Serious Games

Today we will work on some fun online tasks as we move towards vacation. Web 2 and Web 4 students may have seen these games and simulations before.

Typing Test: Go head-to-head with your neighbor. How fast can you type?
Another cool Google Earth app. Dig here!
Check out the Ayiti game.

3D Farming: Can you succeed as a farmer?
3D Architecture: Can you build a successful house.
Tall Buildings: Super-cool site about tall buildings
Power Play: Can you build a better mousetrap?
The Redistricting Game Can you rig your district?

And finally we will review the game Darfur is Dying.

Everyone should review ONE game in their blog today. Please be sure to provide a link to the game.

Web 1: How could you use this game to learn in school? Could serious games help you learn?
Web 2: Would a serious game improve your current website project? Why or why not?
Web 4: Choose one game and analyze the construction of the game. What tools are used? Are they used effectively?

Technorati Tags: serious_games webdesign k12 education

Fireworks Contest

Today, and probably tomorrow, I will be substituting for Mr. Freund who will be out of the building. I will probably pop into class a few times if I am able.

Web 1 should finish their exams today. Remember to rename your folder in the WDrive (bschneider-done) and copy that folder to the UDrive. You will end up with two folders in the Udrive, your rough draft and your final draft.

Web 2 and Web 4 will be working on their exams.



Here is the Fireworks contest. All classes are eligible for this contest which will be awarded at the Technology Fair on June 2.

Your assignment is to make a poster about Memorial Day.

More information on Memorial Day can be found here: Wikipedia entry Be sure you understand the purpose of Memorial Day before tackling this assignment.

Your assignment is to design an image that could be posted in schools. You will use Fireworks and choose the appropriate tool or tools for your image.

Assignment parameters:

1. You set up the image size when you create a new document: Height=300 pixels, Width =600 pixels.

2. Your images MUST be non-copyrighted. I will publish this!!

3. You must be able to defend your choice of a tool in your blog post.

4. You must include "Memorial Day" somewhere in your image. You might decide to include additional text (date, slogan, etc..).

5. You must finish by the end of the period on Friday May 23. I will submit the posters to the judges at that time.

6. Save in Udrive when done (bschneider) as a .jpg file. All students will save in the same folder so be sure you name it correctly in the WDrive BEFORE you copy it to the UDrive. Be sure to test your work in the UDrive.

Good luck!

Tech Fair

I have been working on getting judges for the tech fair and I have been very successful so far. These judges are certainly experts on the topics you will be covering. I will be working on the judges sheets this weekend so you know what to expect. One warning--citation pages better be good!

We have three contests:
1. Lincoln websites (Web4)
2. Breast Cancer or Energy websites (Web2)
3. Fireworks contest. (All)

On another note, take the time to read this article from the NY Times about girls and sports injuries. Its long, but worth your time if you compete in a sport.

Stuff

Some items from the news that you should read:

Cyclone news from Myanmar. They say the death toll may reach over 100,000. I can't even comprehend that number. They don't have enough fuel to burn the bodies so they can be disposed of properly. As we go home today to our nice homes and eat our pop tarts lets be sure to take a moment to think about the suffering and maybe think about what we can do.

An update on how the election for the Democratic Primary is going. Obama had a fairly good result in North Carolina and Indiana and has solidified his lead for the nomination. Remember--don't be ignorant. Know what is going on and what the choices are.

Can leadership change the impact on our environment? Check out the story on San Fransisco and their recycling effort. We recycle nothing here at our school. Could we do more?

How do you fight breast cancer if you are uninsured and state funding dries up? Those of you tackling the political side to the breast cancer question might want to explore this more.

Wednesday

Web 1: Part Two of the marking perod exam will begin.
Web 2 and Web 4: Continue work on your marking period exam.

Exams

Exams are being posted today. If you are behind in your work it is your responsibility to get it done. I will offer extra help after school on Wednesday and Friday. I encourage you to come in during a study hall.

Web 1: Exam Part One.
Web 2 and Web 4: Exam

I have refined these exams over the past few years and I think they work pretty well. My goal is for you to show me the web design process. Do you choose the correct tool? Do you work efficiently? Do you work with your partners? Do you get it done on time?

The Web 2 and Web 4 exams will be part of the SHS Tech Fair on June 2. It will be a competition. More on that later.

Technorati Tags: exams webdesign k12 education

Fireworks

Web 1 will work on our Fireworks assignment today. Your assignment is to make a poster about the Pledge of Allegiance. There are many choices you can make for this poster. However, it may give you ideas on how to blend images, text, and emotion.


More information on the Pledge of Allegiance can be found here: Wikipedia entry

Your assignment is to design an image that could be posted in schools. You will use Fireworks and choose the appropriate tool or tools for your image. My favorite image will be displayed on this blog.

Assignment parameters:

1. You set up the image size when you create a new document: Height=300 pixels, Width =600 pixels.

2. Your images MUST be non-copyrighted. I will publish this!!

3. You must be able to defend your choice of a tool in your blog post.

4. You must include "Pledge of Allegiance" and the actual pledge somewhere in your image.

5. You must finish by the end of the period Friday.

6. Save in Udrive when done (bschneiderpledge)