Lesley Anderson

 Another Battle - Runescape  www.runescape.com 

After spending a few minutes on this site I can understand why the boys recommended that I had a look at it. Runescape is flashy. The graphics are excellent and the music loud and of excellent quality.  The game requires Java to run it and is “playable” straight on the screen with nothing else to download. There is a distinction between freeplay and member play as some of the “Worlds” within the game are locked to free players - I’m not sure what the difference between the games are. I suppose the site offers their 15,000 free hours and then you must subscribe.
Runescape does require some time spent to set-up.

• a profile is created - basically username, password, DOB, email address, country of residence. 
• a world is selected - this must be a free world as member worlds are locked for freeplay
• a character is designed - gender, clothing etc - could be classed as an avatar and is customisable, and changeable at certain times during the game.

• mouse options selected
  then a tutorial begins.

I worked through a fair bit of the tutorial and I actually quite enjoyed the setting up and acquiring of skills and items for use further into the game. I didn’t have to battle anything much during the tutorial, but that’s what this  game is about  too, although it is quite upmarket and sophisticated and much more than just a battle. I think that looking at Runescape and having a go at it for a while will help open up some avenues of conversation with some of my students which could be quite interesting.

The Battle for Wesnoth

I have held off posting this response as I wanted to have a few experiences with this game before I posted. I had no problems downloading the game and installing it on my computer, which was a good start with it.  Unfortunately I couldn’t seem to organise an online game with someone else so I’m not able to respond to that experience which might well have shown me something different about the game.

I am afraid I am not a “battle” game person, there is something about running around battling and killing people that just doesn’t appeal to me but I did try to go into it with an open mind. I’m sure there are many people who would find the game interesting and enthralling but frankly I found it quite boring.  Perhaps  it wasn’t fast moving enough?  It’s not that I am against computer games - I have spent many hours trying to beat my kids through the levels of Theme Hospital and my 8 year old and I are big on playing SimCity. I suppose I just enjoy a different type of game.

After discussing the Battle of Wesnoth with some of my Grade 6 boys, they suggested that I look at a game they seem to be playing a lot called Runescape - www.runescape.com  Runescape seems to be quite a popular game with them and I will have a look at it and perhaps post my response about it as well.

Mobile Computing Research

What is the educational value of online mobile games
and mobile social network access?

Wi-Fi technology advantages for e-learning 

Improving interest and access for many ‘digital natives’ (Prensky, 2001) by employing familiar and flexible modes of learning, e-learning develops 21^st Century skills - problem solving, decision making, collaboration and teamwork through varied content methods such as simulations, games and social networking - effectively changing the face of both teaching and learning.

Using technology and these methods, to access learning across personal, local or world-wide networks, caters better for individual needs and learning styles. No boundaries of distance or time, means students have personal control over their learning. Read the rest of this entry »