Blog #3--Epic Journey in World of Warcraft

"Meaning is material, situated, and embodied if and when it is useful" (Gee 87). 

Class Meeting- Eversong Woods- Eastern Kingdom

I'd like to begin this blog by stating that I have officially made it to level 11. I had help of course. Nicole worked with Travis and I during our class meeting in WoW. Also, Duncan (my class partner) helped me complete some quests. I was very frustrated with my progress at first. I felt like I was completing many quests and killing muchos monsters, but I was not leveling up. I started taking quests that would give me more XP, which required me to travel further. The problem with this approach though I discovered was that I was wasting much of my time running around trying to complete the quests. This leads me to run into two different WoW players. Both of them were upper level players and were willing to help. The first person was able to bring me to visit Denny on his continent. Elves and trolls live in completely different "countries" so it was a far journey. I would have stayed in Hunter Hill with Denny, but because I was a lower level player in a upper level area I kept getting killed left and right. I used my hearthstone to get back to Sunstrider Isle. This is one way I knew how to get home if and when I was in trouble. Any who, I then ran into the second upper level WoW player. He was level 85. I had asked him for advice as to what spells to "train" and if he knew of any better way to get around. He told me he was willing to help me complete quests and drive me around. I was extremely happy because I realized he plays WoW with the same attitude I do. Even though I am only level 11, I am willing to help someone in need. I am not expert, but I enjoy helping others. "The child, through action and reflection, becomes a 'self-teacher,' 'training' his or her own metal networks of associations (the patterns the mind stores)." (Gee 89). I have become my own teacher because I am willing to admit to myself and to other players what I need to work on. Later, I finally started to embody the importance of fighting through action. The player showed me how to battle efficiently. We dueled each other and he taught me how to stealth before the duel begins and to attack the player instead of the pet. The advice helped. Then we took a tour around Kalimdor. I learned about the Orc as well. I liked learning about a new world and new language through the guidance of an upper level player.

Entering the City-Kalimdor

Inner City- Kalimdor

 "HurtfulCold"----the player---- showed me what a dungeon looks like and explained that it would take about 5 players at my level to defeat a dungeon. He managed to wipe out the entire army of monsters and let me loot ALL of it! I am very thankful there are social gamers like me. He even traded me two bags so that I could carry all of the stuff i looted. I plan on using the money I looted to buy some better weapons and learn higher damage spells. So, after all of this, have I learned something? I would say I have. I have learned a lot more about the synthetic space of WoW. I am able to work alongside a stranger to complete some of my quests and I must admit I do feel accomplished. I am not frustrated anymore with the game. I recommend any new players use this approach to the game if they are feeling stuck. There are some gamers out there that will help you.

Lastly, I wanted to reflect on the helpful Angel. She was used as encouragement for lower level players. I needed that motivation to continue to fight. I liked knowing that I was able to make some mistakes, but learn from them. She was used as a safety net. I feel we should use this approach when testing in schools. I believe Gee mentioned something about this as well. Our school system gives students too many opportunities to fail and not enough to succeed. Students should be able to revise their work and hand in a better copy. Why would a teacher object to that? What do you think?




I know this is a long blog, but I wanted to really get into the game and the reading to be able to connect all of my ideas. Do you think I am learning? How can these skills I am learning be useful in reality? Input?


Hope you enjoy my pictures :)