The students seemed to really enjoy putting their ideas onto paper. This seemd to help them discuss their ideas with their partners. It was really encouraging to see them work together and get their creativity moving forward. Everything was very colorful! They really seemed to take a lot of pride in their drawings. I am really looking forward to watching their videos of their prototypes.
I think they have learned a great deal about their games and ideas through this assignment. It provided some wonderful opportunities to discuss their game concepts and learning objectives. It seemed to help focus their ideas and move them in the right direction. Once again, I am looking forward to their focus and direction.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Game Ideas
It is still encouraging to see the excitement the students are expressing. They are very excited to make the smallest progress with their games. They seem to be really enjoying drawing and discussing their scenes and ideas. It is great to see the eagerness they have to learn and move forward with their ideas.
After the initial complaints about thier partners, they really seem to be cooperating extremely well. They are discussing and adding various input about their game ideas. I am very pleased to witness the teamwork and focus the students are expressing. Likewise, I am very excited and eager to watch the progress and see the results of their hardwork and cooperation.
After the initial complaints about thier partners, they really seem to be cooperating extremely well. They are discussing and adding various input about their game ideas. I am very pleased to witness the teamwork and focus the students are expressing. Likewise, I am very excited and eager to watch the progress and see the results of their hardwork and cooperation.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Changing seasons
I love the fall colors and changing temperatures. I think that everything seems to yell for attention and evaluation. This is the case for my new globaloria students as well. The students have enjoyed making their wiki pages and evaluating game thoughts and ideas. Now they appear to be roaring to get going on thier games.
It is very interesting to see the passion and interest the students have in starting a game that is interactive, fun, and educational. It is great to see the discussions, and often debates of the various partners about how they envision their games. As the temperatures change, it is time to witness the change in the students. It is time to guide their passions and interests for learning and designing important games! May the attention and evaluation be given to funnel the passion of learning.
It is very interesting to see the passion and interest the students have in starting a game that is interactive, fun, and educational. It is great to see the discussions, and often debates of the various partners about how they envision their games. As the temperatures change, it is time to witness the change in the students. It is time to guide their passions and interests for learning and designing important games! May the attention and evaluation be given to funnel the passion of learning.
Friday, September 9, 2011
New Start!
We are finally back in the grind of things. After a familiar feeling of being overwhelmed, things seem to be getting better. This has been my first actual start of a new year, which brings with it several trials and frustrations. Fortunately, the new students seem eager to get moving with their partners and game designs. It is always very encouraging to witness the drives and motivations of students who want to accomplish great things.
We seem to have things moving in the right direction. The students have their blogs connected to their wiki pages. They have made several updates and uploads to their personal pages. It is really fun and exciting to see the smallest accomplishments create such enthusiasm with the students.
Thankfully, I have also reached the similar feeling of making progress with my personal learning, as well as helping students to move forward.
We seem to have things moving in the right direction. The students have their blogs connected to their wiki pages. They have made several updates and uploads to their personal pages. It is really fun and exciting to see the smallest accomplishments create such enthusiasm with the students.
Thankfully, I have also reached the similar feeling of making progress with my personal learning, as well as helping students to move forward.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
High Expectations
Now that I have moved passed the deer-in-headlights look, I feel like I can push students to build on what they learned and accomplished last year. With the climate and support at Sandy River Middle School, great things should be expected. Now that the students and I have a few months under our belt, excitement is in the air!
I am learning how to maneuver through flash and game concepts in an encouraging manner. I feel much more confident with guiding students in their game designs. Having witnessed the accomplishments and work invested in the final game presentations, I am encouraged to think about the obstacles and abilities of upcoming students.
However, I have a desire to continue my growth. I have a much better understanding of how little I really know about flash and game designs. Therefore, I have a committment to invest more time and effort to keep the expectations high. I feel very privileged to be surrounded with the support and encouragement needed to keep moving forward. Although I still have regular feelings and thoughts of being overwhelmed, I truly feel optimistic about the upcoming year. Great things are in the making!
I am learning how to maneuver through flash and game concepts in an encouraging manner. I feel much more confident with guiding students in their game designs. Having witnessed the accomplishments and work invested in the final game presentations, I am encouraged to think about the obstacles and abilities of upcoming students.
However, I have a desire to continue my growth. I have a much better understanding of how little I really know about flash and game designs. Therefore, I have a committment to invest more time and effort to keep the expectations high. I feel very privileged to be surrounded with the support and encouragement needed to keep moving forward. Although I still have regular feelings and thoughts of being overwhelmed, I truly feel optimistic about the upcoming year. Great things are in the making!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Growth
It has been a tremendous privilege to witness the growth and maturation of many students. I have had the opportunity to watch them overcome many obstacles that seem to influence a great deal of learning. While many aspects of middle schooltend to push students toward becoming adults, their globaloria experience has encouraged maturation in several different ways.
Many of the students gained some needed abilities in communication this year. Students were required to work with a partner to meet deadlines, finish adequate assignments, and complete their games together. Many of my students learned how to be better listeners and develop abilties to compromise with the opinions and interests of others. In many instances, the students became much more expressive.
Fortunately, a few students gained the needed confidence to be more outgoing and optimistic about their own futures. I was able to see some of the students overcome a fear of public speaking, which transferred to many other aspects of their lives. Their confidence became evident with their demeanor and social actions.
It is very encouraging to see the progress the students have made in so many areas of their lives outside of the globaloria assignments. However, I firmly believe that these assignments had a tremendous influence on gaining these maturation skills. It is always an added positiveto witness the application of these needed skills and abilities. The students seem very prepared forthe next stages of their lives.
Many of the students gained some needed abilities in communication this year. Students were required to work with a partner to meet deadlines, finish adequate assignments, and complete their games together. Many of my students learned how to be better listeners and develop abilties to compromise with the opinions and interests of others. In many instances, the students became much more expressive.
Fortunately, a few students gained the needed confidence to be more outgoing and optimistic about their own futures. I was able to see some of the students overcome a fear of public speaking, which transferred to many other aspects of their lives. Their confidence became evident with their demeanor and social actions.
It is very encouraging to see the progress the students have made in so many areas of their lives outside of the globaloria assignments. However, I firmly believe that these assignments had a tremendous influence on gaining these maturation skills. It is always an added positiveto witness the application of these needed skills and abilities. The students seem very prepared forthe next stages of their lives.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Game Presentations
I have been very proud of the student work presented throughout their game presentations. They have really made great progress with their games. They have really taught me a great deal about making adjustments and overcoming obstacles. I am really encouraged to have witnessed such an expression of dedication and perseverence. I was very proud of a couple of students who had to overcome their fear of public speaking in order to present their games. I feel that the experience they have received in globaloria will encourage and prepare them for various obstacles and fears they may face thoughout their lives.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Keep the Focus
Losing focus is not limited to the students. Many educators and staff have busy schedules and activities that require a great deal of attention and energy. It seems very easy to be distracted with so many things moving in at once. Fortunately, there has been enough rain and cold weaher to modify the outdoor activities.
The students are making great progress toward finishing and completing their games. They seem very focussed on working and balancing their activities.
The students are making great progress toward finishing and completing their games. They seem very focussed on working and balancing their activities.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Spring Pacing
It seems like the wintertime woes continue to hang around in many ways. It has been difficult to keep focus and pace for an entire, five day week! Students and staff have not only lost a great deal of time, we have broken many good habits and disciplines that carry us through the fast paces and lengthy schedules of Spring. Apparently, we need to get back into shape. Some exercising is required.
The unwanted "wait" must be shed. The cancellations and delays are behind us. Therefore, the exercising of taking care of what needs to be done today, should be evident in our lives. There has been enough postponing and rearranging for several years! Teaching and modeling the importance of meeting deadlines and making adequate progress is needed. Students must witness the flexibility and determination that is needed to complete tasks on time.
Obviously, this requires a great deal of energy and work. We must prioritize our schedules and committ to complete the tasks that are before us. Some things in our plans and schedules will have to be sacrificed. Students will recognize the way things are kept in the appropriate balance. We must exercise the ability to multi-task, while making the necessary adjustments. Hopefully, the sunshine will motivate and encourage students and staff to move a little faster, work a little harder, and exercise the dedication needed to complete tasks. May we spring toward good habits and pacing.
The unwanted "wait" must be shed. The cancellations and delays are behind us. Therefore, the exercising of taking care of what needs to be done today, should be evident in our lives. There has been enough postponing and rearranging for several years! Teaching and modeling the importance of meeting deadlines and making adequate progress is needed. Students must witness the flexibility and determination that is needed to complete tasks on time.
Obviously, this requires a great deal of energy and work. We must prioritize our schedules and committ to complete the tasks that are before us. Some things in our plans and schedules will have to be sacrificed. Students will recognize the way things are kept in the appropriate balance. We must exercise the ability to multi-task, while making the necessary adjustments. Hopefully, the sunshine will motivate and encourage students and staff to move a little faster, work a little harder, and exercise the dedication needed to complete tasks. May we spring toward good habits and pacing.
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