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This week’s Articulate #ELHChallenge is to come up with an interaction that helps teach punctuation.
Update: Download the Free Template!
The Idea
I wanted to make some type of game I hadn’t tried before, and tic-tac-toe seemed relatively straightforward.
Personalized Punctuation Advisors
I also wanted to use the rest of the characters I used for this emoji challenge. The idea was to have each of them embody an element of punctuation and give their own example of correct and incorrect usage. Personalized punctuation advice couched in a bit of silliness seemed engaging to me – so I went with it.
The Design
The goal was to keep it simple and easy to play with. The board is laid out in front of you so you can pick any punctuation challenge you’d like and see your progress as you go.
Your aim may be to get tic-tac-toe (three correct answers in a row) and win; but it’s equally fun to play freely. That’s why I added a “Start Over” button on the main screen – so you can quickly clear the slate and start over.
The Game Board
The Punctuation Guide
I have to say that Storyline 2 made building the whole thing a relative snap, too. It was great. It’s one slide with 35 layers and a few states (plus many pieces and parts I added) – but engineering it to give the proper result once tic-tac-toe has been achieved was really simple.
Oh – and in the feedback for each question I linked to the appropriate page on The Punctuation Guide that David Anderson used as inspiration for the challenge. Thanks for finding it and for such a great challenge, David!
Try It Out!
Ready to test your punctuation prowess? Feel free to try it out right here.
Very cute Jackie: and very educational; (but I think I may have messed up this sentence? Hmmm..
Thank you, Dan!
I think your comment is outstanding evidence that it couldn’t possibly be a more effective training piece.
Fun! Clever and cute.
Thanks, Gina! :-D
In reference to this ” It’s one slide with 35 layers and a few states (plus many pieces and parts I added) – but engineering it to give the proper result once tic-tac-toe has been achieved was really simple.” Can you tell us a couple examples of pieces and parts you added?
Hi Jane – Sure! I’m referring to the images of the characters in all of their different incarnations, the Xs and Os that keep score, the text titles and captions, the buttons, the shade on the game board that focuses you on the question you’re answering, the invisible shapes that block you from clicking on a character once you’ve already answered a question, and of course a whooooole bunch of triggers that handle the internal and external links, oodles of state changes, and calculating when and how you’ve won. I may be forgetting something – but those are the basics that make it go. :)
Brilliant Jackie! Also thanks so much for explanation of how you made it :)
Thanks, Darlesa! (Good to hear from you!)
And you’re welcome for the explanation. If you need more details just let me know. :)
I loved this Jackie! It looks great, works perfectly and the script is super funny!
Thank you so much, Veronica! That means a lot coming you!
Oh! I and I just made it into a game template to share. Link is above in the post and in the Freebies section. :)
Already downloaded!
Two of my favorite things – punctuation and play! Nice job, Jackie. And thank you for sharing the template.
Thanks, Mary! Punctuation and play are two of my favorite things, too.
You’re very welcome for the template. Have fun with it! :)