What we have going on here is a 48 hour short rib, if you’ve read Momofuku’s new cookbook then you’d know that David Chang does his short ribs for 48 hours with an immersion circulator such as the one from Addelice which is pretty reasonable priced at about $643 US dollars (shipping is free worldwide).  I, however, cannot afford such a luxury so am using an $89 soup warmer from my friends at Chef’s Toys in Fountain Valley, a $140 PID controller from Auber Instruments and your basic run of the mill fish tank pump for about $10.  This is an example of what a lot of people are calling “ghetto sous vide” although I’ve seen and done worst in a professional kitchen, using nothing but a blanching pot and a digital thermometer which for the most part works pretty well.  I do however prefer the PID controller because I am able to control the temperature of the water much more accurately.  It’s accuracy is +/- 1 degree C between 10 to 100 degrees C (immersion circulators are +/- .05 degrees C).  I will compile a list of sous vide equipment at the bottom of the page.

(snapshots of the setup and the short ribs being cooked in sous vide)

*For those of you who are wondering what sous vide is.. then I recommend you look up Douglas Baldwin’s site, he goes into detailed explanation of how the process works and the safe ways to do it along with cooking and pasteurization times.

I hope to have more pictures up soon (40 hours to go!).

*************

Sous Vide equipment:

Soup warmer, PID controller & fish tank pump combo:  $239.00

Immersion Circulator (Addelice): $643.00

Immersion Circulator (Polyscience): $935.00

Immersion Circulator (Julabo): $999.00

Thermal Bath (Polyscience): $1035.00

Sous Vide Supreme Water Oven: $449.95

*Let’s not forget, everything you sous vide needs to be vacuum packed so here’s a list of alternatives:

FoodSaver: $159.99

FoodSaver bags: $39.99

Ziplock Bags and Pump: $39.99

Immersion Methods

Since the last two methods really encompass a lot of other popular methods out there with similar concepts, I decided not to really restate them in detail. Rather, talk about programs that use immersion.

Defense Language Institute (DLI)

If you are one of the lucky ones joining the Military who pass the required DLAB test, you may qualify for a position that allows you to come to this nifty school. As Wiki provided it basically:

The Defense Language Institute (DLI) is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) educational and research institution, which provides linguistic and cultural instruction to the Department of Defense, other Federal Agencies and numerous and varied other customers. The Defense Language Institute is responsible for the Defense Language Program, and the bulk of the Defense Language Institute’s activities involve educating DoD members in assigned languages. Other functions include planning, curriculum development, and research in second-language acquisition.

As of 2009^[update], over 40 languages are taught at the DLIFLC including Afrikaans in Washington, DC and the following in Monterey: Arabic (Modern Standard), Dari, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Kurmanji, Pashto, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Sorani Kurdish, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, and Uzbek.

As of 2009^[update], DLIFLC began teaching the Iraqi dialect.

Having been stationed there I can verify that it’s a pretty cool place. The school really focuses on the whole immersion environment. You not only spend 8+ hours in classes, but afterwards you have lots of studying to do before the next day. Because of this, a lot of the languages can be learned really fast. Imagine spending more than 8 hours a day studying a language with intense immersion. It’s hard not to learn a language doing this!

Is it for you? Maybe, maybe, but not for the average person (though you could sorta mimic this environment if you wanted)

PROS:

*immersion environment extreme!

*lots of handholding, as it is in class formation

*free (so to speak)

*lots of people learning with you, interaction with native teachers, ect.

*tests to show your progression, ect.

*Fast fast pace

CONS:

*you have to join military/gov in order to get into it (normally)

*no life, really

*military specific vocabulary over general vocab

*focus more on listening/reading comprehension versus speaking/writing (input >output)

Classes/Tutors

There are some schools out there who claim they can give you that immersion environment through their classes. This isn’t all schools that claim this, but a good handful of them (especially ones done by independent groups). Because they vary and depend on where you go, whose teaching you, and what system they use, I wont go into any particular details.

PROS:

*Teacher/tutor guidance (hand holding comfort)

*invested time that someone can call you out on (you’re accountable vs. self-study)

*often other students that you can practice with that share the same desire to learn the language (hopefully)

*course work laid out for you

CONS:

*most never reach true immersion environment (because you’re only there x hours a week)

*sometimes very costly

*often teaches from  course books with very proper outdated unused language

*often not customized to you, but rather generalities

*tend to focus on literal translations (never monolingual usually)

Classes may be for you if you have a very very hard time self studying. This might just be what you need to supplement your own studies, to give you motivation with accountability. Often people find learning a language is like doing a diet, getting together with others (weight watchers for example) makes things very easy. That support group sometimes gives you the confidence to pursue your language. I do not normally knock classes in general because you cannot deny the comfort factor, but I feel that they could be vastly improved in terms of what and how they teach languages.

Some tutors out there however do not use those kinds of books and class like structure. They’d be a sort of exception. The real thing is you just gotta do your research with the classes. Ask what books they use, what methods they believe in, if there will be a turn to monolingual at some point, ect. Great thing about classes is most have a syllabus that you can look at before you jump into the boat.

Rosetta Stone
In case you live under a rock and have never heard of the much overpriced Rosetta Stone, here is an in-depth summary of it straight from their site about their program:

Learn naturally:

A completely immersive environment.

As a child, you learned to speak instinctively by experiencing the world around you. Our solution recreates this experience through a fully immersive environment right on your computer.

No translation or memorization.

We’ve eliminated the traditional approach of using translation and grammar rules, empowering you to think in your new language. There are no flash cards, dictionaries or memorization drills.

A carefully designed sequence of activities.

By surrounding you with words, images and the voices of native speakers, our method lets you progress naturally from words and phrases to sentences and conversations.

Engage Interactively:

Start fast and stay motivated.

Unlike tapes, videos or books that passively feed you language, you’ll constantly interact with our program. Instead of repeating the same action over and over, you’ll:

* Hear, write and pronounce words and match them to images
* Speak aloud to finish sentences or phrases
* Refine your pronunciation by emulating native speakers

Retain what you’ve learned.

Our exclusive Adaptive Recall™ feature brings back review exercises to help you transfer what you’ve learned into your long-term memory.

Speak Confidently:

Build your conversational skills.

Step-by-step, you will gain the confidence to speak on your own. You’ll develop your intuitive ability to create sentences from scratch in a conversational setting. Before long, you’ll be in the middle of conversations and you’ll be doing the talking!

Pronounce words correctly.

Our proprietary speech-recognition technology helps you pronounce syllables, words and sentences in your new language, and provides immediate, ongoing feedback.

Have Fun:

“Ah-ha” moments

Our approach taps into your innate puzzle-solving instinct. As you learn with us—and solve one language-learning puzzle after another—you’ll experience a series of “ah-ha” moments that keep you motivated.

Serious fun

Our program is so addictive, you’ll want to keep learning more. With every step, you’ll move forward and feel a sense of accomplishment.

So yeah, there is a lot they have to say about themselves and their approach right on their site before you dish out the astounding minimum of $299 for each lvl apiece or $539 for all 3 lvls. Don’t forget they now have the special Totale for almost $1k. Seems like a bit much to me. Their marketing team does really well selling their product, as you can see from their super nice website and quality commercials/advertisements.

PROS:

*immersion environment

*course laid out for you, no extra work

*pictures, audio, games, the works

*touches all needs for your language

CONS:

*expensive as hell

*romaji is in it, which people tend to use over kana/kanji

*some sentences are ambiguous to their pictures and hard to figure out exactly what their meaning sometimes

*some claim the system is outdated and doesn’t work for a lot of languages where it excels for others

Of all the reviews I read, sometimes I do wonder how many of the reviews are real. A lot of them sound really fabricated and unrealistically happy. Though I have met a few people who’ve done Rosetta, I have not met many who are fluent that used the program primarily. Most have used this system as a springboard or for fun on the side. Though I personally wouldn’t dish $600-1k out for learning languages, some of you richies out there might.

Live Mocha

If you’re looking in the market for a much less (how about free?) Rosetta ripoff, try Live Mocha instead! Live Mocha toots the following themselves.

Livemocha is the world’s largest online community for language learners, with free lessons and a global community to help you learn a new language.

Boost your grammar and vocabulary with fun, engaging lessons. These lessons develop reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. Members of the Livemocha community keep the lessons fresh by collaborating on translations and leaving tips to help others.

The best way to learn a language is through total immersion. Livemocha emulates this experience by allowing members to interact in our global online community. We believe…to become truly proficient and conversational you need to work with actual native speakers.

…you can build your skills and confidence by submitting writing or speaking exercises to the community for review…

Connect with native speakers from all over the world and help them to learn your native language….

Livemocha wants to support you along every step to learning a new language, and we give you the tools to help you quickly and confidently achieve your goals.

Phrase Translator: Get a kick-start with the Phrase Translator to help you understand forgotten or unknown phrases.

Conversation Scenarios: Not ready for a conversation with a native speaker? Practice a scripted conversation using common scenarios you encounter when meeting people or travelling.

Virtual Keyboard: We’ve made it easy to insert special characters and accents when typing.

PROS:

*Free

*community to speak to natives

*easy to navigate and participate

*immersion likeness

*focus on all key points to language learning

*earn mocha points for various things by completing exercises and helping others

CONS:

*because its free, there are problems (spelling ect.)

*short comings are similar to Rosetta

*have to have internet to do it, no offline working

If you find that you’re interested in something like Rosetta Stone, I’d say try Live Mocha first, since it’s a free version and similar. Though it has a great community base that to me makes it more valuable, it does have errors in it from time to time. (I noticed a few in the English programs myself)

Instant Immersion Language Lab, and other immersion software programs:

There are many many more language immersion software programs out there, and a simple google search will bring out countless of them. I personally don’t like them. They come out looking pretty snazzy on their boxes, talking about how easy it will all be, and how great their program is for you, and all that goodness, but I haven’t tried a single one of those types and liked it. The IILL for instance to me was unbearably outdated and hooky. It taught horribly, and even wrong things in it from time to time. I honestly think all this type of thing is a gimmick that you should run far away from. Don’t buy into this junk. At least with Rosetta/Live Mocha, there are people who claim success. The rest have very few tooting their horn about its goodness.

Be wary and do a lot of research on it before you spend money on it. I at least had the luxury of finding friends with some of this stuff in the beginning for me to realize how horrible they were before I wasted any money on it.

]]> http://mikotoneko.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/method-review-2-ajatt/ Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:07:19 +0000 mikotoneko http://mikotoneko.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/method-review-2-ajatt/

All Japanese All The Time: AJATT method by Khatzumoto

One faithful day a fellow smart.fm user told me that I’d want to check out a “cool happening website” about learning Japanese. Since I never turn down any new outlooks on life and learning I decided to give it a read. As Ka-san put out on his about page it is:

“This site is about how you can learn Japanese without taking classes, by having fun and doing things you enjoy—watching movies, playing video games, reading comic books—you know: fun stuff! Stuff that you feel guilty about doing because you should be doing “serious things”.

I am your host, Khatzumoto. ..I learned Japanese in 18 months by having fun. In June 2004, at the ripe old age of 21… I started learning Japanese. By September 2005, I had learned enough to read technical material, conduct business correspondence and job interviews in Japanese. By the next month, I landed a job as a software engineer at a large Japanese company in Tokyo (yay!).I didn’t take classes…I didn’t read textbooks and I had never lived in Japan.

So how did I do it? Well, by spending 18-24 hours a day doing something, anything in Japanese (”all Japanese, all the time”)…

…I’m [not] better than you or smarter than you. I am not. I am not special—in fact, I have an embarrassing history of making incredibly dumb mistakes that other people just never make. But I achieved some good results and there were reasons for that, namely:

1. The belief that I could become fluent in Japanese
2. Constantly doing fun stuff in Japanese

… So this site exists for 2 reasons:

1. To tell you how I learned Japanese by having fun, so that you can do it, too.
2. To give you some new cool tools that I did not have, and that would have made things much faster and easier for me.

… I am telling you that if you start giving your life to Japanese every-single-day-24/7/365, then you will not just learn Japanese, you will become Japanese. And I am telling you that the way to do that is to do fun things and only fun things: boring classes, boring textbooks and whiny classmates are out! Despite what you may have been raised to believe, boredom is not the same as learning; it’s the opposite; it is by enjoying ourselves that we truly learn.”

What a selling pitch eh? So what is his method? Here is a super fast rundown in picture form!

Basically Ka-san says, go get the RTK (Remembering the Kanji) by Mr. James W. Heisig book and begin learning kanji. While you begin inputing these into an SRS (like anki, http://kanji.koohii.com/learnmore, ect.) you should be destroying all things English in your life. Complete Immersion! He tries to impart the idea that you should become Japanese, pretend, act, and totally be Japanese. You should also only do fun things during this time. He has lots of little advice for motivation and switching out your stuff, but that’s all on the site.

Once you’re through with the RTK book 1, go through RTKana really quick before starting up the wonderful world of Sentence Mining. Basically you learn grammar, usage, and pronunciation through srs’ing sentences you encounter in your Japanese environment. He also recommends a whole 10k of them, tells you to focus on input over output, on monolingual, no subtitled things, ect. Once you accrue 10k sentences, 1mil words and over 10k listening hours, he deems that your Japanese will be awesome sauce, and from there its just gravy.

Of course, this review is pretty short and leaves out a lot of super fine details and great motivational speeches Ka-san likes to give, I figured since the website is still up and very much well maintained, it wont kill you to go read his site yourself! Ka-san has also released three wonderful products along side his FREE website. (If you read everything, you don’t need these things, he even says this himself) It is the QRG book, movie, and First Sentence Pack. The QRG means Quick Reference Guide and its exactly that: a straight to the point reference guide that sums up all of his site in a concise manner with a few more tips. The movie goes into a lot more detail as well. The sentence pack is an “electronic book in PDF format, clocking in at just over 200 pages, containing more than 560 Japanese sentences, with English translations and brief explanations where necessary”.

PROS:

*Flexibility to be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be

*immersion environment

*learns usage/sounds of kanji and grammar through natural use versus grammar points

*never fall into the romaji trap, thank god

*Addresses all language learning needs

*variety

*detailed instructions that fit Japanese, as well as generalities to encompass any language

*fun witty humor alongside lots of motivational speeches

*great site recommendations, resources, and large following to talk to

*Sounding native is more natural due to the immersion of “real” Japanese versus outdated books or proper stale language usage.

CONS:

*You get accused of being in an occult!

*This method is sooo immersion that some feel you abandon your “real life” or that it conflicts with spouses/kids/job/ect.

*requires a lot of reading through a very giant site to get the full picture (time consuming unless you skip to the QRG)

*Beginning sometimes feels slow, drawn out, without progression (Going through RTK stops  a lot of people due to its length)

*Some accuse its lack of learning through grammar points bad!

*if you hate SRS then this is just not for you, mostly

All in all, AJATT has captured many language learner’s attention. I’d dare say that Ka-san is a bit of an internet fame when it comes to Japanese language learning. Does it work? Yea, lots of people go on and on about how successful they’ve been with the method, and tweaking it to fit their needs is really easy! Not many tend to banish AJATT altogether, though some will say that the method just wasn’t for them (completely reasonable).

Are AJATT followers truly occultists? Nah! Though those of us who are currently following the method (or at least most of it) will never hesitate to talk about its goodness, we are all very sane people with normal lives. None of us (at least I hope so) go around tattooing Ka-san’s face on our shoulders while saying the language learner’s prayer! I think its just great smarts to share something that works.

I must say that I do disagree with only one major stepping stone in the whole process. I believe that one should learn the kana before learning the kanji. My reason for this is: I just happened to have done Kana before Kanji and I found when watching dramas, tv, ect, I was able to hear the sounds of the language far easier because I knew what the basic building blocks of their sounds were. My ability then to innately understand more improved vastly compared to some I have met that didn’t. Just my feeling anyways, plus the kana is short and simple to get through and it feels like I learned something fast before I went through a period where I felt I learned slower.

While AJATT does provide a lot of sources for you to go through, it does not do the footwork (WTH! refund!) for you. You will still have to go through and find all the 10k sentences and you’ll have to enter them all in yourself! You’ll have to find all your own dramas, music, ect. But hey, Ka-san isn’t God, now is he?

]]> http://mxyzplk.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/on-immersion/ Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:50:25 +0000 mxyzplk http://mxyzplk.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/on-immersion/

I firmly believe that immersion should be the primary artistic goal of a roleplaying game.  It is an eminently achievable goal which creates a rich experience that one that can rightfully claim to be more than “just a game.”  Sadly, few people even understand what immersion is, let alone try to reproduce it in their RPGs.

What Is Immersion?

Well, that’s a good question.  There’s a recent really good RPG.net column entry, “On The Nature Of Immersion,” which got me started down this train of thought, that talks about five different things one might mean by “immersion.” For purposes of this discussion, I will define immersion as the process of trying, to the degree it’s really possible of course, to holistically take on your character’s mindset, and to try to experience the game world and events through that mindset.  Metagame factors should be eliminated ruthlessly.  Back in the day (the early ’90’s) we just called this “in-character roleplay.”

Theory and History

Though I’ve seen people play “in character” since the early days of the hobby, Immersion ™ was strongly promulgated as a concept by the “Turku School” of Finnish larpers and their humorously boldly worded Manifesto, in which they delineate four types of gaming – gamist, simulationist, dramatist, and “eläytyjist”, which I will call “immersivist” from here on out because I’m on a low reindeer-meat diet. They say the point of an RPG is to immerse yourself into your character’s consciousness and interact with its surroundings, and that furthermore this is how RPGing can become art.  And this is 100% correct in my opinion.

It’s instructive to see the difference between immersion and other styles.  Some other theorists confuse immersion with “acting,” but this is actually one of the major anathematic stances to them.  The Turku School’s “Larper’s Vow of Chastity” starts with: “1. When playing a character and immersing myself in it, my foremost goal shall be to simulate what happens inside the character’s head, and how it affects his behavior. Hollow pretence I leave for the actors.”  Good stuff in general, though there’s an off undercurrent of “I lick the gamemaster’s boots!” running through it.

The Nordic LARPers later came out with an interesting clarifying paper, Autonomous Identities, which is good reading if you understand words like “diegesis” and don’t mind people quoting Aristotle.  It clarifies how in some ways simulation can be an immersion substitute – “The theory is that the immersionist experiences what the character experiences, while the simulationist only pretends to, logically deducing what the character would do next.”  Eventually  the Nordic scene stepped back from immersion a little in favor of a story/dramatist approach, as you can see in the new loosely-defined but Diana Jones award-winning Jeepform style of LARPing.

Unfortunately, all this stayed largely confined to the Nordic LARPer community, even though immersive concepts are equally (if not more) applicable to tabletop play.

In the American/British mainstream RPG theorist tradition, they pretty much ignore immersion.  The GNS/Forge “indie games” tradition recognizes only the three non-immersive types, and in general the Ron Edwards-driven FORGE group of indie RPG makers have moved from their historically more dramatist/narrativist approach to strongly favor a strange gamist/dramatist mix (We’re telling a story, but with more and more tokens and cards and miniatures and crap!)  that even the more mainstream games like D&D 4e and WFRP 3e have started to adopt in part.  Most of the indie RPG community’s theory work has become ghettoized into being dependent on Edwards and therefore has been pretty much sitting unchanged for a while.  The “Big Model,” his newest approach, might theoretically allow for immersion as part of “character exploration” but its very weakly represented, if at all, in his description of creative agendas.

Outside the FORGE, the earliest RPG “theory” book I know of, Gary Gygax’s “Role Playing Mastery,” (yes, I have a copy, I’m a freak) is unabashedly about tactical (gamist) mastery, even though it does begin by noting that role-playing is half born of the historical minis wargamers and half of “clinical and academic role assumption and role-playing exercises “.

Robin Laws’ “Robin’s Laws of Good Game Mastering” mentions a variety of player types including the “method actor.”  Its definition is reasonably immersivist – “The method actor bases his decisions on his understanding of his character’s psychology” – but in name and in some of the turns of phrase threatens to confuse immersive with the dramatist’s surface “actor” stance which is in reality totally opposed to real immersion.  But if one has an accurate understanding of what pure method acting is supposed to be, it’s a good term.  Immersion and method acting can use some of the same techniques, like affective memory and substitution, but immersion is arguably purer because there is no external audience to please which requires classical acting techniques to be admixed.  Many “method actors” really mix traditional acting with the more immersive method acting techniques, so for RP theory purposes I don’t like using “actor” anywhere near “immersion” because it causes confusion.

Greg Stolze’s “How To Play Roleplaying Games” at least promulgates “setting logic” (aka simulationism) and notes that role-playing “can go deeper and have a more profound impact” by confronting characters with challenging issues.  But then it goes more to the basics like “show up to the game, pay attention, and don’t be a disruptive prick.”  Sadly, and I’m not saying it’s not needed, most “how to” RPG documents tend to turn into a list of stuff you should have learned in elementary school.  I’m not criticizing Stolze on this point; my interaction with the larger RPG community through the RPGA indicates that a lot of people need that.

Anyway, clearly game theory outside the ice-bearing countries doesn’t get into immersion much, but then again it’s largely either mired in basics or enslaved to Ron Edwards.

Why Immersion Via Tabletop And Not LARP?

Some of the folks reading this may be Nordic LARPer types.  I had a discussion with a couple after the inciting RPG.net column, and they tend to feel that immersion is easier in or more relevant to LARPing than tabletop.  I actually disagree pretty strongly with that.  Let me start with a pretty brutally worded analogy.

Q: Which is more immersive, a book or a movie?

A: A movie if you’re stupid, or a book if you’re smart.

After saying “Oh, snap,” think about that for a minute and we’ll proceed.

I would say that LARPing can probably be more immersive that tabletop when:

a) It is very well done, with realistic scenery and props

b) The characters are very close to the players in physical makeup

But that’s a big “if.”  It creates a lot more jarring things that block immersion in many other cases.  Some guy carrying an orange “please don’t shoot me, cops” gun is frankly less convincing than just being at a table imagining a guy with a gun.  And if all my characters are out of shape thirtysomethings that’s great, but wandering around the Dragon*Con hotel or campsite needing to take a dump doesn’t make me feel more like a robotic killing machine from Mars.

Even if one could get to the ideal “holodeck” type solution to address a), you would still have trouble until you got “Avatar” type solutions for b)…  At the current tech level and the current level of sophistication of LARPs I personally have seen around, I strongly prefer a completely imagination-based field to promote immersion.

It’s the same reason I find books to be more immersive in many cases than movies.  Haven’t we all been disappointed with a movie adaptation of a book because “that’s not how I imagined that would look?”  Or where one really crappy CGI shot breaks you right out of the suspension of disbelief?

Furthermore, In a LARP with props, there is the promulgation of one “objective” truth of how things behave.  But there is little value to that and more value to each player’s separate subjective diegesis.  And the more you force the subjective diegeses to collide, the more likely you are to shake someone out of their immersion.  It reminds me of the GM advice in Robin Laws’ excellent game Feng Shui, to not use tactical maps.  “Revealing your map locks you into a precise conception of the area…”

Anyway, I’m not saying you can’t LARP immersively, but I am saying that there is little reason to believe immersion as a concept is inherently LARP-focused (except for the historical accident that the only folks that seem to be really into immersion are also Scandinavians who are really into LARP) and that there are good reasons to even prefer tabletop for immersion in many circumstances.

The Immersive Tabletop Game

All this isn’t just theory.  I’ve run and played in immersive games, and those groups have found them to be immensely rewarding.  I had one game that had the explicit goal of character immersion run for five years in the mid-1990s.  I’ll ping my players from that game for insights from their point of view, but for me at least it really hit the heart of what it is I wanted out of role-playing.  For many years I’d had fitful stabs at it with “normal”
casual RP games but I knew it could be so much more than that.

And it’s not really all that hard.  Though there are helpful techniques, 80% of the work is just getting a group of people to sit down and say “Yes.  In this game I am going to try to get into my character’s brain and look at the world through their eyes.”  Mainly you just need everyone to agree with that goal and for the GM to be trying to facilitate it (like any style, when different players are heading for different agendas, you end up with the least common denominator).  The players have to be emotionally unstunted enough to emote a little bit and the GM needs to keep his “in world” viewpoint going strong so that he can allow the PCs to get along with0ut making metagame decisions.  With a little practice, that’s really not very hard.  You can start out as simulationist and let things develop from there, and sim is a good fallback point that doesn’t “ruin things for everyone else” at times you can’t immerse well.

Give it a try!  I don’t have a lot of sympathy with people that have the “one way” they like to roleplay.  Maybe it’s a well kept secret, but you can play one game sim, the next gamist, the next focus on story, and the next try immersion.  Broaden your horizons.  I don’t like certain games or styles, but I play them when my gaming group wants to.

Future Topics

If anyone’s interested, I can go into:

• How to run an immersive tabletop game
• How to play in an immersive tabletop game
• Simulation as a gateway to immersion
• Isn’t immersion bad?  Aka Bleed, or “Isn’t that how that Egbert guy went nuts?  And that Elfstar bitch?”
• But immersion makes me “uncomfortable,” aka George McFly syndrome

In a recent piece on the upcoming title Metro 2033, in PC Powerplay, the journalist raved at lengths about how 4A were striving to create an incredibly immersive experience, and this immediately grabbed my attention from a design perspective, and as a point of innovation. But how, I wondered, could a game create a feel that was so radically different as to garner the attention of an article? Some very fine attention to detail. Everything about the game has been designed in order to make you feel as if you’re in the shoes of the character, but what especially impressed me was the way in which this was done. Everything was so natural and believable, from having to check your oxygen levels on an old wrist mounted diving watch, to keeping track of your ammunition through a transparent magazine; everything about this game is striving in leaps and bounds towards creating a more visceral experience to really capture a grim and unforgiving vision of the apocalypse , something that STALKER has fractionally missed time and time again.

The fact that STALKER feels slightly inadequate in this area is an interesting issue because it is evident that GSC poured a lot of care, and talent into crafting a believable universe with surreal undercurrents. Irrespective of this, it appears as if they’re inadvertently undermining their own great efforts by interrupting all of this finely tuned atmosphere with incongruous heads up data displays that more often distanced the player from the universe they are occupying. It’s not a huge surprise that Metro 2033 sways this way with the knowledge that the company was founded by offshoots from GSC who may have had their own vision or stalker, and regardless of whether or not this vision is captured in a linear adventure or not, it’s very clear that they care dearly about the experience they are providing for the player.

Immersion is a funny thing in the sense that it cannot be physically measured by instruments in order to gauge it’s presence, this is an activity that’s best left up to the player. And this is a good thing in some respects because humans have emotions, and will react in an individual way in certain circumstances. The trouble with this is that there is no definitive way of designing a properly immersive experience without a great deal of experience in both designing games, and playing alike, so I’m going to summarise, from my understanding what makes a top immersive experience in order to clarify the nuts and bolts of what is a somewhat esoteric branch of this crazy industry.

The interface to a game is what essentially permits you to be involved in whatever’s going on, otherwise you might as well be stumbling around in the darkness without a flashlight. Being shot at. Being borne down up by Cthulhu. The trouble is, and interface should be relative to the type of game it’s trying to assist, and this is often sorely neglected.

For my first example, I take three games, no, wait four games and compared their attributes. Call of Duty 4 (BECAUSE MW2 IS NOT IN MY POSSESSION YET, OK) – the optional interface; Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction – the comfortable, non invasive interface; STALKER (potentially excluding Call of Pripyat) – the arbitrary interface with a vengeance; finally, Metroid Prime 3 Corruption -the clever, appropriate interface.

There a four things in common about these games, they all have interfaces, but what defines them is how they’ve been implemented. First up we have CoD 4; this game is interesting because it gives you the option to completely switch off your interface in favour of a more realistic approach. Now I liked this since it removed all the clutter, and telepathic stats counters from your screen, but the trouble here is there is no way in which your equipment (ammo, grenades etc) can be monitored. I’m sorry Infinity Ward but that was a bit of a faux pas. Had it used a system similar to Metro 2033, it would have prevailed, but in turn it would have rendered the heads up interface slightly redundant, or vice versa.

Ratchet and Clank has always been a great example of unobtrusive, yet informative interfaces, but my memory will only permit access to this particular game, so here goes. In RaCFToD, the interface is essentially divided into three parts, one that serves as an ammo counter, and one that monitors health, and one that informs you on pickups (bolts, raritanium). Each segment of this interface only pops up when it is needed, and starts off hidden. In my opinion, this is a very nice touch, not only because this type of game doesn’t necessarily need a clever interface, but because they did include one and the one they included is not only effective and informative, it looks rather nice as well.

STALKER, I apologise in advance for bringing you up on stage once more, you old curmudgeon, but you are the paradigm of both game design and humanity, however… My main gripe I have with STALKER, a game with nice touches on its nice touches, is that it’s all terribly dragged down by what isn’t an ugly interface, it’s just a lore murdering one. This game is supposed to paint a grim vision of a sort of apocalypse, were rough men walk the zone, some in search of riches, some because it’s the last place on earth that would accept them. The penny that dropped? It seems as if all stalkers walk around with monitors glued to their faces in order to inform them of their issues when they have perfectly (if not somewhat questionably) serviceable PDA’s that could have been jury rigged to display this information, but this probably would have been inaccessible. I’m at odds here because I’m really not sure how they would have displayed persistent damage and armour degradation without a HUD, so I’m going to finish this is a resounding “dunno”. All I can say is that the 2009 Complete Mod drastically improved it.

My final point of analysis is on Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, a game I’ve not played myself, but one Jack assures me had some finely crafted interfacery. First of all, all data displays are relevant to the Varia Suit’s display which is divided into designated areas for health, ammo, maps etc, and all of this was believable. Furthering these design triumphs, the panelling of the helmet reflects its exterior design, and also interacts with the environment to the extent where rain is visible on it, and Samus’s face is occasionally reflected within.

Interface design is really just one, of what I’ve found to be a list of at least 7 different points, but this seemed most relevant to me precedent of Metro 2033. Also, I’m reluctant to write any more because I don’t want this to become a thesis.

Merry non-denominational holiday season

Miles Newton – The Machination, Creative Director

Kita ko na sa bintana ng sinasakyan naming jeep ang mga senyales na kami ay nasa linang na. Mayroon nang maraming puno, damo, mga baka, kabayo at ang simoy ng hangin ay tila may malamig na pakiramdam kumpara sa lunsod na magdadala ng kulangot sa inyong ilong.

Pagbaba naming ay tumambad ang isang basketball court na pinaliligiran ng mga tao at animoy nagtataka sa pagbaba ng mga kabataang galling sa lunsod. Ako ay nag uli uli at nagtanong tanong, baka sakaling mabawasan ang aking pagtataka sa kahihinatnan naming sa immersion na ito. Malawak ang lugar na iyon ngunit hiwahiwalay ang mga magkakapitbahay, napatunayan ko ito ng kami ay mapa assign sa isang bahay na di kalayuan sa dulo ng Ibabang Talim.

Mainit ang pagtanggap sa amin ng pamilyang pakikipamuhayan namin. May nanay, tatay, tatlong anak isang baboy, tatlong baka, isang aso, isang bilot, labinlimang sisiw, apat na manok, isang tandang , isang pusa, at isang tindahan na punong puno ng mga tinda. Si tatay ay magaling magluto kaya gustuhin man naming na makiluto ay hinayaan na namin siya. Si nanay naman ang laging nasa tindahan at nagbebenta, dun kami lagi tumutulong. Ang tatlo naming kapatid ay nagaaral at naghahalinhinan sa pagbebenta kung wala si nanay, parang mga anak, ganun din ang ginawa namin.

Lumipas ang araw na sa tindahan lamang tumatakbo ang aming pakikipamuhay, pag minsan ay may dumadalaw na iba naming kaklase at nakikipag kwentuhan sa amin. Masaya kaming makatulong sa pamilyang iyon para rin akong umuwi sa aming bahay at tumulong sa tunay kong mga magulang.

Kung tutuusin, ang natirahan kong bahay ay maaari kong sabihin na mas mataas ng kaunti sa antas ng pamumuhay namin. Buti nga sila at may prigider e, may tv at tindahan. Pero kahit nasanay na ako sa gaan ng pamumuhay sa lunsod, sa pakikipamuhay kong iyon ay naalala ko ang paraan ng pamumuhay namin sa aming bayan. Bigla ko tuloy naisipan na umuwi man lang pagkatapos pero hindi pa pwede.

Sa aking nakita sa pamilyang iyon, at sa kanilang mga kapitbahay, hindi alintana sa kanila ang hirap ng buhay. Masaya lang sila sa kung ano ang nagagawa nila at kung anong mayroon ang bawat isa sa kanila. Isang bagay na talagang namangha ako. Naisip ko na wala talagang mahirap na antas na pamumuhay kung kontento na ang tao sa kung ano man ang kalagayan nila. Maghihirap lamang ang knailang kalagayan kung ang ninanais nila ay higit pa sa kung anong mayroon sila.

Sa pagpunta ko sa Ibabang talim, nakita ko na hindi naman sila mahirap, bagkus ay mas mayaman pa sila kaysa sa nakasanayan ko. Mayaman sa aral, kultura, at pagiging kuntento, hindi kayang talunin ng pagkain sa restawran ang sariwang nilupak na kababayo lamang, ang ilaw ng kalsada sa ilaw ng maliwanag na buwan pag gabi, ang kwentuhan sa harap ng alak at pulutan ay hindi matutumbasan ng kwentuhan sa harap ng buong pamilya at kapitbahayan kahit ang pinaguusapan lamang ay kung sino ang mas magaling si Mara o si Clara.

Lahat ng ito, ito ang buhay sa nayon, ang simpleng buhay, buhay na mahirap Makita sa gitna ng material na bagay at karangyaan, ang buhay na mas makapagpapasaya sa buong sangkatauhan, ang buhay na meron kami at muli kong nakita sa aking pakikipamuhay.

When wow launched it was a great game with a lot of problems and issues and lack of balance and tons of bugs. It was also immersive, the sense of scale was huge, and the world filled with danger and excitement.

Not so much anymore. It’s not much of an immersive world anymore, and there’s not a whole lot of war going on what with Shattrath and Dalaran HUB CITIES, the ever-so-oppressive “Sanctuary Aura” at the Argent Tournament, at Icecrown Citadel and elsewhere. City raids tend to be PVE fests and some quick teleporting back and forth. Zerg this, couter-zerg that, *poof* disappear – done. All that’s left is a few skeletons on the ground that only last for what – a minute, anyway? Apathy and convenience and rent-seeking behaviour reigns supreme.

Nowadays we log in, we teleport, do our thing, teleport back and log out. It’s a very different game and I’m not sure I’m interested in rated BGs, rated arenas or more and more PVE raids coming in Cataclysm sometime summer 2010. Ofc, a new job (probably Army) will pull me away more than likely, too.

So I bumped and re-edited an old post about “How to get into a Raiding Guild” on my server forum. Random troll got me a temp ban so he could create his own equivalent troll post and get some attention. People liked it, good for them. In the meantime, here’s some old blue posts I dug up that I think are relevant to why I feel like I’m being pushed out of this game:

http://blue.cardplace.com/cache/wow-general/8883787.htm

We would still like to have some scenic qualities to flying. There is also the notion that decreasing travel time makes the world smaller. These are the main points behind the travel system that we would like to keep in place.

http://blue.cardplace.com/newcache/forums.worldofwarcraft.com/965652351.htm

Honestly, this goes back to the idea of faster travel minimizing the feel of the world having distance. We get that people want to get places as fast as possible and have continued to make improvements on flight paths as well as offering many different means of transportation. It’s not about whether it can be implemented or not, but about how we want the world to feel.

http://blue.cardplace.com/cache/wow-general/6530914.htm

Although I don’t have any details to provide at this particular moment in time, I can assure you that design plans are in-motion to bring life back into outdoor player vs. player combat. We realize that both small skirmishes and large raids can be fun in the non-instanced outside world, and do plan to encourage such in the future.

My suggestion to implement giant dark iron hamster balls for players to roll around in for purposes of outdoor combat was shot down by designers, unfortunately.

http://blue.cardplace.com/cache/wow-rogue/985147.htm

Ganking is part of world PvP. If you wish to play on a PvE server to avoid this, that’s your prerogative.

So what the hell is the point of digging up old stuff that was said by employees in a vastly different setting years and years ago – it has no relevance on the WoW of today?!

The game has changed and will continue to change. Towards the end of each expansion cycle things become easier and more convenient to allow as many people as possible to see as much as possible before it all kinda goes away and becomes old content that’s not used much anymore. Obviously the vast majority of the players are used to Xbox, Playstation, and the like where you get near-immediate gratification in a very predictable, quick environment. These players aren’t going to want a sand-box style ‘realistic’ world with believable physics and interactions between players and players, or players and terrain.

Q: How many players would be in favour of missiles and bullets and arrows and frostbolts/shadowbolts/fireballs not being able to go through terrain like hills and trees and whatnot?

A: Not many.

Q: How many players would want a return to having to go to the WSG, AV and AB entrance portals that do exist in the world (no, really – they do!) in order to queue for a game?

A: Not many.

Immersion is dead. Convenience is king – all hail the new king!

Why:

* too many teleports

* no difference between PVE and PVP servers

* all focus on instanced content – remember when WoW was a game with very few loading screens?

* flying mounts are good – promoting easy afk while flying by not implementing any sort of danger inherent in flying was bad

* too many sanctuary auras – what happened to the WORLD and the WAR parts of World of Warcraft?

* not enough sandbox and too much linear content

* the player has minimal effect on the world

* mind-numbingly repetitive terrain, scenery and activities in BGs and – yuck – arenas (raids, too, but at least seeing a new boss like Algalon or Nefarian or Sapphiron or Kil’Jaeden for the first time is cool as all mother****ing hell)

* hub cities de-incentivize faction ‘pride’ on a server

* cross-realm content is awesome. It also kills server socializing and community feeling

I’ll be moving on, just gonna finish up a movie or two. Peace.

I came across Her Interactive this week, publishers of the Nancy Drew stories and was impressed to find that they offer a ’shop by platform’ option, which retains the focus on where it’s important – the story.  The device, or ‘means’ for the experience is consequential and driven by reader/user choice  and it got me thinking that this could eventually be an option that we take for granted.

By casting off those expectations that we’ve grown up with – a story is… text on a page, actors on the stage, special effects on the screen or a narrator reading – it’s a natural step to dictate how we want our stories; as I mentioned in my recent WIRED UK feature on transmedia storytelling, whether you want to read, listen, watch or ‘do’.  Making such choices will depend largely on what is the most convenient or appealing option.  It depends on your priorities, what your ‘device’ or platform of preference is is and the level of immersion you want from your transmedia ‘experience’.  The question remains, (in ‘chicken and egg’ style) which comes first – what you want (genre) and then how (device/platform)? Or the other way around?  Or does it matter?

Current digital platforms include these, but to truly fragment transmedially we can’t ignore everywhere that words appear – from bill boards to grafitti, business cards to posters (now we’re getting ‘viral’, but hey – isn’t ‘versatility’ key!)

When storybibling, fragmenting and delivering transmedia stories across a host of devices and platforms, it’s not so much about the physicality of each device, more the window that the platform offers, through which to experience the story.  Somebody once said about transmedia that “it’s all about the event”, but if transmedia is going to be the buzz word of 2010 as predicted, considering how we experience story elements is vital and the primary focus, not the individual devices.

It all goes back to relevance once again.  Andrew Savikas coined this on the TOC blog, “The bigger issue I see is that thinking of the problem as “how do we get a textbook onto an iPhone” is framing it wrong. The challenge is “how do we use a medium that already shares 3 of our 5 senses — eyes, ears, and a mouth — along with geolocation, color video, and a nearly-always-on Web connection to accomplish the ‘job’ of educating a student.” That’s a much more interesting problem to me than “how do we port 2-page book layouts to a small screen.”

It boils down to strategy.  Transmedia as a storytelling mode is both exciting and dynamic but must be underpinned by a solid strategic structure which is built on a versatility and awareness.  On-point strategy is to consider a series of elements such as experience design, social media behaviours and user data and the aim of a successful transmedia roll-out is to engage readers across a series of platforms, offering a story element relevant to the genre/reader environment and the platform.  This is achieved by keeping a sharp focus on the storyworld and considering the context of:

• reader habitats (digitally and real world),
• reader trends and behaviours,
• readers scope for embracing ‘experience’,
• opportunity for branding/marketing within relevant realms of the storyworld.

All of which will help to develop exceptional strategies to enable positive experiences.

Earlier this year I attended a talk at the ICA in London where interactive GPS experiences, Mediascapes, were being discussed along with ‘levels of immersion and some of the considerations in developing immersive experiences included:

Surface immersion .vs. deep immersion
Information .vs. evocation
User control .vs. no control
Clear rules .vs. no rules
Arbitrary mapping .vs. clear mapping
Linear .vs. non linear
Private .vs. public
Solitary .vs. shared

All of which are hugely valid in considering how your genre readers/audience behave, and how you want them to behave.

Further, on scrutinising the Conversation Prism by Brian Solis and Jesse Thomas I began attempting to adopt the relevance of the prism elements to my transmedia chick lit/rom com project but had to remind myself that this is a prism about CONVERSATION.  For transmedia we need something more than simply conversation, as this is only a facet of the bigger picture of transmedia.  I’m now working on the big picture for a transmedia prism and would love some collaborators!   How about developing an interaction prism, an immersion prism along with an engagement prism to help make the big picture?

I started to mark out of 10 how relevant the ‘petals’ on the prism might be when adapting these platforms to a contemporary women’s transmedia fiction.  ‘Comment and reputation’ scored a 9 (as the ‘over the fence’ gossip and recommendation scores highly with us girls), ‘crowdsourced content’ only scored a 4 as I felt that this would be more fitting in more of a gaming environment.  (No doubt it would be ace to build an online photographic portfolio of my characters lifestyles in London, Vegas and Paris but the truth is, would busy women really be bothered to send in photos?  No, I didn’t think so either.)

Based on my research to date, If I had to choose some elements from the conversation prism that I believe are the front runners when considering the 360 view of a transmedia fiction for women, I’d pick out ‘comment and reputation’, ‘micromedia’, ‘sms/voice’, ‘forums’, ‘social networks’, ‘interest and curated networks’, ‘location’, ‘video’, ‘events’, ‘music’, ‘livecasting video and audio ‘and ‘pictures’.  Of course, this remains a ‘work in progress’ as I continue to write, develop and produce my chicklit/romcom transmedia story, but in the meantime if anybody is seriously up for some brainstorming collaboration on that Transmedia Prism, then please holler…

I know, I know. Confused? Concerned? Readying yourself to fight me to a “believers death” if I don’t say what you want to hear? Listen, just hear me out on this one, try to have an objective mind, and attack this rationally with me. But first, we have to establish the premise.

I grew up in a church denomination that believed, at the time I was born, in baptizing babies. Now, by that very statement, you could surmise that they also believed in baptizing by sprinkling, rather than immersion, people once they were older and you would be right. Why mention this? Because this is my foundation. This is what I KNEW was right and true from a very young age. And I hope you realize that when I say I “KNEW” it was right and true, that simply means I felt that way because it’s what I’d always known. In fact, until I was an adult, I never thought twice about it, to be honest.

In that sense, my foundational experience is no different than anyone who grew up in a belief system that stated you could only be baptized by immersion. Anyone raised that way, whether from a young age or whether that was the method first presented to them after they accepted Christ, likely feels very strongly there is only one method of baptism.

A few questions, then, should come from this for people on either side of the proverbial fence. One, do I feel the way I do about baptism because it’s something I was taught or do I feel the way I do because the Bible specifically states it? Two, is my unwillingness to consider the alternative viewpoint on this issue due to stubbornness via the foundation built in me or do I think I have “proof” my viewpoint exists Biblically?

Third, and key to me utilizing the term “legalism” in the title of this entry, is this: Regardless of how you feel, do you attempt to push your conviction on others who do not share it in an effort to garner acceptance, say in the form of church membership?

Wow! If you are in the immersion camp right now you’re fighting to keep from tuning me out, but please listen, because I’m not saying any of this out of a desire to change convictions. I’m about to give you some ideas on why this does indeed fall into the category of legalism, and it’s maybe even more common than the others that are more visible, namely concerns over appearance, clothing or music. Those topics will show up on here in later entries.

So let’s look at this issue a bit; get a little foundation of our own to draw from without going too deep. I could give a ton of Bible verses here, but you can look it up. If you’re in the immersion camp, you’re drawing from several verses in the New Testament and have decided that since references appear to speak only to being immersed, that must be the only option. This would be great, if the Greek word baptizo only meant one thing. But you see, it doesn’t. Oh sure, it can very much mean immersion considering it is used as such to describe things ranging from baptisms in rivers and special pools to Jesus describing His being “immersed” in suffering.

On the other hand, it can also mean a “pouring” out of, well, as we think of it, water. Although the term is also used in the original Greek texts to speak to a pouring out of the Holy Spirit. Now, I could go on all day and get into the language of it all, the meaning of words in their original language and intent, but I don’t think it would benefit any of us. I say this because none of what I’ve said so far is good enough to convince anyone to side one way or the other.

But that’s good, because that’s not what I’m trying to do. What I need to get through your thick skull and mine is that whatever method we believe in, there is nothing specific in the Bible to uphold either side. Oh sure, immersion appears to receive more obvious references, but can you really do anything with regard to theology based solely on the outer skin? And really, do you firmly believe this has anything to do with salvation? With all apologies to my Catholic friends on that point, who have so many man-made rules they can’t see the forest for the trees, the method by which you were or choose to be baptized has absolutely no right or wrong and nothing to do with getting into Heaven. Baptism should, technically, come after someone has put their faith in Christ, as a sign of obedience to Him.

Before I close out with my grand argument, so to speak, I have to share something extremely alarming I pulled up in preparation for writing this. And make no mistake, I’m writing this to get it off my chest that I’m sick and tired of legalism and how it has even translated into this area. But here it goes, and I’ll give you a direct quote:

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper.

I bolded that last line because it’s just so unbelievable to me. As my brother, a Wesleyan pastor, stated to me, “To add anything on top of the grace of Christ is heresy.” I’m going to make a very strong statement and say the last line of the quote above falls into that category. Now, would you like to know where this came from?

This quote comes directly from “The Baptist Faith and Message”, page 6. You can find this on the Southern Baptist denomination website and several of its subsidiaries. What really bothers me is that I attend a Southern Baptist church…and THIS is what the denomination holds as valid and true? That somehow, even if I am a Christian, if I am saved, unless I have been baptized by immersion, I’m not good enough to take communion? Ummm, WHAT?????? Exactly where is THAT one in the Bible? It’s not, which means it is, at the very least, a legalistic man-made rule.

I have to say I didn’t expect to find anything so blatantly legalistic, so blatantly heretical, anywhere within the Southern Baptist statement of beliefs. Count me sufficiently shocked and, for the moment, glad most of the churches within the denomination are self-managed, connected primarily in name with the SBC so as to give an identity.

Let me be very clear in stating this is not an attack on the SBC. If I wanted to attack specific denominations or religions, I’d be writing something entirely different and probably not using this forum lest I begin receiving all kinds of hate mail. This is simply sharing with you something I found that is so incredibly man-made I can’t believe it even exists.

I’ve been promising a statement meant to sum up why I don’t believe anyone has the right to push their convictions regarding baptism on others, which would be legalism in action. And, I’ll admit, it’s going to be slanted against those who believe immersion is the only way to go. So here are two things for you to chew on.

From Easton’s Bible Dictionary we get the following:

The gospel and its ordinances are designed for the whole world, and it cannot be supposed that a form for the administration of baptism would have been prescribed which would in any place (as in a tropical country or in polar regions) or under any circumstances be inapplicable or injurious or impossible.

And then, from, of all sources, the Catholic.com website, I offer this set of paragraphs which I think sums it up extremely well:

After Peter’s first sermon, three thousand people were baptized in Jerusalem (Acts 2:41). Archaeologists have demonstrated there was no sufficient water supply for so many to have been immersed. Even if there had been, the natives of Jerusalem would scarcely have let their city’s water supply be polluted by three thousand unwashed bodies plunging into it. These people must have been baptized by pouring or sprinkling.

Even today practical difficulties can render immersion nearly or entirely impossible for some individuals: for example, people with certain medical conditions—the bedridden; quadriplegics; individuals with tracheotomies (an opening into the airway in the throat) or in negative pressure ventilators (iron lungs). Again, those who have recently undergone certain procedures (such as open-heart surgery) cannot be immersed, and may not wish to defer baptism until their recovery (for example, if they are to undergo further procedures).

Other difficulties arise in certain environments. For example, immersion may be nearly or entirely impossible for desert nomads or Eskimos. Or consider those in prison—not in America, where religious freedom gives prisoners the right to be immersed if they desire—but in a more hostile setting, such as a Muslim regime, where baptisms must be done in secret, without adequate water for immersion.

What are we to do in these and similar cases? Shall we deny people the sacrament because immersion is impractical or impossible for them? Ironically, the Fundamentalist, who acknowledges that baptism is commanded but thinks it isn’t essential for salvation, may make it impossible for many people to be baptized at all in obedience to God’s command.

I especially like a few things in that last quote. Primarily, my thinking has always aligned with the thought that, in ancient times, there is NO WAY anyone living in the Arctic or several desert climates would have had an option to be baptized by immersion. Where was the water for them to do this if they lived where it was always frozen, or where was the water if their climate was so much a desert that it was simply impossible?

Are you telling me people from these areas made yearly treks, kind of like their own visit to Mecca, just to be baptized in a pool or river? I have to think if this was happening, we’d have heard about it by now. Even the last bit of that quote, speaking of those who believe immersion is the only option (referred to as Fundamentalists), has a very valid point on the matter.

With all that information presented, the only question is, do we hold to our belief in the proper method of baptism because God made the rule or because man made the rule? I would submit to you that if you defer to either method and refuse to accept the other as possible that you believe in man more than God. You believe that man was able to decipher something God never specifically stated in the Bible. You believe the Greek can only be translated one way, when in fact is means multiple things (as many, many Greek words do and hey, that’s just like our own English language; go figure).

Last, I would submit to you that in order to align yourself properly on this issue, and to not be legalistic about it, you must consider how your belief in the method of baptism fits in places where immersion is not possible. That alone is the key issue as far as I’m concerned and the only reason this has been written.

via cjc-l

Dec. 11 application deadline for Immersion ‘10 Program
Friday, December 11 is the application deadline for the ACRL Immersion ‘10 Program.  Complete program details and application materials are online at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/issues/infolit/professactivity/iil/immersion/immersion10.cfm.

The ACRL Immersion ’10 Program provides four-and-a-half days of intensive information literacy training and education for academic librarians.  Applications are being accepted for Immersion ’10 Teacher and Program tracks, to be held at Champlain College in Burlington, Vt., July 25-30, 2010:
TEACHER TRACK. This track focuses on individual development for those who are interested in enhancing, refreshing, or extending their individual instruction skills. Curriculum includes classroom techniques, learning theory, leadership, and assessment framed in the context of information literacy.  Participants selected for the Teacher Track will prepare a description of an instructional situation and a related presentation in advance of the Immersion program. During Immersion, participants will revise the presentation based on feedback from colleagues and faculty.

PROGRAM TRACK. This track focuses on developing, integrating, and managing institutional and programmatic information literacy programs. Participants selected for the Program Track will develop individual case studies in advance of the Immersion program. Change dynamics, systems thinking, institutional outcomes assessment, scalability, and the integration of teaching, learning, and technology will be brought to bear on analyzing the various programmatic challenges presented in the case studies. Immersion participants will be expected to develop the case studies

Acceptance to Immersion ’10 is competitive to ensure an environment that fosters group interaction and active participation. The application deadline is December 11, 2009, and notifications will be issued in February 2010.

Questions concerning the program or application process should be directed to Margot Conahan at (312) 280-2522, or e-mail mconahan@ala.org.

“Immersion” by Robbie Cooper. The idea: film kids while they play video games. The girl from 2:34 to 2:40 is so creepy. Maybe it’s the Danish hip hop. Maybe it’s the soulless eyes. Whatever. It’s uncomfortable.

Considering that Pendulum are easily one of my favourite bands, I feel I might have been a little harsh on their last album. To be honest, it was quite good, I just felt a bit let down because it in no way captured what they can do live. Almost every remix/cover version they’ve released since is superior to some of the filler on that album. Check out the ‘Immigrant Song’ remix on their myspace (in the Radio 1 mini-mix), or their  Live Lounge cover of  Coldplay’s ‘Violet Hill’ to see what I mean.

The good news is that there’s an new album being released next year, tentatively titled ‘Immersion’. Apparently some new tracks have been played on the radio already. This could be one of them. Pretty awesome, no?

Either way, to celebrate the announcement, today’s window is a video taken from their performance at Glastonbury earlier in the year. It’s easily better than the album track, and they even made Calvin Harris sound good.

Pendulum really are something intense live. The first time I saw them was in a DJ set in a small club up north. The second was in Brighton where I alternated between shots of sambuca and Jagermeister till I fell on my arse down a flight of stairs. I then pushed to the front of the crowd where I managed to clumsily highfive the MC, then fall on my arse again. Thankfully, this time the crowd picked me up. It was generally euphoric.

I’ll definitely be seeing them in 2010. For now, watch this:

Read my review of their last album, In Silico here.

In case you didn’t know (my imaginary audience) I went on Ateneo’s Praxis immersion program last weekend from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon.

Basically and immersion program is where you visit a community and live with them for an amount of time to experience first hand how they go about on living. I, along with my blockmate Nic and others, chose to go to the farmer’s sector in Lubao, Pampanga. Sta. Cruz, Palcarangan to be exact.

Before the trip itself I’ve gone though with workshops and seminars and heard people have their say about what happens in immersion. I was pretty excited at first but some things got to me. Like for example that irrational fear that you’re to be harassed, my sisters advised me to always wear pants while sleeping, keep the flashlight near and be wary. Others said I had to be mindful about the water, the food and the culture. And I was only going with Nic, my blockmate. What if I didnt get along with the others?

My immersion groupmates and our formator on our last day. Thankfully all of us got along very well

My head was swimming with all of those things plus the formal orientation’s do’s and don’ts. I didn’t know if I really wanted to go then. My formator, Cricket asked my immersion group if there were those who are afraid of the immersion. People were quiet as I mentally raised my hand. And again he asked if we were excited. Again, people were quiet and I mentally raised my hand. Even though with the short session of telepathic charades, he was able to sum it up in a very obvious assumption of what I felt (I don’t know about the others). He said. “So you guys are in feeling fear and excitement and all the things in between?” Yup, very much so.

It’s very hard not to be taken with the site of Sta Cruz. Photo by Nic Gasparillo.

I was afraid because it was an unknown place, but I should have guessed that all of my fears would have gone when I arrived because I am a probinsyana after all, I have to toughen up a little bit for chrissake! I came from a place where people were simple and living was simple. I being paranoid for nothing. At the unholy hour of 5:30 in the morning, we were already at the bus station waiting for the bus to Pampanga. It was the very first time I’ve ridden a bus here in the Philippines. Hong Kong doesn’t count. We arrived around 8pm and were brief by the members of the kasamahan about agriculture and farming in Sta Cruz. To say that they were from the “organization” kinda sounds impersonal. These people are very close to each other, if you aren’t technically in their family they will treat you as one. I was paired up with Camille and it was nice to see that all of us including our immersion groupmates formed an easy bond despite some, including me, who have just learned each other’s names when the meeting was done.

“Nakahuli ka ng bagets!” – Tatay Boy

Camille (my housemate) and I were introduced to our Nanay Nora and our younger sister Lek-Lek. Our dad’s name is Fernando and we have 2 other sisters Anne and Riza plus a brother named Onyok. I actually miss them. They were very nice and they welcomed us into to their homes as more than just visiters but as family. I imagine little Lek-Lek is asking nanay for food right now. She really likes to eat )

Camille and I with our foster family. They told me my foster sister Anne (3rd from left) and I look alike. Cool beans! Although, Lek-Lek, the youngest had a tummy ache before we left for Manila.

We just spent the day talking with them and helped them out as much as we could. Nanay Nora is really self sufficient. Sometimes Camille and I had to sneak out to get the water or bring the plates on the table because Nanay likes to do things by herself. We did a lot of things actually with regards to their line of work. Tatay Boy, the head of the organization, told us that we were the only immersion group to have done/ experienced everything. From trimming the pilapil, using the hand tractor, planting and harvesting – to riding a carabao!

With immersion mates again, after planting rice and waiting to ride on the carabao!

I wondered then if our visits were a hassle to them. They handle internal and external factors in agriculture, from the pests that may kill their crops, the trade marker’s unfair pricing and government officials who unceremoniously dump on their paddies a month before harvest time and it seems like our visits slow them down. Tatay Eddie said they welcome us so that they can educate us on what they’re going through and they’re happy to know that there are people willing to lend a hand.

I am thankful for the experience, hopefully this feeling will be here to stay. I will try my very best to be adamant about my foster family’s plight. People expect that this feeling will wade, the pull to help out and give whatever I can since it’s only been a week. My foster mother teased that we might forget them once we’re back here in Manila. I highly doubt that though. It was really cool how all of us got a long and formed some sort of bond. I hope my parents will let me go back to their festival on May 3. I wish to see the the people of Sta. Cruz again soon.

Photos by Nic Gasparillo and Camille Grantoza

Merely a hack who has rarely had the patience to sit through elongated oratory or literary dissertations in my quest to conceptualize and even capture the crux of creation through the language of mathematics and physics, I have found it gravely difficult, during my years of formal education, to await the necessarily standardized absorption by which mundane knowledge is methodically received. Boredom becomes quite captivating and even the most minute segments of data sets are set aside for in depth examination by which to formulate extraordinary principles both simplistic yet paradoxically profound. It seems truth tends to tangle in the arena of paradox (James 1:25).

There ultimately arrived a time by which I had to toss my systematic quest to conquer the principalities of physics to a far more poetically achievable educational genre. I therefore relented from the intensity of such studies into simpler tasks such as English, art and photography. History has likewise served such a capacity but to a lesser extent, since its process is more an abstract yet more tangible life application of the aforementioned principalities, which lends to its own enthusiastic arrangement of frustrations and fascinations. All the while, that which is exhibited within the confines of the Holy Bible has wallowed divinely in my midst throughout such eras, serving as an evermore acknowledged theme by which one in any such endeavor ought to engage with greater consideration, as its power of principalities provides a foundation by which wisdom is exponentially jettisoned to all who earnestly partake. Examine it as hereby stated and the wonders of the universe, whether academic or even spiritual, becoming exceedingly awakened unto your eyes and afforded the confluence of axioms.

Anyhow, I loved science and found great excitement in at least a few of them throughout my junior high and high school years. And later in college, math class, just as science, while it was a love, was likewise a match for my focus. Some facet would always seem to snag my interest in such a way that captivated me, leading me to overthrow the lesson for a gaping reception into the far too fundamentally apparent finiteness of one simplistic element.

Perhaps my greatest issue with the confines of formal education is its formalities of indoctrination, since it teaches merely to know than to learn, and therefore, my zealously fascinating manner of inquisition into easily accepted principalities disrupts well trained technicians of academic dissemination who themselves have very little understanding.

There have been several, perhaps many, instructors who have found my inquiry to be irritating to the point where vehemence erupts from their frustration. Likely, it is that their understanding of such principles bound within their chosen field of study is so light that immersion becomes frightening, to the point by which they attempt to maintain surface tension, yet cannot, for they have yet to achieve perfection.

Anyhow, there have been others who have found my earnest inquiry to be considerably intriguing and have engaged greatly. From them, I have learned much and have been equally challenged to such extents, exponentially jettisoned, just as iron sharpens iron. For when word becomes word, so goes the saber of triumph.

And so there I was. I had failed to turn in several weeks of assignments, stuck and even failing asleep on a series of formulas. While I had figured them is such a learned way, I envisioned yet another way, comparative to the difference of a casual observer who meanders through a garden on his way to his next class and that of a ballerina become the very beauty abound amid her arena. Then, I entered class to turn in homework from several weeks back, and as the class proceeded on several problems the instructor issued to buy him time to grade the evenings homework, he later landed upon mine near the end of class.

Looking up my way in a cross and unsettling manner: “This is late. And what is this (no question mark for it was not a question). This is not done right. This is unacceptable. Did you even read the book.”

I walked up. Observed what I knew to be in question. He continued. I watched. And might I mentioned I was also quite rebellious and had considerable disdain for those are fierce for the letter of the law but who have very little consideration for the spirit of the law. He was quite disrespectful in his way and even authoritarian in his astute posture. For this, I found fancy in foiling his stature.

“Yes. I read the chapter multiple times over.”

He became exacerbated, particularly since I offered no other explanation at anytime during the long pause for silence.

“I can’t have this. I can’t accept this. This is just wrong.”

“No.” I replied. My retort was accurate. It was right.

“No what?”

“The answer is right. Look upon your cheat sheet. It correctly matches what you have there. Therefore, according to your very own means of judgment, your readily accepted and utterly proclaimed sense of right and wrong, it is right.”

“No. It is wrong. You did it all wrong.”

At this point, the diatribe drew upon the attention of the class, which was acutely focused upon the dance of an arrogant subset of individuals. I stood. The instructor sat half in his seat, while the other half worked to rise in frustration, except for the tactical advantage of an underling who literally stood above him. To escape the sunken seat of the throne at that very moment would have only worked to his disadvantage, divulging the inferiority of his physical position, as a rabbit who uneasily waits behind the bushes as a hunter passes, hoping he who seeks blood has no clue of the thinly veiled vulnerability that resides easily within reach.

“If you are now saying the answer is wrong, then your theorem is likewise wrong, for it renders the same result. But if you are saying that my methodology is wrong, then you are wrong, for it renders the very same result as does your readily accepted methodology, yet you are unwilling to accept it, since you fear what you fail to consider.”

Just then, during the prelude to the climax, the clock struck the hour and officially called to a close the class, but even still, the encore was yet to unfold, and therefor kept at bay the bulk of the class.

Now, being that I in certain terms had just turned over the desk from which he dictated, the repercussion was on the verge of volleying grave result. Therefore, an intersession accompanied by a well-announced olive branch was boastfully interjected in such a way that the Little Hero Of Holland held at bay a great mass of water with merely a finger. And likewise amid the moment, the class teetered upon the crux of implosion.

“Okay. If you find that the methodology does not work according to the stated result, which equals that stated in the book, then, you may rightfully fail me for the remainder of the class. But should the methodology work out correctly, according to the result so stated, then it will be graded as such.”

Going merely by the memory of some 15 years ago, I recall him officially calling the class to a close by dismissing us.

The next class, as he was handing back papers, perhaps during a test, he quietly called my name to receive my graded paper.

“I don’t know how you did it. I have never seen this before. I even brought it to the attention of the department faculty. It seems you have found a new theorem. Good work.”

I walked away and left it at that. My grade for the class was somewhere around a C- for that class. I don’t blame the guy. Between my frequent surfing trips to Baja and inconsistent homework, even a C- may have been undeserved.

Perhaps one day I will share just how daunting the study of literature and moreover writing courses were and how one college professor struck a sword through such difficulties, severing my ties with such trying tasks by delivering me unto understanding, as is referenced in 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV), where is said: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Pendulum are back!!!!!!

Dates have just been announced for the Pendulums UK tour, supporting artists include Sub Focus another upcoming D&B artist.

Tickets are now on sale!

November 17, 2009-  This months session was Teaching Summer Immersion with presentations from Rick Thompson, Dean of School of Math and Science, Claudia Lingertat-Putnam, Department of Educational Psychology, and Carrie Hulligan from the Department of English. 

          Rick Thompson began the discussion by talking about a class he taught at McMurry University on how to become an astronomer in three weeks. Thompson talked about the “mayterm” courses that were provided to students. These classes were “outside the box” type of courses which created an opportunity for courses to involve travel and field work. Thompson continued by talking about the outline of the course which includes basic observational astronomy topics, computer software, instrumentation, and details of running an observatory. Thompson also talked about the difficulties faced due to this immersion course such as travel expenses, weather, range of backgrounds and abilities of the students, and lack of support. Finally, Thompson discussed the benefits this program has on students. 

          Next, Carrie Hulligan, an instructor from the English department, talked about her unique experience teaching therapeutic writing and literature during summer 2008 and 2009 online. Many of the challenges Hulligan faced was condensing information into a six week program without compromising the integrity of the class, as well as trying to get students involved and motivated online. One way to do so, Hulligan separated assignments into low and high stake assignments on blackboard, including a mini bio in order to create the dynamic seen in the traditional classroom. Overall, Hulligan’s main objective was to create a tone thats inspiring for students. 

          Finally, Claudia Lingertat-Putnam who teaches in the counseling department, talked about her experience teaching a hybrid course usually taught as a graduate course. Lingertat-Putnam saw the immersion format as an opportunity for something different with the intense material covered in the class and skill building. Challenges faced begun with the way summer immersion is marketed, because the class is offered during the summer Lingertat-Putnam found it difficult to get students serious and committed to the three week course. At the end of the presentation, Lingertat-Putnam talked about the syllabus for CSL 597: Counseling Bereaved Children, course outline, and assignments students are involved in during this program. 

Below you will find the materials each presenter shared during the session. To hear this session, as well as past Provision sessions, please visit the “Session Podcast” link.

PROVISIONS: IMMERSION 

CSL 597: Counseling Bereaved Children

Dr. Claudia Lingertat-Putnam 

Class Participation & Attendance        20%

Given the intense nature of the immersion format, students are expected to attend all class sessions, be on time, and actively participate in class, including online coursework (case studies, blogs, etc). Students are expected to be prepared for each class by having completed all assignments on time. Participation includes regular involvement in class discussions, small group, in-class exercises, class presentations, online work, blogs, wiki’s and other related activities. Late assignments will not be accepted. Each missed class (traditional or online) results in a drop of half a grade for the entire class (i.e. A to A-, A- to B+, etc.).   

TRADITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS: 

1. Personal Reflection Paper        15%

Based on personal experiences and the readings, students are to explore the meaning of grief & loss in their own lives. DUE 5/19/09. Write a 4 – 6 page typed, double spaced paper in at least 12 font and answer the following:

•  
  1. What experience(s) have you personally had with grief & loss?
  2. What does your family consider an appropriate emotional expression and integration of the loss?
  3. What are your family’s gender rules for handling the loss/death?
  4. Do certain types of death carry a stigma (i.e. suicide) or are especially traumatic (i.e death of a child)?
  5. What are your personal beliefs about life after death? Do they match your family’s beliefs about what happens after death?
  6. What are your family’s culturally prescribed rituals for managing the dying process, the deceased’s body, the disposal of the body, and the commemoration of the death?
  7. Which of these beliefs do you maintain to this day?
  8. How do these beliefs influence you as a counselor, particularly when counseling bereaved children and their families?

1. Integration Assignment         10%

Using one of the choice books, students will apply: 

•  
  • the stages of grief from Kubler-Ross;
  • Bowbly and Parkes’ 4 phases of mourning; and
  • Worden’s phases of grief

to the main characters in the stories. Write up your findings in an APA style 3-5 page typed, double-spaced paper using at least 12 font. Examples from the whole of the book chosen must be included. DUE 5/28/09. 
 
 

1. Case Studies          20%

Using assigned case studies from Fiorini & Mullen (2006) and Webb (2002), students are expected to:

1. answer all questions from each case (individually) and post appropriate responses on Blackboard using the blog feature.
2. Additionally, students will work in small groups to search for websites/online resources that contain information on the issue presented. Each student will share their findings (the site addresses, etc.) on their group’s page and add some comments about what they found.
3. Students must also respond to someone else’s subtopic in their group. Responses should be in-depth and reflective, indicative of the critical thinking expected of graduate students.

Case studies Week One:  (F&M) Gabby, pg. 95; Renee, pg. 113; (W) Ch. 3 Questions pg. 67

Case studies Week Two: (F&M) Larry, pg. 72; Samantha, pg. 182; (W) Ch. 7 questions pg. 162 

1. Resource Wiki          35%

Students will construct a Wiki (a collaboratively built webpage) for parents, counselors, and youth at http://counselingbereavedyouth.pbworks.com This assignment consists of four components which are all due 5/29/09 at 9 p.m.  

1. Journal Article Review/Annotated Bibliography     10%

      Pick a topic related to counseling bereaved children (get approval from professor). Find 5  current articles (within the last 5 years) on this topic. Articles must be from peer  reviewed, professional journals. Write up an annotated bibliography (APA style) on these  articles (one paragraph summary of article) and post it to the Wiki at the URL above,  from here on out referred to as the class Wiki.  

1. Book Reviews & resources        10%

      Find 2 books that parents, teachers or counselors could use as resources when working with  bereaved children and/or adolescents. You may use books listed in the supplemental reading  guide or find them on your own. The books can be: activity books, children’s books, or a  resource guide for parents/professionals. They must be a minimum of 25 pages in length  each. Write a book review for each book (see example handed out in class) including the  reference in APA style for each resource & post it to the class Wiki.  

1. Web-based resources        5%

Each student is required to post at least 4-5 links to current video, articles, resources, etc. that bereaved children or caregivers could access if looking for help on the web. Post to class Wiki.  

1. Field Experience Blog        10% 

      Volunteer at a bereavement camp, visit an agency providing services to bereaved children  (e.g. Haven, Hospice), or interview someone close to you about their experiences with  grief, loss and death as a child. These experiences must be completed during the  immersion course (i.e. you cannot use past experience for this assignment). Write up a  750 – 1,000 word summary of your visit/interview (including the date completed) on the  PBWiki as a blog entry. Emphasize what you learned that would be helpful to others  (other counselors, other bereaved persons, etc.) Please do not post full names on the web;  use initials or first names only. Post to class Wiki. 

CSL 597: Counseling Bereaved Children

Course Syllabus 

DATE TOPIC  DUE FOR CLASS 

5/11 M Part I: Foundations (F & M) Ch. 1; (W) Ch. 1& 11

      Children and Grief  

5/12 T Vicarious Traumatization (W) Ch. 2 & 15

      Assessment    (G)  Ch. 14; (F&M) Ch. 2

      Cultural Implications Personal Reflection worksheet

                  Review of assessment tool

                  Cultural chapter jigsaw 

5/13 W Play therapy

      Guest Speaker: Dr. Maria Fast

      Traumatic Grief (W) Ch. 8

            (F&M) Ch. 10 

5/14 Th Online Case Studies Week One 

5/18 M Part II: Loss

      Death in the Family (W) Ch. 3, 4, 5

                  (G) Ch. 4 & 5

                  (F&M) Ch. 5

                  Case Studies Week 1 due 6p.m.  

      5/19 T Suicide (W) Ch. 6

      Crisis Intervention/Postvention Services (W) Ch. 9; (G) Ch. 13

            Personal Refl. due 

      5/20 W Violent Death  (W) Ch. 7, 10, 16

            Community Violence  (F & M) Ch. 9 

      5/21 Th Online  Resource Wiki

                        Case Studies Week 2  

      5/26 T Part III: Interventions

            Using the Expressive Arts

            Guest Speaker, Joan Horgan Case Studies Week 2 due 6 p.m.

            Interventions  (W) Ch. 11 

      5/27 W Bereavement Groups, 

            Art & Storytelling (W) Ch. 12, 13 14

5/28 Th Intervention and Counseling  Integration Paper Due

            Endings and Closure 

5/29 F Online Resource Wiki Due 9 p.m.

Petra van Wingerden obtained her bachelor’s degree in translation and interpretation in The Netherlands in 1993. Since then she has worked full-time as a translator. She and her husband moved to the US in 1999. Her children are currently 8 and 9 years old.

In September 2005, three Dutch women living in Northern Colorado founded a Dutch school, De Petteflet, named after an apartment building in a famous Dutch children’s book. Petra’s two children were among the first five students – the required minimum to start a Dutch school that is funded by the Dutch government. De Petteflet offers classes in Dutch language and culture as a supplement to local American education for children of elementary school age. Recently, De Petteflet welcomed its 20th student.

Petra has served as the chair of the School’s Board for the past three years.

Blogging on Bilingualism: What inspired the founders to start a Dutch school in Colorado?

Petra: Well, I guess in general when you live abroad, no matter where or for how long, you want your children to inherit those “Dutch roots.” And I am not just talking about the language, but the culture as well. There are currently more than 200 Dutch schools around the world, and we are very proud to be one of them. Our school was founded by three Dutch mothers living in Northern Colorado. Over coffee they had often discussed the challenges of raising bilingual kids. One thing led to another, and soon they decided to “upgrade” their playdates to a real Dutch school. After almost a year of preparation, De Petteflet opened its doors for the first time in September 2005, in a small conference room in Longmont, CO.

BoB: Where is the school located and for how many hours a week?

Petra: We have moved twice in the past five years. Recently, we moved southward from Lafayette to Broomfield to accommodate the growing number of students living in the Denver area. With the current location, the driving distance to De Petteflet for all families is 1 hour max. Classes are held every Wednesday from 4:15 pm till 6:45 pm.

BoB: Who attends and how many students do you have?

Petra: To answer the first part of your question, you have to understand that De Petteflet is not just a place to have fun and play. Our school is funded by the Dutch government, which means that we get a fixed annual amount for each child that is enrolled on October 1st of each year. Therefore there are a couple of requirements we have to meet. The activities of our students are based upon the core objectives for the Dutch language as set by the Dutch Department of Education. In order to reach those objectives, we follow the same language curriculum as elementary school students in The Netherlands, we use the same books and methods, and our students even have to take the same tests as their classmates “back home.”

For our 4- and 5-year olds, there is plenty of time for games, songs and crafts, but once our students enter 1st grade, the focus is more and more on reading and writing. The homework easily adds up to about 45 minutes a week. Furthermore, children age 6 and up become more active in sports and other activities and have more homework from their American day school. So, parents who enroll their child(ren) in De Petteflet, are very motivated and really want their child(ren) to learn to speak, read, and write Dutch, but they all have different reasons.

Some parents just want their children to be able to communicate with grandparents and other family members “back home.” Some believe that being bilingual opens doors for their children later in life, when it’s time to go to college or find a job. And for others the reasons are even more practical: they know they will return to The Netherlands or Belgium in the near future, and want to make the transition back into the Dutch school system as smooth as possible.

As I mentioned, we started with five students five years ago. Although the numbers have fluctuated over the years, we have seen growth overall, especially in the past year. Recently we welcomed our 20th student! Currently all of our students are 4 – 8 years old.

BoB: Who are the teachers?

Petra: No need to say it is not easy to find qualified Dutch teachers in the Colorado Front Range area, but so far we have always been able to fill the positions. We consider ourselves very lucky to have a qualified teacher that has been with De Petteflet since the very beginning. Due to the current growth, we have recently hired a third teacher and a classroom assistant, who have both received special authorization from the Dutch Department of Education to teach at De Petteflet.

BoB: What is the level of family involvement?

Petra: We are very lucky to have a great group of motivated parents, who love to be involved in our school, whether this means cleaning the classroom, organizing a field trip, or updating the library. And don’t forget that all members of the Board are parents too!

BoB: Are there a lot of varied family backgrounds for those who attend the school?

Petra: We have families from The Netherlands, from Belgium, families with one parent or with both parents speaking Dutch. The Dutch government requires that at least one of the parents has a Dutch of Belgian passport in order to get subsidy for that child.

BoB: Do the children have different levels of Dutch proficiency?

Petra: The Dutch Department of Education has divided students into three categories: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 students. In brief, Level 1 students speak Dutch with both of their parents, so Dutch is the dominant language at home. When moving back to The Netherlands or Belgium, these students can usually transition into the Dutch school system without any problem.

Level 2 students speak Dutch at home with one of their parents, but it is not their dominant language, and the goal is to maintain the level of language proficiency. When moving back to the Netherlands, these students have a maximum backlog of two years.

Level 3 students do not speak Dutch at home, are not proficient in Dutch, and basically learn Dutch as a foreign language. Since De Petteflet does not have the resources (at least not now) to offer an adequate education for Level 3 students, the school only accepts Level 1 and Level 2 students.

BoB: What are your major goals in offering the Dutch program?

Petra: Our mission is to help children improve their language proficiency and to give the Dutch culture a prominent place in the life of our children.

So far, our classes have been very group-oriented, which means that all students within the same grade basically work on the same things and do the same activities. One of our recent goals is to research the possibility of “individualizing” our curriculum, since every family has different objectives for their child(ren).

They say you “grow with your child.” And that’s exactly what we do. We learn from our students, we see what works best and adjust. After all, we are simply a group of dedicated parents trying our best to give the Dutch language and culture a place in our kids’ hearts.

Thank you, Petra, for sharing this inspiring description of De Petteflet, the Dutch School in Colorado. The school is a testimony to what parents can do to share a second language and culture with their children, no matter where they live. Readers who wish to find out more information can visit the school’s website.

I want to tell you a quick story. Many years ago in a country far, far away a developer was working on an idea that would quickly become my favourite game of all time and is yet to be surpassed by any one other game in terms of number of hours played. And that includes two and a half years of hardcore World of Warcraft playing (I was young and needed the Exp).

That developer was named Bioware and the game in question is Neverwinter Nights. I had always been a fan of fantasy and science fiction having read many books set in both genres, written my own stories, watched shows and movies about them and, of course, played Dungeons and Dragons. To me, the world a game is set in is of critical importance for one of the most overlooked aspects of video games; immersion. Many times you’ll see a reviewer comment on the worlds detail, the voice acting, how beautiful the graphics are and such but it’s incredibly rare to find someone who comments on how deeply the game draws you in. I mentioned Neverwinter Nights earlier for two reasons, the first being that it provided the platform for digital immersion into a world that had been only flights of fanciful imagination until that point and the second, that it was developed by Bioware who have yet failed to produce a world that I have not been draw into immensely. I would consider them the benchmark for high-quality immersion.

However, is immersion really all that important? In the current generation of gaming, the majority of entertainment is based heavily around the multiplayer aspect with single player tacked on as a way to justify still having those storywriters on the payroll. Of course, there are still single player games that are released but they must be ever more impressive to warrant even the slightest amount of praise due to their lack of multiplayer. Even Dragon Age: Origins has been lamented for its lack of multiplayer and, whilst I love the game to pieces and rank it within my top 5, I found myself using Steam Cloud to chat with other people who were playing the game at the same time to share experiences. Ironically, this potentially flow-breaking mechanism that I made frequent use of helped to drive the immersion far better than simply throwing myself head on into the game with no contact with the outside world.

Immersion, I feel, is something that the majority of gamers don’t think much about. The lore of a world, the interplay between cultures and the ramifications of saying one thing to a particular species that would have an entirely different meaning and outcome were it said to a different species, these are not things for someone who’s gaming interests comprise first and third person shooters. Immersion is quite possibly the biggest proponent of games as an Art Form, and like all art, it attracts only a niche group. This, to me, is an incredibly sad state of affairs as I know how enjoyable a game can become when you truly immerse yourself in the game world and begin to see it not as a form fitting sandbox to suit your virtual pleasure, but as a separate entity in and of itself where your actions may have enormous ramifications, but you are left wondering. Wondering about what might have happened had you chosen a different path, wondering what may become of the political situation of the land now that your actions inadvertently killed a major politicans child, even simply wondering what the trade effects in Dwarven lands will be when you saturate the market with weapons and armour you looted off enemies you’ve killed.

Of course I have to realise that these things do not interest some people. A recent mod for Half Life 2 known as NeoTokyo was released about half a year ago now and whilst there was a small amount of backstory it was left up to the user to imagine what the world is like or to pass it off completely and just focus on the game itself. On the forums for this mod, I came across a striking example of the difference between those who care for immersion and those that don’t:

Poster 1: Does NT really need a deeper backstory?

Poster 2: Ever play with those rare one or two people who get so into the game, you start questioning whether they’re actually NSF members from the future? They need a deeper backstory.

These were two responses to a fan provided NeoTokyo backstory that brought the mod to life with incredible detail, including political and military timelines and in-depth consideration of all the major factions in the game. The writer was not even asked to create this, they just did it out of immersion.

Immersion then. It’s certainly something that a lot of gamers could take or leave. To some it provides dizzyingly new levels of enjoyment, whilst for others it’s nothing more than an irritation between one fight scene and the next. Still, immersion is an aspect of gaming that all developers should strive for. Once we decide that there is no need for immersion, it will be only a short step from there to games titled “Captain Bland’s Monotonous Adventure”.

Tuesday, Nov. 24: We spent the entire period playing ‘old school’ board games, such as Jenga, Connect Four, Guesstures, Outburst, and Chess.

Wednesday, Nov. 25:  We spent this period playing Video Games in class. Students brought in / played: NHL 10, UFC, a soccer game, and Guitar Hero.

Thursday, Nov. 26: We spent the day in the lab reading articles on two important concepts: stimulus addiction and immersion (which is defined as completing losing oneself in an activity so that one loses sense of time and space). We watched this video called Immersion and read this article on Stimulus Addiction.

Friday, Nov. 27: We spent the period finishing up Thursday’s work in class and then completed an activity that required students to choose one of two activities:
1. Create a VENN DIAGRAM  to compare the Similarities and Differences between OLD SCHOOL BOARD GAMES and CUTTING EDGE VIDEO GAMES.
2. Write a letter pretending you are either a BOARD GAME or a VIDEO GAME, and you are writing to your opposite counterpart: so a BOARD GAME writes to a VIDEO GAME or vice versa.  In your letter, you must explain why you are better or worse than the other. Note: You can be sarcastic if you want!

I am immersed in deep thought and deep meaning. I recently bought The Boondock Saints, and I just LOVE the family prayer.

And shepherds we shall be, for Thee, my Lord, for Thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out Thy command. So we shall flow a river forth to Thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patri. Et Fili. Spiritus Sancti.

Also, I was just listening to Shai Hulud’s “Ending the Perpetual Tragedy.” And though I cannot find the quote to the monotone section of that anywhere online, it is still something you should hear. It’s quite chilling and uplifting. Shai Hulud is an American hardcore punk band from Pompano Beach, Florida, who got their name from the Great Maker worms of Frank Herbert’s Dune. I often get very filled with greater meaning, but VERY, VERY seldom is it anything to do with religion. I get this feeling from things that OTHERS create: Music, Artwork, Photography, Film, anything that overflows with extreme passion. And it is such a great feeling. I very much believe that the purpose for life is not just there, but instead, it is created. living creatures create their own reason and purpose, and that’s not hard to see.  The passions that one harvests, the GREAT amounts of love that one can hold for another, anything that a creature loves unconditionally, is the purpose of THAT individual life’s existence. Is that so hard to realize? For some it apparently is.

*Ahem*, MORE PHOTOS!

Don’t be misled, I do not play guitar. Of course, I WISH I could, but alas, I don’t. I was simply trying some camera angles. I took this strapped to the end of my Vendetta’s neck. God I wish I could play that thing.

Also, If you’re wondering why I’m wearing the same thing in all my photos on the blog, It’s because I pretty much took a WHOLE lot on the same day. Hahah.

Sabrina! It’s my cat again. I love that thing. I love cats.

Pretty self explanatory, except that I stuck my camera in the tree to take this one. I thought it was pretty cool.

On one last note, “I caught ‘em all” today! YES, I AM REFERRING TO THE ORIGINAL 151 POKEMON FROM 1998 POKEMON RED, BLUE, & YELLOW. I am definitely a Poke’nerd, but at least I own up to it! That was my generation, and I loved it. Every last bit. I’ve been working HOURS on those games to catch them all, and trust me, you have to have all three games to complete the collection. PHEW…That took so many hours of gameplay. Kingdom Hearts has got to be my favorite game of all time though. End of story.

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Now, for the new, weekly bits of media to check into:

Album of the Week: Thirteenth Step by A Perfect Circle

A Perfect Circle is one of my FAVORITE bands, and they’re sadly not together anymore, which emphasizes them THAT much more. Thirteenth Step is no doubt they’re best album, so check it out. There are only two songs on the whole album that are a little strange. The rest is gold.

Book of the Week: WATCHMEN – The Graphic Novel by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons

God, I could do an entire SERIES of blogs on this. And I probably WILL do a post or two. Anyways, until then, You should read it. It’ll only take a week or so, but it is one of the deepest pieces of literature I have ever read. There are hidden messages all over the place, and you probably won’t understand some things the first go around, such as “The Black Freighter.” Regardless, you’ll definitely like it.

Annnnnd…..

Movie of the Week: Into the Wild

This is one of my favorite movies, and soon to be, books, of all times. Its a true story about a boy who, just after graduating from college, decides to burn all of his credentials, money, and everything that ties him to society, and tramps across the Americas for two years, before taking the ultimate end to his travels in Alaska. Checkitoutttt….

THANKS FOR CHECKIN’ IT. BYE!

Graphique tiré du site www.gamasutra.com

Rob Bridgett, Directeur Sonore chez Radical Entertainment, a écrit récemment un article sur l’importance du Sound Design dans la structure narrative d’un jeu vidéo (vous trouverez cet article sur le site www.gamasutra.com). Il me semble important de vous faire part de ce que dit Rob Bridgett, d’autant plus que cela fait suite à l’article que j’ai publié hier sur l’intensité scénaristique.

L‘environnement sonore d’un jeu vidéo doit être cohérent à l’univers créé par le Game designer. “The sound designer needs to sit down, over the course of many planning meetings, with game designers and plot out and map the intended experience from start to finish” explique Rob Bridgett avant de poursuivre, “it will dictate where music, fx and dialogue all need to work together with the game flow“. Encore une fois, nous retrouvons les principes de Flow, de narration et d’immersion. L’environnement sonore améliore grandement l’immersion d’un joueur au sein d’un jeu ou même d’une action et c’est pourquoi, le Sound Design doit être parti intégrante de la conception d’un jeu.

Selon Rob Bridgett, les designers sonore peuvent s’inspirer des films d’horreurs des années 80. Les mécanismes utilisés dans ce genre de film montrent bien les possibilités offertes afin d’immerger le joueur (ou le spectateur) dans une ambiance particulière. “A lone teenager creeps through a creaky house at night, high pitched strings in the musical score build, a creaky sound is heard, phew it was only a cat, the strings stop and for a brief moment there is the silence of relief, then, in that moment where the audience is catching it’s breath with relief, then the enemy strikes.” donne-t-il comme exemple.

Enfin, le sound designer doit jouer entre les moments de silence (qui doivent faire partie du sound design) et les moments de forte intensité sonore afin de créer une dynamique. “Something with no dynamic range cannot be experienced for very long before the viewer, or listener, becomes fatigued and reaches for the off-switch” explique Rob Bridgett.

A young man with Down syndrome succeeds in school in West Virginia.  His mom credits his amazing teachers.  One more example of what our kids can do.

ASHTON — Mr. Wildcat at Hannan High School is not only considered royalty at the school, but he is a truly, spectacular senior.

Brandon Benson, 18, is an individual with Down syndrome who has been mainstreamed in public schools throughout his years of education. He is your average teenager who enjoys sports, especially the Thundering Herd, four-wheeler riding and being with friends.

From Ashton Elementary to HHS, Benson has progressed step-for-step, right alongside his classmates.

His mother, Linda, gives much credit to her son’s educators.

“The teachers need recognition because they were there in the classroom, helping other kids understand Brandon’s situation,” Linda Benson said.

For the full story click here.

Since I owe a week’s (?) worth for an entry:

GAAH. I am sick. Very sick, fever, coughing and the runs (on my nose, mind you!). And it came from out of nowhere! I felt fine yesterday, I danced and trained and then this morning BOOM! Like a rug pulled under me, I woke up with a splitting headache and a thermometer screaming 38. I am thinking about not going to my 7:30 class tomorrow to rest. And as always, I do have a lot of stuff in my head and here’s one of the nagging thoughts I had since last week.

I got a lace top, transparent and unwearable! The whole thing with lace right now is in right? HAHA. Like I said, fashion trends get to me late and I’m actually picky if I’d like to follow said trend or not. See-through lace kinda scared me but I wanted so much to try and wear it and I was looking for ways how to.

Here’s a modest take from Tricia Gosingtian who wore a nice Topshop dress:

I love her boots and the way she wears her clothes and the dress itself (visit her site, but I think it’s too dressy for me. Where would I go? Right, I promised my girls we’d go out more often. Hee

And then I was watching “The Women” on HBO, I noticed Jada Pinkett-Smith wear the lace under a leather jacket. Couldn’t find a nicer photo to showcase the outfit better, this is the best that I could do:

Basically, I found a way to wear it. Now to find a nice jacket to pair with the jeans and the lace top I just got. Good luck to me.

On another note, on a very very far note: I’m going on an immersion to Lubao,Pampanga this Friday. I’m excited and scared out of my wits, I’ve been constantly  re-checking what to bring. (Which reminds me I have to have look for a good flashlight!) We’re going to the farmers sector and live with the family’s there. I’m nervous – will my foster parents like me? I hope my fever dies down and my sniffles will shut it by tomorrow. It would be embarrassing if my foster family got sick because of me. :s

As always, another day another obstacle to tackle. More on that later. Still debating on whether or not I should go to class tomorrow so I can rest up for my trip.

What do you think?

*Sheens