Blind Marching Band

I think the marching band is really inspiring. I'm in show choir and even with sight I can't stay in line and get my choreography down. I think they learned to play by feeling the instruments and memorizing where their fingers go. In a way, it's no different than how I learn. I don't stare at the fret board when playing guitar, I just know how to form the chords by memory. I imagine they learn the music largely by ear. They probably have help from their assistants to read them the notes, and it's possible they have braille sheet music, which would be really cool.

I commented on Robbie's blog.

Is That a Cow?

Milkpedia's 1st Vlog from Austin on Vimeo.

Here's our Big Idea Vlog! :D Enjoy.

I commented on Robbie's vlog.

Back To Good Ol' Ben

WHO are you designing your game for? (Include the player's age, abilities, and prior knowledge of your topic.)

High school students. I am assuming that they have at least heard of Ben Franklin and know a little bit of basis knowledge about him such as the fact that he was a political figure, and that he did the kite experiment.
WHAT will your game teach the player about your topic? (Be specific!)
- More in depth about the kite experiment
- His political beliefs
-Poor Richard's almanack
-His 13 virtues
WHERE does your game happen?
Pittsburgh

Describe the world you will design for your game.
It will take place mostly in Pittsburgh - including his home, where he met with other delegates, and his lab.

How will this setting add to the learning experience?
It will show how the things he did took place.
HOW does your game world teach the player about your topic?
It shows what life was like when he lived and the things he was surrounded by.
What happens in the world that helps the player learn?
All of his major accomplishments.
How does the player use what they learned to make something happen in the game?
After they learn about the glass armonica, they would get a chance to play it.
After they learn he started the 1st fire dept in Pittsburgh, they will get to play as a firefighter, etc.
WHY is a game a better way of understanding your topic than a quiz?
It's a lot more fun and entertaining and it makes the information stick longer.
I commented on: Austin's blog

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue

If I was him, I would definitely try the drug. I couldn't  go my whole life wondering "what if." If I had to lose a sense, it would be smell. In turn, I would lose some of my sense of taste but still, it's the lesser of evils here. I am a singer, guitarist, and actor - I need my hearing and I need speech. I'm also a writer and it would be so hard to adapt to Braille if I was blind.

Ben Franklin

I picked Ben Franklin because he did a ton of things. There's a lot of things he did that people aren't aware of. However I am now learning that Ben Franklin won't work because it doesn't fall under a category for the competition. :( Oh well... Basically he was involved in science, political life, philosophy and writing.
My three sources:
http://www.history.com/topics/benjamin-franklin
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/benjamin-franklin-dies
http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/


I commented on Austin's blog.