Games!!

(taken from: http://gamespics.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/super-mario-bros.jpg)

 

The next project we'll be working on in is 'Making a Game'. Check out the Brief here.

 

Before we get to the actual project, I'd like to hear from you about what makes a game enjoyable? We all like to play different kinds of games, like RPGs, FPS, Puzzle-games, RTS, Sports. What's your favorite kind of game? Post it on your blog (and give me some pictures, too).

 

Secondly, I want you to do some research about the good and the bad things about games and gaming. We know that there are some people who say games are completely evil and should never be used. There are also some people who say games can actually be a useful tool for education and even science (remember FoldIt?!). Find me two articles related to gaming: one that says gaming is good, one that says gaming is bad. Tell me which one you agree with and why (post the links on your blog).

 

Finally, before I see you on Thursday, make sure you have gone to this website and downloaded Scratch 1.4 for Mac. (It's about 35MB, so do it from home.) Feel free to play around with it if you have time. We'll be learning how to use it in class on Thursday.

 

For your INVESTIGATION STAGE, you'll need the following:

- Design brief

- Specifications

- Some research on how games are made

- an interview of a friend or a LS student asking them what sort of things they look for in a game

- Work Cited

Please embed it just the Investigation on your blog now.

Hardware Pop Quiz!

Make sure you're logged into your @jwaonline account to see the quiz!

ITGS Project: Criterion B

Finishing Criterion A.
Go through this checklist to determine if you've gotten everything done.

Criterion A: Initial investigation
Initial investigation
A client has been identified.
A problem that requires an IT solution has been identified from the consultation with the client.
The inadequacies of the current system have been explained from the consultation with the client.
The word count for the initial investigation is approximately 250.
The initial investigation is linked to the cover page.
Initial consultation with client
Evidence of the consultation with the client has been included.
The evidence of consultation has been linked to the cover page.

 

Now, let's take a look at Criterion B.
Take a look at this link for examples of finished reports and information on the requirements for Criterion B.

This is where you are going to describe what your proposed solution is, and you will describe all of the Hardware requirements (remember to include terms from our vocabulary list). You'll also describe how you plan to keep the product secure and how you will test whether or not the product has achieved success.

Lion OS Migration

Please fill out the following form. If it is not showing up for you, make sure that you are logged into your @jwaonline account and then reload this page.


First of all, open up your Finder:



Usually, your computer log-in name will appear on the left-hand side of the window, if it doesn't, press the following key shortcut:

Command + Shift + H

The Command keys are located on either side of your spacebar and look like this:



 

Right-click (secondary-click) on your log-in name and choose 'Get Info'.



A new window will open and you will see your Home Directory size (it might take a few seconds to calculate).



 

Please fill that number into the Google form.

When in doubt, ask a Coach!

Can we trust anyone anymore?

photo by sasastro

We've become a society that has almost forgotten about privacy. As much as we try to educate ourselves and each other about the importance of keeping our personal data safe, it seems like hacking and identity theft are becoming more and more common. Take a look at the following article and think about a personal experience you have (or someone you know has) experienced. Post about it on your blog.

http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/the-scary-consequences-of-a-lo.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+boingboing/iBag+(Boing+Boing)

 

Introducing TedEd!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/TEDEducation

 

Take a look at the new YouTube Channel created by the wizards at TED.com

 

You'll find a number of interesting videos that directly relate to you as a student. Go through the Channel and post a video with a summary in the comments box.

How early is too early?

Take a look at this TED Talk to see one perspective on how babies acquire language and how giving a baby a computer might actually slow down their development.

http://www.ted.com/talks/patricia_kuhl_the_linguistic_genius_of_babies.html

 

When do you think kids should start using technology? Create a post on your blog examining the pros and cons of starting early. Then, come to a conclusion.