Spring 2019 Journal

Welcome Adventurers!

Below you will see your Quest Log. All the dates you see below are the "turn in dates," meaning you must have the quests in before you sign into your session on said date for full Experience Points.

Be mindful of naming schemes and where to turn in the quest.

Most quests, journey logs, and raids will be turned in on the "Quest Board" in the class folder.

What are we doing in session?

Discuss Creativity
What is Digital Writing?
What is Multimodality?
Lecture Notes

What quests are due?

Read: DW – Chapter 1: Digital Writing (p. 1-29) [LINK]

Read: W/D – Chapter 1: What are Multimodal Projects? (p. 3-29) [LINK]

Do: “Hello, Avatar” assignment (5xp)

Do: Make a name tag using 8.5" x 11"

Extended Quest Explanation:

"Hello, Avatar"

5xp
What is an avatar? How do avatars function? Read this excerpt before starting your quest:
From Hello Avatar: Rise of the Networked Generation
“In contemporary language an avatar is a computer-generated figure controlled by a person via a computer. It is often a graphical representation of a person with which one can interact in real-time. I make the case for an expanded definition of avatar that includes a wider array of media forms and platforms such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), instant messaging (IM) and short message service or text messaging (SMS), and uses of social and locative media. I argue a broader scope of avatar activity in order to understand better how we are engaging current networked media.

I use the term ‘networked media’ to describe technologies that are connected to a distributed transmission network such as the Internet or cell towers. In such a case, ‘networked’ speaks to a technical affordance. However, I also use the term to invoke a cultural sense of connectivity with one another. Network theory outlines a set of behaviors to which a variety of systems—technical, natural, or social—adhere. One of the primary characteristics of a network is its distributed rather than hierarchical structure. As opposed to a regimented order, network connections can happen across nodal points in a multitude of directions. A networked gathering then, as I attribute it, involves both a technical and cultural sense of ‘networked.’ In the cultural dimension of network, the great shift I see is the connection between online and offline experiences.”
(Coleman, 2011, p. 12).
--

You will be using an avatar in this class as a public and digital persona. I want you to think critically about the difference between your different personas: Who are you as a student? An employee? A writer? Who are you online?

You are you create an avatar. This avatar can be drawn, designed, or taken from a cited online source. It can be your favorite character, someone from a video game, or a badass picture you found online. The two things you have to follow are

1) It must be "animated" in some way. It cannot be a photo of a real person. It must be a digital recreation.

2) The image must only have one avatar in it (no group pics). Feel free to manipulate images using software.

After you create your avatar, take a selfie and upload both images side-by-side in a GoogleDoc. Underneath, include your handle/avatar name/screen name, etc. as well as your Myers Briggs*** (click HERE or HERE) results, then answer the following questions:

Why did you choose the avatar that you did? What was the process in its creation/selection?
Comparing the selfie and the avatar, what do the two images say about you as a person? As a student? As a [insert age here]? As a writer? etc.
What is the story behind the handle you chose? Why did you craft it in such a way?
Are you surprised by the classification of the Myers Briggs test? Why is it different? What were your percentages? (screenshot the results)

Answer all of these questions in paragraph form. Each number should get at least a three sentence response. Use this personal writing as a way to reflect on yourself and your public image. You can write the minimum (at least 300 words) or you can write three pages. Whatever you send me, I will read.

After you answer everything in your GoogleDoc, title it "Last Name - Avatar Name - Hello, Avatar" and upload the link to the "Quest Board" in the class folder (to be sent out by Friday)

***Even if you already know your Myers Briggs identification, please take the test and record your percentages.

What are we doing in session?

Is coding writing?
What does it mean to write in a game?
Journey Logs

What quests are due?

Do: Do some research on MEE

Read: DW – Chapter 2: Digital Rhetoric (p. 37-60)

Read: Stuart A. Selber's introduction to Rhetorics and Technologies (p. 1-7 [ending with "part 2"])

(Full book can be read for free here)

Extended Quest Explanation:

For today's class, make sure you bring in some research about Minecraft: Education Edition (MEE):

Explore the MEE website.
Watch a few videos where people are building things in Minecraft.
Find some images of builds that you think are interesting, impressive, badass, complicated, and/or ones that you would love to recreate.
What is the story around Minecraft? What is it to the world? When did it come about? What are some interesting facts about it?

We will discuss MEE in class, so make sure you bring images, videos, and information to share.

NOTE: If you want to explore the world from class, you can download it HERE.

(To load map:

Download file.
Load game and press "Play"
Click on icon that looks like a door with an arrow.
Find file and load.
Find file in your world list and click play!)

Code link for class: https://makecode.com/_iiCc670TLTvv

What are we doing in session?

What is Rhetoric?
Rhetoric and Technology
Journey Logs
Lecture Notes

What quests are due?

Read: W/D - Chapter 7 "Working with Technologies" (p. 172-204)

Do: Making it Happen with Code

Extended Quest Explanation:

Making it Happen with Code

10xp

(YouTube Walkthrough) (World HERE)

As explained in session, we will be using the coding suite in different ways throughout the semester, but, and most importantly, we will be focusing on it heavily for Raid 4. The coding suite can be accessed in Minecraft: Education Edition by pressing "C" and selecting "MakeCode" (if not already selected). Please do the following:

We went over "Command Blocks" and the "MakeCode" suite in class, but it is up to you to apply it for this adventure!

You must make five (5) mods in total. Command Blocks (because they are more complicated) will be extra credit, but you are expected to make at least five creative mods through MakeCode. Don't just copy the tutorials. Here are some tips:

For Command Blocks:
- You have to use the following command to get command blocks in creative mode: /give @s command_block 1
- Once you have the Command Block, you can place it and access it with the Place Block button.
- For a single command, the default settings are fine.
- For chained commands, make sure the arrow on the command blocks are all facing the same direction (like a chain). Change the settings of the block to "chained," "conditional," and always active.
- Most commands need to be activated using a pressure plate, as demonstrated in class.
- There are many variations of using command blocks so have fun!
For MakeCode
- After you press "C" and go to "MakeCode," you can start a blank canvas or you can click on a tutorial and follow along.
- I recommend playing around in the tutorials a bit more before making your own mods.
- Try to be creative and don't just replicate what you see in the tutorials. How can you change them to make it your own?

To complete the adventure, you need to use Camtasia to screen record what the code looks like (either the command window or the MakeCode screen) and then show it in action (proof of it working). If you do not wish to use Camtasia, you can use other softwares (Quicktime, OBS, WindowsGaming) as long as you can bring the file to class on Tuesday to learn about editing. If you need any help, make sure to email me!

(if you are having trouble, email me to set up an appointment or come to my office hours)

What are we doing in session?

Discuss Journey Log 1
Video Editing (Introduction to Premiere Pro Rush)
Lecture Notes

What quests are due?

Read: DW – Chapter 3: Digital Arguments (p. 71-105)

Read: DW – Chapter 4: Digital Analysis (p. 107-152)

Do: Journey Log #1

Do: Download Adobe Premiere Pro Rush (Can be the app version on an iPhone or iPad)

Extended Quest Explanation:

Journey Log #1

Make sure to check the extended explanations of Journey Logs under the "journey log" section of this site.

Your first Journey Log should be on your adventures so far with Minecraft: Education Edition. You can discuss your experiences with the game, installation process, coding, and research. All of these are fair game. Please follow the guide for full instructions. Make sure you update your link on the Spark Page.

What are we doing in session?

Raid 1 Explanation
How do we research technology?
What information is important?
How do we find our people?

What quests are due?

Read: James Paul Gee's Teaching, Learning, Literacy in Our High-Risk High-Tech World: A Framework for Becoming Human (Chapters 10 &11)

Do: Mapping your Affinity Quest (10XP)

Upload: "Making it Happen" link to the Quest Board (your YouTube Link)

-Make sure you have a Title with your name and the name of the quest, show the code then mod, code then mod, etc.

Extended Quest Explanation:

Mapping Your Affinity

(10xp)

No specialization required.

Knowing who you are and acknowledging your affinity spaces are two of the most important aspects of learning. We are part of many spaces simultaneously, but we don't always acknowledge them. Gee gives two examples (p. 113; p. 121). Each site/space should indicate where "learning, mentoring, or teaching could go on" (p. 114). The affinity space map should be a big picture map that indicates current spaces of learning, mentoring, or teaching (by current, I mean spaces that you engage with on a semi-regular basis).

For this quest, you will map out your current affinity spaces with Clemson University at the center. Think about what disciplines, clubs, organizations, work spaces, work groups, and extended communities you are part of. Be conscious of where you are placing them. Try to color code them based on similarities and make sure you include a legend. When finished, export or screen capture the map and put it into a GoogleDoc. List the spaces below the image and give a one sentence description.

I recommend using Canva to create your affinity space map: Click Here for details on how to do so.

After you make the map, I want you to reflect on the map, what the nodes are, and try to draw some conclusions about your affinity spaces. Where do you go most often t be part of a community? What communities are small but most influential? Large but not important?

To submit: Name your GoogleDoc: "Last Name - Avatar Name - Mapping Your Affinity". Then, put in appropriate Quest folder and link on Quest Board.

What are we doing in session?

Analyzing Technology
Organizing your thoughts with Rhetorical Analysis
Lecture Notes

What quests are due?

Read: W/D – Chapter 2: How Does Rhetoric Work in Multimodal Projects (p. 34-54)

Read: W/D - Chapter 3: Why is Genre Important in Multimodal Projects? (p. 60-83)

Do: Journey Log #2

Extended Quest Explanation:

Journey Log #2

Make sure to check the extended explanations of Journey Logs under the "journey log" section of this site.

Your second Journey Log should be on your adventures so far with video editing. You can discuss your experiences with Adobe Premiere Rush or other programs as well. Please follow the guide for full instructions. Make sure you update your link on the Spark Page.

What are we doing in session?

Infographics
Working in Illustrator (Introduction to Illustrator)
Kelsey Shaffer will join us from the library

What quests are due?

Do: Download Adobe Illustrator

Do: "Thinking Graphically" 10xp

QuestBoard: Creative Jam or Hitrecord.org

Extended Quest Explanation:

Thinking Graphically

10xp

For this Quest (no specialization), you are required to isolate what software you are going to survey and start thinking about your general design choices. This is a pre-draft, in a sense, so you just need to start collecting information. See below:

Choose your software (game, program, social media, etc.)
Based on your specialization, what general direction do you want to go in?
Thinking through the design choices, what is the rough concept art/organization?
What do you want to highlight about your software?

In a GoogleDoc, answer the above questions in the most detailed, thorough way you can. Provide links to the software and any information you want to include. The concept art should be created by drawing, using cutouts, or drafted using a digital drawing software (Canva, GoogleDraw, etc.). Make sure to include an image and a description of the concept art.

This is the foundation for your first raid due on February 19 (2 weeks). The more detail and information you provide, the easier this will be.

Make sure to check the Raid section of this website for what information needs to be included in the final draft of the project.

Examples from Class:

One, Two, Three, Four, Five

Creative Jam or Hitrecord.org

For this semester, you have to do one of the following two: Enter and Compete in the Adobe Creative Jam -or- Submit a project to Hitrecord.org! Make sure to indicate which one on the Quest Board!

Adobe Creative Jam:

The Adobe Creative Jam will be held on March 1, 2019 (Friday) in the areas of Graphic Design, Video, or UX (XD). This competition requires you to register by February 8 (Friday) in order to be entered into the running for a team. You don't need any previous experience to enter and the contest is team based, meaning you can collaborate and network with those from other majors to work on a composition. Adobe creates teams to balance experience, discipline, and creative design. The Jam is only 3 hours and there are some really great awards for winners. If you don't get selected, you will still be required to make something for class with teammates.

You get 10xp extra credit just for submitting! Fill out the registration form and email me a screenshot of the confirmation

Hitrecord.org

If you select Hitrecord.org, you will be required to submit to an active project. All the projects are different and it is hard to tell what will be available next month when you have to submit. There is graphic design, voice acting, writing, animation, and more. Make sure to indicate this choice on the Quest Board!

What are we doing in session?

Rory's Story Cubes
Delivery methods for Raid 1
Organizing Content

What quests are due?

Do: Journey Log #3

Do: Continue working on Raid 1

Extended Quest Explanation:

Journey Log #3

10xp

For Journey Log #3 you are to theme it around Adobe Illustrator. We had a workshop in class about the basic functions of Illustrator as well as the image trace function. You need to accomplish the following in addition to your specialization:

A colored background
4 different icons made with image trace
text caption naming each icon

After you create your artboard (the completed composition), export it as a png and put it in your journey log. Make sure you also provide a link to the original images for your image traced icons.

You should write a reflection about your experience doing this with your specialization as a guide. Since this is the only thing you need to actively work on this weekend, please invest some time to play around in Illustrator.

What are we doing in session?

Infographic Workshop
- Work in class on Raid 1

What quests are due?

Do: Infographic Workshop

Extended Quest Explanation:

Infographic Workshop

10XP (Part of Raid 1 points)

For this quest, you are to work on your infographic for Raid 1 and have a solid draft ready to workshop in class. Here are the requirements:

Have at least 4 icons
Include at least 2 "screenshots" from software.
Have at least three "sections" of text.
Have a short description of how you will incorporate all the other elements of Raid 1's content areas.

In class we will showcase a handful of your infographics and give feedback as a class. The remaining time will be dedicated to doing a "peer review" of each other's infographics and working towards the final version for the raid.

Please submit your infographics to the following folder: Raids > Raid 1 > Infographic Workshop.

Please name the documents: Last Name - Avatar Name - Specialization - Infographic Workshop

What are we doing in session?

What do you Meme? | Cards Against Humanity
What is a review?
Introduction to Raid 2

What quests are due?

Do: Raid 1 due

Do: Journey Log 4

Read: DW – Chapter 7: Digital Genres and Modes (p. 227 - 267)

Extended Quest Explanation:

Journey Log #4

For Journey Log #4, should reflect on your process of making the infographic and the delivery system. You should include screenshots, hyperlinks, and potential videos. What did you learn? What was easy, difficult, surprising? If you could work on this longer, what would you have liked to include?

What are we doing in session?

What is a review?
Introduction to Raid 2

What quests are due?

Read: Clara Fernández-Vara's Introduction to Game Analysis (Chapter 1 - The Whys and Wherefores of GameAnalysis)

Start: "Day in the Life of" (Due Thursday Feb 28)

Extended Quest Explanation:

"Day in the Life of"

15XP

"Day in the life of" is an extended Adventure that requires you to think through a longer process and requires some planning.

The purpose of this adventure is to think of your affinity spaces on campus and record your movements on a "normal day."

Record yourself for a full day
Add music, voice-over, text, transitions, etc.
Export video
Write reflection

Adventure overview:

4-5 minute edited video
Use of text, voice-over, and recorded voice.
Can use external video and images (use citations when necessary).
Should use music as background, but be mindful of copyright because this is a public video.

When you have completely edited your video in Premiere Pro/Rush, export it. Upload it to Youtube under either Public or Unlisted.

Links for Free Music and Images! (Click Me)
"Day in the Life of" Examples (One) (Two)
Critical "Day in the Life of" style (Click Me)
How to Add Text in Premiere Pro (Click Me)

Student example ONE
Student example TWO

Need Music? Click here for free music

What are we doing in session?

Setting up the Review
Collaborating on Writing (Division of Labor)
Lecture

What quests are due?

Do: Plan of Action for Raid 2

Submitted under Quest Board

Read: Clara Fernández-Vara's Introduction to Game Analysis (Chapter 3 - Areas of Analysis 1: Context)

Read: Clara Fernández-Vara's Introduction to Game Analysis (Chapter 4 - Areas of Analysis 2: Game Overview) [read sparingly]

Read: Clara Fernández-Vara's Introduction to Game Analysis (Chapter 5 - Areas of Analysis 3: Formal Elements) [read sparingly]

Work On: "Day in the Life of" (Due Thursday Feb 28)

NO JOURNEY LOG

Extended Quest Explanation:

No Class

Do: Attend adobe event

Do: "Day in the Life Of"

All students are required to do one of following:

Attend a Presentation:

We will have presentations using the following schedule in the Watt Auditorium:

8:45am - Welcome and Introductions

9-9:45 - Terry White on Lightroom and Photoshop

10-10:45 - Chris Stuart on Rush

11-11:45 - Paul Trani on XD

LUNCH

1-1:45pm - Chris Stuart on Rush

2-2:45 - Paul Trani on XD

3-3:45 - Terry White on Lightroom and Photoshop

(Take selfie at event and submit)

Attend the Keynote

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/collabfest-opening-keynote-leading-with-joy-by-tina-roth-eisenberg-tickets-56340116806

(reserve tickets || submit reservation)

Tina Roth Eisenberg is a Swiss designer based in NYC. Over the past 13 years she's started numerous side projects that have organically turned into businesses – a global, monthly lecture series called CreativeMornings; a simple to-do app called TeuxDeux; a designer temporary tattoo brand called Tattly; and a collaborative co-working space called FRIENDS. Tina is often referred to as Swissmiss after her popular design blog which is also the name of her Twitter handle.

Digital Creativity

There is a third option, which is to create something in Photoshop, Lightroom, Rush/Premiere, or XD. The entire process should be documented through screenshots or video. The final piece should be submitted via the quest board.

Extended Quest Explanation:

"Day in the Life of"

15XP

"Day in the life of" is an extended Adventure that requires you to think through a longer process and requires some planning.

The purpose of this adventure is to think of your affinity spaces on campus and record your movements on a "normal day."

Record yourself for a full day
Add music, voice-over, text, transitions, etc.
Export video
Write reflection

Adventure overview:

4-5 minute edited video
Use of text, voice-over, and recorded voice.
Can use external video and images (use citations when necessary).
Should use music as background, but be mindful of copyright because this is a public video.

When you have completely edited your video in Premiere Pro/Rush, export it. Upload it to Youtube under either Public or Unlisted.

Your Reflection should discuss the process of making the video but should also include statements about your awareness of the affinity spaces you are moving between. Think about your map, your readings, and how you are linked to different affinity spaces.

Submission Instructions:

Upload 4-5 minute video to Youtube as Unlisted or Public.
Post link to Video on Quest Board
Write reflection in GoogleDoc and post to Quest Board

GoogleDoc: Last Name - Avatar Name - Day in the Life Of

Links for Free Music and Images! (Click Me)
"Day in the Life of" Examples (One) (Two)
Critical "Day in the Life of" style (Click Me)
How to Add Text in Premiere Pro (Click Me)

Student exampleONE
Student exampleTWO

Need Music?Clickherefor free music

What are we doing in session?

What is a good Tutorial?
Thinking through audience, presentation, and delivery

What quests are due?

Do: Journey Log 5

Read: Clara Fernández-Vara's Introduction to Game Analysis(Chapter 6 - Writing the Analysis)

Read: D/W Chapter 9 - Digital Video (p. 307 - 343).

Work On: Raids 2 & 3

Extended Quest Explanation:

Journey Log 5

For Journey Log 5, please reflect on the collaborative process of working in and around technology. What is it like to write with someone else? Plan through technology? Edit using technology?

Specializations apply. Please remember to include your headings.

What are we doing in session?

NO PHYSICAL MEETING
Work on Raids 2 & 3

What quests are due?

I will not be in town for March 12 or 14. This means the classroom space and time is available to you to meet with your collaborators and do your best to finish up the raids. Please use this time wisely.

Work On: Raids 2 & 3

Do: Journey Log 6 (Turned in by March 15)

Extended Quest Explanation:

Journey Log 6

In accordance with Raid 3, I want you to reflect on advanced editing techniques you used to make sure you produced a professional looking tutorial for your audience.

Here are some guiding questions:

What kind of techniques did you try to emulate from other videos? Did you have to find tutorials to help you accomplish what you needed to do? What was your biggest success? What was your biggest frustration?

What are we doing in session?

NO PHYSICAL MEETING
Work on Raids 2 & 3

What quests are due?

Work On: Raids 2 & 3

Do: Journey Log 6 (Turned in by March 15)

Extended Quest Explanation:

Journey Log 6

In accordance with Raid 3, I want you to reflect on advanced editing techniques you used to make sure you produced a professional looking tutorial for your audience.

Here are some guiding questions:

You may also want to reflect on the process of the raids, collaboration, and the overall understanding of the raid's purpose.

What are we doing in session?

Raid 4 Overview

What quests are due?

Read: Video Games as Culture - Chapters 1 & 2.

A note about the reading: The first chapter gives a short introduction before talking about method and what to expect from the book. You can skip those sections. There are also a lot of notes, bibliographic information, and other stuff at the end. The reading is not actually 60 pages. This will help frame your final raids!

Do: Journey Log 7

Extended Quest Explanation:

Journey Log 7

This Journey Log is slighting different than what we've been doing. What I would like to you reflect on is technology use over Spring Break. Some of you are going on vacations where you will be taking pictures and video. Others are visiting family. Some are working on projects. All of you will have interactions with technology in some way.

Has this semester (so far) shaped the way you interact with technology? Are you more prone to taking photos and videos? Are you willing to try new technologies? All of these questions and more are open for reflection/discussion.

What are we doing in session?

Building your Alpha

What quests are due?

Do: Work Towards Alpha Testing

Do: Create an Alpha Questionnaire

Extended Quest Explanation:

Alpha test is due on Tuesday, April 9. Work towards world building and codes.

The Questionnaire should gather information that will help you revise and continue developing the game for the next playtesting. This can be digital or printed. It could be a GoogleForm or a GoogleDoc. You will then take the responses and write up a 1 page report.

What are we doing in session?

Alpha Test
Alpha Questionnaire

What quests are due?

Do: Alpha Test

Do: Journey Log 8

Extended Quest Explanation:

The Alpha Test will be a full day event. The coders will stay with the games and the rest of the collaborators will rotate through the different guilds to playtest the games. A report will be written and submitted.

Journey Log 8

For JL8, I want you to reflect on your experience with Raid 4 so far. What are your concerns? What are you excited about?

Make sure you adhere to the requirements of your specialization and the habits of mind, but I also want you to answer the following:

What are your successes for the week?

What are your missteps?

What are your goals for the coming week?

What are we doing in session?

Marketing Materials Micro-Lecture
Development Diary check-in

What quests are due?

Do: Beta Test

Do: Alpha Questionnaire

Extended Quest Explanation:

Beta Test:

The Beta Test is conducted in front of the class. There will be a five-minute demonstration and explanation to the class with a Q&A period. someone from the guild should take notes on questions and comments to do a write-up.

Questionnaire:

What are we doing in session?

Beta Test
Journey Log 9

What quests are due?

Do: Beta Test

Extended Quest Explanation:

The Beta Test will be a full day event. Someone from the guild will present the game to the class in five minutes and ask for feedback. While the Q&A is going on, someone from the guild will take notes to do a one-page report.

Journey Log #9

For this journey log, please reflect on how Raid 4 is currently going. You do not need to worry about specializations, but if you would like extra credit, you may do so but you must indicate the specialization and put XC next to it.

What are we doing in session?

Game Documents Mini-Lecture (refresher)

What quests are due?

Do: Finish Game

Do: Provide web link

Do: Finish Manual and Development Diary

Extended Quest Explanation:

On Tuesday, April 23rd, the finished game, a web link, the manual, and development diary are all due. This will be sent to the sharks for their assessment.

Any late materials will be subject to significant point loss.

What are we doing in session?

Game materials due at start of class
Presentation Prep.
(Optional) Journey Log 10

What quests are due?

Do: Finish Game

Do: Provide web link

Do: Finish Manual and Development Diary

Extended Quest Explanation:

Everything is due and the presentation must be ready for Thursday's presentation.

Journey Log 10 (optional)

This optional JL will give you 10 points if you do it.

You do not need to worry about your specialization, but I want you to explicitly think through the presentation. Are you ready? What are you excited/nervous for? Is there a highlight to your presentation? Is there something you think will really wow the sharks?

This should be at least 250 words.