WEEK 3- Online Games Development and Technology Design Process

Reflections on the Workshop

How to Jump a Frog!!!

In the first part of the workshop, Greg introduced the class to the old Technology CSF design brief. He also mentioned how the old design brief had been updated since CSF had changed to VELS. Using this brief Greg set forth a challenge for the class to work in pairs to make a paper frog “jump”. As part of the process we had to use the design brief to Investigate/Design what we were going to do, then we had to ‘Produce’ our design and finally Analyse and Evaluate our design. Greg provided us with the following equipment; paper frog, rubber band, sticky tape and a piece of cardboard (about the size of two matchboxes) stating that ALL equipment must be used in the design and implementation of the frog jump.




I worked with Emily and we decided to create our design based on the scientific notion of energy transference. We created a diving board out of the cardboard letting half of it overhang the table and sticking the other end onto the table with the sticky tape (see photos). We used the rubber band to pull back on the cardboard (in a catapult motion) and released it to let the motion created by the pressure of the rubber band on the cardboard allow the frog to jump! I was impressed at other class mate’s solutions such as sticking the frog onto the cardboard and making it into a slingshot!

I particularly liked the exercise and I believe primary school students would enjoy it and the design brief, as Greg mentioned can be applied no matter the activity taught. I think it is a good way for students to order their thinking. The exercise also allows for students to be creative as there is more then one possible solution to reach the destined outcome. It also requires them to use their higher thinking and listening skills, build on their relationship with their peers and help them establish negotiating skills as well as the ability to work as part of a team.


The hardest part of this activity was documenting what we did trying to use modern technology! Emily and I took video footage and still images of the materials we used and the design and implementation of the design using my new iPhone. From there, I was able to upload the images and video to facebook and save the pictures to my hard drive. I then edited the images in paint, using the skills I have acquired over the last two weeks and I was able to upload them into the blog. However, I was unable to save my video using the same process. I therefore uploaded my video from my iPhone to YouTube but I encountered further problems. Greg taught me how to embed a video and save it to a website called http://keepvid.com/ At the point of writing this blog, I was still unable to add the video to my blog (but let me assure you- it was quite reverting stuff and is still available on facebook! :) ) However, I will definitely try to use that website at a later time.

Video Dramas Revisited
Week 3, Greg and I discovered if you copy the embedded html (video) code from YouTube and then paste the html code into a word document and then copy again and paste the html code into the blog, the video will finally upload to the blog!!!

Creating online Games and Activities using www.quia.com

In the second part of today’s workshop we used the website http://www.quia.com/ to create online games such as trivia, hangman, jumbled words, word search, flash cards and rags to riches (similar to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?). Firstly, I created a North Melbourne Trivia game (which can be found online at: http://www.quia.com/quiz/2514023.html for anyone who would like to try it!). I then attempted to create a very basic hangman on zoo animals (see pictures). I found this website particularly easy to use and useful for the classroom. I think it works well as a great tool for teachers to help assess student knowledge on contents taught as well provide a creative tool for students to explore what they have learnt.

There are however a couple of concerns I do have about using this website. Firstly, as Greg pointed out, you can use the 30 day trial period for as long as you wish (i.e. you can keep renewing it) however after the initial 30 day trial period elapses, all online games will disappear unless you pay for a subscription (approximately US$40) and this will continue to happen after every 30 days. I also find it disappointing that valuable student work will disappear if a school is using the website by trial and does not subscribe. The other negative factor I found was it appears that games and activities created can not be downloaded or printed??? This means if work is created for assessment purposes it is strictly viewed via the PC and neither the student nor teacher has access to the activities and games unless connected to the Internet and PC. My question here is, if you choose to incorporate a lot of ICT in the classroom by using quia.com how do you show parents how well or how poorly their students are travelling if you cannot produce written or printed evidence? Personally, I would like to be able to say, “This is what I have asked them to do… and this is what Jeremy has produced.”


Heidi Smith 11/08/2010 ©