Wikipedia Game

(english below)

Eine praktische idee(1) fuer ein intelligentes (famielen)internet-lern-spiel:

jeder spieler sitzt an einem computer mit internet

ein "schiedsrichter" waehlt zwei worte z.b. erdnussbutter und alexander der grosse

das erste wort wird in wikipedia nachgeschlagen (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erdnussbutter)

ziel des spieles ist es von erdnussbutter zu alexander der grosse (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_der_Grosse) zu kommen ohne die tastatur zu benutzen

man kann drei varianten spielen: a)wer als erster fertig ist (denke hier haben kids einen vorteil, da sie schneller klicken/sich besser zurechtfinden) oder b) wer mit weniger klicks hinkommt (ich erwarte die erwachsenen gewinnen da ein weiteres wissen bessere links ermoeglicht). Die dritte variante is nich ganz so funkey: wer schneller von der homepage zu einem wort findet.

logischerweise is die alfabetische listen verboten

als benchmark ich war beim 5ten klick und nach 4 min. beim alexander

Im englischen teil is noch ne variante

(1) ich hab mir das game nich ausgedacht sondern es von jemandem erzaehlt bekommen, weiss aber leider nich mehr von wem - naja jetzt hab ich kurz gegooglet und verschiedene englische sources gefunden

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English

a first version (what i described in german above)
"Shaggy Hair was working on his chemistry homework and so [the wikipedia article on] "Chemical Sources" is traditionally the place where they begin. Then someone calls out a word or term or person, like "Bob Dylan," and they race to see who can get there first. The rule is you can't type anything; you can only click on links. And you can't go backwards." (blog link)

a second version:
"We invented a game where you try to find a certain item (for example, pancakes) the fastest, measured in either time or clicks. Here are the rules:

• You cannot edit any pages
• You must start from the home page (http://wikipedia.org/)
• You cannot type anything. Everything must be done via mouse clicks.
• You cannot use the categories, A-Z listings, etc

Here's a sample game, searching for "witchcraft."

Wikipedia > English Wikipedia > United States > Massachusetts > Salem > Salem Witch Trials > Witchcraft" (forum link)

Future of the internet & social phsychology podcasts

Just came across two very good podcasts:

Ramesh Johari, assistant professor at Stanfords Engineering Department gives a highly recommened course entitled "The Future of the Internet". Considering the content of the course I dont like the title to much - he explains very well how the internet is working today and wants the students to think about questions regarding the future development of the internet. Naming issues apart, he gives a very interesting and insightful account about the internet's fundamental architecture and the inter-play of technology, policy and business in shaping this increasingly critical infrastructure. Especially lecture 3 on the economics of the internet (on the level of carriers and e.g. the niche that akamai was able to create) i felt was really good.

You can download all 6 lectures @ iTunes U and here are the lecture notes

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At Berkeley's webcast series i discovered the Social Psychology class, which proves to be an excellent introduction to the field, allowing the learner to develop a good overview of the core concepts and the main academic protagonists in the very dynamic science.

Again all lectures are available from Berkeley or @ iTunes. The lecture notes and syllabus etc. are available here (this course will run until mid-june)