Interactivity is the general theme of my viewings choices this week. The Localore home page was very interactive with it’s map and animated interface. In The Making of Tech Shop and Planet Takeout, the raw audio footage helps me get a feeling of what the different places are like on a normal day. Planet Takeout stood out as a piece that highlighted the co-dependent relationship between the owners of the Chinese takeout and the neighborhood kids that ate there.
In Planet Takeout, the simplicity of presentation allowed me to focus more on what was being said in the audio. The interactive title page reminded me of educational games. The audio recordings of the The Making of the Tech Shop and The Making of the Karaoke Ice Cream Truck made a strong impression on me. The owners took very innovative approaches to running a business. The emphasis on community connectivity in their discussions kept me engaged. It is uncharacteristic of businesses to be focused on community interaction. The typical business discussion usually revolves around profits and productivity.
Bear 71 was by far the most video game-like out of all the viewings. The storytelling from a bear’s point of view offered up a different perspective that forced you to experience the story from a unique point of view. The interactive map reminded me of most multi-leveled video games that are designed into a fictitious landscape. The sobering thought about this piece is that the story is a real and not a simulated adventure on your Xbox.
Again, how do your think your students will approach a project like Bear 71? Another game? Let us know if you have them interact with these pieces…