Gameration 2: Implementing Games and Simulations within a Generational Context

This is the second part of a four part blog series on generational considerations for games and simulations for learning. We’ll take a look at how the generation (Boomers, Generation X or Generation Y) might impact the way an individual thinks about and engages in games and ways in which learning professionals can adjust the game and simulation to address the expectations of each generation. As we explore the generations keep in mind the characteristics are generalizations of the generation and not necessarily accurate for any one individual.

This blog post focuses on game and simulation design and implementation considerations for Generation X.

Read the full article at http://leefblog.com/2010/04/gameration-2-implementing-games-and-simulations-within-a-generational-context/

Check out other interesting game and simulation blog posts at http://www.leefblog.com.

Gameration: Implementing Games and Simulations within a Generational Context

This is the first part of a four part blog series on generational considerations for games and simulations for learning. We’ll take a look at how the generation (Boomers, Generation X or Generation Y) might impact the way an individual thinks about and engages in games and ways in which learning professionals can adjust the game and simulation to address the expectations of each generation. As we explore the generations keep in mind the characteristics are generalizations of the generation and not necessarily accurate for any one individual. This blog post focuses on game and simulation design and implementation considerations for the Boomer generation.

Read the full article at http://leefblog.com/2010/03/gameration-implementing-games-and-simulations-within-a-generational-context/

Check out other interesting game and simulation blog posts at http://www.leefblog.com.

LEEF 2010 (http://www.leef2010.net)
June 17-18, 2010

PPT = 6; Prezi = 4

I just finished preparing a presentation for the PETE&C conference and decided to try Prezi as the presentation support tool instead of PowerPoint. Below is a short summary of my initial thoughts about Prezi and some comparisons to PPT.

I'll be presenting "Web 2.0 for Reflection and Assessment" at PETE&C on Tuesday, February 23 from 10:45-11:45 AM. It's a presentation I've done before. I'm not sure if I would review Prezi differently if my experience was creating a presentation from scratch.

Two considerations for my review:

1. I'm not a "bullet point person" in PPT. I use keywords and images and mainly images. So, I may have a different view of PPT than some.
2. This is my first time using Prezi. I viewed the introductory video but didn't look at a lot of other Prezi's before jumping in and creating mine. I only worked in one theme. So, some of my review could be slanted because I just don't know enough about it yet.

Feature	Pros	Cons	Prezi or PPT?
Drawing	Simple arrow, free form line and highlight	Only simple tools that really don't support information presentation	PPT
Text	Easy to create, edit and move around the canvas	Limited text, fonts, colors . . . based on the theme selected	Prezi
Images	Easily adapt to image size Handles transparent images	Have to get used to manipulating images to display"unpixelated" No clip art or photo galleries No image editing	PPT
Documents	You can embed documents!!!!(that is awesome!)	None that I'm aware of	Prezi
Navigation	Can navigate to various points on the canvas Easy to get from one screen to another without linear navigation	It's still ends in a linear presentation for the viewer (for the most part) It can be cumbersome to set up the flow while authroing I often had to delete all of the navigation points in order to make an edit	PPT
Transitions	Smooth transition from one point to another	No options for different types of transitions	Prezi
Animation	Transition is animation	No builds, no object animations	PPT
Sharing	Email sharing Embed code URL Twitter Facebook	No commenting with presentation No favoriting Public presentation with free version	PPT
Presentation Support	Download for local playback Easy to move around presentation materials Screen resolution is not as big an issue	Learning materials only at prezi.com and from PLN No notes	PPT
Cost	FREE version with options for paid levels FREE level 2 version for education	What seems to be limited functionality for a cost (even though it's affordable)	Prezi

PPT = 6; Prezi = 4

It's great that there's another presentation option! I'm looking forward to seeing how others use Prezi, how my use of it will evolve and the features and functions that are added over time. But, for now I'd still recommend PPT as your "go to" presentation tool (just please reduce the use of bullets 8-) . But consider Prezi as an experimental tool, a way to switch things up a little bit and as a way to challenge your traditional thinking about presentatio preparation and support.