New Tool in School

I've developed a new tool that presents the user with 9 letter tiles on screen. Any list of words (8 letters or less, preferably 7 or less) can be used.

On startup the program will choose 9 tiles offering the user as least 10-15 possible words hidden within. When the user finds a word the program will replace ONLY the used tiles and will replace them in such a way as to maintain around 10 possible words hidden within. 

The first version of the game is already on the site and contains a list of animals. There are around 245 animals in the list and the list is all the program requires. It can even work with as little as 35 words in the original list.

In the current version there are 4 360° backdrops featuring the four seasons and some ambient animal sounds. Even so, the game is around 10 megabytes.

With a simple change of the backdrop and word list we would have a completely new game.

I am working on improving the algorithm and extending it to 4*3 and 4*4 tiles to allow for longer words in the near future. However as this version was aimed at the younger kiddies I kept it as simple as possible. 

In school the results so far have been positive with the kids playing in small groups with little or no prodding or instruction.

Here you can see 'under the hood'. The possible answers are listed on the left.

ASTEROIDS : THE PHRASAL VOID

The first Asteroid game is up : HERE

This is the Q&A version of the Asteroid app (the blue box version)
The FlashCard version which uses a simpler word pairing system where you simply type an answer will be up next week. With this second version just about anything that works on FlashCards can be added with speed. For example : Capitals of the World, Morse Code, Flags, Kanji, Foreign words etc...

Next weeks version called BACKWORDS will vastly improve words pattern recognition, spelling and typing speed. It is a remake of a game from 2001 which became one of the more addictive and highly played games I have made.


Phrasal verbs:

The questions are based on the curriculum and do not go beyond it.
The game contains around 1500+ questions over 7 weeks. Each week (or rank) has 5 phases:

• Choose the correct phrasal verb for the blank
• Select the correct meaning
• Select the correct tense to fill in the blank
• Separable or not?
• A selection of all the above with emphasis on any questions that were troublesome


Tactical Revision:

The game is designed to take the edge off revision but even though it is heavily disguised they still answer one question every 10-20 seconds.
If a student doesn't know the answer to a particular question (attached to an asteroid) they can use a number of tactical methods to destroy it. The answer will appear and the asteroid will come back a number of times later. Therefore, every question must be answered correctly before ranking up.
There is no judgement in the game. The students can even change the speed of the asteroids if they find the initial settings a little difficult.


Under the hood:

A number of new methods were used to create the questions and read human documents and can be reused for future subjects. Even with all the questions, graphics and sound the entire game is under 20 megabytes online. Almost half of this is standard plugin stuff so if you've played any game on the site before then the download is closer to 12 megabytes.

The questions were generated by the new system but were checked by real human people.
Only small changes were required but still a little time consuming.

Some screen shots:

VR ENVIRONMENTS

As the headsets gain traction the quality of 'off the shelf' environments for VR is improving exponentially.

For example this 'Ancient Rome' scene : once purchased (for about $90) you could be in it in less than 15 minutes of work.

I have the HTC VIVE on order and once I get the pure curriculum games out of the way I am looking forward to finding places to visit.

Touch Screens and Beyond!

While researching ways to make the iMacs into touch screens I found and updated an old technology that can go much much further than a simple touch.
The Leap motion system can detect hand gestures, positions, fingertips and so on in minute details.
Although discontinued, I was able to take an old version and update it with my own 3D hands.
It successfully detected 2 hands and 10 fingers (or thumbs), and at one point detected Suzie's third hand.

Here is an initial test of the device which incidentally will cost only 3,000 yen per computer!

So instead of touch screens we get this! And exceptionally cheap too.

It is even accurate enough to play a virtual piano!

Don't shoot the Messenger

Originally I was calling this system The Messager until I realised that there is NO SUCH WORD!

The Messenger system is something I built that will allow anyone with access the ability to change what is playing on the School or Schools' computers. Sound can be on or off and a custom message is displayed at the bottom. This can be as generic as 'Check out KAISKOOL.com' or something specific like 'Remember, Project X needs to be finished tomorrow!'.

There are a number of modules already built into the system and after I finish the Asteroid curriculum game I will be updating the MESSENGER system further with more modules, the ability to target individual machines and the ability to schedule a days worth of changes. Many of these modules are finished or nearly so. As I said though, the Asteroid game takes priority for the moment.

Changes are made with the HEADMASTER interface and, once sent, the new information, module change and preferences will appear on the screens within 60 seconds.

The controller is very simple and can be accessed online from anywhere

As it stands there are 5 modules installed:

1. BUBBLES - This is interactive and allows the kids to take pics that are kept and float around.
2. CUBES - This is non interactive but provided eye-candy and a hint of games, interactives and curios to come.
3. CLOCKS - Just a big old analogue clock. KA on one side KAIS on the other. Obviously the time is displayed and the background will change according to the time of day.
4. KIDS/LIVING LOGO - A living version of KAIS logo. A large tree and some free-range AI kids. The time of day effects the graphics.
5. KANGS - this is only something to look at but interesting enough. There is also a playable version of this available on the computers.

There are many more modules planned including :

• Robot Football (you just watch it). 
• Fact of the day (something to chew on at lunchtime) - With a nice backdrop.
• Face Facts - another version of the module above but can only be unlocked by a face looking directly at the camera. If no face is detected after 5 minutes then the doors will close onscreen awaiting another face detection. A different fact will appear.
• Karaoke Manga - Interactive, you strike a pose, make a power noise and the computer will transform the image into a manga picture with action word overlaid.
• Question Injection - A simple question is asked but it will be one that is difficult to google and really gets a hold of you. I will provide some samples soon.
• Latest News - Interesting and safe factoids from the days' news with photos.
• Rotator - interactive. Any object can appear in 3D with info. Movement in front of the camera will rotate the onscreen object. Could be a planet, a brain, a robot or just about anything. Facts will change with different orientations.
• Quotes - Famous quotes. As simple as it gets. These can change every hour.
• The Watcher - A large eye, Robot or human head will appear. It will look toward any movement. Like the plastic policeman this can quieten a noisy room. Great for the cafeteria.
• Equaliser - This can be a number of abstract, familiar or even animated character that will react to ambient noise. Great if you're having a party or playing music.
• Holograms/Artistic/Pixels/Hall of Mirrors - the camera display is filtered and displayed. Just for fun.
• Cool Videos of the week. Just as it says, relaxing, arty videos, science related or outer space.
• And much much more!

The modules and some previews of what is to come :

New Flashcards - Massive new game.

We're calling it Asteroids for now but that will probably change.

Phase 1 will be a game not unlike the TaskMaster rocket, at least the way you answer questions but with a lot more pzazz. It will also be able to take word-pairs, true & false question sets and, more importantly, can also get the students to spell or type answers to the questions.
Students who invest some time in the learning part of the game will also have the opportunity to play some simple mini-games. This will enhance logic, cognition, memory and motor skills as well as serving as a quick break so as not to be as monotonous as the Rocket game.
The game will track progress for both students and teachers and can take just about any type of input.

Phase 2 will have many more mini-games, collectibles and upgrades. I'm also writing a back story and creating a BASE.

Phase 3 is the most ambitious. The questions will write themselves!

I've made a silly intro to test the amount of rocks, space and graphics I can squeeze into a webpage and this entire demo is only 10mb (or less). After about 40 seconds part of the new interface will appear with the words coming soon.

Phase 1 of the Asteroid game will be complete within the week and I will be taking many of the interface and scoring elements from it and putting them back into the original TaskMaster rocket game.

Have a look in a web browser here (mac or pc) : ASTEROID TESTtp://www.kaiskool.com/ASTEROIDS/

There are over 1500 asteroids in the test

A shot from the actual game in progress

KAIS JAB LABS - Robots, robots everywhere!

This has taken a while but I finally made some progress tonight.

I was using devices with the logo on it just because I live in the dark; technically any piece of paper with the logo printed on it will do.

It can be used in many ways : to unlock a game on the iMacs, show a hidden 'thing of the day' whenever the kids hold the logo to the camera or much more. (Yes, even educational stuff).

Forgive the bad editing, I just wanted to get it online for you to see.

Introducing : HAMMER

I'll be adding a new character to any new games or learning apps in the future. He will act as a unifier and a guide, not necessarily a part of the interactive itself. Although he might just appear in a few side games.

Hammer will also act as an 'authoritative' figure if needed. When his eyes turn RED then he is in full danger mode. For example, when we have a large monitor in the eating area, Hammer can appear on screen with the red eye lights watching movement and turning toward loud sound. Of course, he can also do funny things too, take pics, point at people etc. The watchful part is just a version of the 'card-board policeman technique' and is an old one and still works today. In the UK, they used to use the occasional Police cutout to slow down drivers who would see the police shape in their peripheral vision. But an interactive watching robot can actually calm down a group of boisterous kiddies too. See the first bullet point below.

Hammer can also be used in the Lobby area to watch people coming and going. In fact, if placed right, he might be able to greet or say goodbye to people as they come and go. He can also give important announcements, be 3D printed and lots more.

If you want an art project, I can actually supply a series of cutout templates and instructions for making a 2m tall version by hand from old cardboard.

H.A.M.M.E.R.

• Hammer can act as the bridge between the teachers and students. In the original document I spoke of a gripe/rant wall where students can anonymously write ANYTHING they would like to see changed or bring to our notice. Hammer can front that page. On the other hand, Hammer can deliver messages to students, such as 'CHEW YOUR FOOD WITH YOUR MOUTH CLOSED'  or 'WHOMEVER MADE THAT MESS, CLEAN IT UP!', taking that load or slight confrontation from the teachers hands.
• Hammer is practically indestructible and can be blown up, burned, buried, crushed, thrown and dropped without getting a scratch. In fact, he kind of likes it, especially explosions.
• Hammer doesn't speak but relies on the fact that two thirds of communication is body language. He has lots of inventive ways to communicate.
• When he is in a good mood his eyes are green; but be careful when they turn red!
• He tends to leak oil everywhere. We're looking into that.
• Can run through walls and have them crash down around him. It's a hobby.
• Hammer has a pet robot thing. It needs a name. 
• Hammer has a brother (he's a different colour).
• Hammer keeps his own blog. For example........

Hammer only recently arrived in Japan and we took him to a local park in Tokyo and also to Nikko.

In Nikko we found that snow and selfies are a problem for robots....

Hasn't figured out the selfie thing yet

DISPLAY UNITS - CONTROL - A BIG GLOWING BUTTON

Although we are installing iMacs that are meant as passive or hands off interactive experiences that doesn't mean we can't add another layer of interaction. Take the 'ANXIETY ALIEN' for example. This one is not meant for the display units but rather for keyboard and laptop use. The idea being that the user drags a slider up and down to change the anxiety of the alien.
However, with the addition of a Griffin Powermate button we could run more complex interactives on these display units...

I've used this little beauty hundreds of times in the past and it still looks awesome even after a decade or so. It's basically a pulsing blue button, but you can double tap it, turn it, press and turn etc.

I programmed the 'Anxiety' of the alien to increase as you turn the dial and it's a great way to interact.

Also, it can even be used for the TaskMaster type games. You turn the dial to select an answer and hit the button to choose it. 

This cheap bit of tech means we can run just about everything we make on the display units.

(I labelled this as JABS as it directly relates to our interactives but I did not make the button unfortunately)

FREE JAB GAMES FOR iPHONE & iPADS

Despite my ongoing fun with famous people some of my games still seem to be available in the app store. These are free with no ads or in-app purchases. Any kids with iphones or ipads are welcome to try them so please send on the links if you think they will be interested.

J

BIRD UP!... 

is one and can be downloaded here:
https://itunes.apple.com/app/bird-up!/id557588588?mt=8

It has a few extra game modes, lots more noises and things to see and runs on any iphone or ipad.
It uses the same flapping technique as the desktop version.
Please feel free to pass the link around to the students. It is totally free with no hidden extras.

  


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SUMO - TOUCH VERSION:

https://itunes.apple.com/app/omnimotion-sumo-lite/id421134847?mt=8

A finger(s) touch version of the Sumo Game. This is the 'Lite' version but there is still plenty to do. It has a 5 star rating and a UN award under its sweaty belt.

(Safe for kiddies of all ages)






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SKYHUNT:

Probably one for the otaku. You can motion control a ship and fly around a city hunting for invaders. It can get quite fun chasing robotic spies and blowing them up around skyscrapers!
Again 5 star reviews and utterly free.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skyhunt/id562228326?mt=8





ENJOY!

THE BIRDIE - KAIS VERSION

THE BIRDIE

Originally this piece was created for a friends 2 year old daughter. She was a Teletubbies junkie who sat in front of the screen for hours and hours. So I took a few hours and made the original version. She spent that day and many more jumping around, teaching the bird to fly. Then teaching her friends to teach the bird to fly.

It's a simple game but I think Jonah got to see the effect it can have on the mini-humans that inhabit the KAIS building.

There is a lot to see the further up you get.

ANXIETY ALIEN - APP DELIVERY TESTING AND AN EXPERIMENT

In time the TaskMaster type FlashCard games will keep records of words, concepts and course sections that the students find quite hard or downright impossible to remember.
I think every teacher would agree that they've noticed that there are some words , concepts or grammar points that nearly every student struggles with.

As a personal example being a foreigner, the GA & WA difference seems to be one that gets nearly all of us at first.

So, in these special cases, I propose that we create a serious of apps and interactives that will unstick the brain and allow the course to flow.

To this end I've created one example of this using the TaskMaster word 'Anxiety'. Using the alien from the game I've made a little interactive that has a lot of helpful information on screen, some mnemonics perhaps and a slider that allows the student to take the alien from a very calm state to one of pure anxiety. As they drag slider they are presented with some character acting from our little friend and about a dozen differently worded uses and forms.

However, as I was creating this little sample from scratch, I took the opportunity to fully optimise it and put it on as many machines and in as many different ways as possible.
The results were more than promising.

The actual UNITY file, with its backgrounds, code, textures etc is 1.5 GIGS. But that's the usual horrendous disk squatting.
Creating it as a desktop app (mac or pc) came out as about 85MBs. Not bad, but not something you want everybody to have to download.
Optimising it and placing on a webpage? This is where it got interesting. It took some fiddling, some corners cut and techniques I haven't used in over a decade but the ENTIRE little interactive, exactly as you see above, sits on a webpage for...... 5MBs.
Just to underline that, if we added more animations and words but used the same graphics and character above that size would hardly change! Plus the amount of time the page was loaded, times, length of interaction etc. could all be recorded invisibly in the background.

The futures of these little apps is looking bright; compressed & optimised but very bright.

You can view the online version here (mac & pc browsers)* : ANXIETY_ALIEN_EXAMPLE
*shockingly it sort of works on iphones and ipads too!

As an aside, I'd like to put this on an iMac somewhere in the school and just leave it. See if any of the kids go near it, interact with it and if so, do they then show another student?
Basically slap an alien and a slider on screen and watch what happens. Kids learning by mistake or willingly? Shocking.