Final Task

The last task you have is to take your review of the social issue behind your game and to create a PowerPoint that you could present to the class. I will also show you how to embed your PowerPoint onto your blog using a web-based tool called Slideshare.

I believe that everyone has used PowerPoint before, so I am going to give you some instructions as to what should be the content of your PowerPoint. If you need some help with PowerPoint, see me or your teacher.


1. Title Slide: Should contain your name/group members, social issue you are addressing (with definition or explanation if necessary), and an appropriate graphic/picture of the issue.

2. Second Slide: Use the "Title and Content" slide layout. Put the name "Web Resources" in the title and put the links in the content. Add appropriate pictures/graphics.

3. Slides 3,4,5: Using the "Title and Content" slide layout, explain each of your three resources on separate slides. Place the name of the site in the title and give some facts that relate to your social issue that came from the site. You can also address the issue of why you choose this particular site for a resource.

4. Slide 6: Explain what can be done to address the social issue. What could be done at the governmental level, the state level, the community level, the individual level. . .This may take more than one slide. . .Include appropriate graphics/pictures

After the PowerPoint is finished, you will use slideshare to embed your PowerPoint into your blog. . .If we have time, you will present your PowerPoints to the class.

This just in. . .

Please fill out the survey so I can track the groups. . .the results will only be read by me and your teacher

You should have finished researching sites about your cause. . .I will be in later today to check everyone's progress!

Back on the Case. . .

Well, I hope you haven't forgotten everything you have learned yet about the games you have been playing. Today, you will narrow down a game to review and a you will research the social issue behind your game. I would like to do this in small groups (2, or 3 max). We will set up Delicious.com accounts and I will show you how to use GoogleDocs to begin to collaborate on your review. This is a lot to accomplish in one day, but I think we can do it!! Below, you will find the criteria to evaluate your game and investigate your social issue!!

Game:
1. Was it hard or easy to learn? Did you have to read the instructions? If no, did you have success in the games? If yes, did the instructions help you succeed? What were you supposed to accomplish in the game?
2. How are the graphics of your game? What do you like about them and/or what should be improved?
3. What was the game supposed to teach you?
4. Would you recommend the game to your peers? Why or why not. . .you should be able to explain clearly and your peers should be able to determine whether or not they would like the game.


Social Issue behind Game:
1. What was your social issue? How did you discover it (was it obvious or did you have to search)?
2. Find three resources that explain the issue or give information on the issue (use del.icio.us to tag the sites). Use at least 3 tags for each site you find. I will show you later how to embed your tags onto your blog.
3. Explain to your peers why they should care about your social issue. . .do your best to describe the issue and give specific reasons you and your peers should care.
4. Is there anything you can do now to help? If not, could you suggest something. . .


Today's Question: If you could only have one of the following three things: computer, cell phone, TV. . . what would you choose and why?

Update for Summer Technology

Well, with your teacher gone for two weeks, it isn't the ideal time for me to come teach technology. I see that only Melissa and R-Jay have reviewed at least 4 games. And there are only 4 comments to the question. If you have time to post your reviews on the blog before next week that would be great. I would like for you to pick one game to research the social issue behind the game–then you are going to create a Delicious.com account to bookmark the research you do on the issue. I hope to go over the project with everyone next week, when Tony returns.
Peace,
jeff

Learning Games for Change

Hopefully by now you have all ad the opportunity to create your blogs and to play with a few of the learning games for change (linked on my blog). The next step is to choose a learning game that you wish to review. I would like you to pick a game and play with it for a little bit every day. For one week, I would like you to create at least 4 posts where you simply discuss the game each time you played. . .For example, discuss the game as if you were explaining it to someone who has never played it. . .to someone who might not play web-based games at all. You can also start to discuss whether or not the game is fun to play, etc. This is just a way to get you writing about your game.

Question (please leave a comment at the bottom of this post).
What types of games do you usually play? (Wii, PS3, Xbox, etc. . .or maybe even board games) What is your favorite game?

First Post - About Me

In order to make your first post as painless as possible, I am going to make it about a subject that you should know very well - YOU.
Create your first post!!

First Blog Post
1. In the title of your first post. . .call it: About (insert your first name)

2. Tell me:
a. Where you grew up
b. What you like to do when you are not a student
c. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

3. Remember: Be appropriate and respectful.

A Brave New World of Internet Publishing. . . .Your Blog

The next step in your progress is to create your very own blog. We will be using your blog to host your work and to collaborate and communicate with your peers. Your blog will be published on the web. . .always be appropriate, and, as minors, avoid using your last name on the blog.

Follow the instructions below. If you click on the box in the upper-right hand side, you will be able to see the instructions full-screen.

Publishing a Blog General Instructions