Cognititon and Gaming
Filed Under Boise State Class, Computer Graphics/Game Development, Teaching and Learning | Leave a Comment
As I read through Chapters 5-6 of the Gibson et al text, I collected these thoughts:
3D Learning Environments — depending upon age and computer experience; learners have different ways of understanind a 3D learning environment. For the Gen Y’ers it is second nature to them — intuitively understood. For the newest generation, I am understanding that predictions are that they will not only readily adapt to a gaming environment for learning, but expect it! I am already seeing that in my young children.
Jones & Bonack (Gibson, p. 92) stated that a 3D online learning environment could "improve a student’s interaction and discourse. I believe that this is true. I find it very easy to approach someone I don’t even know in SL and ask them something. This is something that I lack in social graces in the RL! 
Constructivism applied to Learning in SL especially with games and simulations
Knowledge is Social – SL lends itself to this with its collaborative groups and friends
Learning is Participatory – as communities emerge, common goals are developed and instilled
Learning Leads Development – as Learners learn to "create" or "build" in SL, the shared goals produce tangible results
Knowledge Emerges from Meaningful Activity with Others – a knowledge base is developed by the group
Learning Dispositions – besides simply knowing and doing, roles develop that support a "scaffolding" for learning.
Important issues for Providers to consider include:
Determining target audience for learners: experience, access, etc.
Develop a support system for learning – stable learning environment
Don’t get stuck in a given LMS or Virtual World — learn how to effectively create reusable learning objects making migration to the latest tool less problematic.
Important issues for Users to consider include:
Ask questions and respond with answers — interact with fellow learners
Provide additional information when you have it
Serve as a support person
Growing Up Online
Filed Under Boise State Class, Teaching and Learning, Technology | Leave a Comment
Growing Up Online is a PBS Frontline special about kids, born after 1990 who grew up knowing technology. It details the things we need to be concerned with today as kids go online. I attended an Internet Safety for Kids workshop that really taught me the things to watch out for — even if your child is not posting things or chatting on the internet, maybe their friends are…and revealing things about your child that could potentially be dangerous!
I remember when we received our first color TV. It came on a Saturday, and I had just finished watching my morning lineup including the Bugaloos, H.R. Puffnstuff, The Banana Splits, and (of course) The Monkees. We made the switch to the color TV just in time to watch Roller Derby! I also remember when my brother bought Pong, and we played it on the TV, thinking it was great. Fast-forward a few years now…I have children of my own who both have computers in their bedrooms with all sorts of games from Reader Rabbit, Arthur, and Clifford. They watch cable-TV — mostly the Disney Channel and PBS. Lastly, I never dreamed that i-Pod would be in their vocabulary! My children do not have Internet connections on their computers, and are too young to be able to chat. I know their schools teach about Internet Safety. It is no different than general safety. Just something we can’t forget to tell our children.
On the brighter side…because of this huge shift in the fast-paced technology world, we need to adapt or evolve our education to address the different learning and personality styles of these techno-kids. We also need to consider the possibility that the school of the future may not be brick-and-mortar at all!
Powered by Qumana
Microsoft DigiGirlz
Filed Under Technology | Leave a Comment
Microsoft DigiGirlz is devoted to attracting high school girls in the field of technology. How can we easily replicate this on a smaller scale in our community? We can build it, but how will we know that they will come?
Powered by Qumana
Get Ready for Lifelong Learning in an IT Career!
Filed Under Networking, Technology, Visual Basic.NET | Leave a Comment
As an IT student or professional, you have signed on to a fast-paced, always changing, lifelong learning career. Reading blogs, newsfeeds, professional publications — taking classes or shor-term training; it’s all part of the IT life. Here is an article about 8Ways to Boost Your Career in ‘08.
Powered by Qumana
Google is coming to Iowa!!!
Filed Under Technology | Leave a Comment
Take a look at this! http://www.google.com/support/jobs/bin/topic.py?dep_id=1060&loc_id=11651&src=cbopsprof
Google plans to open up a data center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This link tells a bit more. http://www.google.com/datacenter/councilbluffs/ The picture here looks like something from Second Life!
Powered by Qumana
Have you Played with Google Docs?
Filed Under Teaching and Learning, Technology | Leave a Comment
I know it has been around for a while, but I just recently played with Google Docs. This is a real quick tool to use, especially if you are not on your own computer! I found the interface very easy to use, and I was productive immediately in what I wanted to do.
As an experiment, I created four Google Docs for my class to collaborate on creating procedural steps to solve some advance Visual Basic concepts. I easily shared the documents with the class (they needed to have or create a Google account to access them). At the end of a collaboration, I was able to publish the document. Here is a link to the results: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dc4q9xrn_19nz8t5fp
I tried to post the document directly to my blog, but apparently my settings were incorrect because it never appeared here.
Powered by Qumana
Eat Better America
Filed Under Vitality (food, healthy, activity, sports...) | Leave a Comment
Just came across this link in our Wellness Program. I was looking at the healthier Tuna & Noodles. Looks like they put a lot more into their dish, than I do in mine! As we prepare for our April blood profiles, we are trying to "get the numbers right!" This site looks like yet another resource. Eat Better America.
Powered by Qumana
Double Needle Embroidered Sweatshirt
Filed Under Sewing | Leave a Comment
On a ready-made sweatshirt, I used Card #1 from the Viking 1+ Sewing Collection to create this unique design. Instead of the usual single needle, I used a double needle to create the design. The design required a number of re-hoopings, but the results are stunning. I also made a vest with this same design and used cutwork. I think now that I have a Designer I, I will try combining some of the design to see if I can do it with less hoopings!
Block-of-the-Month Club
Filed Under Sewing | Leave a Comment
Our local fabric store, Neal’s Vacuum and Sewing Centers has recently (October 2006) started a Buck-a-Block-a-Month club. This is where you buy a $6.00 kit of Thangles to start with your first block; then, the remaining months are just $1. What is the catch? The catch is that you need to bring back your completed block sometime during the next month to get the next block.
I am happy to say, "The first block is done! " The process is really easy and fun. I also like the small sense of accomplishment of having a "finished" project to show. Here’s hoping I’ll be able to keep up!
Patty Reed Paper Dolls
Filed Under Sewing | Leave a Comment
Check this out! Here is a link to Patty Reed Paper Dolls from the Simplicity Pattern Co. website. These adorable dolls come with the usual cut-outs for clothes, but….they are dressed in Simplicity designs that you can sew up for your little one! Sounds like a future project for me. To access the dolls, you are required to enter your name and email address (so that Simplicity can add you to their email list), but after that; you have access to view, print, and download the dolls. I print them on card stock in my HP Photosmart 1315 printer, and they come out beautiful. Now it is off to the store to find one of the matching patterns to sew up for a future birthday gift.
keep looking »