I loved playing Pacman and other arcade games as a kid! I do think I gained some skills over people who never played, such as problem-solving and hand-eye coordination.
In modest amounts, I think video games are a learning experience. There is such a thing as too much gaming, though. In my opinion, for library purposes, it would be best to use an Xbox 360 or a Wii. Each of those systems have a wide selection of games that will appeal to more people. I think the goal should just be getting people into the library, and video games systems do that. I'd like to think that players will come for the game, and stay for the books.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Games and Gaming #37 - Get Your Game On @ The Library
I read the New York Times article, and I have to agree that having video games available for checkout at the library is a positive thing. It's especially hard to get young adults interested in visiting the library. If we promote programs and materials that they can relate to, they'll come in and maybe check-out some books, as well.
I think the availability of video games in libraries will continue to increase. Libraries will always be changing. As technology advances and evolves, libraries have to, as well...not only to keep up, but to stay ahead.
I think the availability of video games in libraries will continue to increase. Libraries will always be changing. As technology advances and evolves, libraries have to, as well...not only to keep up, but to stay ahead.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Games and Gaming #36 - The Wide World of Online Role Playing Games
I don't have any interest in playing MMORPG's, but I signed up for an account at Runescape anyway, just to see what all of the fuss is about.
I was very unimpressed.
I went through the tutorial, and it's fairly easy to get from one place to another, but I was constantly having to rotate the camera to make sure my character was going the right direction. The graphics were horrible!! I had a hard time figuring out who I was supposed to talk to, where items were, etc. It was very frustrating.
I'm sure the MMORPG's you have to pay to play are much better, but since I don't really have the interest, the time, or the money, I won't be trying any of them out.
I was very unimpressed.
I went through the tutorial, and it's fairly easy to get from one place to another, but I was constantly having to rotate the camera to make sure my character was going the right direction. The graphics were horrible!! I had a hard time figuring out who I was supposed to talk to, where items were, etc. It was very frustrating.
I'm sure the MMORPG's you have to pay to play are much better, but since I don't really have the interest, the time, or the money, I won't be trying any of them out.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Games and Gaming #35 - Games? In the Library?
I love this new module! I played FreeRice for a little while. It's a great way to brush up on old vocabulary, and learn some new vocabulary, while benefitting a good cause!
There's not much to the game itself. No rules to learn, just get to the website and start playing. Here's a hint for you: Pay attention to the correct answer when you get one wrong, because they do repeat the words you missed occasionally.
My highest score was 35, and I donated 3180 grains of rice!
There's not much to the game itself. No rules to learn, just get to the website and start playing. Here's a hint for you: Pay attention to the correct answer when you get one wrong, because they do repeat the words you missed occasionally.
My highest score was 35, and I donated 3180 grains of rice!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Maps #34 - Geocoding and Geocaching
Using http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/geocode, I chose to find the Tomball Library. The coordinates for this location are 30.111089, -95.641402.
I would be interested in finding this geocache.
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=f183d7e4-2267-4607-8881-b8fc340b0a4e.
The GPS coordinates are N 30° 05.315 W 095° 36.677.
I'm a little confused about geocaching. I suppose it could be fun to explore these places, and you may find something new and exciting. I am concerned about the safety aspect, though. Looking for these locations without knowing the person who posted them could be potentially dangerous.
I would be interested in finding this geocache.
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=f183d7e4-2267-4607-8881-b8fc340b0a4e.
The GPS coordinates are N 30° 05.315 W 095° 36.677.
I'm a little confused about geocaching. I suppose it could be fun to explore these places, and you may find something new and exciting. I am concerned about the safety aspect, though. Looking for these locations without knowing the person who posted them could be potentially dangerous.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Maps #33 - Relocating with Online Maps
Activity 1
The My Maps link on Google wouldn't work, so I didn't get very far with that site. Instead, I used HAR to find information. It was very helpful. I searched by zip code, and found a neighborhood near my brother and sister-in-law. The site gave information about the homes in the the subdivision (things like average lot size, and average number of bedrooms and bathrooms.) It also gave the tax rate information for the area.
I looked through the listings of homes for sale in the neighborhood. Each listing gave vital information: the year the property was built, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the square footage of the house, and the size of the lot. If you clicked on the "View Detail" link, there was a map of the house's location, and several pictures of the property. Some of the listings also included a virtual tour.
Activity 2
I selected a home in the neighborhood I found. It turns out that even though the house is in the same city as my brother and sister-in-law, it's actually part of the school district that I currently live in! I thought that was very interesting, but it's ok with me, because the school district was the main reason I moved into my current home.
I used Walk Score to find nearby restaurants and stores. It was a very neat site. There is a neighborhood pool and park, and the local elementary school is in the neighborhood, as well. I also found some fast food restaurants and a coffee shop nearby.
The My Maps link on Google wouldn't work, so I didn't get very far with that site. Instead, I used HAR to find information. It was very helpful. I searched by zip code, and found a neighborhood near my brother and sister-in-law. The site gave information about the homes in the the subdivision (things like average lot size, and average number of bedrooms and bathrooms.) It also gave the tax rate information for the area.
I looked through the listings of homes for sale in the neighborhood. Each listing gave vital information: the year the property was built, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the square footage of the house, and the size of the lot. If you clicked on the "View Detail" link, there was a map of the house's location, and several pictures of the property. Some of the listings also included a virtual tour.
Activity 2
I selected a home in the neighborhood I found. It turns out that even though the house is in the same city as my brother and sister-in-law, it's actually part of the school district that I currently live in! I thought that was very interesting, but it's ok with me, because the school district was the main reason I moved into my current home.
I used Walk Score to find nearby restaurants and stores. It was a very neat site. There is a neighborhood pool and park, and the local elementary school is in the neighborhood, as well. I also found some fast food restaurants and a coffee shop nearby.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Maps #32 - Current Events
Activity 1
After looking through the list of "100 Things To Do With Google Maps", I thought of this hypothetical question and answer.
Question: I'd like to get in shape, but I'm not sure how to calculate the number of calories I've burned based on the miles I've jogged.
Answer: Go to http://www.gmap-pedometer.com. Turn on the mile marker and calorie counter using the links provided, then plan out your route on the map.
Activity 2
I found an aerial image of The University of Texas.
Aerial image of The University of Texas
I think aerial photography is great, and I'm glad Google Maps has incorporated this technology into their system.
After looking through the list of "100 Things To Do With Google Maps", I thought of this hypothetical question and answer.
Question: I'd like to get in shape, but I'm not sure how to calculate the number of calories I've burned based on the miles I've jogged.
Answer: Go to http://www.gmap-pedometer.com. Turn on the mile marker and calorie counter using the links provided, then plan out your route on the map.
Activity 2
I found an aerial image of The University of Texas.
Aerial image of The University of Texas
I think aerial photography is great, and I'm glad Google Maps has incorporated this technology into their system.
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