Game and Simulation for Learning

Yesterday evening, my wife and I attended a talk on “Game and Simulation for Learning” at the Singapore Science Centre. We were very impressed with a Lego game called “Replica” which went something like this: teams were to make replicas of a model using Lego Bricks. The fastest and most accurate replica wins.
Each team was made up of a builder, 2 architects and an observer. The architects will have their hands behind their back throughout the game and gave verbal instructions to the builder. Only the architects were allowed to see the model which was hidden in a box and then ran to the builder to give him the instructions to build. They can run to and fro the model as often as they want.
On our way home, we thought it would be a good idea to try it on our children. We had a good laugh over what might happen: our youngest boy, WK, would end up as the builder. The brother would give instructions at motor speed, frustrating both of them in the process. The girl would have tripped over herself trying to communicate 3-D ideas and they would end up screaming and crying over it.
Today, after lunch, we got them to do play the game anyway. As expected, WK was nominated as the builder. Being a systematic fellow, he started to arrange his pieces according to shapes and sizes while the other two discussed on the strategy. They played the game with a lot of fun and laughter. No drama, nothing like what we had imagined. They certainly deserved more credit that we had given them.
We all had a good laugh when we discovered that the replica’s color was the mirror image of the original. I supposed it has to do with how we communicate. While it is good manner to talk face to face, it adds to the confusion of whose perspective you are talking about, that is, my left or your left. I think it might be better if the architect goes behind the builder and gives the instructions from there.

Learning Point: Different people use different ways to describe the same thing, for example, imagine a circle and below it is a triangle. Both shapes are about the same size and the circle is just touching the apex of the triangle. Some people will say the triangle is in front of the circle while others will say that it is to the south of the circle.

The meaning of our communication is the response that we get. If someone is agitated at what you said, it is not her fault; it is what you said that made her so.

Pick your own durians

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I have had 3 days of wind in my face and sun on my back in Pulau Ubin (Granite Island). My family stayed from 15-17 June ’09, in Ubin Lodge, currently the only public chalet on the island. We spent our time cycling, fishing, visiting NPark gardens and durian hunting/eating.
Let me share with you a little secret: here is where you find the cheapest local durian in Singapore. To top it all, the durians are fully organic – no pesticide and no synthetic fertilizer.
If you are adventurous, you can even pick your own durians. The best times for the pickings are during the early mornings and 5-6pm in the evenings.
By the way, wild boars love durians too. After their feastings, all you find are empty durian empty shells laid out neatly under the trees. They eat the flesh and seeds whole.
Durian picking, like fishing, is best to learn from an old hand. I learnt from Uncle William, the caretaker of Ubin Lodge, that the stub of the fruit should be just one section if it had dropped naturally and not prematurely because of strong wind or other factors. The fruit should also have a fragrant smell otherwise it is not ripe. The rambutans are ripening very soon, I could hear them calling me.

Man of Little Faith

My family would jog or skate along the Sunset Canal during the evenings as part of the family ritual. As the children prefer to skate, they would finish their rounds much faster and go home on their own leaving behind the two old folks.
Today was no different except that it started to drizzle when my wife and I started to make our way home. My wife turned to me and said, “Do you think the children will bring us umbrella?”
I said without hesitation, “Dan gu gu.” (wait long long in Hokkien)
Just when it was about to pour, we saw a lanky figure running towards us with two umbrellas. Our son came to save us from being drenched. I felt ashamed that I have so little faith in my children.

The power of rubber band

A friend of mine shared with me this little trick: Tie a rubber band around a cup and ants will not climb up the cup anymore! According to him, it works like magic. He had seen ants circling his 'banded' cup and none would climb up. I wonder why?
Do you have any such tricks to share, especially against cockroaches and lizards?