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Kodu Game Lab – 3D Games Design for School

kodu-game-logo

Kodu is a new game programming language / tool from Microsoft.  It has had a very low-key launch, I came across it as it was featured in the excellent Edge Magazine last month.  Kodu is initially available to the public on X-Box Live Marketplace for about £3.50.  I have been fortunate enough to be allowed on to the Beta of the PC version, this is currently only open to educators.  You can apply to join the Beta by following the link from this MSDN blog.  Watch this video from Microsoft, it gives you a quick feel of how the program works:

Kodu demonstration for schools
Kodu demonstration for schools

I have spent the whole morning working through the tutorials and examples getting a feel for what is possible and I have to say I am impressed by the scope of the package.  I’m also a little bit overwhelmed.  So I decided to try and build the bare bones of a game from scratch.  I chose a tower defence style game as the mechanics of it are simple enough.  What follows is a quick run through of my progress so far, I hope it serves as a good enough introduction of Kodu.

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Director of E-Learning Interview

This Thursday I have an interview for the post of Director of E-Learning at a local High School. Inspired by Doug Belshaw’s recent interview/blog/twitter success, (congratulations again Doug!) I would appreciate my personal learning network’s help!

I have to present for 10 mins and also teach for 30.

My presentation is on “Your Vision for E-Learning and Strategy to Embed it In & Out of School”, I will particularly be involved in managing the VLE and developing E-Learning across the curriculum. I have attached the presentation below (speaking notes on click through), any feedback would be appreciated… [Read more...]