I am very excited to be finished with our group project, but now I find myself hoping we don't neglect it after class is finished. We worked hard on the site and put a lot of time into making it just right for PUC students. I think we should all pass the word around and have classmates and alumni join! :)
Thank you to Group 2 for working so hard, especially Carol and Patrice. It was fun to work on something I can really see a need for, a SNS at Purdue Calumet. I think any student we invite would find it relates to all things PUC, and it is user-friendly and really nice to look at too!
Happy Holidays to everyone!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
I Am Not Afraid...The Final Post, Part I
When I chose this course I thought it sounded so different than the typical courses I have taken in the past four years. Imagining a class that centered around MySpace, Facebook, blogging, and online gaming was so refreshing because it was content that was both entertaining and educational. I want to be "in the know" regarding social networking and other areas of online, virtual worlds because that is the future.
My experience online consisted of searching on google (probably 10+ times daily), going on MySpace, Hotmail, PUC.edu, and occasionally playing simple online games, like Yahoo Spades. This class has introduced me to social bookmarking, which I knew nothing about, Flickr, "Second Life", and the terms "MUD", "MOO", and "MMORPG". I feel like I can legitamately say I am a digital native now.
I also enjoyed the discussion boards because we examined these virtual worlds for all of the purposes, not just entertainment. In particular, Facebook, MySpace, and role-playing games are used as networking sites to foster business relationships and help in training the military and pilots.
I felt our group project was very successful as well. It has not been officially "launched" yet, so I won't give it away, but I realized how simple it can be to create a virtual niche of my own through highly accessible (and free) websites.
My online role prior to this class was a participator. I would view other people's online photo albums, post replies to discussion boards, and use the basic features of MySpace and Facebook. During this class I learned not just to participate, but to create in online virtual worlds. Instead of viewing other's photos, I could compile my own album using Flickr. Or, I could create my very own blog on blogger.com, instead of just reading and commenting to other's blogs. I even help create something that will be valuable to many students long after this course is completed (group project).
I am not afraid of virtual worlds anymore. I used to feel overwhelmed and intimidated by anything other than simple researching, MySpace, email, or online card games. I now feel like I am part of the virtual world and will not be afraid to create new things online.
I am most satisfied with our group project. I felt it was a successful collaboration and something that will extend when this class is over. After we have posted our final projects, I will continue my final blog. I would first like to see the feedback from classmates. I learned a lot in this class, but mostly I have learned that there is a whole world of online tools out there for our entertainment and education, and I should not be afraid to explore these tools.
My experience online consisted of searching on google (probably 10+ times daily), going on MySpace, Hotmail, PUC.edu, and occasionally playing simple online games, like Yahoo Spades. This class has introduced me to social bookmarking, which I knew nothing about, Flickr, "Second Life", and the terms "MUD", "MOO", and "MMORPG". I feel like I can legitamately say I am a digital native now.
I also enjoyed the discussion boards because we examined these virtual worlds for all of the purposes, not just entertainment. In particular, Facebook, MySpace, and role-playing games are used as networking sites to foster business relationships and help in training the military and pilots.
I felt our group project was very successful as well. It has not been officially "launched" yet, so I won't give it away, but I realized how simple it can be to create a virtual niche of my own through highly accessible (and free) websites.
My online role prior to this class was a participator. I would view other people's online photo albums, post replies to discussion boards, and use the basic features of MySpace and Facebook. During this class I learned not just to participate, but to create in online virtual worlds. Instead of viewing other's photos, I could compile my own album using Flickr. Or, I could create my very own blog on blogger.com, instead of just reading and commenting to other's blogs. I even help create something that will be valuable to many students long after this course is completed (group project).
I am not afraid of virtual worlds anymore. I used to feel overwhelmed and intimidated by anything other than simple researching, MySpace, email, or online card games. I now feel like I am part of the virtual world and will not be afraid to create new things online.
I am most satisfied with our group project. I felt it was a successful collaboration and something that will extend when this class is over. After we have posted our final projects, I will continue my final blog. I would first like to see the feedback from classmates. I learned a lot in this class, but mostly I have learned that there is a whole world of online tools out there for our entertainment and education, and I should not be afraid to explore these tools.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The "Typical" Gamer
I have been researching the "typical" gamer as far as demograpics, social standing, and life outside the virtual world. What do you consider the "typical" gamer.
It seems that in past decades we all were introduced to arcade games (Pac Man), and later game consoles (Nintendo), in which we played for fun, maybe a few hours a week. Once gaming became more complex and games more realistic, usage seemed to explode. It seems though, there was a time between Mario Brothers and Halo where the only people glued to video games were those that maybe had social issues. Now, this is coming from me, a girl who played Mario Brothers, but then has not been addicted to any video game since. So, I know this is just my opinion.
It seems like now, EVERYONE plays video games. If you are a 13-year old boy in Indiana, or a 40 year old businessman in New York, or a 27 year old mother, it doesn't matter, they all have a game (or games) of choice.
I guess my question is, "what is you idea of the typical gamer"? Is that idea the same as it was years ago? Do you think people with social anxieties, or outcasts rely on SNS, MMORPG, and MUDs to get the social interactions they lack from the real-world?
It seems that in past decades we all were introduced to arcade games (Pac Man), and later game consoles (Nintendo), in which we played for fun, maybe a few hours a week. Once gaming became more complex and games more realistic, usage seemed to explode. It seems though, there was a time between Mario Brothers and Halo where the only people glued to video games were those that maybe had social issues. Now, this is coming from me, a girl who played Mario Brothers, but then has not been addicted to any video game since. So, I know this is just my opinion.
It seems like now, EVERYONE plays video games. If you are a 13-year old boy in Indiana, or a 40 year old businessman in New York, or a 27 year old mother, it doesn't matter, they all have a game (or games) of choice.
I guess my question is, "what is you idea of the typical gamer"? Is that idea the same as it was years ago? Do you think people with social anxieties, or outcasts rely on SNS, MMORPG, and MUDs to get the social interactions they lack from the real-world?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
NeoPets
With the trouble I have been having with Second Life, I thought I would try something a little bit more simple. Since I am studying to be a teacher, I thought I could get away with joining the Neopets site, because I should be keeping in touch with what the young students are interested in, right?
The site is more complex than I first imagined, which is a good thing. It was very simple to set up the neopet, but there are many choices involved. It is nothing like Second Life in that way.
I created a little puppy named Jaxlee (a combination of my real puppies' names), and clicked around to explore. All of the characters are, ofo course, child-friendly, and the games are entertaining and can be addicting. I like the Ball Bounce game. There are some educational elements, but in my opinion, it is not meant to be an educational-site, more a fun site that incorporates a little bit of math, letters, and grammar. Though, having a virtual pet and taking care of them, as well as creating online friends, does help a student develop some character skills and communication skills, as well as helping them become more responsible.
I like this site because it does not feel as overwhelming as Second Life, but they are so completely different it really is not right to compare. I will continue exploring these sites. Any recommendations??
The site is more complex than I first imagined, which is a good thing. It was very simple to set up the neopet, but there are many choices involved. It is nothing like Second Life in that way.
I created a little puppy named Jaxlee (a combination of my real puppies' names), and clicked around to explore. All of the characters are, ofo course, child-friendly, and the games are entertaining and can be addicting. I like the Ball Bounce game. There are some educational elements, but in my opinion, it is not meant to be an educational-site, more a fun site that incorporates a little bit of math, letters, and grammar. Though, having a virtual pet and taking care of them, as well as creating online friends, does help a student develop some character skills and communication skills, as well as helping them become more responsible.
I like this site because it does not feel as overwhelming as Second Life, but they are so completely different it really is not right to compare. I will continue exploring these sites. Any recommendations??
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
"Second Life" Attempt 2
This attempt was a little bit more successful, because I actually figured out how to do some things. I started in "Harvard's" Berkman Hall and began working on my appearance. At first it seemed overwhelming because there are so many options, but after 20 minutes I found myself sucked in to making my avatar my exact copy.
I didn't talk to anyone, but a fairy-looking person kept flying around me, I was too busy for her.
After a long time of going through the appearance options, it crashed again! So, I lost all that I had been doing...how frustrating! Does this happen often? Is it my computer?
Oh, well...I will try again later.
I didn't talk to anyone, but a fairy-looking person kept flying around me, I was too busy for her.
After a long time of going through the appearance options, it crashed again! So, I lost all that I had been doing...how frustrating! Does this happen often? Is it my computer?
Oh, well...I will try again later.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Second Life, Attempt 1
I just created my account on Second Life, and got to the little island, "Help Island". I read the Tutorial, which didn't really help at all. I have spent the first 5 minutes trying to Change Appearance, and cannot figure out how to do it. Then, I asked someone next to me. He just responded, "Hi".
A second later some big guy ran past and tackled me. I walked in a few circles trying to find the Appearance option, saw a very obese "woman" with a bikini and a mohawk, then Second Life crashed.
Not a great first experience. Can anyone give me some tips on how to get started? I want to go into the Change Appearance option. Thanks, Dana
A second later some big guy ran past and tackled me. I walked in a few circles trying to find the Appearance option, saw a very obese "woman" with a bikini and a mohawk, then Second Life crashed.
Not a great first experience. Can anyone give me some tips on how to get started? I want to go into the Change Appearance option. Thanks, Dana
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