Just want to touch base and apologize for doing so little to date.

Just want to touch base and apologize for doing so little to date. I hoped that despite a week-long vacation trip and then marathon paperwork I'd be able to somewhat keep up with #evomc16  , but not so. I think I'm pretty hopelessly behind.  Nevertheless, I'll try at least to learn some game basics and observe the miracles that many of you are achieving/contributing.  I'm enjoying some of your video clips. Thanks.

I just got into the server for the first time but couldn't figure out how to do anything!

I just got into the server for the first time but couldn't figure out how to do anything! I heard nice, gentle music and could see objects and animals moving around and making some kind of crunching noise as they hopped around, but I couldn't see how to interact or do anything. Guess I need to watch some videos. I thought I'd be able to choose the mode or whatever it's called--creative, survival, etc. But maybe this is when I'm playing alone not on server.
It started to get dark, and I recall that's a dangerous time, so I quit, chicken that I am...

I just posted my reflections on the first two suggested readings for this week on a new PB Works blog, here.

I just posted my reflections on the first two suggested readings for this week on a new PB Works blog, here. Am I supposed to include a tag #evomc16 there, or is this only for Google + or Twitter?
http://rwevomc16.pbworks.com/w/page/104201815/FrontPage#view=page

How about some suggestions for an easy, user-friendly blog platform to use for sharing our learning and wonderings?

Just an observation: I see the posts in this community include ones made in last year's evo session.

Just an observation: I see the posts in this community include ones made in last year's evo session. It's good that Google indicates the length of time since the post was made: s (seconds), m (minutes), h (hours), d (days), w (weeks).

Some Resources:

Some Resources:

Since I was totally lost when I played a bit with Minecraft after downloading and installing the software, I searched YouTube for help and found this tutorial for beginners: https://youtu.be/UcRY6nDIp-E
Hope this isn't "cheating." The video creator, William Brockett, mentions another useful resource, Minecraft Wiki: http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Minecraft_Wiki

I don't feel quite as lost now, though I still know next to nothing!
https://youtu.be/UcRY6nDIp-E

Hi, Everyone!

Hi, Everyone!

I’m a mostly retired former California (USA) community college ESL teacher (30+ yrs), now occasional English teacher educator, winding up nearly 2 1/2 years living near extended family in the Philippines. I used computers and online resources for most of my language teaching career and most recently for language teacher education. Served on the CALL-IS steering committee way back in the 1990s and helped found its California equivalent. Just finished serving as a Community TA for several iterations of the Coursera MOOCs, Shaping the Way We Teach English.

I’ve gotten to know Vance Stevens better in the last couple of years, and his passion for Minecraft has finally made me curious enough to try it. I’m eager to learn first-hand how “gamification,” and specifically playing Minecraft can facilitate language acquisition.

At this point in my professional life game playing is really appealing! That said, I may not be able to spend as much time playing and learning as I’d like, since my wife and I are also preparing to move back to the U.S. just a week after the end of this EVO session.

Looking forward to an engaging, challenging and enjoyable collaborative learning experience.