Game+VJ2

The students will: The student will use the following programming concepts:
 * Objectives**
 * be able to explain testing and debugging practices
 * develop a list of strategies for testing and debugging Scratch projects
 * be able to identify some common design elements of games
 * plan the goals, measurement, rewards and feedback for a game.
 * design a game using Scratch.

The program is reset with a green flag so all sections of the game are in place for a replay of the game. At least one object (sprite) is controlled by the player. At least one object (sprite) moves independently. Game includes at least one instance of object interaction (this could include objects that respond to mouse clicks, or it could be two objects that interact with each other.) Game has accurate measurement scoring system. Game has clear feedback for victory/loss conditions and/or scoring. Player can interact with game to a successful conclusion. Game runs without errors.


 * Background information from Cathleen's Brain-Based Research **
 * Video games create situations in which the gamer gains pleasure.
 * Video games: **
 * challenge each player at the individual's level
 * provide immediate feedback
 * reward success with greater challenge
 * provide frequent feedback on incremental progress throughout play.
 * Video gamers: **
 * buy into the goal
 * persevere through challenge, despite an 80% failure rate
 * use immediate feedback to improve
 * consult resources for help
 * will work hard for the pleasure of going to higher levels of play.


 * Stage 1: Investigate **
 * **View** Video Games on BrainPop
 * View How to Make a Game tutorial T**hen view //Make a Simple Game// and //Make a Story//**
 * **Demonstrate** that you know how to use these commands before you go any further. (the **Control, Sensing, Operators and Variables** in Scratch, and the **//go to x and y//** in Motion.)


 * Games Investigated **
 * 1) Active URL to 1st Scratch game viewed. What was the goal? How was the progress measured? What were the rewards? How did you get feedback? What interested you?
 * 2) Active URL to 2nd Scratch game viewed. What was the goal? How was the progress measured? What were the rewards? How did you get feedback? What interested you?
 * 3) Active URL to 3rd Scratch game viewed. What was the goal? How was the progress measured? What were the rewards? How did you get feedback? What interested you?
 * 4) Sample Game by David

Game 1: http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/3100227/ Goal: Try to get the little monster man to the door after getting all of the colored squares. Progress tracker: A small tracker at the top left corner tells the percentage of the game that's finished. Rewards and feedback: The game tells you good job and presents you with a pot of gold. Interest: I enjoyed controlling everything that my sprite does and making him fly.

Game 2: http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/18300528/

Goal: Click the muffin as many times as you can in order to earn you ultimate "muffin title". Progress tracker: A tracker keeps score of how many times you click the muffin. Rewards and feedback: At the bottom of the screen, if you click the muffin 100,000 times it will record your score. Interest: While this game is time consuming, it has no challenge or purpose.

Game 3: http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/17945984/

Goal:Try to go through the levels and to the purple portal. Progress tracker: The game records what level that you are on and how many times you touched the red. Rewards and feedback: The game goes on and on... I don't know if there is an end! Interest: The game is very fun. The levels get harder and harder.


 * Stage 2: Graphic Design - A basic plan **
 * **Goal** of the game: Try to find as many ingredients as you can before time runs out.
 * How will you **measure** the progress?
 * How will **reward** the player?
 * How will you provide **feedback**?
 * You must include the following: **
 * 1) keyboard controls for at least 1 sprite
 * 2) variable that keeps the score accurately
 * 3) Clear end of the game - both successful and unsuccessful


 * Stage 3: Plan - A numbered list with more details about the game. **
 * goal
 * measurement
 * reward
 * feedback


 * Stage 4: Create **
 * Active URL in ICSkids Game gallery - http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/19213457/


 * Stage 5: Evaluate **
 * Process **
 * 1) **Remembering**: What did you do in the project? What was your inspiration? In this project, I made a game. I have always liked game where you can cook stuff and I have been wanting to make a game that makes sense so I made a game where you are a new chef and have to get the ingredients for pasta.
 * 2) **Understanding**: What was important about it? What did you learn? In my game, I learned how to use a variable ( in this case it was ingredients) and using the timer.
 * 3) **Applying**: Where could I use this again? I can use this in a more complex game or make an interactive story.
 * 4) **Analyzing**: Do I see any patterns in what I did? What did you get stuck on? How did you get unstuck? Who in the class viewed your story? Who helped you with useful tips and suggestion? I saw pattern in using the timer, and in receiving and sending broadcasts. I got stuck on making the timer work but after some time thinking and really looking at the confusion in the sprites' scripts I got it to work. Mrs. Carrier, Alina, Molly, and Ally looked at my project. Alina helped me the most.
 * 5) **Evaluating**: How well did I do? D id you include everything in your design? If something was not included, explain why. What are you most proud of? Why? Everyone who played my game seemed to like it so I think that I did pretty well. I had a variable, end of the game, and the mouse was used as a keyboard control. I am most proud of finally getting my timer to work.
 * 6) **Creating**: What should I do next? What do you want to learn next? Next, I'm not sure what my project will be but I am glad that working on scratch is getting easier and yet more difficult. I want to learn how to use the "if touching a color then...".
 * Product **
 * What was the **goal** of the game? - The goal of the game is to collect all of the ingredients for pasta before time runs out.
 * How did you **measure** progress? - I used a variable of if you collected an ingredient then it was added to the ingredients list.
 * How did you provide **feedback**? - I provided feedback by when the game was won, the chef said good job and when the game was lost, the chef said that you needed to try again.
 * What **rewards** did you provide? - When you won the game then you "earned a job" at the Italian restaurant.
 * Which **control commands** did you use? - I used the control commands of "when green flag clicked", "stop all", "if",and broadcasts.
 * Which **sensing commands** did you use? - I used the timer.
 * Did you use **variables**? Which ones and how? - I used a variable and called it ingredients. Whenever you get an ingredient then it adds one to the "ingredient" variable.