check them out!  Be sure to look at West Virginia Extravaganza by Lindsey Losh and The Debate by David Green. Both were finalists in the Globaloria Civics Game Competition.  Congratulations Lindsey and David!

This has been a great semester, and I have learned right along with the students.  I hope everyone has a great summer!

TED Talks

I am so addicted to TED Talks! 

When people go to conferences, no matter their profession, they pay hundreds of dollars in registration fees, and additional hundreds in travel and related expenses to have information provided to them by experts in their field.  With TED Talks, the cost is reduced to $0!  These talks can be viewed online at the convenience of the viewer, repeated as necessary, viewed in an educational setting, or whatever is the wish of the viewer.

Wikipedia explains the premise of how the TED Talks work.  The TED training sessions can be on anything from science to social issues.  (There are many TED talks that address education issues in the 21st century.)  The speakers range from virtual unknowns to CEOs of major corporations to past presidents of the United States.  The talks are then shared through a creative commons license with anyone who is interested in viewing online.

I think the basic message with sharing and rebroadcasting TED Talks is that people need to be more efficient in the use of human resources.  In other words, why reinvent the wheel?  If the talk has been given and it was beneficial, then why not share the information with others that it could also help?

This being said, some people need to have training or talks in person, one-on-one, or they may just enjoy the setting of a conference.  (Especially when it is January and the conference is in Orlando!)  I don't think face-to-face conferences will never be replaced, however, when you are looking for more bang for your buck, what could be better than a free conference or "talk" from some of the best speakers in the world?

Broaden your horizons... view a TED Talk today!

Getting a Little Behind...

It is the nature of some people to get behind in their work, and most people do it at least occassionally.  Staying ahead or at least caught up, though, can help you to keep stress levels to a minimum, and can improve your outlook, and even your grades!  If you work ahead, there will be more of a chance for teachers to help you and to see work that has been completed and make recommendations for improvements.  If you turn in work late, though, you have less or no time to make modifications and improvements.

In Game Design II, the students (and the teacher!) did very well at maintaining progress at the beginning of the semester, but we have all slacked off the last couple of months.  The time is here, though, to work hard to finish out the rest of the semester.  Work with me, now... buckle down and finish the year out strong!  Your games have the potential to be fantastic, and every person in the class has the ability to make an A for this nine weeks, all you have to do is make up your mind to do it and follow through!

Please help!

I don't know what to blog about...  What do you guys want to read about?

Proud Momma had a "Fabulous" Conference!

Today, I returned from the WV FBLA Leadership Conference with pride in my heart and a lot on my mind.  Our Randolph Technical Center FBLA chapter sent 11 students to state competition.  We brought home 3 state champions in David Green and David Wegman (Game Programming and Simulation) and Leah Armstrong (Public Speaking I).  We also have the new WV FBLA State President in our chapter, David Wegman!  These accomplishments give us so much to be proud of, but they are not all that is on my mind... 

Over the last couple of days, I have gotten to know many of our members better.  I have gained a few new nicknames, I have laughed uncontrollably with you, and I have been brought to tears by you, both out of pride and out of heartbreak.  I hope that the members know that I am proud of all of them.  I hope you know that I understand how hard you worked and how much you stressed over your competitions.  I am proud to be a teacher and advisor for each of my students.  If you work hard and you do the best job that you can do, then you are all champions to me.

That being said, everyone should realize that if they want to achieve more, they have only to work harder.  In the emotional and gripping words of Leah... Nothing is impossible.  We all need to remove that word from our dictionary!  If you didn't qualify to make it to Orlando for the National Conference in 2011, what will stop you from getting to San Antonio in 2012?  Only you can answer that question!

It's mine, it's all mine! Muahahahaha!

Well... okay it's technically ours.  Did you know that the wiki we use is OURS?  We can change it to make it look the way we like it.  It should be interesting to look at, it's our virtual classroom!

While I'm mentioning making things new... you should check out the Globaloria site, they have some new things on there.  Our whole process of learning in this class is discussed on the site, and described in this picture:

There is more to it than that, though!  We are working online so others can check our work virtually, there isn't much that we need paper for, so we are working green.  We are using new tools like our awesome new Wacom Bamboo drawing boards, and we are learning from each other.

Can I share a little secret with you?  You know how everyone always tells teenagers, "Just wait until you get out into the real world, then you'll see!"  Well... welcome to the real world.  I know you aren't paying the bills yet, but this is how the real world works.  You get the tools you need to complete the job, then you work with others to make sure you are open to all ideas, and then you do the best job that you can.  That is the real world!  (Without the bills and responsibility, but hey, you're just teenagers, right?)

Play to Learn article from Scholastic

I know that I have bombarded you with articles to read lately, but I just keep coming across good things to read!  Take a look at this Scholastic article about Playing to Learn.  This article says exactly what I have been telling you in our classroom, something you already know.  Kids love to play games... if they learn while they are playing, that is okay with them, and it works!

We Are Connected

I read a New York Times article about soldiers being connected to home through internet and cellular service.  The article brought up some interesting points about the connectivity that soldiers have through current technology.  Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and even Blogger allow soldiers to remain in touch with family members like they have never been able to in the past.  There are advantages and disadvantages to this connectivity... the article points them out, but what can you think of that would be an advantage?  a disadvantage?  Why would these things be good or bad for someone who is at war?

Grading, grading, grading...

This week, I have been (and will be) working on catching up on grading.  I was feeling like I was getting a little bit behind, but now I feel a little better about where I am at.  I wanted to remind you to keep checking your wiki talk pages, and the blog comments that I leave.  On the blogs, it is easy to remind you of something you may have forgotten, but the wiki is a little more difficult because it's not in your face when I leave a comment on your talk tab.  You will have to go look for those comments.


Speaking of grades... it is your responsibility to tell me if you have corrected a blog or other assignment and it needs regraded.  I don't review past blogs, learning logs, or assignments to see if you have completed them.  Once I give them a grade or assign a zero, I won't likely be looking at that assignment again.  If you need me to look at something, you need to let me know... send me an email, write it on a post-it note, whatever.  Just make sure I know.

We are Paper Prototyping... Still.

Paper prototyping... who knew it took three weeks?  I think you guys almost have it, though.  If the people in the closet could just get serious enough to video without laughing, we might be done.  In our defense, the past two weeks have been road blocks coming one after the other.  We have had to work on FBLA

projects, complete Work Keys testing, I have been out, you guys have been out (some with the flu and some with spring fever).  Just keep plugging away... we'll get there. Once the paper prototypes are done, we just might have a reason to celebrate!

UPDATE:  3/4/11:  Celebration complete... now on to some serious work!

Copyright and Fair Use

For a cute lesson about copyright and fair use, watch: A Fair(y) Use Tale.  (You can also view the transcript online.)  When we are working in most classes, we are covered under Fair Use laws, and as long as we use snippets of work from sources, or use shared work from Creative Commons or other free-use sites, we are "safe".  In game design though, I always say that you have to make your own artwork, that you can not actually use someone else's work, even if it is okay with them.  This is difficult for those of you who are not artistically inclined, though.  What are your options?  Tracing pictures in Flash or drawing with the pen tool is one option.  (We have some "experts" in our class who are really good at using Flash to trace and draw!)  Pictures can be scanned in class for tracing.  You can also take pictures of your own (with a camera) and use those pictures as backgrounds.  Today in class, we discovered how to use the Smart Board and online sites (like One Motion) to draw and import those drawings to Flash or Photoshop.  I also just got approval to order 2 drawing boards, and hopefully those will get here in time to be of use in your games this semester.  If there is some other way you can think of to get original art work into your game, let me know... we will try it! 

Random

Do your ears hang low?  Do they wobble to and fro?  Can you tie them in a knot?  Can you tie them in a bow?  Can you throw them over your shoulder like a continental soldier?  Do your ears hang low?  Well, do they?

Cats Can't Spell

"Yawn - No Maik Quiz Gaime"

This week, we have been talking about how to make games without making quiz games.  Some good interactive flash movies have been created in the Globaloria community that don't qualify as "games".  How would you define a good game?  Is it something that is fun? Challenging?  Or... does it make you answer questions that you may or may not know the answers to?  Many people take Game Design because they like games, and I know that if you enjoy gaming, you DON'T enjoy quiz games!  We want our games to be fun, challenging, have great graphics, and to teach something to the player.  Now we know that we can do that, and each of you have ideas about exactly how to do that for your individual game topic.

Be the creative people that I KNOW you are... make a game that is everything that you want to see in a game... don't make quizzes... that's my job!

New Semester = New Adventures

I know you love my nerdy blog titles, so I knew this one would be a hit!  In all seriousness, though, this semester does promise to bring adventures for all of us.  Last semester, I learned so much in my classes.  WAIT!  I'm the teacher, why am I learning?  (I should definitely know it all already, right?)  I don't know, guys, but it is happening; I'm learning!  If you watched the Did You Know? video at the beginning of class, you realize that there is a lot that we all have to do to keep up, teachers included.  Technology is changing so fast (at an exponential rate) that it is mind-boggling.

This semester promises to be just as educating and entertaining for me as it does for you.  My students in Game Design II almost ALL act like the dog on "UP", my students in Accounting II want to have parties every day, and I am developing new curriculum to use in Web Page Publishing... so... it is definitely going to be an interesting and enlightening semester for me.  I hope it is for you, too. 

I hope when you leave my class, that you have learned that you can do anything that you make up your mind to do.  The world is full of people that make excuses as to why they don't succeed.  In order to open up the possibilities for yourself, you need to show people why you can succeed at any adventure you set out on.  This semester is just the beginning!

What's up with Blogger???

This week we are working on some additional assignments to tie up the end of the semester for each of my classes.  While we have worked to finish up, we have faced more than one problem.  Among those?  Snow days, rescheduling of tests, reformatting of exam days, unclear direction about whether to be assigning new work or just completing exams this week, and last but not least, the unavailability of Blogger at school!  I have had some students in Web Page to email their blog assignments to me so that I can grade them.  This morning (FINALLY), Blogger is working at school again.  I would encourage each of you to take time on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week to catch up on any blogs that you are missing and to finalize your wiki team and individual project pages.  If I were you, I would be looking at my project and team page and scanning for blank or unanswered items.  There should not be any spaces where something is asked for but not filled in.  Be sure to check the course schedule page this week for one additional assignment that has not been posted yet.  The final survey will also need to be completed, and you will be assigned a completion grade for finishing up that part of the class.  One more week... stay motivated!!

Happy New Year

Welcome to 2011!  The beginning of this new year also brings us closer to the end of the semester and your games should be getting close to being finished.  During the next week, you should have a completed game and be working on testing and trouble shooting your game.  I will be walking around, and expect to see completed games from each of you.  Check the course schedule for changes that I have made because of snow days and adjustments to the school schedule by the RCBOE office. 

There are a few things that you need to keep in mind while you are tying up loose ends on your games.  When doing final grades on games, I will be looking to see if you have made changes as recommended by the Globaloria team when we did our game demos.  If you did not make ALL of the recommended changes, you must be ready to defend your choices in a professional manner during your game presentation.  Why did you not make the changes?  Remember, if you were a professional game designer, the Globaloria staff would represent a software company that you would be selling your game idea to.  Why would they want to buy your game if you did not make the additions or adjustments that they wanted to see?  Inability to answer questions effectively in your final presentation will affect your grade...