Tag Archives: collaborative learning

General, School Media Specialist

South Jr. High students learn teamwork, respect from video game creation

teamwork 5How often do you hear about video games having a positive affect on young people?

Well, it definitely had a favorable impact on a group of sixth – eighth graders at South Jr. High School, when they became creators of their own video game. The project was a collaboration involving students and teachers from South Jr. High working with an SCSU professor.

The game is titled “Save My Dragon,” and the students drew all the characters, backgrounds, and items in the game. They took inspiration from trees, clothing, nature in their backyards and the buildings in the Twin Cities. The students even created the soundtrack for the game, using recording sticks and instruments.

The article explores how the students faced challenges when it came to agreeing on artwork, and how the experience taught them to respect the ideas of others and take constructive criticism. The end result was a feeling of school pride, and the feeling that they had accomplished this game creation as a team.

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/mg6qkck, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

 

Academic, General

St. John's Alcuin Library is under construction!

public-domain-images-free-stock-photos-high-quality-resolution-downloads-public-domain-archive-10Time for an update! Beginning May 9th and scheduled to be completed by January 2017, the Alcuin Library at St. John’s University will be undergoing a renovation and addition.

This article from the St. Cloud Times explains the project will cost $25 million and will add 22,000 square feet.

There are three main goals the renovation and addition of a learning commons hope to fulfill:

  1. Allow students to study and mingle together
  2. Help students access emerging technologies while guided by input from professionals
  3. Accommodate the changing teaching and learning styles that encourage collaboration

The updated library will also feature more opportunities for group and creative work, with a 3-D printer, media studio, and virtual reality devices.

Finally, the writing and data analysis assistance available to students will be located in the library for easier access.

Check out the article for links to floor plans and more information!

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/neduyy4