Games in Education

I think games in education could be a positive addition to the system. Yes, Video Games mostly are for entertainment purposes, but the advancements of technology have allowed designers to make games extremely complex and in-depth. Games have quickly passed the days of just using a joystick and being able to predict what the AI would do against you, now you have to actually strategize what you want to do to be successful. But that's the point isn't it? I think games actually a positive benefit to the brain when used in moderation.

I've always had the opportunity to use games as an education tool through elementary and middle school with games like "math blasters" or "Reader Rabbit" or even the Accelerated Reader Program (a program that offers tests based in the books you read with pictures used in elementary schools, and based on the amount of points you get , you get rewarded. They also used games like "Sim City 2000" to help us think logically in when it comes to making decisions. Games add a sort of competition, as well as a fun, and interesting way of learning.

In cinema/television, some scripts written from cinema/televison, and books even are being turned into games and games into books and movies (see Max Payne, Tom Clancy, 24/CSI & Mortal Kombat). That fact is gaming has almost become like an interactive cinema, and the fact that you can actually play out your own destiny, is very entertaining. So even if your script isn't for Hollywood, there is always the route of gaming to take.

Below I have attached information of:

Accelerated Reader

Video of Games & Education

Web Presence

Web Presence is the ability to create a website, or blog online to get your opinion, or business etc. out there to the world for them to see. Web Presence is very important today because it is in a world where the internet is the leading source of technology, and it will only continue to get bigger. To have a successful web presence, it doesn't mean your site/blog has to have the most hits, or critical acclaim, it matters about the right people crossing over your page at the right time, and thats why sites like StumbleUpon help your cause.

In my field, being able to create a website for my production company is huge. Not only can I post my portfolio and blog up there for people to see, but at any time a Hollywood exec could pass by my page and be impressed with my abilities and offer me a job. As well as have the chance for someone to pay me for my services that I would offer. It is all about leaving it out there for someone else to find.

Heres a few links to in depth analysis about Web Presence

Wiki

UK Web Presence

Google Docs

Google Docs is an online version of Microsoft Office offered for FREE online. As I said in an earlier post about Open Source Software, not everyone can afford computer software. But Google Docs supplies you with the ability to use a word processing, spread sheet, powerpoint presentation and form/document creator for free online. It also allows you to share the documents with other users online and let them edit it whenever they please because the saved document is always online. The only disadvantage is if you don't have internet...but having a home computer without internet is almost pointless (with a few exceptions).

In my field communicating and collaborating ideas is very key. It takes more than one person to make sure stories flow, or any other sort of project you could be working on. So the collaboration factor is what makes Google Docs useful in almost any field.

Attached is a video "Google Docs: In Plain English"

Google Docs In Plain English

Distance Education

Not everyone can afford a true college experience...hence actually attending a four year university, getting involved, joining clubs, fraternities, etc, because not only do you have to pay for those things, you have to pay for tuition, classes, text books, course packets, living, meal plans plus many other things. But a college education has become very important to achieve career goals in our country. Distance education is very similar to how UF would offer online classes. All the course material is presented over the internet, and every once in a while, you have to get a text book. And you can do the classes on your schedule.

Distance education is all online, and allows anyone from anywhere to attend that Online University and attend the classes they want, and do the work when they have the time, allowing those people to get a job to help pay for the classes and class materials, and get the work done when they are in the mood to learn, rather than having to force doing everything at certain class times.

Distance Education hasn't really offered that much for my field, but there are a few articles and sites that teach you how to understand and develop film techniques.

Attached is a website that explores the pro's and con's of distance education.

Pro's & Con's of Distance Learning

Open Source Software

Open Source Software I think is one of the best things to happen for the online community. Not everyone can afford high end programs to do their work they need to do for either school, career or leisure. Programs like Microsoft Office can cost from $150 to $300 depending on whether you're getting business or student edition, Photoshop can cost up to $700. So programs like Gimp (a free alternative to photoshop) & Open Office (a free alternative to Microsoft Office) allow users to have free programs they need to do the basic work until they can afford the high end programs.

For my career, open source software is very helpful because the cost of my applications needed to edit video and music costs me around $1500 for the original purchase, and then the upgrades (which come out every year or two) cost around $300 each. So being able to use free software can save me a lot of money.

Attached is a link for Apple users for 100 great free applications to use for your computer (including Gimp, Open Office & Audacity)

100 Useful Free Mac Applications