Katie Thompson's blog
http://kthompsonsschoolblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/dtc-375-blog-post-6-old-school-tech.html?showComment=1394650290201#c6367751797823492100
Ali M's blog
http://amm356375.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Blog Post 6
Prompt: describe to a future college student (somebody born within the past 20 years but who is not yet in college, to include next year’s freshman class or that little girl born yesterday) an old-school technology you grew up with that she or he won’t adequately recognize or understand.
Back in the Day
Back in the day we went outside
Back in the day we had VCR, VHS, and Cassettes
Back in the day flip phones- the latest trend
Now you have Google glass
Now you have electric cars
Now you have I-phones, I-pads, I-everything galore
Technology will advance evermore,
What doors will open?
What doors will close?
As I type this now technology seems at its peak
But I know that this can not be so
Forever it will rise like the tide
When will it fall?
What will you be reading this on?
Would you need to read?
Did we land on Mars?
Did we create floating cars?
Is the world still hungry?
Is the world still sick?
Did we become worse or better?
Do we still exist?
I ask a lot of questions that I may not know the answers too
But I know that you do
Note: A Cassette is an old tape that would go into portable players. This device was before the CD player, which predates the Ipod or MP3 player. A VCR is a video player, and a VHS is a tape player think of it as the ancient DVD or Blue ray player. Finally, a flip phone is a cell phone that had the screen covering the key board. To access the keyboard you would "flip" the screen up, which is why it is called a "flip" phone.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Comments for Blog 5
I posted a comment in Ali M.'s blog and Katie T.'s blog.
http://kthompsonsschoolblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/dtc-375-blog-5-computers-in-class.html?showComment=1393878058011#c2067312165007914271
http://amm356375.wordpress.com/
http://kthompsonsschoolblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/dtc-375-blog-5-computers-in-class.html?showComment=1393878058011#c2067312165007914271
http://amm356375.wordpress.com/
Blog Post 5
If you choose the stock option, I'd like you to engage some (not all: the following questions are meant to inspire you, not a list of everything you need to say) of what Baron says about the uses of writing technologies: what are your feelings about e-books versus print books? If you prefer print, do you like hardcover or softcover, and why? In his Preface, Baron notes the history of instructional technologies used in classrooms: pencils, typewriters, radio, TV, computers, and now phones and tablets have all been used in classrooms. What are some of your experiences of successful versus unsuccessful uses of classroom technologies (aside from that unfortunate pop-up ad from Daily motion the other day)? If you have big lecture classes that don't require attendance, do you go—and why or why not? Do you use writing more for memory or transmission? What do you think about the argument offered by Thamus?
I remember a time when I would sit in front of the TV, holding down a button to rewind a VHS tape so I could watch my favorite Disney Movie. I remember floppy disks and cassette tapes and thinking to myself how cool this technology was. Now we have DVDs, USBs, and CDs that are easier to use and can store more information. Now instead of taking a few laborious minutes to rewind my Disney Movie, I can watch it instantly and in a variety of languages.
Technology is constantly improving, nothing stays "new" for long. During the Greek age writing was introduced. Many found this technology harmful for the populace to learn. Among those who found it harmful was Plato. In his work Phaedrus he warns that writing will cause human memory to become weaker:
"This invention will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practice their memory. Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them."
If Plato found this technology so terrible than why did he write this down? Why use this tool if he found it so harmful? I think that by writing his argument down he made his point irrelevant. Also, if he did not write this down, would we have been able to learn about it? Would oral tradition have passed down his Phaedrus perfectly? The answer is no. Probably over the years his work would have changed drastically and many versions would have been created, because of oral speakers and their own embellishments over the course of time.
Now, today instead of the argument of technology it is the argument for what TYPE of technology. Like I mentioned earlier as a child I would watch Disney movies. At this time VHS tapes were popular soon though there was the argument for VHS tapes or DVDs. DVDs eventually won because of storage space and more options available. Presently, we have the argument e-books or print books. I, personally, love both of these options. I love having hundreds of books at my disposal in my phone or e-reader and being able to read them on the go. However, if I love a book enough, I also love having a hardcover copy of it and storing it into my personally library to read later. Also, with a hardcover book the battery will never die and take no electric energy, while reading. (I like hardcovers over soft covers, because they generally look better, last longer, and sell for more.) To me both the print book and the ebook have its uses and neither should be taken out of the market. But, what about other new technologies that are being widely used?
Should we use tablets and phones in class? Should there be lecture classes anymore? Or should lecture classes force attendance if the information is available online?
As a DTC major I believe that technology should be used as much as possible in the classroom. This is because when we go into our chosen fields, we WILL be using our tablets, phones, computers and other forms of technology to do our various jobs. Even food deliverers use computers to calculate online orders. If school is to prepare us for our future careers then we should at least use the technology that we will use in the future.
If we did use technology too much however, such as the online class, skills that we need can be lost as well. Like communication skills within groups, or large crowds of people. Even those in the computer fields have to interact with people on a daily basis. So, there should be a careful balance between technology and human interactions. I, personally, would go to a lecture class regardless if it was mandatory or not, because I want to truly understand the material and receive the interaction skills necessary for my future career.
In all, I think that the invention of writing has not damaged the populace as a whole, eBooks and print books both have their uses, technology should be used in the classroom, and that irregardless of whether attendance is mandatory for a lecture class I will still go to that class.
I remember a time when I would sit in front of the TV, holding down a button to rewind a VHS tape so I could watch my favorite Disney Movie. I remember floppy disks and cassette tapes and thinking to myself how cool this technology was. Now we have DVDs, USBs, and CDs that are easier to use and can store more information. Now instead of taking a few laborious minutes to rewind my Disney Movie, I can watch it instantly and in a variety of languages.
Technology is constantly improving, nothing stays "new" for long. During the Greek age writing was introduced. Many found this technology harmful for the populace to learn. Among those who found it harmful was Plato. In his work Phaedrus he warns that writing will cause human memory to become weaker:
"This invention will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practice their memory. Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them."
If Plato found this technology so terrible than why did he write this down? Why use this tool if he found it so harmful? I think that by writing his argument down he made his point irrelevant. Also, if he did not write this down, would we have been able to learn about it? Would oral tradition have passed down his Phaedrus perfectly? The answer is no. Probably over the years his work would have changed drastically and many versions would have been created, because of oral speakers and their own embellishments over the course of time.
Now, today instead of the argument of technology it is the argument for what TYPE of technology. Like I mentioned earlier as a child I would watch Disney movies. At this time VHS tapes were popular soon though there was the argument for VHS tapes or DVDs. DVDs eventually won because of storage space and more options available. Presently, we have the argument e-books or print books. I, personally, love both of these options. I love having hundreds of books at my disposal in my phone or e-reader and being able to read them on the go. However, if I love a book enough, I also love having a hardcover copy of it and storing it into my personally library to read later. Also, with a hardcover book the battery will never die and take no electric energy, while reading. (I like hardcovers over soft covers, because they generally look better, last longer, and sell for more.) To me both the print book and the ebook have its uses and neither should be taken out of the market. But, what about other new technologies that are being widely used?
Should we use tablets and phones in class? Should there be lecture classes anymore? Or should lecture classes force attendance if the information is available online?
As a DTC major I believe that technology should be used as much as possible in the classroom. This is because when we go into our chosen fields, we WILL be using our tablets, phones, computers and other forms of technology to do our various jobs. Even food deliverers use computers to calculate online orders. If school is to prepare us for our future careers then we should at least use the technology that we will use in the future.
If we did use technology too much however, such as the online class, skills that we need can be lost as well. Like communication skills within groups, or large crowds of people. Even those in the computer fields have to interact with people on a daily basis. So, there should be a careful balance between technology and human interactions. I, personally, would go to a lecture class regardless if it was mandatory or not, because I want to truly understand the material and receive the interaction skills necessary for my future career.
In all, I think that the invention of writing has not damaged the populace as a whole, eBooks and print books both have their uses, technology should be used in the classroom, and that irregardless of whether attendance is mandatory for a lecture class I will still go to that class.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Blog 4
In our readings I feel that McLuhan related somewhat to the game design readings. With McLuhan, the ideas become extremely visual and relate together in an odd way, much like a video game. In some cases, you have to really work for the information given to you. Such as on pages 54 and 55 with the backwards text. The author also relates with the game designers by saying "There is absolutely no inevitability as long as there is a willingness to contemplate what is happening." which I think means there is no bad way to start creating a game, just as long as you are willing to think and analyze what you need to do to create it. A Brief Crash Course on Game Design speaks on this as well " However you are most comfortable and whatever is easiest for you, do make a point to start writing down or sketching out your idea. Make note of any ideas for the theme or mechanics you may want to use. It’s amazing how this one step of documenting your idea will start the process. Otherwise, all you are doing is daydreaming. Go beyond daydreaming and document your idea. Start the process."
In Is it Really about the Theme, " One of the great debates in the gaming community is how much theme is needed in a good game, and how much your can sacrifice of your game mechanic to achieve the necessary theme." which causes me to wonder about the McLuhan book as a whole. How much of the content is lost because of the odd theme with almost seemingly random images and weird fonts? If he made a book without these would we have more content? Is McLuhan book like a badly theme game itself? So not only does some of the content, or chronology relate to the readings but the way that it is written causes pause for thought as well.
In our Weatherford readings I feel as if the steps needed to create large empires are along the same lines as creating a popular game. To create an empire you need to begin with a bartering system, then a precious metals system, and then paper money system. Much like there are these steps in an empire there are steps in game design. A Brief Crash Course in Game Design also gives us steps in game creation:
1. Idea Generation and the Early Conceptual Stage
... 1-A. From Daydreaming to Design
... 1-B. Establish your design goals
... 1-C. Pacing and win conditions
2. Early Prototypes and crash testing
... 2-A. The quick and dirty prototype
... 2-B. Internal (solo) testing – The hunt for fatal flaws
... 2-C. Early Feedback and Reality Checks
3. Preliminary Rules, Functional Graphics, and the Mid-Stage Prototype
... 3-A. Document the design
... 3-B. Begin working out the Graphic Interface
... 3-C. Make a refined prototype to support live playtesting
... 3-D. More solo playtesting
4. Internal Playtesting Stage
... 4-A. First live playtests – what to ask testers?
... 4-B. Taking and interpreting criticism –Knowing your audience
... 4-C. Design Refinement – Endless iterations
... 4-D. Design Best Practices
5. External playtesting stage
... 5-A. Blind Playtesting
... 5-B. Rules Drafting and Late-Stage Prototypes
6. The Road to Publication
... 6-A. Publishing Approaches
... 6-B. When to pitch and how to do it
... 6-C. Pitching Points for your Design
... 6-D. Passing the Baby: From Designer to Publisher
Some, college professors disagree exactly how though.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksimaJgL9DA
In all both Weatherford and McLuhan can relate to the Game Design readings. McLuhan does this by his medium, chronology, and theme. Weatherford can relate to the Game Design readings because of the concept of currency and steps needed in both a game and an empire.
In Is it Really about the Theme, " One of the great debates in the gaming community is how much theme is needed in a good game, and how much your can sacrifice of your game mechanic to achieve the necessary theme." which causes me to wonder about the McLuhan book as a whole. How much of the content is lost because of the odd theme with almost seemingly random images and weird fonts? If he made a book without these would we have more content? Is McLuhan book like a badly theme game itself? So not only does some of the content, or chronology relate to the readings but the way that it is written causes pause for thought as well.
In our Weatherford readings I feel as if the steps needed to create large empires are along the same lines as creating a popular game. To create an empire you need to begin with a bartering system, then a precious metals system, and then paper money system. Much like there are these steps in an empire there are steps in game design. A Brief Crash Course in Game Design also gives us steps in game creation:
1. Idea Generation and the Early Conceptual Stage
... 1-A. From Daydreaming to Design
... 1-B. Establish your design goals
... 1-C. Pacing and win conditions
2. Early Prototypes and crash testing
... 2-A. The quick and dirty prototype
... 2-B. Internal (solo) testing – The hunt for fatal flaws
... 2-C. Early Feedback and Reality Checks
3. Preliminary Rules, Functional Graphics, and the Mid-Stage Prototype
... 3-A. Document the design
... 3-B. Begin working out the Graphic Interface
... 3-C. Make a refined prototype to support live playtesting
... 3-D. More solo playtesting
4. Internal Playtesting Stage
... 4-A. First live playtests – what to ask testers?
... 4-B. Taking and interpreting criticism –Knowing your audience
... 4-C. Design Refinement – Endless iterations
... 4-D. Design Best Practices
5. External playtesting stage
... 5-A. Blind Playtesting
... 5-B. Rules Drafting and Late-Stage Prototypes
6. The Road to Publication
... 6-A. Publishing Approaches
... 6-B. When to pitch and how to do it
... 6-C. Pitching Points for your Design
... 6-D. Passing the Baby: From Designer to Publisher
Not only can Weatherford relate to the need for structure in the development of games but also the monetary system as well. Some games, such as WOW, Monopoly, or Sims a currency is needed. This currency is usually based off of our own history of money. For example in WOW gold counts almost like a dollar, silver is like a dime, and copper is like a penny.
Some, college professors disagree exactly how though.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksimaJgL9DA
In all both Weatherford and McLuhan can relate to the Game Design readings. McLuhan does this by his medium, chronology, and theme. Weatherford can relate to the Game Design readings because of the concept of currency and steps needed in both a game and an empire.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Comments for Blog 3
Comments I left for 2/12/2014 blog post.
loved sims as a kid! It was one of my favorite games along with pokemon and digimon, How might this game interface be different to you from other games like Flappy bird or Monopoly? Do you feel more involved with one than the other? If you do why is that? Do you think that the reading can apply to other interfaces besides video games?
http://kthompsonsschoolblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/an-extension-of-memory-dtc-375-blog-3.html?showComment=1392233806035#c2106783679709431864
I don’t believe that the games have to have such amazing graphics to suck in the player. Games such as Janga, Dungeons and Dragons, or Slender-man have terrible graphics but still involve the gamer. I think that no matter the interface if a game’s plot or artwork is interesting enough, or makes the gamer curious enough they will play and get sucked into the game. It takes that curiosity or interest to get them into the interface however. So, I disagree a little with you but agree with McLuhan
http://paisleypeterson.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/blog-3-dtc-375/comment-page-1/#comment-32
loved sims as a kid! It was one of my favorite games along with pokemon and digimon, How might this game interface be different to you from other games like Flappy bird or Monopoly? Do you feel more involved with one than the other? If you do why is that? Do you think that the reading can apply to other interfaces besides video games?
http://kthompsonsschoolblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/an-extension-of-memory-dtc-375-blog-3.html?showComment=1392233806035#c2106783679709431864
I don’t believe that the games have to have such amazing graphics to suck in the player. Games such as Janga, Dungeons and Dragons, or Slender-man have terrible graphics but still involve the gamer. I think that no matter the interface if a game’s plot or artwork is interesting enough, or makes the gamer curious enough they will play and get sucked into the game. It takes that curiosity or interest to get them into the interface however. So, I disagree a little with you but agree with McLuhan
http://paisleypeterson.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/blog-3-dtc-375/comment-page-1/#comment-32
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