Week 3 Games Development, Technology Design Process (IDPE)

Today workshop, we were asked to work pairs using the Technology Design Process 'Investigate, Design, Process, Evaluate(IDPE)' to make a frog jump. The only resources were a picture of a Frog, a piece of cardboard, a rubber band, scissors and glue. My idea was to hold the rubber band around my thumb and index finger. Folded a piece of cardboard in half with a picture of the Frog glued on it. Put the folded cardboard around the rubber band. Holded and pulled the cardboard back as far as I can then released it.
I wasn't really impressed with my creation because it was more like a flying frog rather a jumping frog. Another concerns brought to my attention was safety issue. Students might get hurt if they don't know how to handle the rubber band probably. It might get into someones eyes, face etc... Few groups had came up with grate ideas.
I found this activity was very helpful. It helped to show student that ICT is not necessary to do with computer. It can be involved in a piece of cardboard like what I did today. This activity will help students to develop a higher Order Thinking Skills. Of which they will need to investigate and design how to make the frog jump. What have they produced and finally analyse and evaluate their design.

I can see this type of activity can be done with grade as low as Prep. They can draw on the paper of their ideas etc... It is recommended to run at least once a week.


Quia website

Then I created some games online using the "Quia". I went into the "quia" website: http://www.quia.com/. Created user name and password.


The first activity was to create a quiz with no more than 5 questions. However I didn't get it right and stuffed it up so I didn't have any quiz games. But I will try it again next time.

Then I created a Jumble Words game base on animals. Click this link to play the game: http://www.quia.com/jw/386805.html

Next activities were Hangman game; http://www.quia.com/hm/667575.html. I need to be very carefully here (if I am in school environment) as some student might be scared with the hangman. Select something appropriate.

Lastly was Possum Magic Pop up game: http://www.quia.com/cz/347237.html.

I found "Quia" program was very useful to have. It is free for 30 days. It is engaging. Students can do some research about a topic first. They can then put it into games. Student can learn through playing approach.