The case for video games as a learning tool is such moot subject.
What good is leaning how to eat mushrooms(they help you grow?), pull 1080's with the push of a button, wander through the capitol wasteland, when you could be learning to do the real thing.
At the same time, there is the concept of "something better than nothing."
Unfortunately, the whole issue is entirely subjective, making the case for them boil down to the presentation of factors of each side.
Like the article, "TurnOnTheLights," mentions, the obvious case for video games is as a learning tool. Information can now travel at such an immense speeds, that the universality of video games and information is almost invaluable. Furthermore, games like "Darfur is Dying," help to inform people in a stimulative fashion- turning an international problem into a conputer screen 5 feet from your face. Stimulation is the key to the support put forth in the article- that doing something-even playing a video game- is better than doing nothing. Someone who would sit on a couch all day, may benefit from something like the Wii Fit, even if they are not playing a game of soccer outside.
However, there are obvious over-doings in this case. One of the biggest problems with video games is the over-saturation of information. The convinience of such a vbast world of information and avaliability of instant satisfaction through things like video games can be argued is slowly diluting the QUALITY of information and knowledge in society. Furthermore, especially in the field of KPE, video game use can have little application other than entertainment. Playing Tony Hawk may be fun, but it only creates a false hope and easy-answer to actually learning to skateboard.
In the 30's, they tried to create models of learning by having machines "mimic" human movement(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lqDxKQ300k) [around 4:00]. This failed, as it was impossible to mimic the actual movements and cater to the individuality of movement. This as a case against video games, it can be said that the value of games is limited in a field of kinesiology do to the nature of inactivity created by such games
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
GIMPed
Don't miss the hottest movie this summer.
I designed this poster, using a scratch idea.
The concept was to create a satirical poster, using influences from local sources and other movies.
Using the mascot character of Umaine, this mock disaster-zombie-apocalyptic-thriller poster was created.
A picture of the campus library and some simple crop and stamp editing work provided for the explosive nature, providing interest and complexity to the idea of what this movie might be out.
The title was an obvious homage to Samuel L. Jackson's #1 movie, Snakes on a Plane.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ordering of importance
On August 17th, 2008, Michael Phelps lurched forward to become a "Greatest Olympian-" obtaining a whopping 8 Gold Medals (one for every event he competed in) at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. This brought his lifetime achievement to a 14 career Gold Medals.
And who can't say that he's deserved them. Rated to eat more than 12,000 calories a day, Phelps wakes up every day just to "Eat, sleep and swim."
So on January 2nd, when a British Tabloid (the 'News of the World') printed this article, the world fell into a stupor. There it was, the infallible Michael Phelps clearing a Roor Bong.
Disputed at first, all doubts were alleviated when Phelps himself confirmed the legitimacy of the picture.
In short, having just finished winning 8 golds, Phelps was visiting a friend at University of South Carolina. There he went to a party (like millions of other college kids- who HAVEN'T won 12 career golds), where the alleged picture was snapped.
The public went nuts; sponsors drew their breath; the press had a
field day, and supposedly, the dreams and hopes of a million kids were suddenly crushed.
People were outraged- 'how can such a responsible man of his stature do something so terrible.'
Yet as more and more of the public come to the realization of the illegitimacy of the US' "war on drugs-" specifically marijuana, people quickly came to Phelps' aid. Public figures, such as Whoopi Goldberg came out to defend Phelps' harmless actions. Even more so, millions of individuals came out to speak for Michael, as can be seen in the comments posted to the original article.
There are good points to be considered everywhere. First off, is the seemingly ludicrous commentary in the article itself. What college kid or anyone in their right mind gives a cliche quote like: “He looked just as natural with a bong in his hands as he does swimming in the pool. He was the gold medal winner of bong hits," to a representative of the media? This just made me laugh.
Then there are other points: Personal choice, excessive legislative action, and detriment to the sport.
As a personal opinion, I believe that smoking pot and drinking is obviously a personal choice of Phelps, and should not be dictated by the public. He is not a basilisk, to be controlled and revered for guidance...and to those rebutting with concerns of Phelp's being a 'negative role model,' there was an excellent commentary by responder to the original article stating : "if your kids look up to someone else, more than they look up to you, then theres a problem right there."
Furthermore, with the wrath of the media, they started to go after those responsible for 'throwing the party' back in NOVEMBER, and supposedly have started making arrests. Everyone is looking for someone to blame. Sigh.
And finally, We can all agree that Marijuana is by far a performance-enhancing drug. Especially for a sport where lung power is key. Just like in 1998 Winter Olympics, where first time(as in the sport) Gold Winner Ross Rebagliati won Snowboard Superpipe- yet tested positive for marijuana, it should almost be the case that these individuals deserve an EXTRA medal for winning high. It's not any easier to do high.
Furthermore, shouldn't the pot-hating public be going after A-rod who was actually using a performance enhancing drug?-one that is far more harmful than marijuana ever would be (if at all).
That all being said, what a champ.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx8JmivBQzo&eurl
And who can't say that he's deserved them. Rated to eat more than 12,000 calories a day, Phelps wakes up every day just to "Eat, sleep and swim."
So on January 2nd, when a British Tabloid (the 'News of the World') printed this article, the world fell into a stupor. There it was, the infallible Michael Phelps clearing a Roor Bong.
Disputed at first, all doubts were alleviated when Phelps himself confirmed the legitimacy of the picture.
In short, having just finished winning 8 golds, Phelps was visiting a friend at University of South Carolina. There he went to a party (like millions of other college kids- who HAVEN'T won 12 career golds), where the alleged picture was snapped.
The public went nuts; sponsors drew their breath; the press had a
field day, and supposedly, the dreams and hopes of a million kids were suddenly crushed.People were outraged- 'how can such a responsible man of his stature do something so terrible.'
Yet as more and more of the public come to the realization of the illegitimacy of the US' "war on drugs-" specifically marijuana, people quickly came to Phelps' aid. Public figures, such as Whoopi Goldberg came out to defend Phelps' harmless actions. Even more so, millions of individuals came out to speak for Michael, as can be seen in the comments posted to the original article.
There are good points to be considered everywhere. First off, is the seemingly ludicrous commentary in the article itself. What college kid or anyone in their right mind gives a cliche quote like: “He looked just as natural with a bong in his hands as he does swimming in the pool. He was the gold medal winner of bong hits," to a representative of the media? This just made me laugh.
Then there are other points: Personal choice, excessive legislative action, and detriment to the sport.
As a personal opinion, I believe that smoking pot and drinking is obviously a personal choice of Phelps, and should not be dictated by the public. He is not a basilisk, to be controlled and revered for guidance...and to those rebutting with concerns of Phelp's being a 'negative role model,' there was an excellent commentary by responder to the original article stating : "if your kids look up to someone else, more than they look up to you, then theres a problem right there."
Furthermore, with the wrath of the media, they started to go after those responsible for 'throwing the party' back in NOVEMBER, and supposedly have started making arrests. Everyone is looking for someone to blame. Sigh.
And finally, We can all agree that Marijuana is by far a performance-enhancing drug. Especially for a sport where lung power is key. Just like in 1998 Winter Olympics, where first time(as in the sport) Gold Winner Ross Rebagliati won Snowboard Superpipe- yet tested positive for marijuana, it should almost be the case that these individuals deserve an EXTRA medal for winning high. It's not any easier to do high.
Furthermore, shouldn't the pot-hating public be going after A-rod who was actually using a performance enhancing drug?-one that is far more harmful than marijuana ever would be (if at all).
That all being said, what a champ.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx8JmivBQzo&eurl
Crossfit Blog: A good resource
http://journal.crossfit.com/
This blog, run by the people who from Crossfit, is a great resource.
Well maintained, frequently updated, clean formatting, and open source information are some of the great things about this blog.
One of the things that sets this blog apart from some other fitness blogs, is the use of different multimedia. Instead of strictly text, there are videos, sound bytes, and articles- which keep interest constantly generated.
And of course there is the ability for users to post and comment on each article, which keeps the flow of information that is so crucial to success of the internet.
While there are free resources avaliable, the only drawback of this blog is the cost of subscription. But honestly, with everything so free these days on the internet, I find it worth if for this kind of information.
This blog, run by the people who from Crossfit, is a great resource.
Well maintained, frequently updated, clean formatting, and open source information are some of the great things about this blog.
One of the things that sets this blog apart from some other fitness blogs, is the use of different multimedia. Instead of strictly text, there are videos, sound bytes, and articles- which keep interest constantly generated.
And of course there is the ability for users to post and comment on each article, which keeps the flow of information that is so crucial to success of the internet.
While there are free resources avaliable, the only drawback of this blog is the cost of subscription. But honestly, with everything so free these days on the internet, I find it worth if for this kind of information.
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