KODU is a new, stimulating, visual programming
language made specifically for creating games. It is designed to be accessible
for children and is enjoyable for both adults and children. The programme can be played on the
Xbox, allowing rapid design repetition using only a game controller for input.
Image 1, before I programmed instructions in...
Image 2, with clear instructions...
Key Features:
Who would have thought that so much creativity could be found in a game. Kodu provides an end-to-end
creative environment for designing, building, and playing your own new games.
- High-level language incorporates real-world primitives: collision, color, vision
- Uses Xbox 360 Game Controller for input — no keyboard required
- Runs on XBox 360 and PC
- Interactive land editor
- Bridge and path builder
- land editor - create worlds of arbitrary shape and size
- 20 different characters with different abilities KODU
DANCE TO ADVANCE
Dance to
Advance is a modern user-friendly dance mat which is a fantastic resource for
educational purposes. It is a great, engaging way to challenge and test
knowledge of students because it features amazing visual and auditory stimuli.
Dance to Advance is very innovative and beneficial for students because by
using it, students will have fun making their way to greater understanding and
maintaining their concepts. For older children, personalised dance mat
activities can be created and edited on any topic or
subject using text, pictures or sound. It allows students to personalise their learning experience by selecting from a range of characters, music and background scenes (HOW EXCITING!!!) please see example below. Children/teachers also have the option to choose from the range of ready-made activities (trust me there are many). The game features 1 or 2 player capability and allows for single, dual or sequential responses. This game encourages team work and turn taking. Dance to Advance comes with two dance mats, the mats have pressure-sensitive pads that act as switches for sending signals to the computer. The signals interact with Dance to Advance software rewarding the player for correct choices. Dance to Advance is such an inspiring tool for students as even the most shy and hesitant learner will be eager to join the fun.
I created my own dance to advance game…the
children will be happy to learn that the focus is on the 5 times tables (please see above image).
Please see video of two peers demonstrating how to use the dance mats so eloquently....
MYST EXILE – Takes children through a wonderful and fabulous journey through the mystical world of Myst. Children are encouraged to use their imagination and to become creative and innovative thinkers.
MACHINARIUM -
is produced by Amanita Designs. It is an independent adventure game that has
many educational purposes: imagination develops a child’s communication; problem
solving skills and applying appropriate strategies; logical thinking,
persistence (something that I struggle with at times) and collaborative
thinking are just to name a few. MACINARIUM
WORDLE - is a
toy for generating ‘word clouds’ from text that you provide. The clouds give
greater prominence to words that appear more commonly in the text. Clouds can be completely changed or even just tweaked with different fonts, colour schemes and layouts. The
images you create with Wordle are yours to use. They can also be printed out or even saved to the Wordle gallery. 
VOKI - enables children to create their own character, customise their look, add voice and to choose a background. Please see the voki character (to the left) that I created earlier.
Voki Classroom is a classroom management tool that lets teachers create and organise Voki class accounts, as well as add and manage lessons and students. One important feature is that no student registration is required. Voki:motivates students to participate; improves message comprehension; introduces technology in a fun way; is an effective language tool. VOKI
A clear and informative blog post explaining the different Simulation/Programming examples and how they can be incorporated within the classroom in a fun and engaging way!
ReplyDeleteGreat demonstration of the dance mat! I look forward to using that in the classroom :)
ReplyDelete