viernes, 15 de abril de 2011

Because It Can #1 - Phrasal Verb Word Order

by Liam Bourret-Nyffeler


A friend came round to my house last night. Evening would be more accurate. And as the night settled in the need was felt to turn the light on... or turn on the light. Pff yeah sure whatever don’t go splitting hairs Liam. It’s the same thing. And to be honest, there and then, in that context... it was.  Yet context is everything.
If I had told a story of a friend who had come to my house to see me but I refused because, at one point they had tried to turn on me... the betrayal I express is something I’m sure most are familiar with.
But, just to split hairs, I would have to say to my Mexican friend that word order can’t always be about splitting hairs.
If I had told a story of a friend who had come to my house to see me but I refused because, at one point they had tried to turn me on... .... yeahhhhhh mmmm the thing is... I’m not really into you in that way my friend.
I can’t help but think back to a class at one point where such phrasal verbs were being used. And a student asked if there is no light due to a power shortage ... what is the expression
The lights went off.
..Teacher.. Yes, Student,...
My name is not Student...
And mine is not Teacher (just for the record, I have a name, I didn’t chose it, the world decided I should have one so the least it can do is use it)
If electricity returns... do you come on the lights........
No I don’t come on the lights, the lights come on.(To my credit I didn't even smirk. This isn't even double entendre, it's just sexual in meaning and I certainly wasn't expecting that kind of language in the class but what's to be done?)

Why does English feel the need to do this? I can find no real answer and I’m left with .... “Because it can”

Happy Easter
  

jueves, 7 de abril de 2011

Gamification

by Liam Bourret-Nyffeler

I stumbled upon an interesting video about the process of gamification. In simple terms, applying the engaging aspect of games to other activities. Much as we may use smily faces and reward systems in class, for some groups this might already feel too "teachy". For younger students especially, computer and video-games are a huge part of their lives.

More recently, with the creation of online services, the addition of achievements became a big hit, asking players to perform a certain task for a small reward.

"Solve the puzzle in less than 1 minute".

An achievement badge is awarded to the player (visible on their online profile) and they gain a number of points scaled to the difficulty of the challenge. So "complete level 1" may only be worth 5 points but completing the entire game on Veteran difficulty level using nothing but a banana sandwich without dying, the player might garner 125"

The video makes some interesting points but someone on the websites forum decided to test it out.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/extra-credits/2985-Gamification

In the next one check post 1

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.275449-Tried-Gamification-in-my-classroom-Check-updated-post-283-for-User-Group-info-its-now-ready?page=1

and finally some results and analyses

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Gamification-Project

domingo, 3 de abril de 2011

Welcome indeed! This blog has been started as, and is intended to be, a forum for individual expression - for both staff and students of Rye School of English. Please feel free to contribute.