openonline — Camp Magic MacGuffin

Archive for the ‘openonline’ Category

Sunday, June 3rd, 2012

(Disclaimer: I’m fully aware that I’m not directly addressing the assignment. However, the beauty of being an “open” student is that I don’t have to worry about demonstrating my direction following skills.)

Vonnegut describes stories as we understand stories: 2 dimensional – 2 axes and 1 plane; points plotted. The story moves forward. This is a book.

Alexander’s Web 2.0 storytelling suggests 4 dimensionality (3d plus shattering the 4^th wall)–2 axes and 4 planes. The story has a center and connecting items of significance that take on new significance based on the relation/connection with each other. (Think molecule and valences. Think nucleus, protons, electrons, interconnected and balanced by a complex tension. Although perhaps more accurate in terms of how our minds STORE information, the molecule model is less able to make meaning for us. (Perhaps the very purpose of story.) IRL we make meaning of events that –though occurring on a linear temporal plane–are stored in a 2-axes- 4-plane space and which are then re- linearized and often wholly reconfigured in order to make sense of those events. This is hard work. (In some cases, the work of a lifetime.) Traditional stories, to some extent, do the work for us. Engaging with a Web 2.0 story that is fully embracing the possibilities of the medium/media might demand a level of cognitive commitment that most people don’t have time for. Think about it:

Opening scene where “reader” encounters character A and character B sifting through the wreckage of character A’s home. Any home in its wrecked state looks mostly like trash: slabs of broken drywall, clothing tangled around pipes and chair legs. Photographs and other standard plot driving items are interspersed along with less obvious items like a can of French cut green beans that looks like it’s “fresh” from the grocery store shelf.

Every bean (character, quality, object) suggests a possible path for the story, many of which may/will/must connect with others in manifold ways.

We’re programmed as readers to read from page one to the end. Our breaks are clearly marked off via periods, paragraphs, and chapters. There is comfort in this. (To experience reading without this comfort, try Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Autumn of the Patriarch.)

Perhaps Web 2.0 storytelling will change our programming and allow us to let go of the compulsion (with our fiction and our lives) to possess, consume and understand everything, which at its best is an exercise in futility, at its worst is a sure path to madness, and at its average is a trip to the pharmacy for some mediocre though useful drugs.

Recap of Daily Creates:

TDC141 Connection

TDC146 Destruction

TDC147 Rocks/Water/Clouds

Posted in AlexanderStory, bunk2, CampMagicMacGuffin, ds106, magicmacguffin, openonline | Comments Off on Molecules, Beans and Web2.0 Storytelling (AKA Week 2)

Week 2 – Letter to Otto from the Security Tower

Sunday, June 3rd, 2012

Dear Otto,

As you will see from the attached photo, the situation here is turning weird. An image on the Twitter this past week alerted me to the fact that a CDB Barkley made a reconnaissance mission from Mine Craft to the Always Be Reflecting parcel on Corona Cay. Apparently there are plans afoot that will lead to an operation to rescue me from this virtual world so that I may don a Sponge Bob shaped avatar in another one so that I may use a pick and shovel to help build a statue of the Bava. The only saving grace is that the people there are pretty awesome.

I’ve moved my operations into the Security Tower until the situation blows over. Though I feel I’m missing out so much of the fun and the goodness by being here instead of in one of the bunkhouses at Camp Magic MacGuffin, recent discoveries require that I continue my work here.

I was able to produce a couple of video tutorials on creating animated GIFs and turning those GIFs into a tga texture file. The final installment of the series will demonstrate how to bring the texture file into the virtual world, attach it to an object and animate it. I’m discovering through this process a deeper meaning than I’d ever imagined as to the utility of these simple animations. Unfortunately between the looming threat of a rescue mission and my own race against the clock, I fear there might not be the chance to demonstrate that deeper meaning before the end of camp.

Another complicating factor comes from an unrelated discovery. On Wednesday evening, I joined a virtual campfire session which was held in Google hangouts (it turns out that the thing was broadcast live with a recorded version stored on YouTube). Before joining, I had wondered whether it werepossible to present my Second Life screen in lieu of the web camera. But as the dean of digital storytelling and gothic netlore, Bryan Alexander, was scheduled to be in attendance, I felt it wouldn’t be cricket for me to show up as a cartoon. The campfire session was provocative and inspiring, you should watch the video when you have time.

The next day, I did a few experiments and was eventually successful in running a Google Hangout OnAir while transmitting the Second Life screen. Though further experimentation is indicated, my initial impression of the potential for this format of transmission and archival of independently produced media surpasses even that of the simple elegance of the animated GIF.

So with so little time to figure so much stuff out, I imagine that I will continue to lag behind in the recommended tasks, activities and assignments for the Camp Magic MacGuffin. Fortunately, there is the chance to stay abreast of the amazing work being done by the other campers via the rss feed from the Camp website. The only complaint might be that there is too much good stuff that one cannot take it all in. I understand that new campers continue to arrive nearly every day so it’s not too late for you to participate should you be so moved.

Looking ahead, I’m putting together the finishing touches on a reprise of the old Daily Update video project. You’ve probably already figured out where this is going. Each installment will be done live as a Hangout from Second Life. Details are forthcoming.

Cordially,
scottlo

Posted in Camp Magic MacGuffin, magicmacguffin, openonline, Second Life | Comments Off on Week 2 – Letter to Otto from the Security Tower

Adventures in Minecraft

Sunday, June 3rd, 2012

Dudes! Check out the brick shanty I built in Minecraft!

My Minecraft house.

The inside of my Minecraft house

Two images of my brick hut of which I am quite proud, because it took for EFFING ever to figure this game out. I haven’t played a video game (other than free, online Tetris) in years. Figuring out the controls takes some time seeing as how the keyboard commands are so different from what I do from day to day.

I should’ve worked on Minecraft a few weeks ago when I still had a slew of middle school kids to help me out. Probably would’ve taken a lot less time if I didn’t have to toggle between the game and Google searches. I admit getting frustrated at some point in the process and thinking, “This really isn’t worth my time.” But I stuck with it, because there’s some gratification in overcoming challenges, getting outside of the comfort zone, learning something new, and all of that cliched horse palooey. And it’s fun.

Posted in bunk5, Camp Magic MacGuffin, ds106, magicmacguffin, minecraft, openonline | Comments Off on Adventures in Minecraft

My Own Macguffin: the Michael Wesch video

Sunday, June 3rd, 2012

Merriam-Webster Definition of MACGUFFIN: an object, event, or character in a film or story that serves to set and keep the plot in motion despite usually lacking intrinsic importance

I finally had some time to get into the swing of Camp so I thought I’d start by watching the Michael Wesch video. It started out a little strangely, I could see Martha Burtis but not hear her. I clicked round a bit and eventually saw a man who was introducing the presentation. While listening to him I organized a document to take some notes. I was happily watching and wrote a quote from the introduction “We know we are going someplace but we are just not quite sure where or how.”

When I went back in the video to confirm the speaker’s name and title, MBurtis was back. I clicked around in the video and she was everywhere! No matter where I found her, if I let her run, it eventually went back to the introduction regardless of the timestamp. At 14 minutes: MBurtis and then intro; at 7min: MBurtis and then intro; at 40min: MBurtis and then intro. What’s up with that?

So where did that take me? Certainly around in circles! The same thing happened in other browsers. Do I need to watch the whole thing from the beginning to get the content? From other’s blog posts it seems that they have watched the video… Is there a hidden message in all of this for me? Is it a Digi-Ouija???

I went back to find our definition of digi-ouija – it made an elegant comparison to a macguffin but couldn’t remember who suggested this Bunk name or find the reference in my Twitter feed. In the amount of time that I have now spent trying to understand what was going on and explain it, I could have gone back to the beginning of the video and watched the whole thing!

As someone said at the beginning of the video,

“We know we are going someplace but we are just not quite sure where or how.”

That pretty much sums up my ds106 experience thus far!

Posted in bunk5, CampMagicMacGuffin, ds106, magicmacguffin, openonline | Comments Off on My Own Macguffin: the Michael Wesch video

Starting Summer a Week Early, and Camp a Week Late

Sunday, June 3rd, 2012

Only four days of school, and one of post-school remain this school year, along with a week of trainings and a few other commitments. My goal for this Summer is to write more, read more, and plan more for next year. Of course, that has been my goal for the last few Summers, not to mention school years. What’s my deal? Partly, I feel stuck. I have a group of amazing teachers around me to bounce ideas off of, to push me forward and reel me back. My resource team and a few others at school, my Tech Ambassador coaches, and of course my wonderful wife. Still, I find myself having the same conversations, and often knowing their responses before I begin discussions. I need to branch out, expand my PLC.

I think attending DML this past spring gave me the time and stimulus to figure some of this out. The people and ideas were wonderfully different and out there. For once, my thoughts and ideas weren’t the most radical, the most uncomfortable. New paths appeared for me to wander on.

I’m off to a good start. I got a bunch of thoughts out to my keyboard this afternoon on my students and my own experiences with the Makerbot. And after thinking about it a few weeks ago and letting it drift out of my head I signed up for the DS106 Camp Magic MacGuffin project (class? party? hackjam? thing?). I’m late, hopefully they will let me play along. I’ll do KP duty… I’m pretty good at peeling potatos.

Posted in bunk3, ds106, magicmacguffin, openonline | Comments Off on Starting Summer a Week Early, and Camp a Week Late

A Latecomer to Camp Magic Macguffin

Sunday, June 3rd, 2012

My Daily Create assignment No 146 – a photo that represents destruction

I joined Camp Magic Macguffin a while ago, then forgot all about it, shame on me. I joined the camp because I love digital storytelling and the DS106 activities will give me something fun to do during summer. Since I am an open participant and not doing this for credit, I hope it is still not late to start creating.

I am grateful to @olHatchetJack for showing me the way to Bunkhouse Four and to @cogdog for reminding me that I haven’t written a single blog post so far. So, here I am now.

If you are one of my regular readers and only came here looking for TEFL lesson ideas, I believe you are still at the right place. The reason why I didn’t create a separate blog for DS106 is that I think that most of the stuff I do here can be transformed into lesson ideas. Today is no exception.

The first task I have decided to tackle is “Vonnegut and The Shape of Stories”. Here is the original video:

Our task was to describe the shape of a story we are familiar with, based on Voneggut’s video. Here is my contribution:

So, have you recognised the story yet?

Technorati Tags: DS106, VonnegutStory

Tags: DS106,, VonnegutStory
Posted in bunk4, ds106, magicmacguffin, openonline, VonnegutStory | Comments Off on A Latecomer to Camp Magic Macguffin

Stretching Out of My Comfort Zone

Sunday, June 3rd, 2012

In a burst of insanity I registered for ds106 this summer semester. The theme this time around is Camp Magic Macguffin. I’ve been following ds106 for a while now but never felt an urge to participate. It seemed out of my realm of competence. We’ll see if I was right then or if jumping in was a smart choice.

So far, it’s hard to say. With only a few weeks left in the school year and a sprint triathlon tomorrow morning I haven’t been able to find the brain space for ds106. Writing this post is the first step in breaking through that wall. I intend to at least try some of the Daily Creates in the next week. That and commenting on others’ creations is likely all I can handle right at the moment. I hope before the summer is over I will have achieved much greater things.

Posted in bunk4, ds106, magicmacguffin, openonline | Comments Off on Stretching Out of My Comfort Zone

ds106 – Liminal States story shape

Saturday, June 2nd, 2012

This week at Camp Magic MacGuffin we took a look at Kurt Vonnegut explaining the shapes of popular stories:

Our counselors asked us to blog, likewise, about the shapes of stories we know. I first thought of Alastair Reynold’s House of Suns, which I adore. However, I doubted that I could figure out a way to represent the nested narratives in a way that satisfied me, so I wound up working on a graph of Liminal States. As Cormac McCarthy’s The Road terrified me viscerally page-by-page, Zack Parson’s Liminal States terrified me intellectually and spiritually page-by-page (with a few chapters of visceral terror thrown in for good measure, especially late in the novel).

Liminal States is a “from bad to worse” story that gave me the same feeling I felt reading Ursula K. LeGuin’s The Lathe of Heaven for the first time. Parsons’s novel is a western, noir, WWII, military-Industrial, utterly sinister xenomorphic mash-up. It reads like this:

Liminal States Story Shape

I am glad I finished it before going to the beach. I drew another layer of imagery over this one, but it creeped me out too much to include. (Then I made an animated .gif of the two – abhorrent!) Prime material for a tweet-up, no doubt.

If you’re up for a heart-of-darkness kind of existential genre flick consequences-of-exceeding-your-grasp kind of yarn (and you are, you know, old) give this one a read.

As I commented on a fellow-camper’s blog, my students and I used to draw roller-coasters themed after the novels we read with decoration, loops, tunnels, and turns representing devices and plot points. We gotta get back to that.

Posted in bunk4, ds106, Liminal States, magicmacguffin, openonline, Story shape, Zack Parsons | Comments Off on ds106 – Liminal States story shape

ds106 – Bryan Alexander and stories in long games

Saturday, June 2nd, 2012

Full-on 2012 – Minecraft by Andrew Beeston

Between visits to Camp Magic MacGuffin in Minecraft, I’ve been exploring Bryan Alexander’s New Digital Storytelling site today. I hit the games tag and got interested in Games too long for complete stories”, a short piece referencing this CNN article from Blake Snow.

The idea: most gamers do not finish the main story-lines of long games, but they do complete other games along the way.

I was struck by a few of the examples cited by Snow as games with low player-completion percentages. I had finished one of them, but couldn’t see myself creating smaller games inside of it for myself to play. I think my reaction in that case betrayed my genre preferences (I’ll really only noodle about for 100+ hours in a fantasy world or a world-building game) and bias against multiplayer (I like to build next to people on Minecraft servers; thus far, that is the most stable build of my gaming socialization code).

When I think of successful open-world games – and by “successful” I mean games that contemporaneously hold my attention, as well as my students’ – I think of games that have structured side quests, occupations, and story-lines that cater to different play styles and gamer identities (no surprises here). I see many students struggle in games that offer too much freedom to manipulate too many variables – but “too much” is a subjective thing. I wonder if learning to code would make exploring, say, a Sim City game more intrinsically rewarding for my kids – if knowing what was happening inside a learning curve would help students better enjoy and learn from failing along its path.

I wonder what role “purposeless”, non-casual games will have in our lives – and I wonder if we’ll ever publish a AAA game that isn’t meant to be finished in any traditional sense. The prolonged endgame of navigating ambiguity: will we ever want to play it – is play it – or is play an escape from it?

I often imagine a game about an exiled protagonist who has to balance reinventing himself against being called back to win a sequel to the conflict he lost, knowing that returning to his old home would forfeit the lives of those his exile saved. Would we play a game about disappearing infinitely? A game that ends in obscurity?

I’ll quit now before I start in on the connections between Lucky Wander Boy and single-player, peaceful-mode Minecraft. I’m excited to see the story of ds106 unfold across media, as well as in-game.

Posted in bryan alexander, bunk4, ds106, Game-based learning, magicmacguffin, openonline | Comments Off on ds106 – Bryan Alexander and stories in long games