Well, this is my first entry, so here goes. My name is Mike Sagan, and I've been a teacher at Angelo Rodriguez High School, in Fairfield, Ca., for eight years now, four of which I've taught Computer Applications (Windows and Office). Just last year, I was turned-on to The Real Game California when I went to an all-day seminar on the subject at Solano JC over Summer Break. I was very, very impressed with the curriculum, and I could instantly see how this would fit within my 9th grade Computer Applications class.

Since my electives are all career preparation electives (for the most part), TRGC seemed to fit perfectly into with what I wanted my students to leave the class - an idea of the kinds of skills needed by them in order to get just about any kind of decently paying job in today's market. TRGC gives this to them in a fun, game setting.

I'll be using TRGC Online, since I work in a computer lab classroom (34 computers), and I'll be focusing the elements of the game onto the applications I primarily teach in class. Since I'm using TRGC during the second semester, I've already taught Windows basics, and MS Word basics, so they'll be bringing some skills into TRGC Online, and then I'll incorporate the game into my lessons on Excel and PowerPoint .

I believe that by actually putting a real-world spin on what they are learning in regards to Microsoft Office, not only will my Office lessons stick much better, but they'll actually see a direct benefit in increasing their computer software skills.