{KS} Topic 2: Ethical Issues and Human Research Participants

I've been certified.

By the NIH.

In light of the summer MALT classes and readings, I found myself paying attention not only to the content but also the format of the tutorial. It was effective and designed fairly well.  With each new assignment and class, I find myself more and more excited to be a part of this program and look forward to learning.

Let the research begin!

{KS} Core Values-AR Introduction

Who am I? 

What defines me? 

What are my core values? 

These are the questions we ask of ourselves and of others so that we may better understand ourselves and the world around us. The answers often determine the what and why as we live out our lives. 

I have always had a fairly strong sense of who I am and I find that with each passing year, that sense becomes more refined and clear.

So, what is it that makes me tick, that defines who I am, what I do and why I do it?

1. Learning...I love to learn- I have been known to say that "learning is my crack."  While it is not the most refined of statements, it is the best way I know to describe how much I truly enjoy learning something new, being challenged and growing.  I love that in learning I am consistently humbled and aware of how much I don't know. Simple or complex, learning about people, art, history, ideas, practical or not, learning is truly my drug of choice.

2. Community- It's not about me. I am a part of a community, of many communities. Within that framework, I seek to live out a life of honestly, authenticity and genuineness in such a way that serves the community in which I am a part. I try to be aware of those around me, their feelings and motives and put others at ease. We are all living out the human story and it is as much a communal or shared journey as it is an individual. 

3. Faith- Faith in something greater than myself. Faith in a grace that knows no ends and is plentiful. Faith that gives me meaning to this life.  I believe that we all reflect the God image in us and that in the truest way, hope and love are my purpose. I can't control everything and the freedom that comes from knowing that truth allows me to focus on that which is directly in front of me. 

When it is all boiled down, these 3 values are the core of who I am. Everything I am and do relates back to these things.  My worldview, sense of purpose and desires all circle back learning, community and faith.

And at the end of each day, it is what I find myself reflecting upon. 

{KS} Games and Learning and ... you guessed it... Peggle

{KS} Is reality "broken" ?

I've been reading (or rather listening to) Reality is Broken, by Jane McGonigal and pondering her thesis that reality is broken and therefore individuals are desperate for "better engagement." Early on, McGonigal writes:

"The real world just doesn't offer up as easily the carefully designed pleasures, the thrilling challenges and the powerful social bonding afforded by virtual environments. Reality doesn't motivate us as effectively. Reality isn't engineered to maximize our potential. Reality wasn't designed form the bottom up to make us happy."

The question I keep asking myself is ... but is it supposed to? 

She later explains her thoughts:

"The truth is this: in today's society, computer and video games are fulfilling genuine human needs that the real world is currently unable to satisfy. Games are providing rewards that reality is not. They are teaching and inspiring and engaging us in ways that reality is not. They are bringing us together in ways that reality is not."  

I really do think she make a valid point here. But, that has not been my experience with computer and video games which leads me to wonder, am I not drawn to computer and video games because my reality is fulfilling?

The computer and video game component of the last 2 months has been a "fascinating" experience for me. Mostly because I don't love video games and I have probably been too vocal about that sentiment in my posts. But I have valued the experience and it has really caused me to rethink why people play video games. It has also challenged me to think about how games can be used to serve a larger meaningful purpose.

But, if reality is broken, are computer and video games a bandaid or a solution?

{KS} Games thus far...can I be done yet?

There is some pressure to play games when you are playing for a purpose and that purpose is your Master's degree in Learning Technologies.

I play "video" games in real life.
Solitare, Poker Pals (with my cousin Luke. We are going on 5 years now of phone poker),7 Words and Whirly Word when I can't sleep at night.
I even will play games when I'm watching my friends kids. I am after working to forever be the "cool aunt."

That is pretty much it.

Until I discovered Peggle. And, as I wrote about earlier, I became an addict and basically forgot about real life for a full 2 days.

Until Peggle comes out with another challenge, I should be in the clear.

For CogTools, I've played Halo 4, Monaco, ThirdEyeCrime, another one that I forget because I didn't like it much and deleted it from my phone.

I'd rather read. I'd rather watch a movie.

I know it sounds a little crazy, but I'm ready to be done with the game playing. I absolutely feel like I have learned from the game playing. And I am confident that it has and will make me a better teacher. I have enjoyed learning about game and learning theory but I'm ready to be done playing games.

I keep trying to analyze why this is but I am not quite sure.

Why don't I connect?

I can recognize why people love gaming and the various aspects of applying gaming to learning and education.

So I will take what I have and am learning and seek to apply to my classroom and teaching.

But, I'll probably come home and watch some TV instead of picking up the controller or opening my computer up to World of Warcraft.

{KS} Studying Trader Joe's...because it's my happy place

Design. It is everywhere. 

We design our life, homes, classrooms, schedules.

Stores, restaurants, parks are designed with purpose.

Here is a look at the design model of Trader Joe's.

Take some time and look around. 

What design models are you surrounded by.

Games and Kids

It's that time of year. Everything is starting back up and I am caught between being in "summer mode" and "real life."  My last 2 weeks have been consumed with helping the parental units pack their up their home and move (though they are in limbo until the new house closes which means my house is happily a partial storage unit), school has started and along with teaching 8th grade I am working in more of a leadership role to the staff than ever before, and... so much reading, blog to update, thinking to be done and so it goes...

Despite the craziness and a long to-do list, I spent an evening watching my friends kids so that they could take some time for themselves. I'm pretty nice that way. Call it procrastination, being a friend, or just stupid, I headed over to their house and the four boys (ages 4-10) had a delightful evening. To be honest it is the most relaxed and entertaining evening I've had in a while. Why, you might ask?

Mario Cart.

Enough said.

But for the sake of it being more than just a fun evening with some of my favorite little people, I thought I'd reflect on the experience in light of gaming and learning I am supposed to be doing.

Recently, I have been playing more video games than I ever have in my life. Some of them have been fun, others simply frustrating.  Most of my recent game playing experience has been conducted with a mindful, analytical approach. The night in question was not such an experience. I simply played. Because they wanted to play. The boys cheered and we all giggle. The youngest did not really play but was so engaged in our racing, it did not matter.

Why so much fun?

We were playing together. In person. Not together on a screen from different locales. We were all caught up in the moment.

4 brothers and me.
Giggling.
Competitive.
Relaxed.
Engaged.

Some of the most fun I've had in the last 2 weeks is thanks to Mario Cart.

I improved as the game went on. And the boys were eager to help.

In that moment I was not pondering the words of Gee, Burke or McGonigal. But, as I look back on the evening it is clear that there is truth to Burke's identification of "kindred spirits" and "support from friends".

The truth is that I am not going to come home and play Mario Cart after work. It's not something that appeals to me. But, if friends are playing, old or young. Count me in.

Progressive learning

*Note to reader... forgive the jumping around of ideas and thoughts...it might come together at the end...no promises*

It is a term that comes up multiple times in Gamify, by Brian Burke and one that should be applied in classrooms on a daily basis. It should be applied in all learning environments. The idea of learning in incremental steps is centric to gaming, small steps first, building on those skills over time. I've referred to this concept in previous posts and have been pondering it as I explore various video games. It doesn't seem to matter which game I play. This incremental or progressive learning approach applies to all. Some games have little challenge and therefore the increments are limited, but others are quite complex and therefore the incremental/progressive learning is necessary and layered.

The truth remains that I am not one to sit down and play games on my computer for hours upon hours. It's not that I necessarily do not spend hours in front of my computer or TV. It's just that, for the most part, games don't interest me. There are the few that are the exception or that suck me in (Peggle, Tiny Wings and 7 Words have entertained me plenty). But I rarely come back. It's more of a binge mentality. Until I am sitting in the dentist office waiting for my cleaning appointment. But even then, I'll open up a book app and read, before playing one of the few games on my phone.

Why is this?

In Gamify, Burke states that "gamification does not just mean make a game." It refers to the incremental, progressive game mechanics of gaming. As I stated above, this is an idea that should be present in every learning environment. Burke also goes on to explore when and why gamification is successful. Turns out, it is not always successful, be it poor implementation, lack of buy in, failure to provide "meaningful" and "engaging" experiences.

That got me thinking, if one were to gamify professional development at my school, would I buy in? I looked into this concept of professional development gamification and sure enough there are examples all over the World Wide Web.

I think I'd be there person in the corner, trying to get work that "really matters" done. I'd be that pain in the butt adult.

On the other hand, I can see how the mechanics of gaming are applicable to professional development. Clearly, it has been somewhat successful.

I still don't think I'd respond well.

The only way I think I would buy in is if it was collaborative. Even then...I'm not sure.

I'm still pondering.

Started playing Peggle...so long life.

It is not a joke. I started playing Peggle. 2 days later I stopped. Because I had finished the entire game. Then I thought I had better play Peggle Night. After all, I was suffering from withdrawals. I could have more will power this time around. So I started playing Peggle Night. 2 days later I stopped. Because I had finished the entire game. (For the record, I am a teacher on summer vacation and clearly, I used my time wisely)

I dream Peggle. When I close my eyes I am plotting points and angles to shoot the ball in order to hit the orange pegs. Peggle took over my life for a time. I am not proud of it but I enjoyed every fun and frustrating moment and felt a strong satisfaction when this happened.

The question as to why I was obsessed entertained with Peggle and therefore addicted willing to spending so much time playing a game on my phone. Let me explain how it works.

*     *     *     *    *

Peggle is the perfect balance between challenge and fun. They start you out with a small challenge. Shoot the ball and hit the orange pegs. Once you do that, you win. And so you channel the days of Frogger and Pinball and you blast the pegs. Satisfaction.

Next level, you do more of the same. Only this time, there are obstacles in the way. This process continues and with each level, a new character with a special power is introduced. Their special power enables you to overcome the obstacles. But each level also brings a new obstacle or challenge to overcome. This one harder than last. You may not succeed the first time. But you go back. You will win this time. Sometimes you do. Sometimes it means 8 attempts. Either way, you WILL win. Finally you make it to the ultimate challenge. And you get to choose the strange character with their magical power that you believe will help you win this great contest. You may not succeed the first time. But you go back. You will win this time. Sometimes you do. Sometimes it means 8, 9, 10, 15 attempts. Either way, you WILL win.

Breaks are taken. After all, you are an adult with responsibilities and the dog needs to go outside to take care of business.

But Peggle calls you back. You're sooooooo close. You'll get it. 5 more minutes. Maybe 5 more. Dang. I almost had it. One more time.

And so it goes.

Somehow, you have become so wrapped up in a game that you downloaded earlier that morning just to "check it out" because a Cadremate happened to have mentioned it at the last Hangout. Something that you once had no investment in, you are committed and determined to beat. Well done Peggle. Well done.

Landon and Jon...I blame you.

Oh Peggle (insert smiley face, heart eyes emoticon here).