last p4k 2006

This is the last blog entry from me. I will miss everyone and i will keep in touch. In p4k 2006 I am proud of all the accomplishments that we made in this class I am glad that everyone learned something new and different and had a chance to experience new and different things.I am thankful of all the achievements and chances that I have had. All I would like to say is THANK YOU to all the trainers for giving me the chance for these experiences. THANK YOU!

Learn and having fun.

What I learned is that I can make difference in the world by helping others and get to learn more about the issue that is in the games.

what i have learned

I have learned this year how to make a video game with the help from my global kids, after school class and Gamelab. I have learned about poverty, education, haiti, etc. I've met alot of people this year and made a lot of friends. Sorry to say that this will be my last year, as a senior.

I will miss u guys

This my last blogg that I will be posting. I really have fun the past year I've spent with eveyone of you and I am going to miss you all alot. So please keep up the good work and hold your head up high. Good luck. Love Raniece

p4k - good time

I had a good time at p4k this year, with the podcast, and the panel. Also just being in the program in general. Cant wait to see u next year.

G-man; word life

During my conversations with the lovely girls next to me, I learned a lot from them, such as that they like many things about P4K, how this progam allowed them to grow as people and learn other computer skills, and about the complications of game playing.

schandy

one of the thing i will like to see diffrent next year is mostly what we talk about - more people to be more active and say what's on their mind (and the food should change). global kids should have more trips

wats good

My Favorite Highlight is going to the museum. It been a very good experience. I like the program a lot now that i'm graduating. I will miss the program.

i learned a lot from global kids this year and i met a lot of new people.im glad that i decided to dedicate my time to p4k.

WHAT I AM PROUD OF ?

the thing i learned is that we can make a game with a certain amount of money. i am proud that i became the summer intern. i hope i can do very good at the job for global kids

The P4K Podcast

You can listen to the first P4K podcast, featured in the upcoming Global Kids' Digital Media Initiative podcast series.
Barry

Are cheat codes cheating?

In yesterday's program, we talked about the possibility of adding cheat codes into the game. A cheat code is something you can do as a player to immediately advance - such as raising your level, or ability, or changing your location.

Many students liked the idea of having some cheat codes. DeWayne disagreed, saying a game with cheat codes is not a game. It is cheating.

Many of the GK Leaders, playing the Alpha, were frustrated by getting deep into debt. The idea was raised to have a cheat code to get oneself out of debt.

DeWayne responded, "The question is, in Haiti can you use a cheat code to get out of poverty?"

That settled that.

The Alpha is Ready

The Alpha can now be viewed.

Download the latest Flash Player here.

Download the .exe version if the Flash version won't work.

Some visual references gameLab shared with us

direction reference: http://www.loworks.org/
direction reference: http://www.iheartswitch.com/index.html
direction reference: http://www.carolinehwang.net/

Early character backstories

Last week, gameLab worked with the GK Leaders to use the rough visual sketches created by gameLab to develop backstories for each of the game's family members.


Character Backstory

For your team’s character, please answer the following, in any way you choose:

Family Role: girl child

Name of character: Rebecca

Personality of character:

Shy Generous Introverted
Kind Thoughtful Smart
Sweet Creative

Character’s relationships with others?

Has a best friend avoids people who bother her or talk about her
Has lots of cousins Favorite Aunt Loves her parents
Gets along with her siblings

Character’s relationship with the world?

Likes
Mints Ginger Candy Fried Foods Rice
Listening to sweet micky an zen

Dreams
Actor Dentist Doctor Singer Dancer

Some things the character might have written about in his or her journal in the last few years

She met a guy named Raymond that she likes. They go to the same school but one thing she aims for is an education so that she can have a better like and nice job.


Character Backstory 2

Family Role: male child

Name of character: Marcugero (Marc)

Personality of character:

Adventurous, Curious, Handy, Introverted of his little shyness, very intelligent

Character’s relationships with others?

Friendly with others he knows, like friends and family when he tries to take time with them because he likes to be by himself on his own adventure.

Character’s relationship with the world?

- Dreams to be like his father/older brother
- Likes to travel
- Like to read if he is not being disturbed with family problems
- Dislike is missing school because he loves education

Some things the character might have written about in his or her journal in the last few years

Very high grades on report card
Fears are not being able to finish school to have an education to support his family to live better.
He has a puppy but is afraid of not being able to feed and take care of it.


Character Backstory 3

Family Role: male child

Name of character: Theodore

Personality of character:

Athletic, creative, outgoing, funny, thoughtful, generous

Character’s relationships with others?

Has a lot of friends that he loves to play with & family (Likes: Sis, Mom. Dislikes: Dad, Aunt)
And some of his neighbor’s he doesn’t like.

Character’s relationship with the world?

His dream is to become rich and help his family and his country.
To become a basketball player
He also likes to play baseball.

Some things the character might have written about in his or her journal in the last few years

- He has a job that pays minimum wage (collecting bottles and selling them with soda and other juice)
- He is trying to get a girlfriend
- He just graduated from junior high school
- His sister is really smart in technology


Character Backstory 4

Family Role: Mother

Name of character: Rebecca Edward

Personality of character:

28 years old Merchant
Like to own a merchant business

Krochet, listen watch movies

Character’s relationships with others?

- Krochet
- Listen to music
- Watch movies
- She always friendly to people
- Always generous
- And thoughtful

Character’s relationship with the world?

Dream is to make Haiti healthy.

Some things the character might have written about in his or her journal in the last few years

Wish life was easy in Haiti.



Character Backstory 5

Family Role: Father

Name of character: Pierre Edward

Personality of character:

- Smart on farming abilities
- 30 years
- He likes to cook and craftsmanship

Character’s relationships with others?

- Meet for the first time; marketplace
- Love teen around friends and family
- Hit his best friend Steve for stealing a pineapple

Character’s relationship with the world?

- Environment (care)
- Leaders (decision)
- Music such as Jazz
- Dream of performing

Some things the character might have written about in his or her journal in the last few years

- Life without his wife isn’t worth living
- I must always provide for my family
- My childrens is the hold on my soul

Today's P4K: Child Alert Haiti and Character Design

In today's program, we used games to familiarize ourselves with the new UNICEF report,Child Alert: Haiti, which only came out last week. We also discussed why UNICEF chose this approach to educate people about issues in Haiti and how that was similar and different from our approach, using P4K.

We then explored Character Development, looking at sketches of our game's five family members, created by gameLab, and developed backstories for the different members.

Some Haitian Names for the Game

Today we brainstormed some Haitian names we might use in the game.

Some names we came up with are:
Sweet Mickey
Jean
Marck
Chantal
Maria
Darren
Theodore
Nadine
Edwin
Rebecca
Antonio
Preval
Marie
Edward
Claude
Pierre
Francois
Evelyn
Dominique
Lovita
Miriam
Mildred
Stania
Sonia/Sonya
John

Three Site's Recommended for News on Haiti

These are three sites our educational consultant (Kiran) recommends we use for checking on the latest news in Haiti:

1. http://www.haitiradio.com
2. http://www.haiti-info.com
3. http://www.haitinews.net

Speaking with Microsoft and Reviewing the Content Critique

On Tuesday, March 28th, all were disappointed when a planned trip to the Microsoft offices in NYC was unexpectedly cancelled that very morning. However, we were able to have a nice conference call amongst all of the players.

Instead, we spent time during the program reviewing the content critique developed by Kiran, our content expert at Columbia's Teachers College, and did a scavenger hunt within the prototype looking for the errors or places of improvement.

For example, we learned that girls are unlikely to work as a mechanic, men are unlikely to work in the market (unless assisting a woman), and children are paid less than adults when working in a rum factory. However, none of this is yet reflected in the prototype. We learned about how the role of health care and education in the game could be improved, specific touches that would make it reflect Haitian culture more, and how gameLab will incorporate these specifics of Haitian culture into the next game build.

Haitian Towns and People

The photography that accompanied the piece was taken by Cameron Davidson, who is known for his commercial, editorial, and aerial work, as well as his documentation of the plight of the Haitian people in the town of Pignon, Haiti.

g-man colors

Such is what the world needs, the color of black and white coming together to make music, and purify the spirit of the people living within our world, for music is a stepping stone toward happiness.

FOOD SHIP LEAVES FOR CAP HAITIEN

Port-au-Prince, 25 March 2004 - The first shipment of urgently needed food aid has departed the Haitian capital today, destined for the northern city of Cap Haitien where it will be distributed to 181,000 vulnerable people in the north of the country.

TO READ THE REST OF THE STORY, CLICK ON THE URL........

Haitian Voting

Presidential candidate and former Haitian president Lesly Manigat, 75,during a rally in the town of Croix des Bouquets, 20 km east of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti Saturday Oct. 8, 2005. Oct. 8 is the official beginning of the electoral campaign in Haiti.[AP]

g-man love

Such is the unity of love for the community of the Haitian culture to come together in a single bond, and as they wave their flag the color of the sky rains gold upon their soul for such is proof of devotion.

bus trans

this image is from :
http://www.exploitz.com/People-Standing-On-Roof-Of-Crowded-Intercity-Bus-PortAuPrince-Ouest-Haiti-picture.php

I chose this because I felt it represents haiti when people are happy.
When I see this picture I feel happy, and inspired.

Haiti Airplane Map

Today's Program: Prepare for MS visit and more photo research

Today we prepared for our trip to the NYC Microsoft offices next week and continued work on the visual reference library. Catherine from gameLab gave us some great feedback on the photos from two weeks ago: "Everything is so good that we want MORE MORE MORE." :-)
Barry

the G-man on sports

This is the faces of what you may call "game face "where the sweat and perfection is reflecting the skills of a footballer. This is the sensation of hope deep within a haitian heart.

g-man on haitian

Wyclif Jean is a sensation just as Usher is, for his music is known through both the United State and Haiti. And when I look at this photo it make me want to better myself.

The different faces of Haiti

From the below poverty to an 8.5 mil$ mansion, you see the disparity that consumes this small carribean island.All is not bad. Haiti is full of wonderful and beautiful beaches along with cultural landmarks.

This is one of the many haitian schools for boys and girls. Unfortunately it doesnt have enough money to provide all the students with adequate supplies

On your way to school you past the marketplace where vans and trucks are picking up people.

www.un.org/av/photo/ subjects/images/187537.jpg

landscape

From this picture you can see the the landscape of a small Haitian town.

http://www.heritagekonpa.com/haiti%20picture.htm

Another view of a Haitian town.

Haitian paintings

This is a famous painting of Haiti's landscape and how the people interact with it in order to make it beautiful. This makes me feel that Haiti was a good place and beautiful place before it plumited into what it is today.

wow this place is BEAUTIFUL!!!

This is actually a painting but it looks like the real thing. I can't stress how beautiful this place is. This is a great scene.

A Haitian town

This shows how beautiful Haiti's town are. This shows that all places are beautiful in their own way.

Haitian land scape

This is a beautiful picture from the sky of haiti.This show s the beautiful side of haiti

Hi from California!!!!!

Hi everyone! This is Kris of couse.I just wanted to tell you about my experience at the 2006 Serious Games Coference, here in San Jose. Well, so far, Afi and I went to summit sessions where Peter from gameLab joined us. At these sessions we learned about "Politics,Religion,and Ideology: New appoaches to biased games" by Ian Bogost. This session was about the limits on commercial game development techniques. Then we went to another session on "serious play: at the edge of education gaming".This session was on exactly what we're doing with educational game development, the process, the glitches, the hard work and the final outcome. And the last session we did was on "Real Teachers:Real Games". This focused on teachers who use games to teach classes in history and other subjects. Today is a whole new day of experiences on gaming and I can't wait to tell everyone all about it. See u when I get back. LATER!!!!!!!!!

P4K Prepares for the Global Kids Conference

Next week is the annual Global Kids Conference, in which 600 teens come together, led by Global Kids Leaders, around a global topic. This year the topic is Media in a Globalized Age. Four GK Leaders in P4K are running workshops in the conference, so in P4K today they practiced faciliating the workshop. The workshop is an introduction to media: what it is, its global history, and the pros and cons.

Incidentally, I noticed something different in the room today. In past meetings, GK Leaders often take photos from web and turn them into their desktop images or screensavers. It only takes one click. In the past, these images have been popular characters from animated tv shows and anime, nothing to do with our program. Today, however, the photos were of Haiti, which I recognized from the work last week.

Barry

telephone

This is a woman working at a telephone company

women writing

this is 3 women writing at there job

Haitian homes 2

this pic makes me think that people say that they have their own opion about any thing that would want to say

This pic. shows them playing and most importantly shows them laughing and smiling.

this pic makes me feel mad because this man done destroyed Haiti and i am glad that he is out of Haiti i say this because my mom told me

this pic makes me feel happy because i know people that play soccer like my father

This picture seem's to be landmark that means a lot to the people of haiti.

This remines me of a regular day in a quiet town.This bus seem's to be regular transportation to get from point A to point B.

this picture make's me feel sad because it look's like the people in this area are suffering from proverty.

this pic makes me feel happy inside because now they have something special like clean water in Haiti

This pic makes me feel confused because the politics in Haiti are all confused

I picked this picture, because it shows the children playing happily not thinking about the problems they might be going through

The g-man & bones "SEDUCTION"

THIS PAINTING: IT REFLECTS THE HEARTS OF MAN WHERE WE ARE TAKEN OFF OF THE PATH & GOALS SET OUT FOR US WITH IN OUR SELF. IT SHOWS THE TALES OF THE SIRENS FOR A MAN CAN NEVER ESCAPE THE HOLD OF A FEMALE.

the g-man & bones

g-man has to say "This is the dance of unfairness, where the children are without a voice in society. Evgery time they try to say something their voices are not being heard."

the g-man & bones About Haitian Art

this picture dipicts art, it shows the artistic tallent of those tallented Haitians.when I see this painting it makes me feels in the words of g-man"TWO FACE BACK STABBERS" and in my words (bones) it makes me feel betrayed because that person in the painting has two faces.

Building an Annotated Visual Reference Library

Today, in P4K, the GK Leaders, at gameLab's request, began work building an annotated visual reference library.

After reviewing how to grab images from the web and post them on a blog, GK Leaders broke into separate teams with different image missions:

News from 2000-2006

Handicrafts

Households

Landscapes/cityscapes

Dress

Play

Work

HATIAN CLOTHEN

THIS IS A TRADITIONAL DRESS FROM HAITI AND ITS USE IN CELEBRATION

THIS BEAUTIFUL LAND SCAPE SHOWS THAT THERE WERE ANCIENT CIVILIZATION IN HAITI

KID KASH

THIS IS A PICTURE OF A PALACE IN HAITI THIS PICTURE MAKE ME FEEL THAT THERE WERE KING BACK IN HAITI

KID WONT KASH

THIS IS A HOUSE IN A TOWNSCAPE AND IT MAKES ME FEEL THERES STILL LIFE IN HAITI

KID IS KASH

These are clothen from haiti and they are mostly hand made

Haitian Home

These are typical homes of Haitian society where most people live.

These homes are surrounded by garbage where they look like waste lands.

When looking at these pictures of these homes Kris & Eric felt sorry for these people and disgusted that these people have to suffer this way.

Hatian pottery

this is a Hatian worker at his job making pottery.

Haiti Map and Population

Map of Haiti

Haitian Population

Aids, Hurricane and Death

Its a sad thing to see a tragic death just as ia big hurricane strikes.This little girl leaves her family in pain and anguish just as all but one surrived.

A cannon

This is a picture of a house in haiti