Black Mesa LMS

Game on!

Mr. Jarrett — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 05:26:51 +0000

This is the Black Mesa* Learning Management System (LMS). It’s a website we’re building for you to learn and apply technology skills (and so much more.)

For an explanation of what this is all about, click here.

Then, log in over on the left with the username and password we’ve provided you. If you need help, click here.

Finally, locate your first challenge and get to work. By yourself or with friends. It’s up to you.

Questions? Use this form to get answers.

We’re going to have an awesome year!

Mrs. Kennedy & Mr. Jarrett

We *both* hate selfies!

* – yes, the name “Black Mesa” comes from the Half Life series of games. Some of you probably already knew that.

Start Here

Mr. Jarrett — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 18:19:11 +0000

Here’s how this works:

Sign in with the username and password we provided you in school.
Locate a challenge of your choice. Start it. Do the work.
When finished with the challenge, indicate accordingly on the challenge itself. Click the green buttons. You’ll see.
Go to #3. Repeat.

Questions? Problems? Feedback?

Mrs. Kennedy & Mr. Jarrett

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Image credit: JakeandLindsay Sherbert on Flickr

What does ‘in charge of my own learning’ mean?

Mr. Jarrett — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 18:18:55 +0000

That’s a great question.

You know how, in school, teachers say what you need to know, when you need to know it, and how you need to know it?

This … isn’t like that.

You are going to decide what you want to learn, in what order, where and how you learn it.

True, we do lay out the material for you. (Those would be the challenges.) But you learn the way you want. At your own pace. When you have time, in school and out. Alone or with a friend. Yep, not kidding. You can work with your friends!

As you learn, you gain Experience Points (XP) and even Gold (HG). This system tracks these automatically for you so you always know where you stand.

It’s not all fun and games though. “Recitations” await you. That’s where you get to demonstrate that you know what you say you know. It’s like a test. Except it’s not. And you do it live, in person. Not on some piece of paper. Relax, you don’t do them often, only when randomly asked.

In order to be successful in this program – to be what we call “Life Ready” – you need skills, you need to be able to learn things. This website will help. But the actual learning is up to you.

That’s why you’re in charge.

How’s it feel?

Yeah. We thought so.

Mrs. Kennedy & Mr. Jarrett

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Image credit: Calico Spanish Blog

Help!

Mr. Jarrett — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 17:53:42 +0000

If you need help, the first thing is to know what kind of help you want.

If you need assistance with a TASK, something you are trying to learn and do, first ask another student (whether you are in-school or not). Chances are someone knows the answer to your question! You can also ask an adult; they might be able to guide you. Finally, feel free to use the Internet to answer your question.
If you are having a problem with this SITE, click here to open a help desk ticket, or just have your parents send email to kjarrett@ncs-nj.org.

That should cover it. If not – see one of us personally.

Thank you!

Mrs. Kennedy & Mr. Jarrett

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Image credit: Jumanji Solar on Flickr