Activity hosting application: Time

[Jason Rock]

On Feb 4, 2008 12:59 AM, Yoshiki Ohshima <yoshiki at vpri.org> wrote:

>  Hi, Jason,
>
> >      I filed a ticket sometime ago (http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/5255).
> >     I sure wish something like this will be incorporated.
> >
> > I think this should be covered in the dragability of each individual
> hand.
>
>  Very good!
>
> >      Another ticket that seems to inspire you
> >     (http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/2778)
> >
> > This was the main basis for the project, and we believe we addressed all
> the issues raised in the comments.
>

>  Some say that designing is completed when nothing cannot be removed.
> In other words, trying to address all the issues raised by random
> people is not always a good idea.  (It includes the issues raised by
> me as well!)


Of course, by addressed all the issues raised I didn't necessarily mean
included in the design.

>
> >     discusses timezones and
> >     collaboration.  But I'd say that these are secondary issue.  Who
> >     believes that it is worth to pay the effort to have kids in Nigeria
> >     and Brazil look at each other's clock and discuss something (Could
> >     they discuss something worthwhile?)  If you can move hands at will,
> >     that would be much better.
> >
> > The time game would allow for collaboration, and also for (perhaps)
> meaningful discussions between two children
>
>  I was talking more about practical issues like the language
> difference and (yes) time difference, 12 hours vs. 24 hours notation
> difference, etc.  As you wrote below, kids won't "discover" these
> concepts by their own.


Translating the 12 hour to 24 hour notation of the submission to whichever
the other player is using shouldn't be a problem.  Also the game isn't time
zone dependent.

>
>
>  Do you envision that these two kids connect to each other when they
> don't understand what the other's language and find a good time of the
> day when they can connect, and discuss about an artificial and
> abstract concept like time?


True, perhaps discussions would be less helpful, but I think the time game
is still something that would help.

>
>
> > As a child you can't understand time(in the form of a clock) until it is
> explained to you.   Which is where this
> > activity will (hopefully) come in.
>
>  I wasn't saying that kids can make stuff before understanding it.
> There needs to be good guidance that leads them to the deeper
> understanding.  (For some more background, refer to some discussion
> around
> http://squeakland.org/pipermail/squeakland/2007-August/003719.html and
> hopefully the video linked from the email.)
>
>  You wrote that your Time activity have analog, digital and natural
> display of time but with these, you have to "explain" it to kids.
> What kind of supporting material do you think is needed?  Can the
> explanation be on the laptop as well?  Can it be interactive?  Can the
> explanation and the real thing be seen on the same screen at the same
> time?


I think the natural time clock should be close enough to the actual
appearance outside so that the children will connect the ideas.  Also, the
clock can be updated to the time it is right now.  Thus in that way it
should be its own explanation.

>
>
>  It appears that you are a high-school student... That is really
> great!  Please don't take above as discouragement.  I'm really trying
> to encourage people who are trying to make educational activity (as
> you know, there aren't many for XO.)  It is really valuable to see
> that somebody (who is young and close to the target age group!) think
> about making activity.


I am a senior at IMSA, and am aware of the development process, so I know
your comments aren't discouragement.

>
>
> -- Yoshiki
>
>  Do you know Kathleen Harness?

Should I?
-- Jason
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