Chez's World of Globaloria

Monday and Tuesday, May 24 and 25.

2010-05-24T08:55:00.000-07:00

When you have finished EVERYTHING, please complete the final survey.

Make sure that your social profile is up to date. (25 points)
Make sure that your team page is up to date. (50 points)
Make sure that your individual "My Projects" page is up to date. (25 points)
Make sure that your learning log is up to date. (50 points.)
Make sure that your blog posts are up to date. (25 points)

And your final assignment:

After you have presented, please create a blog post that reflects on your work that you have accomplished in this class. Blog posts must be multi paragraphed, provide links (not a website written out, but an actually hyperlink), pictures/video, and take a serious look on the work done. This last blog post will be worth 75 points. Therefore, it is not to be taken lightly or to be completed without thought. All of this work must be finished by Tuesday afternoon. You will have the evenings, weekend, and Monday and Tuesday in class to complete what you haven't finished. (75 points)

When you have finished EVERYTHING, please complete the final survey.

Globaloria/English 12 Game Presentations

2010-05-24T07:02:00.000-07:00

Check out Riverside High School's Globaloria/English 12 Game Presentations, Team Pages, and Game Designs. Each team has a video of their presentation and a link to their team pages where you can find game design information and play the actual games! Enjoy! Happy Gaming!!!!

-The RHS Globaloria/English 12 Class

Team Salt & Pepper

Team: The Flashers

Team: Jessemiah

Team: Thing 1 & Thing 2

Team: Woknimwauk

Team: Flash Fever

Team: The Beavis and Butthead Experience

Team: The Ninja Hobos

Team: Pinky & The Brain

Team: Shessi

It's The Final Countdown!!! (Plus your last assignment.)

2010-05-17T10:44:00.000-07:00

1. Presentations: You will present on either Weds., Thurs., or Friday. Be prepared. Be well rehearsed. Be professional. Be prepared!!! (200 points)
2. Make sure that your social profile is up to date. (25 points)
3. Make sure that your team page is up to date. (50 points)
4. Make sure that your individual "My Projects" page is up to date. (25 points)
5. Make sure that your learning log is up to date. (50 points.)
6. Make sure that your blog posts are up to date. (25 points)

And your final assignment:

After you have presented, please create a blog post that reflects on your work that you have accomplished in this class. Blog posts must be multi paragraphed, provide links (not a website written out, but an actually hyperlink), pictures/video, and take a serious look on the work done. This last blog post will be worth 75 points. Therefore, it is not to be taken lightly or to be completed without thought. All of this work must be finished by Tuesday afternoon. You will have the evenings, weekend, and Monday and Tuesday in class to complete what you haven't finished. (75 points)

Student Presentation Examples

2010-05-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

Worried about your final presentations? Are you still unsure of what you need to do exactly? Check out these student presentations from around the state. I think they will help and guide you!

Home Stretch

2010-05-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

We are coming to the end, my friends!!!! Today and tomorrow, you need to be putting the finishing touches on your game demos and putting together your presentations. Please use the hand outs that I gave to you last week. On Monday and Tuesday, we will be doing test runs on your presentations. I will sit, informally, with each group and you will provide a basic run through on your presentation and your game. I will give feedback. Be ready to rock and roll on your scheduled day!!!!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

2010-05-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

Upload the most current version of your game to your team pages. Once you have done this, go to the user gallery and check out some of your classmates' team pages. Read the descriptions of the initial plans, play with the different buttons and features, review their time lines, and see what your classmates have been up to. Check out at least two other teams' pages. Once you have looked at two pages, begin a blog post that looks, discusses, and answers the following:

Which team pages did you visit?
What is your overall constructive review?
What do they still need to work on?
What ideas might you take back to your own team page?
Does the topic of the game meet the educational requirement?
Be sure to hyperlink their team page to the blog.
Be sure to leave comments on classmates' blog posts too.

Schedule

2010-05-03T06:21:00.001-07:00

With the help of Mrs. D Wright, the schedule for the final presentations has been solidified. A random drawing was used to determine day and order. Please be prepared to present on the day and during the time slot that has been assigned to your team. Remember that guests will be there to watch your presentations. You are a representative of you group, your class, your school, your community, and your state! Good luck!

Housekeeping

2010-05-03T05:27:00.000-07:00

First things first. We need to review several items that will affect the end of the year and your presentation and :

game development. Here is your agenda for the day:

1. Globaloria Home Stretch Check List for Students: review, complete, turn in the day your present.
2. Game Evaluation Guidelines: review, QandA, you will be responsible for evaluating yourselves and your peers.
3. Strategies for Globaloria Game Presentation: review, QandA, and brainstorm.
4. Presentation Evaluation Guidelines: review and QandA.
5. The Game Demo Skeleton: This link will help you put together your demo AND your presentation.
6. Group Work Time.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

2010-04-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

1. I have been working on your original paper prototype videos. Email me today and I will give you the codes that you may use to upload your videos to your project page.
2. Continue to work in your teams on your game design. Be sure to spread the work up evenly. SEVERAL groups have yet to finish the written sections of your team and individual project pages. Complete it! You will also be evaluating your team members in the near future using a guided rubric. Have you been doing your part?
3. I will be around to individually conference with each group today.
You only have roughly 2 weeks to complete your game and begin your presentations!!!!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

2010-04-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Today:

Those of you who weren't here on Monday. You need to go and check out Monday's blog post. You will work in a group today to complete that activity. Shaina, Sam, Ashley, Jeremiah, Bonnie, and Kayla this is you!

The rest of the class, please finish the blog activity from Monday, turn in your chat histories, and continue to work on your games. Remember, we will have special visitors in the building tomorrow. Please stay on task. I will be grading your blogs today.

Learning Log Check On Friday!!!!!!

Taking A Literature Break!!!!

2010-04-26T06:38:00.000-07:00

You all have been working so incredibly hard on your games. I'm very proud of you and the work that you have been doing. Today, we are going to take a step away from FLASH, and concentrate more on the online text, the features of gmail, and the blogs.

Gmail Feature
Gmail has a chat feature which I'm sure you all use. Gmail also has a group chat feature. Group chat allows a person to invite more than one person to a chat session. Once you have started a chat session with one person, you can click on the video and more tab. There you will find a group chat option that allows you to invite other individuals to chat session.

Now that you know about the group chat feature on gmail, I want you to use it.

Today's Assignment

You and your partner are going to pair up with one other group. The two groups are going to become a literature circle. One person in each literature circle needs to set up a group chat using the directions I just gave you. DO NOT log out or click out of the group chat box. Once the group chat has been established you will need to individually log on to the online textbook and read the poem found on page 826. After this poem has been read, one person in the literature circle will need to provide a summary using the chat feature. The other members of the circle will construct a well developed chat question to post on the group chat. Everyone will participate in a discussion about the poem using the three to four discussion questions posted.

You will complete this process for three poems. The poems are found on pages 826, 827, and 831-833.

Once you have completed reading and group chatting all three poems, one person from the literature circle needs to PRINT the group chat history and turn it into me for a grade.

Everyone needs to write a blog post on the EXPERIENCE not necessarily the poetry.

You have a lot to do and only today and half of the class tomorrow to finish it.

FYI onEnterFrame

2010-04-22T08:34:00.001-07:00

Copied from The Globaloria Educator's Bulletin:

As students are adding more code to their games, a few of them have hit the same roadblock: you can only use onEnterFrame once per frame. Here’s how to steer clear of the problem.

Any code between onEnterFrame’s brackets will run once per frame at the frame rate of the file. At Flash’s default frame rate of 12 frames per second, that means the code will run twelve times per second, thus creating a game control loop.

In the mini-game example, we used onEnterFrame to make the carrot move continuously across the stage. It worked because the code kept redrawing the carrot a few pixels to the right of its previous location.

How to Fix It:
If your student has more than one onEnterFrame in their ActionScript on a single frame (even if they’re on different layers) they need to be consolidated or the file will not work.

Here’s an example from a student’s file:

obj1._y = 1;
onEnterFrame = function() {
     obj1._y = obj1._y + 10;
    if (trashcan.hitTest(obj1)) {
    obj1._x = 5;
    }
}

obj2._y = 10;
onEnterFrame = function() {
     obj2._y = obj2._y + 5;
    if (trashcan.hitTest(obj2)) {
    obj2._x = 5;
    }
}

And here’s how you consolidate the code:
obj1._y = 1;
obj2._y = 10;

onEnterFrame = function() {
     obj1._y = obj1._y + 10;
    if (trashcan.hitTest(obj1)) {
       obj1._x = 5;
       }
     obj2._y = obj2._y + 5;
    if (trashcan.hitTest(obj2)) {
       obj1._x = 5;
       }
}

Weds., April 21, 2010

2010-04-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

First of all, after meeting with each group individually, I am so impressed with your progress! Congrats! However, now is the time to put it in gear. We only have a little bit of time left in the school year.

Today:
1. Please, take this survey.
2. Continue working on your games and team pages.
3. Later this week, I will have the guidelines for your presentations.
4. Let me know if you have any questions.

RHS's Hands Are Not For Hate: Civic Responsibilty

2010-04-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

Last week, several groups within our community were told that God hated them by a group of less than tolerant individuals from Kansas. West Virginians were told that they were less than human due to sexual orientation, religious decisions, employment, gender, and any other 'difference' that one could muster up.

The Covenant House in Charleston, WV organized a FLASH MOB and A Stop The Hate Rally on the Capitol steps the evening that the hate group was protesting diversity. The rally was to promote diversity, difference, and focus energies and power on the positive rather than dwell in the negative of the HATERS.

Several Riverside High School students wanted to be a part of the experience. In class and in the halls, students began to have a dialog about civic responsibilities and how it was their turn to stand up for what they believed was right. Students held discussions about how turning a blind eye creates more harm than good. They felt that it was their turn to stand up and say "Stop The Hate!" They were kind enough to invite their teacher to join them, so I went joyfully!

As an educator and loyal supporter of diversity, I had a profound experience at the Capitol that evening. I was impressed with how many individuals came to support The Covenant House and give a message of positivity to those that needed to hear it. I was PROUD that 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students came out in the rain to stand up for something that they believed in. I was PROUD that they understood the real meaning behind Civic Responsibility and followed through with their mission of sending a positive message. It was fun. It was heartwarming. It was a proud moment. It was a moment that none of them will forget.

You can read one student's personal account of the rally on his blog post "Stop The Hate Rally." Please, watch the videos that follow to see for yourself why some of the students opted to "Stop The Hate."

Cody, Riverside Student

Ashley, Riverside Student

Riverside High School Students Creating A Poster

Stop The Hate Flash Mob
Steps of WV Capitol
Charleston, WV
April 8, 2010

The Final Stretch

2010-04-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

You should be far enough along on your game drawing to begin ADDING INTERACTION and ASSEMBLING YOUR DEMO. Make sure that you watch the tutorials and follow the links that they suggest. They are incredibly helpful. Remember there is a blog post that needs to be completed with each tutorial. I will begin meeting with each group to discuss progress and what kinks need to be worked out.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

2010-04-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

Today, you need to get caught up. You should have finished the following:

1. The PJ/Animation Blog.
2. The WV Blog and comment on two other blogs.
3. The Renaissance Selection Flash visual finished and posted on your project page.
4. Up to date Learning Log.

Once all of these elements are completed, please continue working on your game with your partner. Please remember there is a written element to the team page that needs to be completed. Begin doing that. Also start thinking about how you are going to present your game to the class, school and the people from Globaloria. What will the power point presentation look like?

On a side note, several of my AP students are going to join me at "The Stop The Hate" Rally at the Cap Complex this evening. If you are interested in flash mob dancing and rallying for diversity and acceptance, then please feel free to join us.

WV Girl and Thoughts of West Virginia

2010-04-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit

W.Va. Girl

by Mike Morningstar

You've been carryin' heartache 'round these small and dirty towns

Clutched-up in your heart and soul Bluefield to Wheeling town

I've seen you down in the coal mine shacks, in the mountains of the north

And the southern farmlands cracked your hands, to show these men your worth

West Virginia Girl I've loved you from the start, WVa Girl these songs I sing for you

For I know God loves you in his heart, God knows I love you too

With all the weight of decades upon you as you strive

With the poverty around your door, the wisdom in your eyes

Don't the coal dust ever make you weep as it sifts into your sod

Don't your tears e'er seem to blur your sleep, come a dreamin' out for God

You have seen your sons and husbands carried from those mines

With a "coal tattoo" deep in their chest, a death stare in their eyes

Down in Farmington I heard your cries and I felt your misery too

Small comfort tho' my song may bring, I'm singin' it for you

Now I sing this song for every West Virginia Girl I've known

And for every one I'll never know who shares this mountain home

For my Mama and my Grandma, all who gave their love to me

For the Gypsy and her mother, and the "one who would not be"

Assignment:

Today, I would like you to take a minute and reflect on what you just read, what has recently happened within our community, and what the state of West Virginia means to you, to other residents, and also what it might mean to outsiders. How has technology helped and hindered us? How are West Virginians perceived? Construct a well developed, thoughtful, grammatically correct, and rich (meaning has links, pictures, etc) blog that addresses those thoughts. Once you have finished your blog, read two other posts from peers or from me and make comment. Begin a dialog.

Monday, April 5, 2010

2010-04-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

Catch Up: Look at your grades on edline. Have you completed something after the due date and it isn't marked in the grade book? If so, WRITE down the assignment and where it is located (ie your blog, team page, wiki page). Please give this to me immediately.

Today's Assignment: go to the online textbook and select one of the readings from The Renaissance section. Read that particular selection. Using FLASH, create one scene that provides a basic summary of the reading. Then create a second scene that shows a visual representation of the piece that you have read using FLASH. Create a third scene and provide the reason why you have drawn this specific representation. If you provide workable buttons to connect the three scenes you will receive extra credit.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

2010-04-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Adding Animation. Today, you will review a tutorial on the wiki that discusses animating your FLASH drawings. This will explain more about keyframes and how to make your individual characters move. Please watch the video, practice animating, and create the blog post that accompanies this lesson.

No, this is not an April Fool's Day Joke.

2010-03-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

Want your buttons to work??? Go check out PJ's blog and follow his simple instructions. You will be well on your way to navigating from screen to screen!!!!

Continue to work on your FLASH drawing. You have today and tomorrow left.

Monday, March 29, 2010

2010-03-29T07:46:00.000-07:00

Today:
Continue to draw your scenes. You will have today, tomorrow, and Wednesday to finish your scenes. We will begin to work on animation during the latter half of the week.

Kayla: Get your full name OFF of your blog.
Kenny: Fix the blog link on the wiki.
Cookie and Jeremy: You have added code to the end of your avatar making it "break" the User Gallery slightly. If you remove the extra code, the pictures show shrink to the same size as everyone else's avatars.

Fix these issues please.

Spring Break

2010-03-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

Thursday, March 18, 2010

2010-03-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

Today:

1. Leave a comment on two of your peers' blogs. Then come back to this post and in the comment section tell me which blogs that you commented on and why you chose those particular blogs and posts.

2. Continue working on your FLASH drawing. Your screen shots are looking great!!!!

Totally Impressed

2010-03-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

I am without a doubt so completely impressed with every last one of my student groups!!!! The drawing that they have been able to do and do so with minimal problems is amazing. Kids these days must draw in computer programs the way that I did with paper and crayon. Go and check out some of the Team Pages to see how their visions are beginning to take shape! Be ready to be wowwed! Feel free to leave any comments for the kids on the comment section of the blog!

The Flashers
The Beavis and Butthead Experience
Pinky and The Brain
Flash Fever
Woknimwauk-
The Ninja Hobos
Thing 1 & Thing 2
Jessamiah
Salt and Pepper
Team Shessi

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

2010-03-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

While you all work, I will be grading your Team Pages to see that you have uploaded your buttons and your blogs to see that you have blogged about the button making experience.

While I'm doing that, you all need to continue to draw in FLASH your screen shots and any of the assets that you need to create. Remember that many of you still need to work on worded game design on your TEAM page. This can be divided between your group members.

When you have time, go and check out PJ's blog and see what he says about KeyFrames.

Keep in mind that you don't need to worry about animation at this point in time. First see to it that all of your seen shots, assets, and buttons are created. The rest we will work on after Break.

Monday, March 15, 2010

2010-03-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

You should continue to draw in FLASH. Keep working on your game scenes. However, while you are working on your introduction page, I want you to look at the tutorial for creating buttons on the Adding Navigation page. Buttons are what take you from one page to another. Once you have created your button on your pages, you will need to upload it to the wiki and then create a blog post about the experience. Note that the blog topic also asks you to respond to other classmates' blogs. I will be looking to see that buttons were added to the Team Pages and that blogs are updated on Weds.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

2010-03-11T10:09:00.001-08:00

1. Film your paper prototype if you haven't done it. I will be uploading them over the weekend.

2. Complete the Drawing In Flash Unit. Follow all directions including updating the wiki and blog. If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask. I will be following you through the AP Tutor and can provide direct instruction with you.
3. Only if you have finished everything else can you go back to work on make up work.
NO ONE SHOULD BE SURFIND THE NET LOOKING AT THINGS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH FLASH!!!!!!! IF YOU ARE CAUGHT DOING SO, IT WILL BE REFLECTED IN YOUR DAILY GRADE. Do NOT test me on this.

Weds, March 10, 2010

2010-03-10T07:42:00.000-08:00

If you haven't filmed your Paper Prototype, do that first. I will be working on the upload of the videos today. The rest of you (eventually everyone) needs to complete the Quarterly Student Progress Chart. This chart will help you determine what you still need to do, what you have finished, and where you stand. This will help me see a clear picture of the class. This needs to be finished today. After you have finished the chart, which shouldn't take too long, you need to begin the Drawing In Flash unit. Follow all of the directions that are listed on the wiki page. You will learn how to draw in Flash, and use layers and keyframes.You will then need to recreate your paper prototype in FLASH. This will take a day or two for you and your partner to complete. Be sure to divide the responsibilities evenly. Finally, update the wiki and the blogs.

Please Add This Link To Your Blog

2010-03-09T07:28:00.000-08:00

Globaloria is all over WV! Please go and check out Globaloria Spotlight to see what is happening around the state! See what idea are being shared by other students. See what works, what needs to be worked on, and share tips with one another. Keep up the good work and you might see yourself featured on The Spotlight!!!!

Tueday, March 09, 2010

2010-03-09T07:22:00.000-08:00

Your videos should be recorded. If not, do that first. We will upload them as soon as I get the ok from IT. In the mean time, please begin working on and finishing the Planning Section on your team pages. You will need to create a design plan, determine team roles, create a time line, update the wiki, and update your blog. You should be able to finish this today. Remember, all grammar rules apply. I will be grading this section of your wiki and blog on Thursday. Remember to update your learning logs and keep an eye on the main page of the wiki for upcoming due dates.

Pasta for Pennies

2010-03-08T10:45:00.000-08:00

RHS Globaloria students don't just read literature, create video games, and communicate within the global community; they also give back to those that need their help. RHS has partnered with The Olive Garden to participate in their "Pasta for Pennies" Campaign that benefits The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For the next week, the Globaloria class will collect all of their spare pennies in hopes of helping The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If they are the class with the most money at the end of the week, The Olive Garden will reward them with a pasta party. The Globaloria students are committed and ready to take on this challenge.

Monday's total: $5.67

Tuesday's total: $9.12 = $14.79

Wednesday's total: $10.87 = $25.66

Thursday's total: $14.63 = $40.29

Friday's total:            $ 5.01 =         $45.30
Monday's total:
Tuesday's total:          $21.12=         $66.42
Wednesday's total:     $4.87 =          $71.69
Thursday's total:         $28.11=         $99.80
Thursday's total:         $25.61=         $125.41

__________________________

Week's total:

Thinking About Characterization

2010-03-05T06:15:00.000-08:00

Characterization is one of the most important elements to a story. What would The Wizard of Oz be if not for the nasty Wicked Witch of The West or the zanny Scarecrow? Miley Cyrus would be just another former celebrity's daughter with a good voice if not for her alter ego Hannah Montana. In short, the characters that we read about or even come across when playing video games are super important. Dynamic characters drive a story line. Dynamic characters are hated and loved.

I want you to take a closer look at characterization. One of the best examples of well thought out characterization can be found in Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales." Chaucer's characters are a montage of civilization of the time period. They are selected and described with great purpose. While you are reading the Prologue to The Tales on the online text, ask yourself why did Chaucer select the specific stereotypes or characters that he did? What importance did they play to that particular society? Do you believe that this is an honest depiction of the time and the people? Finally, when developing your own games, how important is the development of your characters to your games purpose? Is characterization only important in book or movie story lines or is there in fact an under current of plot to the gaming world?

After reading The Prologue record your thoughts and responses to the questions in a 3-5 paragrah blog post. All blogs will be graded according to the Blog Rubric on the wiki. Appropriate grammar rules do apply. Please make your texts rich in format (picture and links). I will be grading these blogs on Monday after school. Use your time wisely today. On Tuesday we will venture back to our team pages and design.

Chez's Globaloria Class

2010-03-03T11:09:00.000-08:00

"We go crazy for gaming!!!!!!"

Weds and Thursday

2010-03-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

Today and tomorrow, you and your partner need to finish your paper prototype and being on Planning Your Game. You have already completed the creation of a team page, but please do the rest. I will be grading this work on Monday.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

2010-03-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

You should be working on your Paper Prototyping. Once you have finished creating it, you need to film it using my Flip Video Camera. Upload your video to your H: and create a Viddler account. This will help you when you go to upload the video to your team page. By the end of the day, you should have your prototype finished and filmed.

Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010: Team Work

2010-02-25T05:02:00.000-08:00

1. One person from every group needs to go to their Social Profile Page. On this page there is a heading labeled Team. Click edit. On this page you will be able to name your team, create a team picture, and add team members. Please name yourselves, add a picture, and add your teammate. This creates a team page. All of the work that you do together will go on this team page. You both have access to it.

2. Upload yesterday's FLASH file to your team page. This shows the beginning step to your game design.

a. If you are still having trouble uploading your mini game, you need to get the bugs worked out today. You are now two-three days behind. Let me know what's going on.

b. Finish yesterday's FLASH assignment. However, keep an eye on time. You do not have all day.

c. If you have finished yesterday's FLASH assignment, move on to The Paper Prototype. It's time to start getting creative.

4. See the main wiki page for a list of upcoming due dates. I do not want to hear "I didn't know about it."

Weds., Feb. 24, 2019

2010-02-24T09:50:00.000-08:00

First and foremost, I will begin grading the blogs from Monday and Tuesday tomorrow. Therefore, if you haven't yet finished, you have HOMEWORK. The late grades are starting to majorly affect your overall average.

Today you get to start working with your partner!!!! You need to follow EVERY direction found on the Imagine Your Game Section. If it says to review a tutorial, review the tutorial. If it says to practice a specific skill, practice. You will use it later. It will save you time and frustration if you master the skill now. If it says to post two different files on the project page, then do so. If it says to blog about the experience, then do so. Complete the entire activity. I will be grading the project page and blogs based on the information stated on the Imagine Your Game Section. I am here as a resource today.

Monday, Feb. 22, 2010

2010-02-22T05:09:00.000-08:00

Using your online text book please read the introduction to The Epic and The Epic Hero on pages 54 and 55. Between today and tomorrow, I would like you to then read "Gilgamesh" and "The Iliad." After you have completed the readings, I would like for you to write a blog post that answers the following question:

How do the heroes of Ango-Saxons compare to the heroes of today's video game industry?

This might require you to do a bit of online researching to determine specific examples of today's video heroes. I will be grading not only content, but also mechanics. Proofread!

House Cleaning Day

2010-02-19T07:31:00.000-08:00

Today, you need to finish ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that is outstanding. That means...

*if your wiki, blog, or learning log isn't up to date, you need to get it up to date.
*If you don't have a blog roll going, get it rolling.
*If you don't have your blog or avatar linked appropriately, do it.
*If your mini game isn't finished, finish it.
*If your project page isn't up to date, update it.

I have left comments on blogs and project pages...answer my questions or concerns.

*If someone has communicated with you via your blog or wiki, respond to them.

Last Day on Mini Game

2010-02-18T04:46:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day to work on the Mini Game in class. You need to finish the coding for the other characters, save the file in both formats, and publish them to your projects page. I will be grading the project pages over the weekend. Do not forget that a component of the assignment is the blog post. See the assignment page for the blog post idea.

Globaloria Student Blog Identity Policy

2010-02-16T04:36:00.001-08:00

Students,

To insure your safety, please follow the link, read the Globaloria Student Blog Identity Policy, and begin checking, double checking, and changing if need be any information that gives away personal identity.

Thanks,

Chez

Monday, Feb. 15, 2010

2010-02-15T10:13:00.000-08:00

Continue to work on The Mini Game Project. Follow ALL of the instructions! Look how far we got together. See what you can do on your own or working in a small group. I'm here to help. Keep on coding!

2010-02-15T08:27:00.000-08:00

Then...

Watch more VH1 videos on AOL Video

and now...

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

Give.

Introduction To Flash

2010-02-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

Today, we will begin to use FLASH. We will start slowly and work together on this. FLASH can be frustrating, but once you get the hang of it, it is FUN.

We will begin with The Mini Game Assignments today. First, and this important, begin reading The Introduction To Layers In Flash Tutorial. Only after you have read this information do I want you to begin downloading the Mini Game Template. I hope that we can get through at least Assignments 1 and 2 today.

Remember, we will go slowly and work together until we all get the hang of it. Take a deep breath and let's begin.

Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

2010-02-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!

Today's Agenda:

1. Read The Second Part of Beowulf. pages 43-48.
2. In a blog post answer the following...The ultimate purpose of the epic hero is to leave something of lasting value to his culture. What has Beowulf left his people?

3. Have your blog roll set up by Weds. I will be looking on your blogs to see if this has been done. It is a graded activity.

*See the Course News Chart on the Main Page of the Wiki for ALL upcoming due dates.

** Please try to be in class all week long. We will be starting to work with FLASH this week. This program takes time to understand.

Dancing Heroes

2010-02-05T09:16:00.000-08:00

XHA1 Test video HD Success! from Mike None on Vimeo.

Seeing that we are discussing the hero, I couldn't help but post some dancing superheroes!!!!! Get your groove on.

Friday, Feb. 5, 2010

2010-02-05T04:39:00.000-08:00

TGIF!!!!!

Today's agenda:

1. Read pages 31-38 of Beowulf. This will conclude Part I.

2. In the last blog post for the week answer the following:

- When the first teller of Beowulf prepared to share the tale, what assumptions do you think he (or she) made about the purpose of the story?

- How do you think the storyteller's beliefs about the intended audience--men gathered in mead halls--affect the content of the story?

- How do you think YOUR beliefs about your video games' intended audience (you will need to determine who your audience is) will affect the development and final version of your game? Think of age appropriateness, learning goals, types of characters, etc.

3. Be sure to have all blogs completed. I will be grading the blogs this weekend. An up to date blog will have the following posts:

a. online safety post
b. Playing To Learn reflection post
c. modern day hero post
d. Beowulf as a hero post
e. Audience post

You have this opportunity to review, edit, and revise past posts, please do so if it needs done. I remind you that I am looking for content rich posts that display appropriate and correct standard uses of English. Do not type like you text.

4. I will be grading your Project Pages on Monday evening. You should have your Playing To Learn Assignments up to date and Choosing A Topic Assignments up to date. If you don't, you have some homework.

Have a great weekend!!!!

Thursday, Feb. 04, 2010

2010-02-04T05:31:00.000-08:00

The first thing that I would like for you to do today is a blog post. Your blog post should include a picture of Beowulf or what you believe him to look like. The content of your post should include discussion on the following:

In what you have read of Beowulf so far (You were to have read up to page 30. If you haven't, get to it.) how does Beowulf meet the requirements of a hero? Would Beowulf make a good character in an educational video game? Explain your answer. What qualities would a character in a video game need to have?

Once you have finished creating a new blog post that fulfills those requirements, you may continue to finish your work from "Choosing A Topic."

Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010

2010-02-02T04:56:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon!

Today, I would like you to take about 10 minutes to finish your Play To Learn Assignment on your Project Page and to finish writing your reflective blog.

Afterward I would like you to use the remaining time to log on to the online textbook. I have your username and password if you haven't used the online textbook before. Send me an IM and I will IM it to you. You will be using the 6th edition GREEN book for English 12.

Once you have logged on and have access to all that the text holds, open up page 20 and read The Quick Write. I would like you to complete the Quick Write in a very short blog post. Short does NOT mean sparse in content, but rather to the point.

Do not spend an incredible amount of time on your blog; you still have reading to complete. Begin to read "Beowulf" Part I. It begins on page 21 of the online text. You should be able to read up to page 30 by the time the class is over. You are responsible for reading up to page 30 before class meets tomorrow. Be prepared for a reading quiz to appear on the blog tomorrow. You will email me the answers to your quiz.

Do not forget to update your Learning Logs. The first Learning Log grade check will be Friday, Feb. 12th.

Monday's Agenda

2010-02-01T05:18:00.000-08:00

Today, we are going to:

1. Learn how to edit the Learning Logs. You will be responsible for updating your Learning Log DAILY! I will also be updating my Learning Log daily. I would get into the practice of taking the last 3-5 minutes of class time every day to update your Learning Log. Your Learning Logs can be found on your wiki profile page.

2. Continuing to Play To Learn. Continue to play the educational video games as you were instructed to do under the directions in the Play To Learn Section of the Wiki.

3. I will show you how to edit your PROJECTS page. This is where your review of the games will be placed on the wiki. The Projects page can be found on your wiki profile page.

4. Write a blog post about your experience Playing To Learn.

I will grade your Project page on Tuesday.

Friday, January 29, 2010

2010-01-29T04:48:00.000-08:00

Today, I will be grading your blogs and wikis to insure that they are up to date and meeting the proper criteria. You will take this time to play some video games! Please go to the RHS Wiki Main Page. Under the "Game Design Topics' Tab is a section labeled "Playing To Learn." Please follow the instructions, ALL of the instructions, that are listed on this assignment page. This is a graded activity. It does require a blog post at the end. Be sure to READ ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS and ELEMENTS of the assignment. Please pay particular attention to some of the Social Issue Games. I will be grading this activity on Monday afternoon.

On Monday I will also be showing you all how to use your Learning Logs. If you want to take the weekend to see if you can figure them out for yourselves, knock yourself out.

Wednesday

2010-01-27T04:55:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon, Macaronis! Here is what we need to do today.

1. Tyler is going to show the class how to link your blog to your wiki page.

2. Begin to create a blog roll on your blog. I will show you how on mine.

3. Do a google search for 'online safety and teens.' Read through several of the online articles, blog posts, and watch some of the videos.

4. In your first official blog post, construct a well written, sound, grammatically correct post that highlights some of what you learned when researching online safety and teenagers. Please remember that this is an English class. All of your blogging will be treated as a written work in any traditional English class. Therefore, all standard English rules apply. If you need to edit and revise a blog post, use the tools that blogger makes available to you. Spell check, the edit button, etc. See the blogging guidelines for more helpful hints.

5. Your homework for the evening (or before you leave class) is to read some of your classmate's posts and comment on their blogs in the comment section.

6. Keep an eye on the main RHS wiki page. There is a section on the main wiki page that has English 12/Globaloria Course News. Go and check it out to see your first due date!!!!!

P-R-O-U-D!!!!

2010-01-26T16:41:00.000-08:00

My English/Globaloria class is a group of Spring Semester, 4th Block Seniors who do not display your typical Spring Semester, 4th Block Senior-itis qualities. They are fearless and willing to do "Whatever It Takes" to get the job done. They are excited. They are energized. What they don't already know they are willing to learn through personal exploration or collaborative questioning.

Today, I was attending a county meeting at Coonskin. During the time of 4th block, I turned on my netbook and logged into gmail just in case they had any questions about the assignment I had left them on my blog. In short, I gave them direction on how to register with blogger, begin working on their blog design, explore the world of the blogosphere, continue working on their wikis, and check out each other's progress. I ended up working with the kids via Instant Message while looking at their wikis and blogs from 15 miles away! It was an awesome virtual teaching moment. I'm so proud of them for what they were able to figure out via my instruction, from each other, and through trial and error!

Keep up the good work, Macaronis!!!!!! I'm so PROUD of you!

Tuesday

2010-01-25T12:47:00.000-08:00

Sorry I couldn't be there today. However, I think you guys will be just fine without me.

Today, I want you to go to Blogger and register for a blog. Use your gmail address to do this. Begin designing your blog style. There are tons of premade templates. Play around with it. If you want to write a blog post today, then go for it. You will definitely start blogging on Weds. I will show you some more tricks to the blogosphere when I return on Weds. However, once you have set up a blogger profile and started designing your blog, I would like for you to make a comment on one of my blog posts. I will then be able to add your blog to my blog roll. In short, I'll be able to follow your blog.

So in summary, go to Blogger, create a blog, design your blog, play around with the site and continue to design your wiki profile pages. Help each other out with the color and pictures code. Finally, everyone should have an avatar on their profile page when I return on Weds. If you have any questions, IM or email me.

Tonight when you have some down time, I want you to think about the following: you know that we will be using wikis, blogs, and flash to create profiles, videos, writing platforms, and games. How do you think we will be able to integrate Language Arts skills into the mix? Be prepared to discuss this on Weds.

Today:
Set up a blogger account using your gmail information.
Begin designing your blog template.
Leave a comment on one of my blog posts.
Continue to design your wiki profile page.
Help each other!!!!

2010-01-25T04:31:00.000-08:00

Today is going to be a fun day in class. You will be able to create your profile, email, blog, and personalized wiki today and tomorrow. This will be your first hands on assignment for English12/Globaloria.

First, you will need to set up a gmail account. Please keep in mind that this email will be used for the class and many people will see it. Therefore, do NOT include your full name and keep it school APPROPRIATE. It will be a direct reflection on you. You will be able to use your gmail to instant message me or others in the class as well.

Next, you will need to go to the RHS Wiki and create a profile. Follow the direction on the page to create your profile. I suggest using the same user name for the wiki profile as you did for your gmail address. Once you have been approved to join the RHS Wiki you will need to log into the wiki main page. The approval and the temporary password will be sent to you via your gmail account. You will have the opportunity to change your password once you are logged into the wiki. See the wiki guidelines and rubric links to see expectations and wiki grading. These can also be found on the RHS Wiki under the navigation tab on the side bar.

You may now begin to personalize your wiki page, social profile page, and your avatar. There are links and instructions on the create profile page of the wiki. Play around with how you can edit and add personal touches to your own wiki page. You will now be able to 'friend' others in the class, write on their walls, and communicate. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. Remember, you CAN'T break it. Have fun experimenting with the different codes that you use to create your profile wall.

On your profile page you will see a tab titled "Learning Log." Please, fill this section of your profile page out EVERYDAY at the end of the class period. It is a graded component of the course. I suggest utilizing the copy and paste feature to create several blank entries on your log. This will make your life just a little bit easier.

You will have time tomorrow to continue to create your wiki page and also you will create a blog and write your first blog post. Check back tomorrow for a new blog post with full instructions.

-Chez

Students Being Introduced To The World of Globaloria

2010-01-22T11:18:00.000-08:00

It was an exciting 4th block. The students are excited and seem to be looking forward to learning more about and working with The Globaloria Program. It gave me a teaching charge to see how engaged they were today! Here's to hoping that everyday is as great as today was.

Welcome!

2010-01-22T05:28:00.000-08:00

Hi guys!

Welcome to Globaloria/English 12. I think that you will find this final semester of your high school career to be fun filled and exciting! As you might have heard rumored, this isn't your typical literature and writing class. We will for the most part be participating in a paperless/penless class that utilizes computers, programming, and most importantly your creative brains to learn more about literature, writing, communicating, game design, and cooperative learning. Don't become overwhlemed. It will be fun and at the end of the program you will have learned so much and have a new set of marketable skills.

In the mean time, please take the next 15-20 mintues to fill out this survey.

Once you have completed the survey, please start exploring the World of Globaloria.

Once again, I welcome you to the class.

Chez

World Builder

2010-01-15T15:53:00.000-08:00

World Builder from Bruce Branit on Vimeo.

This is a short film written, directed, and produced by Bruce Branit. The film was shot in a day. However, the post production work took upwards to two years. In the digital, computerized day and age in which we live, I am struck at the special effects, but also the vision of what some believe will be reality rather than fantasy in the coming years. The story line leaves me wanting to discuss. However, I'm not entirely sure where to begin. I will spend some time formulating thoughts and comment later. Watch the film and tell me what you think.

*This is a post from a personal blog of mine. I posted this about a year ago, but am curious as to what the techies might think.

How FLASH Makes Me Feel...

2010-01-15T13:18:00.001-08:00

Thoughts

2010-01-14T05:41:00.000-08:00

Technology has advanced the human race to such extremes that the activities and things that we can do sometimes seems like a dream rather than a reality.

Humans can send a man to the moon.

People can communicate in real time to others on the other side of the world.

A US citizen can literally be in London for a business meeting in less than 8 hours.

School age children can create video games for learning purposes.

Scientist can predict storms and when the Earth might tremble. However, all the technology in the world can't stop the natural devastation that can occur during those moments. Please, during this time remember the human condition and the commonalities that all human beings share. Donate money, time, services, or goods. Pray, whisper, sing, meditate. Keep the people of Haiti and their loved ones in your heart.

I'm back...

2010-01-07T04:39:00.000-08:00

After two MAJOR technological melt downs (2 hard drives and a server issue), 2 holidays, power outages, snow storms, and snow days, I'm back. I have felt very out of the loop for the last month, but am ready to get back to the daily grind. Time to start digging myself out of the hole...literally and figuratively.

Bundle up out there!

Summer Employment

2009-11-23T04:43:00.000-08:00

Last summer, I worked as a Curriculum Specialist for The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission/WV GEAR UP. I designed curriculum packets for middle schools and high schools within the state of WV to help educate and promote post secondary schooling. This fall I presented the program to teachers, couselors, and principals from all over the state. I was proud of the work that I did. Apparently, so was the commission. It sounds like I might be working there again this summer. My fingers are crossed that the money is available to do so.

Also, if you click on the link to the curriculum packets, you will see a familiar face. "Mrs. Ingrida Barker of Sandy River Middle School has been named as an Outstanding techSteps Teacher by the West Virginia Department of Education." Congratulations, Ingrida!

Gaming With The Kiddos

2009-11-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

Every Monday my students and I talk about something positive that happened over the weekend. It helps us get back into the swing of things and starts the week off on the right foot. This Monday, I shared too. I talked about my Globaloria training, what I had learned, what I was going to do with the information, and about how much more I had to learn. The kids were stoked about the information.

Several of them didn't believe that I had made a game. They asked to play it. They were impressed that I could do that. I was pretty pleased myself!

A Profound Learning Experience

2009-11-15T05:20:00.000-08:00

One of my most profound learning experiences I have had happened in a small tourist, artisan community in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. Berkeley Springs, WV is where my first full time classroom teaching job started. I knew no one when I moved there. I had no idea what I was doing, or so I thought, and I was scared to death. During the three years that I was there, I learned more about education, teaching, technology, change, kids, people, collaboration, and the art form of the learning process. I had a principal that allowed me to experiment with different types of teaching and learning. I had co workers that weren't afraid to try new thing and let our students try new things. I am forever thankful to the colleagues, students, and community members of Berkeley Springs, WV.

I made the decision to leave there in June of 2006 to come home and be closer to family. It was a hard decision. I was deeply going to miss the people and the area. However, 6 months after returning to Charleston, I received a letter from the BSHS Student Body President stating that the class of 2007, a class that I had worked with as Freshmen, requested that I be there Graduation Commencement Speaker. I accepted with honor. It was one last time to have my kids together in one place to give some lasting words and say thank you. The following is what I had to say.

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Good evening, friends, family, faculty, staff and graduates of the 2007 class of Berkeley Springs High School. I am honored to be among you tonight. The lines I read are from a poem that Dylan Thomas wrote for his father. Thomas’ father was a robust and militant man most of his life. He had a hard edge to him. He was ambitious, honorable, and courageous. Thomas was disturbed when his father became blind and weak with old age. He was not the man that he had grown up knowing. He wrote the poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” to help empower his father to not give up his fight, but to continue on in his fierce natured ways. The idea of his father simply giving up and lacking the ambition to continue scared and upset him deeply. I understand that fear. I have shared those similar emotions with Thomas. Though they aren’t fears of death and dying, they are fears of apathetic attitudes and forgotten lessons. These feelings emerge every August and every May; when a new group comes in the classroom door and an old group goes out.

Every year I have 100-150 students walk through my classroom doors and that isn’t even counting the students that I don’t have in class, but am in daily contact with. The thought of the daily contacts with students is mind numbing. My first thought in August is, “OK, I have 9 months with these kiddos. We have our work cut out for us.” I ask myself, “How can we meet test scores, teach the curriculum, and in the process teach students how to think like life long learners? How can we ensure that these young adults will continue to fight for their lives, their believes, their plans, their goals, not just here, but more importantly after they leave our classrooms? How can we help them guarantee success? How do any of us make a difference in the lives of another, especially with only 9 months?”

The answer is: I have no idea. I can’t guarantee any of it. However, I can guarantee that I work really hard to help you discover the gifts inside each of you that will enable you to attempt to do all of those things. I can guarantee that when you walk into my classroom I will challenge you. I will challenge your beliefs. I will challenge your thoughts. I will teach you to challenge yourself, to reevaluate your own thoughts and beliefs. I will challenge you to dig deep within yourself to find accountability, personal success, relevance, empathy, dreams, and a hunger to do the right thing even when it seems that you can’t or it would be easier not to. I’ll guarantee that I will teach you to rage against the dying of the light and not settle for less that what you deserve. That I will guarantee. In return, I guarantee that you will challenge me daily as well.

Tonight is May 25. I told you I normally get weary in May. I, like Dylan Thomas, fear that students will no longer feel ambitious or want to take on the world after all of the hard work. I am fearful that the time we spent together will be lost and forgotten. It isn’t the idea of ME that I am fearful they will leave behind; it’s the life lessons- that is what I worry will not transcend onward with them when they leave the comfortable confinement of these high school halls. Tonight, I don’t feel that way. Two years later we are together again, still learning, still feeling, still challenging, and most importantly, still raging.

Though the Dylan Thomas poem that I opened with is technically about life and death, I find it relevant standing here today. I find it relevant because we need to embrace the middle moments. So often we are trying to get to an end or a finish line that we forget about the process, we forget about the middle of it all. The beginning and the end of everything are quite important. However, we must ask ourselves about the relevance of what happens in between the two, and how we must rage with every second of the middle. The middle part is what makes life worthwhile and meaningful. The middle moments are what we live and where we can be an active participant. The middle is where we learn, practice, and perfect our rage.

When I talk about rage, I am not referring to the hate, anger, and violence we see all around us on the news, in the movies, in music, etc. I’m referring to the passion of a positive fight. The passion of belief. The passion behind knowing and believing in right and wrong. The passion behind love. The passion behind choice. The passion behind having the right to decisions and creating opportunities. The passion behind not giving up and giving in. The passion to fail and learn from it. The passion to set boundaries and plans only to revise and start all over again. All of these wonderful middle moments are yours to experience.

As you go into the world, you will begin new chapters of your life, and these middle moments will take place at the most random of times. At times you will experience confusions, sorrow, happiness, helplessness, love, hate, pride, success, all of the emotions in the spectrum. I remind you to identify them, claim the emotion, embrace them, and learn from them. In this process, I ask you not to forget who you are and who you want to become. Remember all of the lessons that we learned together here; look forward to all of the lessons you are about to embark upon. Continue to create a belief system. Continue to stand up for your beliefs and your values.

Challenge yourself. Challenge those around you. Continue to grow. Continue to learn. Continue to educate yourself. Continue to give back to your community. Continue to raise the bar and expect more of yourself and more from those around you. Rage against the dying of the light and never settle for mediocrity. Create what defines you. Find what makes you passionate. Find what makes you rage.

Today, not knowing when we will meet again, when you may see one another again, or what the future has in store for any of us, I say the same words to you that Thomas said to his father, “DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT. RAGE, RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT.” Seeing that today is a Friday, I can’t let you leave without saying my closing remarks for the week, just like I have done every other Friday before, “Be safe. Be careful. Be fun. Be you." And to steal a line from Ms. Files, ‘Return with Honor.’ Live with Honor.”Thank you and Congratulations to the Class of 2007.

Do You Believe In Me?

2009-11-14T07:53:00.001-08:00

I want to be like Dalton Sherman of Dallas ISD when I grow up.

Educational Game Review

2009-11-13T14:01:00.001-08:00

I was recently asked to review an educational game. The game that I opted to review is one that I use in my classroom when students have some down time or have finished their work early. Free Rice is a vocabulary building game that deals solely with synonyms while also tackling the social issue of helping to end World Hunger. Free Rice is partnered with the UN World Food Program. When a player correctly chooses the appropriate synonym for the given word, The UN World Food Program donates 10 grains of rice to help end World Hunger. The developers obviously have a global conscience and want to give back to their world.

My only criticism of this particular game was that it lacked in variety. After reading a colleague's review of the game, I found that many individuals wished that there was more subject variety available. However, with further investigation I found that there is a tab at the top of the web page that offers many different subjects from Art to Foreign Language skills. That is a plus in my book and I look forward to having my students work with the additional skills.

You Have To Start At The Beginning

2009-11-13T08:09:00.000-08:00

I'm learning all about Globaloria and how to implement it into my English 12 class next semester. I'm slightly overwhelmed. However, I'm very excited at the possibilities that are a head for my students. It will be fun learning more and more every day. I think that not only will they create spectacular projects, but the learning that will occur will be mind blowing.

In the mean time, I'm going to continue reading current teachers' (of the Globaloria program) blogs to see how they utilize the blog and interact with the students. I will continue to take note on how I have used blogs in the past with my former students.

Also, if you get the chance, go and check out how Berkeley Springs High School set up a symposium for their AP students last year. This is the blog. It will lead you to their wiki. Awesomely, creative idea.