Martin+B

I like video games in general. I used to play daily. Mostly sports games and strategy games.
 * Day 1 Morning**

I believe video games can be used as a learning tool. Kids large interest in video games today make it a viable tool for use in the classroom. It would be a great benifit as a supplemental tool for many lessons. Their interest in games could make them hold interest longer than some conventional strategies.


 * Day 1 Lunch**

What brings you here/why are you here?

Technology CEUs, laptop, interest in creating games, and summer money. I teach a technology class so I am interested in expanding my knowledge in that area.

What are you excited about?

Making things in my classroom more interesting for the kids and stay highly educational.

What are concerned about?

Making the program do what I want it to and the kids ability to absorb the information in this type if learning environment.


 * Day 1 Afternoon**

Shut down/poweroff

The day was interesting. The game software seems cool. Looking forward to trying it out and developing something. Would like to work with these guys... seems like a fun job. Virtuoso seems to be better and more complex than I thought, which is a good thing. Looking forward to tomorrow.


 * Day 2 Morning**

How do you use technology in your classroom?

I am the Exploring Technology teacher here at West Lee. Every student has a computer and we do projects in the different systems of technology. CAD, electronics, manufacturing, engineering, structures, etc. We talk about the history of technology. How far things have come and where it's going. Internet projects, hands on projects, video interactive, etc.


 * Day 2 Lunch**

How does the technology you use enhance your students' learning and your teaching? How do you know?

It gives me the ability to present more information in less time and at different speeds to different levels of kids at the same time. I know this enhances the learning and teaching because scores are improving and we are getting more done in less time.


 * Day 2 Afternoon**

Shut down/poweroff

It was informative learning more about how the software works. It was very helpful seeing a completed one. Now I feel like I can better define a direction to head in and a purpose for my game. I look forward to working on mine tomorrow with a theme and story better developed. We had to share a computer a lot today so tomorrow should be more productive. I'm ready to map out my plan and roll with it.


 * Day 3 Morning**

Describe your teaching?

I teach two classes of six grade keyboarding and four classes of Exploring Technology. Keyboarding is a very basic intro to computers and basic keyboarding skills. Exploring Technology is a career decisions/technology overview class. It is designed to explore the four areas of technology in order to gain knowledge and spark interest in a career. We do a variety of things from worksheets to internet based to hands-on projects to cover energy and power, manufacturing, engineering, and constructionn and CAD.


 * Day 3 Lunch**

Describe how your students learn best.

My students learn best when genuinely interested in the lesson and motivated to learn. Lessons should include as many of the senses and actions as possible. The more involved the better. I also believe there should be a mix of individual as well as group activities.


 * Day 3 Afternoon**

Shut down/poweroff

Today we learned how to incorporate quizes. Also, we talked about sound. How to find it. How to create it. How to change formats. How to add sounds to the game and to objects. It would seem that we are close to knowing everything we need to really get into making a game. Except a computer. It would seem that tomorrow will be the day for most. I'm looking forward to having my own computer. I think the programs will run better on a newer computer and I can get more involved.


 * Day 4 Morning**

What do you do well when connecting with your students?

I think I do well identifying with them. I understand what they are thinking and what they really want and are asking for. I can talk to them on their level but still remain professional and they can talk to me. I think this gives my classroom a little warmer atmosphere. The kids feel more comfortable talking and relating what they are thinking which helps with the learning process.

Do you have any concerns about connecting with your students?

Not in general, just the spanish and special population.


 * Day 4 Lunch**

What interested you in video games as a form of teaching?

I have been using games in my classes before now as a form of teaching tool. I understand the kids interest in games so if you can put the two together it is a win win situation. What interested me in this workshop was the ability to create my own to cover what I want to lesson wise.


 * Day 4 Afternoon**

Shut down/poweroff

I got my computer today! Making progress on the game. I have some good ideas I think. I lost everything somehow at the end. Looking forward to getting started over tomorrow with a sense of purpose. Every day the learning curve increases and things get smoother. Gonna try to pack in as much as possible tomorrow. Got lots of questions.


 * Day 5 Morning**

How do you see this game as a tool for connecting with your students?

By doing something on their level that they can identify with. The students will appreciate you for helping make their educational experience more entertaining motivating them to try harder and learn more. :-)


 * Day 5 Lunch**

Who supports and who benefits from your participation in this project?

The school and NCSU supports my participation in this project. The students, teachers, school, and myself benefit from this project through higher education and higher learning.

What other technology do you wish you could use or have support for?

Better understanding of the coordinate system in game. A grid or map built into the game.