Day: June 30, 2008

Pingdom’s full page test will tell you exactly how long it takes to load a given web page and is various sub-elements.

Website Optimzation’s Web Page Analyzer gives detailed information about the size, etc. of every object that is being loaded when a given web page is accessed along with other details (it notified me, for example, that I’d forgotten to turn compression on).

Enterzon is a free, web-based MMO that is specifically design to teach Mandarin Chinese. Developed and hosted at Michigan State University, the idea is to engage players in the game and thereby encourage more natural learning of Mandarin Chinese,

on is a multiplayer, online learning environment designed to teach Chinese language and culture through gameplay. As a web-based site, Zon provides real-time, on-demand connection to interactive learning activities and authentic cultural information. Zon players are motivated not only by their intrinsic desire to learn more about Chinese language and culture, but also the ability to interact with engaging story-driven plot lines, interesting characters, and fellow players. Zon is built on the premise that learning is interactive. The game provides the opportunity for players to learn from non-player characters (NPCs), responsive game agents, and other players. Throughout each scene, players can engage with various elements of the environment, but they can also speak with other players in that scene or elsewhere in Zon. This allows for players to learn from both the designed game elements and other players. In this way, Zon is designed to provide social and environmental scaffolds to support player learning.