Week of April 23 - May 4th

This week, we're continuing to work on our Independent Technology Projects:

• videography (team should submit a completed storyboard to me this week)
• photography (blogs with inspiration photos, work on Photoshop techniques and save originals!)
• game design (continue as is)
• Virtual World and Leadership Team (plan for the city layout)

Eportfolio work--additional items, photos, assignments.

Post on your blog:
1. What progress am I making this week? (show an example of your photo, or a screenshot of what you're working on!)
2. What am I learning (independently?) Be specific as possible.
3. What challenges do I have?
4. What are next steps for the week?

Dreamworld Begins...

Dreamworld Build Team

Marco, Oliver, Jesse, and Lucas, Terraform Team

It's official! We've begun the building phase of our BCNexus Activeworlds build. Our project is called "Dreamworld Island," as it involves the interests and talents of our Grade 9 InfoTech students. We're combining an Independent Digital Exploration Project (choice of videography, photography, design, and gaming/programming) with 3D immersive technology to learn about Digital Citizenship, and to build skills in areas of specific technology interest. This is a pilot project, and our students are "pioneers" in this educational technology! There are only eight other such "worlds" being built in B.C. in this pilot project.

Dreamworld Island Begins...

Students are planning and building according to their areas of interest as outlined in their eportfolios, so we have planned a town with the following: bakery, recreation centre, performing arts theatre, movie theatre, town hall, health clinic, mechanics and auto shop/car dealership, aesthetics salon, veterinary clinic and animal shelter. Students will be posting career information in each of their places of business.

On Monday, we had a Skype session with Mr. Gordon Holden, an expert and pioneer teacher in 3D immersive technology here in B.C.. He showed us some amazing things about 3D worlds, and toured us through his own beautiful StoryForge World. We are so grateful to have his expertise and willingness to share with us!

We have a Leadership Team whose role it is to coordinate, communicate, plan, and establish laws and a Building Team whose job it is to plan, terraform, build infrastructure, acquire objects, and help classmates build their businesses. We may even establish an economy. So far, there's lots of excitement as everyone is in the initial stages of planning, outlining, diagramming, and learning how to navigate their way in a digital world. Who knows where our learning journey will take us!

Monday, April 2nd: Dreamworld and Project

A. Independent Project:
Today, after you've logged in to Moodle, check your Independent Project link (videography, photography, gaming, design, etc.), and do the following:
1. Say what you are doing for your Independent Project, who you are working with, and what you hope to learn. Add to the "Upload Project Plan" link. I will give you feedback.
2. Browse inspiration photos, videos, or favourite games, movies, designs--whatever relates to your project. Upload to your blog (The outline to this activity is on your Independent Project link)!

B. Dreamworld:
1. Leadership Team: Malin, Marco, Sarah H, Kaden --> please come up with an island shape, and look over proposal to okay sending it off. Add an introduction.
2. Building Team: Kaden, Tie, Sarah, Andrew, Christian, Natalie, Brett, Marco, Jesse, Lucas R, Oliver C-L, Natalie --> please smooth out edges of beach.

The following people will have home contact for overdue eportfolios:
Kevin W, Nik B, Clayton M, Eden S, Callie S, Shianne G, Ann B, Marco S, Jen P, Josh C.