Day 7: Games and simulations

This is an area where I have to tread carefully. On the one hand, I really enjoy games and think they can be a very valuable tool in the right context and with the right supervision. However, I am so into games that it would be difficult for me to not get wrapped up in the game itself and neglect the purpose of it. I can see this happening with students as well. The key will be planning and making sure that we stick to strict guidelines and timetables. Two readily available things that we learned about today would be the smartboard technologies and the game creator techniques we learned for Excel and Powerpoint. I have had a promethian board for several years and have yet to fully unlock its potential. The techniques for making board games can be applied two ways: 1. General classes can use them for review/reinforcement purposes. 2. Pre-AP can make their own games for the same purpose. I also think I may allow for some computer game play: maybe Colonization or even a specific scenario in Civ 5 (Which I WILL OWN by the end of the month!) Got my background done for the art project. Used chalk to set the texture and colored in with watercolors. Experimented with acrylics and markers...I think markers are going to be more of a guide for the acrylics. It seemed to go better that way. The foreground will require precise geometry. That's what worries me. If the shapes are off, it will skew the whole thing....but maybe it needs skewing. The first two (from top to middle) are the experimental portions with watercolors, markers, acrylics and pastel chalks. The one on the bottom (the project) is pastel chalk and watercolor.