School School Online Games
Nov0
A game has replaced textbooks as a means of learning at a Florida-based online learning center.
Florida Virtual School offers online virtual education for students in the K-12 range and now teaches the subject of History using a videogame called Conspiracy Code. Created by 360Ed, the online-game based course features ten stages and evolves over two semesters, testing students on their knowledge of American History as they attempt to stop a conspiracy.
Florida Virtual School and 360Ed are working on a series of games, “mostly in the humanities and math,” writes TampaBay.com, and are streamlining the courses to meet other state’s standards, as both Florida and non-Florida residents can enroll for classes at the school.
360Ed CEO Ben Noles, a former VP for Origin and Electronic Arts, added, “In 10 years, you won't even be saying 'virtual school' or 'bricks and mortar school.’ You'll just be saying school.
ROCHESTER — Staring at a 1-3 record, the Winnacunnet High School football team knew it had no margin for error the rest of the season if it wanted to make the Division II playoffs.
One month later, the Warriors are heading into the postseason riding a wave of confidence.
Winnacunnet closed out the regular season on Friday night with its fourth-straight victory, cruising to a 53-13 win over winless Spaulding on Hugo Bolin Field.
"We've got two more rounds to go," Winnacunnet quarterback Steve Cronan said. "We got in, but we're not done yet."
Winnacunnet (5-3 in Division II, 7-3 overall) is the No. 3 seed in next Saturday's Division II semifinals, and will be at the loser of today's contest between Exeter and Bishop Guertin. Both teams are 7-0.
The winner of the Exeter/Bishop Guertin game will be the No. 1 seed and will host No. 4 Alvirne (4-4) in the other semifinal.
"Coach told us, beginning with the Timberlane game, that it was pretty much the playoffs and we had to win out," Winnacunnet halfback Jason Busfield said. "We had to take it one game at a time and it has pretty much worked out."
Busfield ran for 139 yards and scored three touchdowns on Friday, and Cronan broke a 51-yard touchdown run on the game's second play from scrimmage. After a Max Fatello interception of Jake Marchacos, Cronan connected with Harry Knowles on an 11-yard touchdown pass for a quick 13-0 Winnacunnet lead.
The flu swept through Winnacunnet this week, affecting more than 200 kids in the school, including a number of football players. Winnacunnet head coach Ron Auffant couldn't escape the bug either and was not on the sidelines Friday. Assistant coach Steve Magri stepped in and was pleased with how his team executed.
"The kids came out, played strong and took care of business today," Magri said. "We kept it basic and fundamental."
Fatello recovered a fumble late in the first quarter and two plays later, Brett Taylor scored from 17 yards out, giving Winnacunnet a 20-0 lead after the first quarter.
The second quarter wasn't any better for Spaulding. Jesse Gould returned a punt to the Spaulding 2. Busfield scored on the next play and added a 16-yard touchdown run later in the quarter. His 50-yard run to the Spaulding 1 set up fullback Michael Trainor's plunge into the end zone, giving the Warriors a 40-0 lead with 12 seconds left in the half.
Winnacunnet held Spaulding to 37 yards of offense in the first half.
"We knew coming in that they'd be trying to get themselves geared up for the playoffs," Spaulding coach Jim Keays said. "They came out very sharp in the beginning and played very well. A lot of credit to them. I don't think we played nearly as well as we're capable of playing but we played a very good football team and that had a lot to do with it."
Tyler Copp provided Spaudling's biggest highlight of the night with an 80-yard touchdown run in the third. Spaulding (0-8 in Division II, 0-10 overall) has one more chance at a win, as it faces Somersworth on Thanksgiving morning.
Winnacunnet has averaged 38 points a game since a 35-6 loss to Bishop Guertin. The Warriors were plagued by three first-half turnovers against Guertin, and Exeter pulled away with a 21-6 win. Despite losses to both teams, Winnacunnet claims it's ready to at least put a scare into Exeter on Sarturday.
"Each week their confidence has grown," Magri said. "They've played against the best and know they can compete on their level. They feel strongly about it. They want another shot at their rivals. They're on a mission."