Nature + Video Games =

So this week in class we got with a partner and had to discuss some of our passions. We then had to take one of each of our passions and combine them together to create something different that used both of them and blog about one of the ideas. One of my top passions was video game development, and one of my partners passions was nature so we decided to come up with some different ideas combining the two. One of my favorites was an idea for a nature video game. My idea was to create a video game that took place completely in a tree. I had actually had this idea a long time ago, but really hadn't thought too much about it since. Now I'm getting the chance to elaborate on the idea.
The game would take place completely in this tree and the player would play as a leaf like creature that lived on the tree. The player would be able to move around the different branches of the tree and explore different parts, or meet other creatures like himself. As the player plays the game the tree would continue to grow and have more of the leaf creatures as well as other types of creatures. The leaf creatures would begin to form villages and create homes for themselves in the tree and based on their actions, and the players interactions with them the tree might grow in different ways, or have parts of it destroyed. For example one village might go to war with another and attempt to set it on fire, this catches the tree branch on fire and takes out more than just the village but the area around it as well. The player could attempt to keep the two villages from fighting, he could stand by and watch, or he might have been a part of the cause. Because of the complexity of the game and my own ability the graphics would be two dimensional.
The game would place a huge emphasis on nature vs. intelligent life as well as the power of an individual and choices and consequences. Nature vs. intelligent life is shown by the different villages, and how they interact with the tree itself. Whether they try to work in harmony with the tree or abuse it for their own goals, similar to how humans often use the earth. It would place emphasis on choices and consequences and the power of an individual through the player. The player has the ability to help shape the world based on his or her interactions with the villages, whether through trying to make peace between them, or trying to start war. The players choices, though, would all have consequences that shape the tree in some way, whether good or bad, and sometimes in ways the player might not expect.

Listening

This week we were to work on our listening skills by listening empathetically to another person. Listening is an incredibly important skill for any person because it allows you to learn about others ideas, feelings, or misunderstandings. I decided to write about my experience helping mentor another student in my computer science class, and the listening skills I have learned from it.
When mentoring this student I have learned quite a bit about how to listen well and how to use what I learn by listening to her problems with the material to help her better understand it. Listening is much more than just hearing the other person. It is about understanding what they are saying and many times understanding what they aren't saying. It is about hearing what they are saying and using you perspective or experience to help them better understand their own question or problem, or using what you know of them to help them feel better about it. When tutoring I'm often dealing more with problems understanding topics, but often times the same principles apply. For one I have to listen to when my mentee is becoming frustrated and try to help motivate her. Sometimes it is by agreeing that the problem is tough, but assuring that once it is solved it will become much easier. Sometimes it is just by taking a break from the problem and working on another. I also have to listen to the problems my mentee is having understanding the topics, and try to use what I hear to help prepare a response. I must understand the misunderstanding my mentee is having, by using my own experiences with the problems. I have found that many times the best way for me to teach is to ask questions that lead to the answer. Without first listening and understanding the problem, though, I would never be able to know what questions to ask.
When listening it is important to keep engaged in what the person is saying. If you listen intently they will see that you really are interested and will continue to talk, whereas if you become distracted or show disinterest, they are more likely to clam up because they don't feel like they are really being heard. I am fairly easily distracted and often have the most trouble with this. I always continue to listen, but I don't always show it well, and I do notice a difference when I am showing that I am listening and when I am not. And when I don't listen well, it takes more to reengage my mentee in the work.