Monday, February 25, 2008
question
just a quick question for anyone out there...is there a way to get an email when someone comments on your blog? i used to have a livejournal or xanga and i would get an email if someone commented. i try to check as often as i can, but an email update would be great :)
Monday, February 18, 2008
Starting my game
I'll be in Alabama visiting my parents this week so I figured I'd post now for Saturday, 2/23 in case their Internet is being temperamental. Have a good week everyone :)
I originally planned to use the Wii in order to learn a game, however, after experimenting with it a little I changed my mind. I wasn’t sure if the games I had would allow me to become a “master”. Since Dr. Dana had mentioned Diner Dash I decided to give that a try. I didn’t end up with the original, but got “Flo on the Go” where the main character, Flo, is going on a cruise. She loses her suitcase and ends up having to help in the restaurant. I have played the first 5 levels so far and am enjoying the game. This game definitely requires you to be able to multitask and see different things at once. If you have 3 tables seated, you need to notice when they are ready to order and when their food is ready to be served, all while helping the other tables also. An entire service for one table includes: seating them (preferably in corresponding colored seats to gain more points), taking their ordering and brining it to the cook, picking up the food when it is done, bringing them the check, and finally clearing the table for the next guests.
Each group has a row of hearts, which is how you can tell if they are happy or not. As they get angry because they had to wait too long for something, their hearts decrease. One way I have been able to keep them happy is by serving them drinks. This option appeared after the 3rd level I think. It can be a bit overwhelming to see three groups of people waiting to be seating, and all of their hearts decreasing. I feel like I can only serve the tables so fast and get them cleaned for the next group. If people have to wait too long, they even walk away. At the end of each level, you see how many tables you lost.
As I play the game, I am noticing that I’m becoming faster and more attentive. At first I thought I couldn’t try to move Flo while she was doing something else. Now I realize that if I click a series of locations she moves in that order to get everything done. I guess the hardest part is just waiting for the customers to be ready or done so that I can seat those waiting in line.
At the end of each level, you see a report of how you did. There was a certain score needed to make “expert” for that level. I have a feeling that is represented by a different symbol on the level map. I have two symbols that look like stars and two that look like buoys I think. I will have to pay attention next time and take note of whether I was an expert and what symbol I received. I will also attempt the levels again to see if I can change the symbol.
Until next week…happy gaming everyone!
I originally planned to use the Wii in order to learn a game, however, after experimenting with it a little I changed my mind. I wasn’t sure if the games I had would allow me to become a “master”. Since Dr. Dana had mentioned Diner Dash I decided to give that a try. I didn’t end up with the original, but got “Flo on the Go” where the main character, Flo, is going on a cruise. She loses her suitcase and ends up having to help in the restaurant. I have played the first 5 levels so far and am enjoying the game. This game definitely requires you to be able to multitask and see different things at once. If you have 3 tables seated, you need to notice when they are ready to order and when their food is ready to be served, all while helping the other tables also. An entire service for one table includes: seating them (preferably in corresponding colored seats to gain more points), taking their ordering and brining it to the cook, picking up the food when it is done, bringing them the check, and finally clearing the table for the next guests.
Each group has a row of hearts, which is how you can tell if they are happy or not. As they get angry because they had to wait too long for something, their hearts decrease. One way I have been able to keep them happy is by serving them drinks. This option appeared after the 3rd level I think. It can be a bit overwhelming to see three groups of people waiting to be seating, and all of their hearts decreasing. I feel like I can only serve the tables so fast and get them cleaned for the next group. If people have to wait too long, they even walk away. At the end of each level, you see how many tables you lost.
As I play the game, I am noticing that I’m becoming faster and more attentive. At first I thought I couldn’t try to move Flo while she was doing something else. Now I realize that if I click a series of locations she moves in that order to get everything done. I guess the hardest part is just waiting for the customers to be ready or done so that I can seat those waiting in line.
At the end of each level, you see a report of how you did. There was a certain score needed to make “expert” for that level. I have a feeling that is represented by a different symbol on the level map. I have two symbols that look like stars and two that look like buoys I think. I will have to pay attention next time and take note of whether I was an expert and what symbol I received. I will also attempt the levels again to see if I can change the symbol.
Until next week…happy gaming everyone!
Friday, February 15, 2008
How do I learn?
It was very interesting reading the article about how children learn. The “tabula rasa”, or blank slate, view has changed over time giving infants more credit really. They are now thought of as “competent, active agents of their own conceptual development”. It seems they have an early predisposition to learn about some things but not others. This seems similar to the nature versus nature debate. If an infant is exposed to a variety of things and taught how to do tasks, then they will be more likely to learn them. If an infant isn’t exposed to anything or stimulated mentally, they will be less likely to learn a wide variety of things.
Since everyone learns in a different way, it is important for teachers to keep this in mind when teaching. Personally, I know I am a visual learning. I learn much better when I see something done and then have an opportunity to try it on my own. I also learn from hearing information said and taking notes. Writing notes down helps me to remember and organize information. I find it hard to read information, especially difficult text, and gather the necessary details. Since teachers often teach in ways they are comfortable, I know it is important to teach to all learning styles since the students might learn in different ways than myself.
I am looking forward to learning a game since it will be hands on. I have had some experience with games when I was younger and we had the Nintendo and Sega, and then got the Nintendo 64. I have also played some games online, but nothing for any length of time. Playing regularly will be a new experience but I’m looking forward to it.
Since everyone learns in a different way, it is important for teachers to keep this in mind when teaching. Personally, I know I am a visual learning. I learn much better when I see something done and then have an opportunity to try it on my own. I also learn from hearing information said and taking notes. Writing notes down helps me to remember and organize information. I find it hard to read information, especially difficult text, and gather the necessary details. Since teachers often teach in ways they are comfortable, I know it is important to teach to all learning styles since the students might learn in different ways than myself.
I am looking forward to learning a game since it will be hands on. I have had some experience with games when I was younger and we had the Nintendo and Sega, and then got the Nintendo 64. I have also played some games online, but nothing for any length of time. Playing regularly will be a new experience but I’m looking forward to it.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Good morning
Hi my name is Samantha and I'm currently co-teaching grades 1-3 in a Montessori school in Waldwick. I'm looking for a public school job for the fall so if you know of anything let me know!
All the other posts below are from a previous class I took with Dr. Dana so just ingnore them or feel free to read them :)
When it comes to media, I feel that I'm somewhat tech savvy. I have a Facebook and Myspace account and instant message and text message daily. When it comes come gaming, that is a different story. When I was younger I can remember playing Nintendo, and back then the new, exciting game system was the Nintendo 64! Currently, I don't really play any online games or have a game system. I am interested to learn some of the new things out there that my students are using.
I am very interesting in how all the gaming and new technologies are influencing learning today. I do believe that the new literacies are changing the "old" definition of literacy. What it means to be literate in today's society is completely different than what it was a year or two ago. Working with kids, it is important to know the kinds of things they are doing and what they are exposed to. I am looking forward to this class giving me a new outlook when it comes to games and learning. I'm also hoping it will give me some insight into what my students are doing with their free time and now it might impact their learning.
Happy blogging! :)
All the other posts below are from a previous class I took with Dr. Dana so just ingnore them or feel free to read them :)
When it comes to media, I feel that I'm somewhat tech savvy. I have a Facebook and Myspace account and instant message and text message daily. When it comes come gaming, that is a different story. When I was younger I can remember playing Nintendo, and back then the new, exciting game system was the Nintendo 64! Currently, I don't really play any online games or have a game system. I am interested to learn some of the new things out there that my students are using.
I am very interesting in how all the gaming and new technologies are influencing learning today. I do believe that the new literacies are changing the "old" definition of literacy. What it means to be literate in today's society is completely different than what it was a year or two ago. Working with kids, it is important to know the kinds of things they are doing and what they are exposed to. I am looking forward to this class giving me a new outlook when it comes to games and learning. I'm also hoping it will give me some insight into what my students are doing with their free time and now it might impact their learning.
Happy blogging! :)
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