Reflection c:

  The problem in this investigation is to find a way to teach the design cyle to a sixth grader.  I knew this problem throughout the investigation, and I looked into it with a lot of detail. I compared two game websites thoroughly. I created an account on one of the websites to explore all the different functions and made sample games to see how the games were. I checked for simplicity, creativity, backgrounds, and quality. I made sure the websites were user friendly as well as how simple it would be to create a game. I checked the ratings on both websites and saw the amount of people subscribed. 

Design (:

Day 3

Design Brief

10. Write a short statement of what you are going to make, why you are going to make it, and for whom you are making it. I am going to create a game. I am creating this game to teach sixth graders about the design cycle. I chose to create a game because in sixth grade we were really into games, and I’m pretty sure it’s the same for most of the sixth grade generations.
Formulate a Design Specification

11. What are the requirements for this assignment? The requirements for this assignment is to create a 2 mins. presentation on the design cycle for a 6th grader.

12. What are the limitations you have with this assignment?  It cant be more then 2 mins long

13. How will you "test" your presentation?  I will ask 3 6th grader to test it out.

REFLECT ON YOUR LEARNING

There are a lot of things you have to think about when designing something. You have to really think about all your different options and go with the one you think will do the best performance. You need to have an idea of what it is exactly that you want to do.

Plan :)

PLAN:

14. THREE Brainstorm ideas. 

Design 1:
Part 1: Background with the names of the different design cycles
Part 2: Definition of the stage asked at the top
Part 3: Student matches up the stages to the definitions

Design 2:
Part 1: Background with the definitions of the stages
Part 2: Stage asked at the top
Part 3: Student matches up the definitions to the stages

Design 3:
Part 1: Make a multiple choice game with both matching up stages to definitions and matching definitions to stages.
Part 2: Student answers all the questions during the time designed for the game
Part 3: Student plays until they win and learn the design cycle

      Creativity- I gave creativity a 4. Because you have the option of customizing your game. First you get the choice of many choice games or place-it-on-a-map game. From there on, it takes you to a page that formats your game. You can choose between different color backgrounds, different font styles, sizes, game title, timers, hints, etc.Then insert the questions you want into your game and create your game. This page is more creative because you actually have the option of customizing your game.

     

     Backgrounds- I gave the backgrounds a 3. Because, unlike the other website, you now have the option of picking the background you want. The reason I didn’t give it a 4 or 5 was because there was not many backgrounds to pick from. Although it doesn’t really matter because you can choose backgrounds from different colors. While colors influence the player’s attention. You can research what colors would be best for a game, and you have the choice of putting that color as your background.

     

     Simplicity- I gave simplicity a 4. Because the website automatically gives you the steps you have to follow in order to make your website. It’s not a complicated process you have to go through or anything like that. As you complete the different pages you have to fill out, the website automatically puts the next step on the screen. It’s the same thing for game users. All they have to do is choose the game they want to play. The instructions will then pop out. Once they read the instructions, they will click play and play the game. This website is very simple to use.

     Quality- I gave quality a 4. Because many people are subscribed to this website and the reviews of the games are good. This tells me that there is a good chance of creating a good game on this website. Unlike the other website, this website allows a timer, or only a certain amount of chances to answer each question. It also allows you to insert hints and stuff  like that. This lets me know that sixth graders actually have to try and think to answer the game questions correctly. 

    
 Creativity- Class Tools is not very creative, so I gave it a 2. There are only 5 game options you can choose from. The many options is a flashcard game,matching cards game, a little robot that you control with your keyboard that has to chase the answers, a cannon that you point toward the right answer, and a space invaders game. It isn't creative enough for me, so it wouldn't be for a sixth graders either. There is anything you can customize on class tools. Everything is pretty much set for you. All the creator has to do is create the questions.

     

     Backgrounds- I gave backgrounds a 0. Because since you pick from pre-set options, you can’t choose your background. Background is what catches the players attention. It goes back to the theme of the game. Some of the pre-set backgrounds is a sky with little clouds, stars, plain white,plain black and green. Background is something you should be able to customize, especially if you are making the game.

    Simplicity- I gave simplicity a 4. Just because this website lacks creativity and doesn’t let you customize your own background, it is very easy to use for the creator and the user. All the creator has to do is visit the website which directly takes you to the page where you insert the questions you want to put into your game. After that, you just click on create. All the user of the game has to do is click on the set of questions you designed for your game, and it will take them to the different options of the game. They will pick between 5 different options. The game will then take them to the instructions. After they read the instructions, they click play and start playing the game. This website is very simple.

     

     Quality-  I gave quality a 3 because its both good and bad. What I don’t like about this website is that it gives the player plenty of chances to get the question correct. This doesn’t show me that the sixth graders are actually learning about the design cycle. If they have many chances to get the answer right, they will just keep on guessing until they hit on the right answer. This doesn’t help me or the sixth grader. I would have just wasted my time on creating a game, and sixth graders would be wasting their time on guessing on the game. Some students will still try their best on trying to learn the design cycle.

Day 2 reflection :]

One options is to create an arcade game. This is a web based tool, so I can access it from where ever. This website only has certain game options. You can only choose between so many different games, and you get to create your own questions. While there's not much room for creativity in this website. 

Another options is purpose games. This is also a web based tool, so it's easy to access. With this website you can create many different types of games. You can choose your topic and there is more room for creativity. There is more people following this site than there is other game websites. 

Design Folder :)

Questions 1-9 

INVESTIGATE: (Write in complete sentences) Identify the Problem

1. What is the problem you need to solve? I have to make some presentation on the design cycle but so a 6th grader could understand.

2. How does the Design Cycle apply to the real world? The design cycle applies to the real world because it helps out when you have projects or have some kind of problem it will help make things easier.

3. How will this project serve my community? This is a way when you have problems it will help you get thought it it’s a tool

4. How can my learning help my community?  This is a tool of learning

5. How do we live in relation to each other? We’re in a relation because were one big school

6. How does this help others? This helps other because it makes it easier for them to solve a problem.

7. What are the requirements for this assignment? The requirements for this assignment is to give your best and make such it’s understandable to a 6th grader.

8. What is the Design Cycle? The design cycle is a way of solving a problem

REFLECT on your learning.

Day 2

9. Spend one day experimenting with DESIGN CYCLE your presentation. List five things your learned about the Design Cycle:

There are many steps to the design cycle. You have to experiment with the different choices for your project. You have to analyze each one carefully and decide why it would be a good idea or why it wouldn’t be a good idea. You have to have reasons of why you think this way. This helps you be organized and be sure that you’ve made the right decision.