How can a nostalgic, branching-path story-game encourage my 100-level journalism students take risks and learn from their mistakes? Using the ChoiceScript programming language, which features a robust stats system that can remember and respond to player choices, I coded up a “writing your first news story for the student paper” scenario, which unfolds as a…
I was approached on LinkedIn with the opportunity to work to help train an AI, for an hourly wage that’s much higher than I would get for teaching an extra class at my university. I thought about it. I told myself it would help me do my job better if I have a clear sense…
Support the humans who make art in your community. Death of a Salesman. #wirerecorderlife #fountainpenlife #howdotheywhipcheese #nobodydastblamethisman #bernardwormrising Similar:Opening night. Support local artists in your community!PersonalThe Missing Will, by Agatha Christie (WAOB Audio Theatre)I had a great time playing Hastings in t…CultureChristopher Robin made for a pleasant family outing.PersonalI asked my geekling whether she was…
Beautiful set. Support the humans who do arts in your community (instead of settling for AI sludge.) Similar:Your second attempt at modeling #medievalyork fortifications in #blender3d will be better …Your second attempt at modeling #medieva…AestheticsFreshman writing students present their research projects in a suitably decorous setting. … PersonalI love my students enough to teach them the…
Vibing to a park saxophonist as I code for an upcoming conference presentation and wait to see The Coffin Maker. A neighbor is sending some distinctly fruity smoke my way. Similar:Procession #classof2017PersonalI created about a dozen basic building shapes, with textures to add variety. #goodenough #…I created about a dozen basic building s…AestheticsAm I a…
Details for a modular mid-range scoutship, from the #steampunk #neovictorian bedtime stories I used to tell my now-adult children. #blender3d Similar:3-Year-Old's Birthday Party Theme: 'NewsHour'When a young St. Paul boy got to pick th…Humanities6 Problems with our School SystemI spend a lot of time re-educating my st…AcademiaNew rules governing drone journalism are on the way…
Proper commenting is an important part of coding any project, especially in an educational context. #ChoiceScript #journalism Similar:Easter 2022PersonalMy theory: Trump was composing therapeutic poetry, and got stuck on the last line. PersonalSkin of Evil (TNG Rewatch, Season 1 Episode 23)My rewatch reflection on the Star Trek:T…Design"A Mushroom at Last… A Mushroom Forever"I asked my 10yo…
My basement dehumidifier was flashing an error code. YouTube had a tutorial with a possible fix. The thing is running now. Waiting to see whether the error returns. Similar:More details in the powder room of my villain's lair. #Blender3DAestheticsA very happy geekling playing Dungeons and Dragons on her one free evening. #llapGamesIn November 1999, I…
Joel Lipton, 10 years old at the time, wrote to Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz. Fast-forward to this past February, when Lipton and his wife were cleaning out their closet. […] “Dear Joel,” the letter reads. “I think it is more difficult these days to define what makes a good citizen then it has ever been…
Apple has apologized, but like writer Peter C. Baker, I’m not quite ready to let go of that really horrifying ad depicting a roomful of beautifully displayed musical instruments, sound gear, art supplies, and even toys being slowly squashed by a huge hydraulic press (ostensibly to highlight the creative potential of the latest iPad). Picture…
I’m very amused at this nerdy news story about some tension between a judge who asks for legible documents and a lawyer who files documents with flasher typography. While I recognize that language changes and the distinction between “font” and “typeface” is unimportant to the general public, I teach my journalism students that historically…
This friendly gangster was parked at WalMart in Johnstown yesterday. Similar:I rather like my instructional page on writing effective dialogue. I created this new grap…HumanitiesGrades submitted.AcademiaJerz and Daughter Teach Scratch (Digital Storytelling Tutorial)In the past I have posted tutorials for …CybercultureThis long-nelected CD-ROM case tucked away behind my monitor holds almost as many portable…PersonalI had…
It’s unlikely to be at the forefront of the former president’s mind as he reflects on the verdict, but one immediate consequence is that Trump will probably lose the honorific title of “Mr” in the news pages of the UK’s Daily Telegraph. The Telegraph’s style guide states: “Defendants in criminal court cases … are to be referred…
Frog and Toad at the Mountain Playhouse with the daughter. Similar:I try to create one brand new element, modify one existing element, and reuse existing ele…AestheticsSpot of sunlight seems to be sliding down an escalator. View t…AestheticsSorry, not sorry. I don't want such friends. Back in 2003, shortly after I moved …CultureWhat blogging wasI’ve…
She’s wearing a shirt with a frog. We are in town to see the Frog and Toad musical. This seemed logical. Similar:Lysistrata live.Current_EventsThe girl got picked for an audience participation bit as the muse of comedy in Xanadu. Gre…CultureAnniePersonalPeople with autism spectrum disorder avoid eye contact because it causes anxietyMy culture has taught me that…
At the Johnstown Flood Museum. (May 31 1889 the neglected dam at the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club broke, unleashing devastation on the valley below.) Similar:Making sidewalks to go with the buildings. Tedious but will save time later. #blender3d #m…PersonalReading should not carry a health warningThis is probably the first time in histo…AcademiaTo Apple,…
Your first #blender3d retractable #steampunk landing wheels will be your worst. But you have to start somewhere. Similar:Newsworthy vs snoozeworthyJerz > Writing > Journalism JournalismThe Trouble With Online EducationI’ve taught an online “Video Game Cultur…AcademiaFCC Approves Net Neutrality Rules For 'Open Internet'Verizon and Comcast lobbyists hang their…BusinessShe was nervous about the dog misbehaving during "Tomorrow," so I told her…
My contribution to WAOB Audio Theatre’s plan to record all the proverbs. Similar:My wife reports: “There was one smart aleck walking along the street who exclaimed: “Look,…PersonalA Career-Aligned Major Isn’t EnoughI’ve taken over teaching the English dep…AcademiaAnne Of Green Gables Blond On Book CoverEr.. no. This is not Anne of Green Gable…BooksMy student journos…
Already facing scandal, the Washington Post‘s new-ish CEO and publisher, Will Lewis, has announced that the newspaper will be pivoting to artificial intelligence to turn around its dismal financial situation. […] The paper’s chief technology officer, meanwhile, announced to staffers that going forward, WaPo is to have “AI everywhere in our newsroom,” according to Tani. It’s unclear,…
Three different sized buildings. Still working on variations for the biggest one. #blender3d #medievalyork #mysteryplay Similar:I just finished "Beyond Eyes" and I think there's something in my eye.My 20yo son, who plays a lot of Star War…AestheticsDrumming Kid Is Epic. That Is All.https://youtu.be/MRvHI8tgx8A Aesthetics"I might be putting a little too much effort into designing the…