Halo 3, the lastes release in an online triolgy game hit the stores Tuesday morning. Gamers throughout the country made plans to skip school, skip work by calling out sick and taking vaction time to stand in line for the hallowed game. The game revolves around a super-human soldier, Master Chief, fighting against alien races and parasites. The game can be played agaisnt other video gamers around the world through the internet.
Halo 3 is one of many games that promote aggression and violence. Such recreation may not be damaging except for the fact that many online players invest several hours and sometimes days engulfed in the world of spraying bullets and spattering blood.
Lava Flow-The anger management game teaches player to communicate effectively, it encourage stress management and enhances emotional intelligence. Online game producers would do the world a great service if they would spend an equal amount of time and money producing games that taught youth how to manage anger.
Daybreak Counseling Service
www.daybreakservices.com/games/lava/index.html
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angryinla
http://myspace.com/angermanagementeacher
310-995-1202
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Online Learning Games
Occasionally people email me to share their new product with me (usually flattering me while they’re at it), presumably with the intent that I might pass it on here on the blog. Every now and then I actually do just that. A few others this week didn’t make the cut, but in this case, it’s a free service that actually looks intriguing, appropriate, and relevant to my research. This game seems to have two aims, helping students develop “essential real-life skills (gathering information, analyzing situations, & making decisions)” and helping track their reading and math performance - all within an outdoor themed setting. If anyone checks it out, I’d love to hear about your experience:
Hi Mark,
I like your blog!
I was reading your Videogames in Education entry and thought maybe you’d like to look at a new website we just launched: teamtreks.com It’s not a videogame per se…
TeamTreks is a free online learning game designed for kids in the 4th through 7th grade. In the game, you try to pass a TeamTrek Kayaks Certification test in this. You’re flown in and dropped near Glacier Bay, Alaska. Lead your team back to the TeamTreks cabin before someone calls a rescue.
A Team Leader Toolkit is also available to allow teachers and group leaders to customize the game content and track players’ essential real-life skills (gathering information, analyzing situations, & making decisions) and report on math and reading scores against state standards.
It focuses on skills for students in 4th through 7th grade in:
* Leadership, Teamwork & Decision-making. Teammates’ moods change depending on decisions relate to their preferences in activity, risk, and food. Decisions need to take into account the teammates’ preferences and attitudes.
* Map-reading & navigation. Teammates’ stamina and hunger increase the longer it takes to find a campsite. Efficient navigation decreases the risk of injury and mental breakdown.
* Information gathering & data analysis. Teammates’ health and happiness meters display their status and teammates react to all decision points and decision options.
* Reading Comprehension and Math skills.
Anyway, I thought you might be interested.
Keep up the great work.
Mike
Daybreak Counseling Service
www.daybreakservices.com/games/lava/index.html
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angryinla
http://myspace.com/angermanagementeacher
310-995-1202
Hi Mark,
I like your blog!
I was reading your Videogames in Education entry and thought maybe you’d like to look at a new website we just launched: teamtreks.com It’s not a videogame per se…
TeamTreks is a free online learning game designed for kids in the 4th through 7th grade. In the game, you try to pass a TeamTrek Kayaks Certification test in this. You’re flown in and dropped near Glacier Bay, Alaska. Lead your team back to the TeamTreks cabin before someone calls a rescue.
A Team Leader Toolkit is also available to allow teachers and group leaders to customize the game content and track players’ essential real-life skills (gathering information, analyzing situations, & making decisions) and report on math and reading scores against state standards.
It focuses on skills for students in 4th through 7th grade in:
* Leadership, Teamwork & Decision-making. Teammates’ moods change depending on decisions relate to their preferences in activity, risk, and food. Decisions need to take into account the teammates’ preferences and attitudes.
* Map-reading & navigation. Teammates’ stamina and hunger increase the longer it takes to find a campsite. Efficient navigation decreases the risk of injury and mental breakdown.
* Information gathering & data analysis. Teammates’ health and happiness meters display their status and teammates react to all decision points and decision options.
* Reading Comprehension and Math skills.
Anyway, I thought you might be interested.
Keep up the great work.
Mike
Daybreak Counseling Service
www.daybreakservices.com/games/lava/index.html
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angryinla
http://myspace.com/angermanagementeacher
310-995-1202
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Donkey Kong goes to Anger Management
Counselor: Do you know why you’re here, Mr. Kong?
DK: Yes. I have a problem with my temper.
Counselor: Yes, that’s right. Do you know why you have a problem with your temper?
DK: As I told the judge, my lawyer, and everyone else, no.
Counselor: Why is it that you get so angry?
DK: I don’t get so angry. I just, I don’t know. I need to protect the princess.
Counselor: Protect her from what?
DK: From that oily fuck Mario, climbing up the ladders. I can’t let him have her. They’ll just have oily babies-
Counselor: Language, Mr. Kong. What did Mario do that upset you so much?
DK: (mumbling) Dodges all my barrels…
Counselor: What?
DK: Nothing. Look, Doc, I don’t know why. I just really don’t like him. And I hate the princess, too. It’s just with her I need to keep her away from him. Ordinarily, I’d just eat the princess and then just rip Mario into shreds, but something about her, I don’t know. It just makes me want to…to just…
Counselor: Be a better gorilla?
DK: Maybe? I just feel like, when she’s around, suddenly, I just want to throw barrels at people, over and over, and over, until they rotate 360 degrees and the game over music plays in my head-
Counselor: You hear music? Jesus. Well let’s save that for next time. Go on.
DK: All I know is that when I have her captive, I don’t want to bite her in half. And that’s a big change, Doc. A big change.
Counselor: What first drew you to barrels?
DK: Symmetry, I suppose. Seemed like a useful tool. They roll at various speeds down slight inclines. And they’re fun to throw. Sometimes they hit this can of oil I’ve stashed at the bottom of the planes and they catch on fire. That’s pretty cool.
Counselor: Why not land mines? Aren’t land mines fun to throw?
DK: That’s a little twisted, Doc.
Counselor: My point exactly. Maybe if you really wanted to kill Mario, you would’ve chosen something else to throw, something lethal, and effective.
DK: No. That’s not true.
Counselor: I think you’re missing the point. You’re such a lethal killing machine, Mr. Kong, and yet you can’t kill one oily little plumber. Sounds to me like someone’s in denial.
DK: What do you know about it? How many princesses have you ever kidnapped?
Counselor: I don’t need to kidnap any princesses to know a lying gorilla when I see one. The reason you’ve been half-assing your attempts to kill Mario are pretty obvious, Mr. Kong.
DK: I don’t have to take this from you.
Counselor: Oh come on! You can’t see it? You’re afraid.
DK: Screw this. I knew this was a bad idea. (gets up)
Counselor: Mr. Kong, you have been ordered by the State to attend these meetings.
DK: You’re a quack. Get lost. (starts to leave)
Counselor: Help me help y- (cut off by a barrel rolling into the office. It stops just short of the doctor. On the barrel is a picture of a middle finger) Oh very clever, Mr. Kong. But you have years of emotional repression in there waiting to come out! All those metaphorical ladders your enemies keep climbing! How high can you get, Mr. Kong! HOW HIGH CAN YOU GET?!
By Michael J. Weingarth
Daybreak Counseling Service
http://www.daybreakservices.com/games/lava/index.html
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angryinla
http://myspace.com/angermanagementeacher
310-995-1202
DK: Yes. I have a problem with my temper.
Counselor: Yes, that’s right. Do you know why you have a problem with your temper?
DK: As I told the judge, my lawyer, and everyone else, no.
Counselor: Why is it that you get so angry?
DK: I don’t get so angry. I just, I don’t know. I need to protect the princess.
Counselor: Protect her from what?
DK: From that oily fuck Mario, climbing up the ladders. I can’t let him have her. They’ll just have oily babies-
Counselor: Language, Mr. Kong. What did Mario do that upset you so much?
DK: (mumbling) Dodges all my barrels…
Counselor: What?
DK: Nothing. Look, Doc, I don’t know why. I just really don’t like him. And I hate the princess, too. It’s just with her I need to keep her away from him. Ordinarily, I’d just eat the princess and then just rip Mario into shreds, but something about her, I don’t know. It just makes me want to…to just…
Counselor: Be a better gorilla?
DK: Maybe? I just feel like, when she’s around, suddenly, I just want to throw barrels at people, over and over, and over, until they rotate 360 degrees and the game over music plays in my head-
Counselor: You hear music? Jesus. Well let’s save that for next time. Go on.
DK: All I know is that when I have her captive, I don’t want to bite her in half. And that’s a big change, Doc. A big change.
Counselor: What first drew you to barrels?
DK: Symmetry, I suppose. Seemed like a useful tool. They roll at various speeds down slight inclines. And they’re fun to throw. Sometimes they hit this can of oil I’ve stashed at the bottom of the planes and they catch on fire. That’s pretty cool.
Counselor: Why not land mines? Aren’t land mines fun to throw?
DK: That’s a little twisted, Doc.
Counselor: My point exactly. Maybe if you really wanted to kill Mario, you would’ve chosen something else to throw, something lethal, and effective.
DK: No. That’s not true.
Counselor: I think you’re missing the point. You’re such a lethal killing machine, Mr. Kong, and yet you can’t kill one oily little plumber. Sounds to me like someone’s in denial.
DK: What do you know about it? How many princesses have you ever kidnapped?
Counselor: I don’t need to kidnap any princesses to know a lying gorilla when I see one. The reason you’ve been half-assing your attempts to kill Mario are pretty obvious, Mr. Kong.
DK: I don’t have to take this from you.
Counselor: Oh come on! You can’t see it? You’re afraid.
DK: Screw this. I knew this was a bad idea. (gets up)
Counselor: Mr. Kong, you have been ordered by the State to attend these meetings.
DK: You’re a quack. Get lost. (starts to leave)
Counselor: Help me help y- (cut off by a barrel rolling into the office. It stops just short of the doctor. On the barrel is a picture of a middle finger) Oh very clever, Mr. Kong. But you have years of emotional repression in there waiting to come out! All those metaphorical ladders your enemies keep climbing! How high can you get, Mr. Kong! HOW HIGH CAN YOU GET?!
By Michael J. Weingarth
Daybreak Counseling Service
http://www.daybreakservices.com/games/lava/index.html
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angryinla
http://myspace.com/angermanagementeacher
310-995-1202
Sunday, September 16, 2007
What are people saying about Lava Flow the Anger Management Game?
I've developed an anger management game to teach ways to manage anger. Do you think online games are an effective teaching tool?
http://www.daybreakservices.com/games/lava/index.html
From:Anita Avedian, M.S., MFT
Anita Avedian, M.S., MFT
Owner, ABC Centers for Self-Improvement &Marriage and Family Therapist
Greater Los Angeles Area
Current: CEO at ABC Centers for Self-Improvement
Owner at Anita Avedian- Private Practice
It sounds very interesting. I would like to see it.
I disagree with the premise of this "managing anger" trend ... itsn't it just like AA in stopping alcoholics from drinking?
On the BLOG that I started called, SINGULARITY MIX, at: http://xvr-network.vox.com/ I to build a group of participants who will focus on gaining less behavioural solutions from insight into the cause rather than the symptoms.
I would like for you to join.
Also, if you can think of any polls that you would like, I will have polling capability ...
Thank you for your comment. I like finding this kind of topic because there is a direct affect from well-being of individuals to organizational performance and capability.
From:Daniel Jatovsky close
Daniel Jatovsky
District Leader at Primerica Financial Services and Owner, David Gordon Productions
Greater New York City Area
Current: District Leader at Primerica
Bookkeeper at JCC on the Palisades
Owner at David Gordon Productions (Sole Proprietorship)
Past: Co-owner at Cut Time Video
Sales and accounting at DVB
Editor at Bert Brown and Associates (Sole Proprietorship)
Conceptually, I would say that online games offer an excellent teaching opportunity, since at the core they are based on the concept of reward and punishment. Do the right things, you are rewarded (by being promoted to the next, receiving extra powers, etc.). Do the wrong things, you are punished (game over).
I'm not an expert in this area, so I don't know what research exists that a game could teach positive behavior, but there seems to be plenty of research on games encouraging negative behavior (as in violence), so it sounds interesting to me.
Stephen Booth
Alone, no. Certainly as part of an overall blended training programme I think they could be effective.
Stephen
Sheilah Etheridge
I think it may be enough to get "some" people thinking, but an online game isn't enough to change behavior.
Sheilah
Alice de Sturler
I am going to look at it later on but am very interested and yes, online games are effective teaching tools IF they have been properly prepared.
Thanks for this, Alice
Josephine Ferraro, LCSW
Hi Shannon,
I think it's an interesting idea. You did not mention if this is part of a larger program. By itself, I don't think it would be as effective as it would be as part of a comprehensive program where there is group process with a facilitator where clients could discuss particular situations that are challenging to them, get feedback from their peers as well as from the facilitator, do role plays, and learn new skills. Also, if a client tends to dissociate when s/he is angry, as many clients with anger management problems do, the game might not be good for her/him. I'd like to hear more about it. Good luck with the game.
All the best,
Josephine Ferraro, LCSW
Sherri Dohemann
Shannon,
I think a lot of institutions and individuals are looking at online games as teaching tools-especially within the framework of generation Y. The Robert Wood Foundation was recently seeking entries for a contest for exactly what you are describing under their pioneer/innovations section. Anyone can sign up to receive their notices and calls for contests and funding.
Eileen Bonfiglio
I think it's a great idea! Games are a great communicating tool, would be nice to see examples or behavior in the game to be able to identify them..Didn't say it would be easy, just nice :)
Eileen
Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
I'm very interested in your new game as I offer anger management seminars to corporate and military groups. I don't think the generic question you ask is as important as the value received from your game. Is that URL you offered an example of the quiz, or, the entire thing?
Mykel de Willigen
Potentially effective, if and only if they're acccompanied by further guidance. (did they cheat, do they practice what they've learned, how's their change perceived by the "victims"?)
Keith Moody
Not necessarily - in principle though games in themselves can be effective - online games can end up being no different from any other computer game - i.e. run the very high risk of becoming addictive and resulting in aggressive/compulsive behaviour...hardly helpful in managing anger...unless there is a very strict limit to the amount of times the game can be played (through using a cookie system). I have seen enough of this type of behaviour as a result of 'computer/online games' to last me a lifetime - hence the cautionary note...
Ryan Turner
Along with Sheri, I strongly encourage others to visit the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Changemakers "open source" competition on serious gaming and health and healthcare called "Why Games Matter: A Prescription for Improving Health and Health Care". Launched this past July, it closes Sep. 26.
Placing an emphasis on creativity and ideas over technical prowess, this opportunity to propose and peer review other exciting efforts should be worthwhile for everyone in this arena.
Daybreak Counseling Service
www.daybreakservices.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angryinla
http://myspace.com/angermanagementeacher
310-995-1202
http://www.daybreakservices.com/games/lava/index.html
From:Anita Avedian, M.S., MFT
Anita Avedian, M.S., MFT
Owner, ABC Centers for Self-Improvement &Marriage and Family Therapist
Greater Los Angeles Area
Current: CEO at ABC Centers for Self-Improvement
Owner at Anita Avedian- Private Practice
It sounds very interesting. I would like to see it.
I disagree with the premise of this "managing anger" trend ... itsn't it just like AA in stopping alcoholics from drinking?
On the BLOG that I started called, SINGULARITY MIX, at: http://xvr-network.vox.com/ I to build a group of participants who will focus on gaining less behavioural solutions from insight into the cause rather than the symptoms.
I would like for you to join.
Also, if you can think of any polls that you would like, I will have polling capability ...
Thank you for your comment. I like finding this kind of topic because there is a direct affect from well-being of individuals to organizational performance and capability.
From:Daniel Jatovsky close
Daniel Jatovsky
District Leader at Primerica Financial Services and Owner, David Gordon Productions
Greater New York City Area
Current: District Leader at Primerica
Bookkeeper at JCC on the Palisades
Owner at David Gordon Productions (Sole Proprietorship)
Past: Co-owner at Cut Time Video
Sales and accounting at DVB
Editor at Bert Brown and Associates (Sole Proprietorship)
Conceptually, I would say that online games offer an excellent teaching opportunity, since at the core they are based on the concept of reward and punishment. Do the right things, you are rewarded (by being promoted to the next, receiving extra powers, etc.). Do the wrong things, you are punished (game over).
I'm not an expert in this area, so I don't know what research exists that a game could teach positive behavior, but there seems to be plenty of research on games encouraging negative behavior (as in violence), so it sounds interesting to me.
Stephen Booth
Alone, no. Certainly as part of an overall blended training programme I think they could be effective.
Stephen
Sheilah Etheridge
I think it may be enough to get "some" people thinking, but an online game isn't enough to change behavior.
Sheilah
Alice de Sturler
I am going to look at it later on but am very interested and yes, online games are effective teaching tools IF they have been properly prepared.
Thanks for this, Alice
Josephine Ferraro, LCSW
Hi Shannon,
I think it's an interesting idea. You did not mention if this is part of a larger program. By itself, I don't think it would be as effective as it would be as part of a comprehensive program where there is group process with a facilitator where clients could discuss particular situations that are challenging to them, get feedback from their peers as well as from the facilitator, do role plays, and learn new skills. Also, if a client tends to dissociate when s/he is angry, as many clients with anger management problems do, the game might not be good for her/him. I'd like to hear more about it. Good luck with the game.
All the best,
Josephine Ferraro, LCSW
Sherri Dohemann
Shannon,
I think a lot of institutions and individuals are looking at online games as teaching tools-especially within the framework of generation Y. The Robert Wood Foundation was recently seeking entries for a contest for exactly what you are describing under their pioneer/innovations section. Anyone can sign up to receive their notices and calls for contests and funding.
Eileen Bonfiglio
I think it's a great idea! Games are a great communicating tool, would be nice to see examples or behavior in the game to be able to identify them..Didn't say it would be easy, just nice :)
Eileen
Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
I'm very interested in your new game as I offer anger management seminars to corporate and military groups. I don't think the generic question you ask is as important as the value received from your game. Is that URL you offered an example of the quiz, or, the entire thing?
Mykel de Willigen
Potentially effective, if and only if they're acccompanied by further guidance. (did they cheat, do they practice what they've learned, how's their change perceived by the "victims"?)
Keith Moody
Not necessarily - in principle though games in themselves can be effective - online games can end up being no different from any other computer game - i.e. run the very high risk of becoming addictive and resulting in aggressive/compulsive behaviour...hardly helpful in managing anger...unless there is a very strict limit to the amount of times the game can be played (through using a cookie system). I have seen enough of this type of behaviour as a result of 'computer/online games' to last me a lifetime - hence the cautionary note...
Ryan Turner
Along with Sheri, I strongly encourage others to visit the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Changemakers "open source" competition on serious gaming and health and healthcare called "Why Games Matter: A Prescription for Improving Health and Health Care". Launched this past July, it closes Sep. 26.
Placing an emphasis on creativity and ideas over technical prowess, this opportunity to propose and peer review other exciting efforts should be worthwhile for everyone in this arena.
Daybreak Counseling Service
www.daybreakservices.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angryinla
http://myspace.com/angermanagementeacher
310-995-1202
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Lava Flow -The Anger Management Game 1.0
am proud to announce that Daybreak Counseling Service has added a unique weapon to its arsenal against anger.
Lava Flow-The Anger Management Game was launced yesterday. This new Flash Quiz game is designed to help clients learn more about anger management education.
Lava Flow- The Anger Management Game is the first in the line of many interactive teaching tools that will be introduced by Daybreak Counseling Service. Although our first game may not be state of the art virtual muliti-player game play we feel it is a good start to a great future.
PLAY LAVA FLOW NOW
Daybreak Counseling Service
Shannon Munford M.A.
www.daybreakservices.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angryinla
http://myspace.com/angermanagementteacher
310-995-1202
Lava Flow-The Anger Management Game was launced yesterday. This new Flash Quiz game is designed to help clients learn more about anger management education.
Lava Flow- The Anger Management Game is the first in the line of many interactive teaching tools that will be introduced by Daybreak Counseling Service. Although our first game may not be state of the art virtual muliti-player game play we feel it is a good start to a great future.
PLAY LAVA FLOW NOW
Daybreak Counseling Service
Shannon Munford M.A.
www.daybreakservices.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angryinla
http://myspace.com/angermanagementteacher
310-995-1202
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Anger Management Now more Widely Accepted
There is no doubt that anger management is a new but very misunderstood service. As a matter of fact the media has done more to teach the public about anger management than professional anger management providers. This has had negative consequences. It has led the public to believe that anger management is only for those who have explosive tempers. This pervasive public perception has cause those who struggle with everyday issue with anger to avoid the anger management provider because they believe that they will have to sit with “thugs and criminals” in a class. This perception is so much further from the truth.
Luckily the media blitz by Anderson and Anderson, The Anger Management Institute of Texas, Executive and Life Coaching Inc, SB Consulting, Daybreak Services and my organization Todd’s Anger management Solutions is causing a shift in public perception. In addition to those who have been mandated by the court we are now seeing clients from all walks of life who want to deal with their anger in a safe, confidential, and private setting by credible and trained professionals. More encouraging is that theses individuals are returning again and again after the assessment to be seen to address their anger management problems. They are aware that anger can affect their health, productivity, social and work relationships and future prosperity. The fact that these individuals return also suggest that it is worth their time and money to work along with a certified anger management facilitator.
A recent trend is also emerging where the perceived usefulness of anger management has been expanding to couples, executives, public officials, police officers, nurses and organization training. This expansion is another example versatility of globally recognized Anderson and Anderson anger management model.
We as a community of anger management providers welcome these trends and will continue to do all we can to share with the public the development of credible anger management services across the country.
Carlos Todd, LPC, NCC, CAMF
President of the American Association of Anger Management Providers
Carlos Todd is the owner of Todd’s Anger Management Solutions in Charlotte, NC
www.masteringanger.com
www.angeronmymind.com
www.aaamp.org
Luckily the media blitz by Anderson and Anderson, The Anger Management Institute of Texas, Executive and Life Coaching Inc, SB Consulting, Daybreak Services and my organization Todd’s Anger management Solutions is causing a shift in public perception. In addition to those who have been mandated by the court we are now seeing clients from all walks of life who want to deal with their anger in a safe, confidential, and private setting by credible and trained professionals. More encouraging is that theses individuals are returning again and again after the assessment to be seen to address their anger management problems. They are aware that anger can affect their health, productivity, social and work relationships and future prosperity. The fact that these individuals return also suggest that it is worth their time and money to work along with a certified anger management facilitator.
A recent trend is also emerging where the perceived usefulness of anger management has been expanding to couples, executives, public officials, police officers, nurses and organization training. This expansion is another example versatility of globally recognized Anderson and Anderson anger management model.
We as a community of anger management providers welcome these trends and will continue to do all we can to share with the public the development of credible anger management services across the country.
Carlos Todd, LPC, NCC, CAMF
President of the American Association of Anger Management Providers
Carlos Todd is the owner of Todd’s Anger Management Solutions in Charlotte, NC
www.masteringanger.com
www.angeronmymind.com
www.aaamp.org
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