The Spartans Do Globaloria

I couldn't wait to see what East's group was up to last Friday when I finally was able to pay them a visit. This class, co-taught by Abbie and Jim, is unusual in that its teachers are from English/Journalism/Drama and Music backgrounds, demonstrating the versatility of the Globaloria program and its adaptability; these two teachers and their students are proving that 21st century skills can be exciting for anyone from any curricular background. I know I would have enjoyed this "break" from traditional teaching when I was in the classroom. Now I have to enjoy the teaching and learning vicariously as I visit and peer over the shoulders of the teachers and kids.

Taught on an alternating block schedule, the students meet every other day for 90 minutes, giving them a good chunk of time to "play" with their ideas and focus on their Flash drawings. They have completed their initial idea-gathering and their paper prototypes. Knowing I was coming for a visit, Jim had the video of their game pitches ready. It was great to see their smooth presentations and well-thought-out game plans - I must admit, they were better than most of what we teachers were able to "create" in our summer sessions. (OK, better than what I was able to create - I won't lump everyone into my portrayal.) The best part was watching the kids and teacher enjoy the video as much as I did.

After the video, I wandered about talking to the two teams, looking at their drawings, and listening to their explanations of the games they're working on.

TEAM GERM-N-ATOR, inspired by their senior English teacher (yay!), has a Beowulf concept with various monsters at-the-ready to devour the Anglo-Saxon hero. (The cross-curricular possibilities are endless.) While I don't remember a cyclops in Anglo-Saxon England, in the GERM-N-ATOR's world of revisionist history, creativity is the word and creative license is encouraged. This game has excitement and humor, both elements of successful game play. It will be interesting to see what other "monsters" representing human threats come after Beowulf.

The GERM-N-ATORS at work:

TEAM FIERCE-KUNG-FU-LLAMA-KOMBAT-RANDOMNESS is working on an original concept also. Some highly skilled character drawing adds to the game's attractiveness. I think they're out to wipe drunk and/or impaired driving off the map, but I'm not positive that's all they're up to in their game concept. Their game has the unusual offering to a player to take on the role of either the pursuing police officer or the impaired driver - guess who wins!

Game on!

Monday - GWHS Visit

Expecting a ho-hum morning with lots of teachers and students in a post set-the-clock-back haze, and a pre- election-advertisement bloat, I was proven wrong this morning.

I meandered into Vicky Neal's Globaloria class as they were setting up their computers and found the whole group present and focused on their games, Flash drawings and team conferrings. They were welcoming and eager to tell me about their game concepts and to show off their Flash skills, which already far surpass what I was able to achieve in several days of close instruction at Bridgeport.

Here's a recap of what I saw and learned:



Team ALIVAN is working on Mr. G-Raffe's Trivia Dress-up, a game of wide-ranging trivia, educational of course, where participants can dress cute figures of frogs and other animals if they answer questions correctly. Very nice Flash drawings and animation in progress, and a clear and focused paper prototype. I definitely want to play this game.














Team CHERENA is dabbling in history with their "Adventures of the Past" (working name) game. I like the idea of an educational game that incorporates fun as well as sequence lessons for the player. Time travel will be an exciting concept to work into this adventure. Nice Flash efforts, too.







ANIMATION DIEBE team is working with foreign language (German) in their game name (diebe is German for "thief," they informed me, so I received a language lesson, too.) They are working this name into a game that aims to take DUI offenders off the map; it involves an ever-increasing punishment for an offender's elevation of blood alcohol. Clever concept - great job in early efforts to animate. I can't wait to see this one.

Using a "shooting" concept is the CRAZY APPLES team. Use your imagination to envision the "Tobacco Sniper" as he takes out smokers but leaves little old ladies alone - if they are tobacco-free, that is. Very clever! This team is enjoying their work!



Team S---E---is looking to do some cleanup and recycling in their as yet unnamed game. There is timing involved: You'll have to work quickly for points as the amount of trash increases. Sounds like a challenge. Mrs. Neal suggested using the post-football game playing field as a picture background along with animation. Very nice paper prototype also - it can be viewed on the Wiki.




THE LORDS OF THE BLACK FLAME are working a shooting challenge into their "Gun Down Obesity" game. I think they could give a lesson on Flash - lots of tweening and impressive animation going on on their screens. A serious and well-organized duo!


While I realize this is an early stage of development, I can't help but be impressed with the progress made and the focus of these six teams. To have thinking caps on at 8:00 AM and to accomplish so much in a 45 minute period - Wow!

This is a model group, doing it all right. (And how many teachers would be seen climbing on tables to get just the right photos of her teams at work? Gotcha, Mrs. Neal!)