Paper Prototype 1

The paper prototype really adds the vision you have for the game. It helps the person put the plans into action! It really allows the plans to come to life and be seen. It makes the designer think about what the scenes should look like and show. Now that I have done this a few times in the past, this makes much more since, and I can avoid spending so much time on this process. I can put enough on paper to help me to plan out my game. I have drawn out a human body for the prototype. I have narrowed a few things down through this planning. I hope to start drawing this in flash very soon. I think the students seem to be spending to much time on this process. They are trying to put to much into this plan. However, this seems to be helping them see how their game will look. Most of all, this is helping the students plan through their game. It helps them to see things much clearer. It has helped the students and I have an idea about the instructions, the themes, and the color scheme. It has helped to visualize the "big picture" of the game.

Hidden Object Game Vision

I envision a game that is fun and educational. I think a game that utilizes the various body systems to teach where they are and what functions they perform. I hope to design a hidden object game that has the player looking for the parts of the respiratory system. I am excited to design a game that may be used in my health classes. I really believe that this will be a good advertisement for globaloria in the future, as well as something fun for my students and I to use in the classroom. I think this will be a great addition to the teaching strategies in my classroom. This will get the attention of some gamers in the class. I think this will motivate and encourage the students to learn about the body systems. Finally, I am excited to try something new. I have gotten somewhat comfortable with some flash concepts. Fortunately, this will push me to grow and continue to make progress with flash. I am looking forward to working more on this game!

Hidden Object Topic

I choose this topic after I played one of the game temporal taxonomy on the playing to learn section. I thought about what would be a good topic to use in my health classes. The temporal taxonomy game was a great deal of fun, which emphasizes the comparisons of various species. This inspired me to try to make learning about the respiratory system as fun and playable for my health classes. I really feel that this can be a game that is used in health to teach and compare the various body systems. I think I can have some fun with it. Hopefully, the students will have some fun and learn something as well. We will see!

Play to Learn

Once again, I realize just how little I actually know about flash and game design. I see such a need to push myself and learn new concepts and ideas. It is always amazing to see the creations and abilities of others, when playing their games. I really enjoyed the graphics and details in the games I was able to play in this section. I was impressed with the mouse control and flash concepts that added fun to the missions on temporal taxonomy. It encourages the player to continue playing and trying more missions and hopefully learning about various species and their differences. In fact, it encourages further depth of knowledge with comparing the types of species. I look forward to learning more about these concepts and adding them to my abilities.

New Class

This year seems to be going great! The students are excited and encouraging one another and myself to make progress. Things are going surprisingly smooth and without a great deal of problems. However, we are behind our schedule and plans for the class. I am still extremely optimistic and encouraged to see the students willing to work together and make progress. Our frustration level seems to be very low and manageable. I have very high expectations for both classes this year!

Growth and encouragement

It is so much fun to witness learning and excitement through the life of a student. It is such a privilege to be able to participate and influence the growing process of a middle school student. Honestly, it is quite frightening at many times throughout the year. Fortunately, it is inspiring to see students becoming responsible adults! It is great to see students make progress with the important things of life. While they may not perform great with their grades or conduct, many globaloria students have learned and grasped things that will influence needed abilities throughout thier lives. Middle school students are talented and adaptive. They are able to do much more than what I often give them credit for accomplishing. Therefore, it is nothing short of a miracle to see them mature into young men and women. I have witnessed overcoming various obstacles and conflicts. I have been involved in relational problems that would make any adult blush. Fortunately, I ahve been able to see the students work out their problems in a great manner. I am truly a blessed educator and parent.

Renewed Energy

I have been reminded about the reason I chose to be an educator. It is always exciting to see the "light-bulbs" shine through the students. It has brought some great energy and focus to our class. The students have expressed their pride in actually completing something that is visible. They really enjoyed working together and playing the creations that their students were able to complete.

Many of the struggling students are so proud of themselves. Honestly, they have a great deal to be proud of! Although the coding and substance of their platform games was very confusing and difficult, many of the students learned and applied so much to their games. It is still encouraging to be able to witness the excitement of learning and accomplishing something that lacks ease!