Information Goddess: Programs for Patrons

Programs for Patrons

Overview

Programs can be customized for audiences in the following groups: grade 4-6, grade 6-12, 18+, all ages, parents, teachers, or boomers/seniors. There is a 2-hour minimum for videogame programs. All other programs can be modified to 1.5 hours, 3 hours, or an online 3-4 week interactive session. Hands-on classes require 1 Internet connected computer per student and basic Internet proficiency. All software is available free online, JAVA and Shockwave plug-ins required.

About Video Game Programs

Video Game Programs can be tailored to any audience: grade 4-6, grade 6-12, 18+, all ages. Facility requirements are RCA compatible digital projector with sound and white wall or screen to project on, or color television with RCA outputs for each console, and 20 sq feet of space, plus one power strip per console.

Registration should allow for 24 -30 patrons per game, to allow everyone to play multiple times in the session. No food is allowed during the gaming program, although water is encouraged. The presenter will provide as many consoles with games as facility has projectors/televisions.

The fee for program facilitation includes travel, set up/break down, and downloadable, customizable forms: Sample Press Release, Permission Slip/Photo Release, and Sample Poster. There is a 2-hour minimum for videogame programs.

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Mix & Match Free Play (pick one game from each set)

 

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Tried & True Themed Programs

Dance Dance Revolution Free Play!

What is DDR? Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) is a dancing video game, like an electronic version of "Twister" or "Simon Says" for your feet. There are many different dancing games on the market. At our event, we will be using Konami’s DDR Ultramix 3 on the X-Box. Instead of holding a controller, players stand on a floor mat. Music (mostly techno and dance) plays while the screen shows a pattern of steps with a vertically scrolling series of arrows pointing left, right, up and down, like the image to the right (that would be a "left, right, back, forward" series of steps one beat apart).

The scrolling arrows pass a horizontal row of arrows at the top of the screen. As the arrow scroll and pass the bar at the top of the screen, the player steps on the corresponding button on the mat. On more complicated songs or levels, steps combine and the player might have to step on more than one button at a time. An announcer insults or praises the player as the game proceeds. Points are awarded for speed and accuracy. Each song has multiple levels of difficulty and speed. New songs are unlocked as a reward for progressive improvement and high scores.

Playing DDR improves pattern recognition skills, especially in ADHD students — there is a correlation between playing DDR and improved reading test scores (Source: McGraw, T., Burdette, K., & Chadwick, K. (June, 2005). The Effects of a Consumer-Oriented Multimedia Game on the Reading Disorders of Children with ADHD. Paper presented at DIGRA 2005, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Available at http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/recordDetail?accno=ED484959.) DDR offers an aerobic workout that gets the heart rate up to 140 beats per minute (source: Yang, S.P. Graham, G. (2005). Project GAME (Gaming Activities for More Exercise). Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 76 (1 Suppl) A-96). Schools in West Virginia, Kansas and California are implementing DDR and similar video games into the physical education curriculum!

Rhythm Games Rock!

Try your hand (and foot!) at Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band in this free play session! Not for quiet libraries.

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Tournaments

Dance Dance Revolution Tournament!

This dance-off begins and ends with free play. Each player dances once, with the winner of each round continuing on to compete until a champion emerges! Elimination may be based on number of perfect points, OR total score - participants can vote. Library supplies the prizes.

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Game Design Programs

Ben 10: Alien Force Game Creator

Using the Cartoon Network's Ben 10 Alien Force Game Creator site, participants will discuss common game elements, register for an free account on the Cartoon Network website, try Ben 10: Alien Force games, and then develop their own Ben 10 game from stock characters, settings and obstacles.

Scratch

Using Scratch, free drag & drop programming language designed to help youth develop 21st century learning skills, to try hands-on digital game design. Students will try some games created with Scratch and download, examine and edit existing games. Lessons will be based on just in time learning but may include how to create a sprite, edit a sprite, add animation, and more. Scratch teaches important mathematical and computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.

Other Programs

Brain Development

Pain in the Brain: Adolescent Development & Behavior

Challenging authority, moodiness... are we talking about teens, or two year olds? Parents of middle school students are invited to discover the underlying biological and physiological changes that may shape attitude and characteristics of this challenging developmental phase, and gain insight into why teens act the way they do.

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Crafts

Altered Books!

Create art and poetry from discarded and withdrawn materials! Teens are encourage to write in, cut up, and decoupage old books to create something new. Presenter will provide papers, paints, embellishments - library provides discards books, glue and scissors.

Beads Galore: Basic Beading

In this 2-hour session, teens will have an opportunity to craft a memory wire beaded bracelet, friendship pin and/or a "book thong" - a beaded bookmark. Presenter will provide all materials.

Beads Galore: Advanced Beading

In this 2-hour session, teens will have an opportunity to craft a pin, necklace or earrings of their own design. Presenter will provide all materials.

Card-Making

In this 2-hour session, teens will have an opportunity to create beautiful personalized, hand-made collaged cards! Program may be tailored for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Holidays or Thank You Notes. Presenter provides papers, stickers, and embellishments - library provides glue and scissors.

Friendship Bracelets

In this 2-hour session, teens will have an opportunity to craft an embroidery floss friendship bracelet in a variety of woven design options. Beaded accents are optional. Presenter will provide all materials.

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Creative Writing

Write, Now! Creative Writing

In this creative writing workshop, teens will do three exercises to: generate ideas for stories, craft a poem, and practice editing. A list of writing prompts, places that publish teen work, and writing resources will be provided. A discount available for block booking 4 or more sessions to meet daily (school vacation program) or weekly.

Write, Now! Poetry

Teens will try several poetry exercises to craft poems quickly and easily, and practice editing and critiquing their own work as well as that of their peers. This session is in preparation for a poetry slam event one week from the workshops. Participants are welcome to bring a poem to share with the group. A list of writing prompts, places that publish teen work, and writing resources will be provided.

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Technology

NEW! Cleaning Up Your Online Identity

What kinds of information are risky to reveal online? How does one separate professional online identity from personal What is an avatar, and how do you create one? In this hands-on workshop, participants will discuss identity and how they represent themselves online, learn some important safety tips, and discover how to get beyond default settings to privacy filters.

NEW! Technology Petting Zoo

The program will include up to three short demos on the topics such as Web 2.0, How to use Flickr, How to use Twitter, Podcasting, Gaming, Feeds or other topics as requested, as well assistance with devices patrons bring, if possible. The presenter will provide the following: Apple laptop, PC Laptop with podcasting setup, iPhone, video iPod, 2 Nintendo DS, Kindle, FlipVideo camera, Bluetooth device, memory card reader (for transferring photos to device), USB hub and portable hard drive for participants to play with. Handouts are posted online under "Web 2.0 handouts."

Feed Me!

Starting to notice a small orange icon that looks like a broadcast signal on your favorite websites? Discover how to start controlling the information overload by taking advantage of "push" technology to select the information you receive. By the end of this session, patrons will:

• Understand what a feed is and how it works
• Preview several feed readers

MySpace, Facebook & Internet Safety

What's so scary about social software, what developmental needs does it fill, and how can we teach youth to be smart and safe when navigating the Internet? Through discussion and a slideshow, parents will:

• Review web applications children ages 8 & up may be accessing
• Discuss strategies for instructing youth and their parents in online safety

Video Games and Youth: What Parents Need to Know

Over 80% of teens play games online, 25% of US households own a PlayStation, and 32% own a handheld gaming device. Parents will discover why videogames matter in terms of entertainment, culture, learning, literacy, and youth development. Concludes with a (optional) hands-on (or feet-on) session. Through discussion and a slideshow, parents will:

• Gain an understanding of the ESRB ratings system
• Learn about family-friendly game review sources

Web 2.wh0a!

Hands-on or lecture style! Web 2.0 is an interactive web: instead of passively reading, listening and viewing, we are collaborating to create new content with tools like social software (Eons), wikis (Wikipedia), podcasts (iTunes), and more. Find out a little more about how you can contribute to the World Wide Web. By the end of this session, participants will be able to explain the key differences between Web 1.0 and 2.0 and explore Web 2.0 websites and applications. Email address with free commercial site (i.e. gmail, yahoo!, hotmail) required.

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Copyright 2008, Information Goddess Consulting. Email: informationgoddess29@gmail.com