Unit 11: Indroducing Themistocles73, My Pikkubot

My Pikkubot: 

Themistocles (Tha-mist-o-clees) was an general of ancient Athens that lived from 524-459 B.C.  Themistocles fought in the Battle of Marathon and it was his strategy and leadership that won the Battle of Salamis in 479 BC.  Considered to be one of the greatest battles in human history, the Peloponnesian League defeated the Persian Empire in a naval battle that ended Persia's grip on the Mediterranean. I created my Pikkubot to introduce my students to this important historical figure.  I plan to make him the centerpiece to my final project.  I have prepared an introductory speech for him but I will also create a Pandora brain so that students may ask questions.


SLED News:

I read an article about John "Pathfinder" Lester's world in Jibe.  I looked forward to viewing it for this piece but I could not get Jibe to work on my browser.  So I had to scratch that.

I instead read an article about Archaeology Island from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  The article discusses that IUP moved their content out of Second Life and on to ScienceSim, an OpenSim grid.  I have included a picture of me at a Mayan temple. I say, what's the point of creating a Mayan settlement on ScienceSim, according to the Mayans, we won't be around to enjoy it.  He, he, he!

Final Project:

I am planning to create an immersive ancient Greek environment.   My hope is to create a learning environment that students can use to learn, to act out ancient Greek tragedies, and/or serve as virtual meeting place for teachers and educators.  Some of the items I have used in my backdrop this week are pieces to my final project.  I am starting to assemble the look and feel.  I will also be creating costumes for participants, and other accessories.

Unit 10 - Machinima

Not much went according to plan with this one.  This assignment highlighted, for me, my need for a new computer.  I have every intention of using Camtasia and probably machinima in my classroom.  If I am going to do that, I am going to have to upgrade. 

I had trouble with the viewer.  I initially used the Second Life viewer.  I am still having trouble with my video card and the basic shaders.  I thought I would try it out in Imprudence.  I was able to turn on my basic shaders and have Ultra graphic settings without a problem.  So most of my machinima was produced using Camtasia and Imprudence.

Final Project:

Currently I am thinking about creating a Greek Amphitheater for the performance of Greek tragedies and orations.