Famous Faces Support Students Learning to Code

What do Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and entertainer will.i.am agree on? 

Kids need to learn computer programming.

Watch this video from code.org featuring tech leaders explaining why learning to code is so essential for today's students.

Share the video with your Globaloria classes!

Globeys Deadline: March 1

Reminder: A Globeys Deadline is Coming Up!

Paper Prototypes are due on Team Pages next Friday, March 1, for full-year students.

Did you know Globeys winners and finalists win great prizes like laptops and video games?

Don't let your students miss out on the chance to win!

Obama: Let's give more kids the opportunity to make games

On Presidents' Day, our own president was speaking out in support of programs like Globaloria.

During a Google+ Hangout open to the public, President Obama called for more in-school offerings for K12 students in game-based learning, noting that computers and video games can be a substantial force to engage students in STEM and learning in general.

"What it does is not only to prepare young people who may choose to not go to a four-year college to be job-ready," Obama said, "But it also engages kids--they feel like 'I get this, this is not just me sitting there slouching in the back of the room while somebody's lecturing.'" 

Read the article here.

Fresh from the Help Desk!

Hi everyone! Here is a tip for you and your students that may help your run your class. A feature that we introduced this year to the Help Desk is the ability to connect your Google Account to the Help Desk.

If you or your students already have a Help Desk account, you can continue to use that. However if you do not, there is a new option available. It's really easy:

• To go the log-in page for the Help Desk in the upper righthand of the screen.
• At the log-in page, click "Sign in using Google"
• If you haven't signed in, sign in when prompted.
• Allow the Help Desk to connect your account.

When you preform these steps, if you don't have an account associated with that email, a new one will be created, and you can click the Google button to log-in.

If you already have an account, you can also perform these steps in order to log in with the Google button.

For more tips, check out the your school wiki's Help Center and the Help Desk's Knowledge Base.

As always, if  you have any questions, feel free to message the Help Desk!

REMINDER: Mid-Year Virtual Academy - January 26th, 2013 - 11am - 2pm EST

Make a projectile game using our new step-by-step video tutorial!

 

Spend an hour on your game before the session (You will have additional time to work with live support at the academy)

Post your work by January 25th


 View agenda, tutorial, and prize info on the
January 2013 Virtual Academy Page

Join us in the Virtual Classroom Next Saturday!

Adobe Connect Room

Globeys News: Due Dates Have Changed

Globeys News | Globeys due dates for full-year classes have changed.

The new Paper Prototype due date is March 1

The new Game Demo due date is April 5

Please notify your students of the new deadlines!

Keep up the good work!

 And get excited to celebrate your students' games at the Globeys ceremony in the Spring...

Globaloria Games Wanted!

Exciting news! The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, a national competition that celebrates students’ creative talents, is inviting Globaloria teams to submit their completed games for recognition!

Please reach out to students with completed games – students from past years, or second year students – and invite them to apply. You, the teacher, can also submit a student's game on his or her behalf.

Submissions are due before December 15^th, so please circulate and encourage today!

Last year, a Globaloria student won gold prize for game design and was invited to Carnegie Hall in NYC to receive his award! Please notify your students about this once in a lifetime opportunity!

Giving Thanks, Giving Back

Globaloria is all about changing the way we learn and grow as a community. Our responsibilities as educated citizens extend outside the classroom, as we recognize our places as contributors to a globally conscious society.

Since Hurricane Sandy hit our hometown area in New York City, members of the Workshop team have been actively involved in the relief efforts. We have been collecting donations that are distributed in the affected areas and also lending a helping hand in the field.

Here I am with my trusty gloves & boots @ Randall's Island!

Last week I volunteered in an effort to clean up Randall’s Island Park, a beautiful place where many local schools take field trips.Volunteering was a nice bonding and networking experience with the others out there. It also heightened my consciousness and awareness of my place in the world. All that plastic and pollution in the water- it made me so happy to work in an office that consciously recycles. As I became tired raking, I was so grateful for my 4 limbs and strength that others may not have- and I was happy to put it to good use, as I hadn't done manual labor in awhile! 

What are you thankful for this season? Please share your stories.

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Jaime, Special Projects Coordinator at the World Wide Workshop

Announcing: Globeys 2013

We are thrilled to announce the 2012-2013 Globaloria Game Design Competitions...aka The Globeys! 

 

This celebration of student work in Globaloria culminates with an award ceremony in the spring, where outstanding students are recognized with exciting prizes! (think laptops, drawing tablets...)

NEW this year: Students do not have to register for the Globeys. To be eligible, students must upload milestone projects to their Team Page by the assigned deadline.Their Team Page now features a Globey status so students can see whether they're on track. It's easier than ever to participate!

Also, for the first time ever Hidden Object Games will be eligible for Globeys recognition. Stay tuned for more on this!

Find the deadlines for your students below & start spreading the word!

WV, TX, CA - Full Year Program

1. Paper Prototype - Jan 25
2. Game Demo - March 1
3. Game Presentation - May 15
4. Final Game - May 17  

WV - Fall Semester Program

1. Paper Prototype - Dec 10
2. Game Demo - Dec 15
3. Game Presentation - Jan 15
4. Final Game - Jan 20
   

WV - Spring Semester Program 

1. Paper Prototype - March 15
2. Game Demo - April 15
3. Game Presentation - May 15
4. Final Game -  May 17
   

NY- Full Year Program

1. Paper Prototype - March 1
2. Game Demo - May 1
3. Game Presentation - June 5
4. Final Game -  June 7
   

Send questions to competitions@globaloria.org
See past winners & more at Globaloria.org/competitions

November 13 Mini Workshop

Happy Friday Everybody!

Rock n' Roll y'all!!

Just wanted to take a minute to remind everyone about our upcoming Mini Workshop on TUESDAY November, 13 2012 at 7 pm EST (6 pm CT, 4 pm ET). The topics covered in Tuesday's session will include: How to request Professional Game Reviews, Information about this year's Globey Awards, and a lesson on Drawing & Animating in Flash!

Please complete the assignment on the November Mini Workshop page and post your work! Make sure to bring your questions to Tuesday's session.

Thanks guys!


Yvonne