Digital Imaging 1A (Period 4)

COURSE SCHEDULE/MEETING DATES AND TIMES:

 

Period 4

Mondays and Fridays – 11:06-11:52

Tuesdays 9:50 – 10:34

Wednesdays – 11:09-12:45

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of video game design and programming. This course helps students understand the creativity needed to program effectively and reinforces the software development cycle. Video game programming combines concepts in: computer graphics, human computer interaction, networking, programming, artificial intelligence, computer aided instruction, computer architecture, and databases.

Students plan, design, code, and test computer games using App Inventor and Game Maker

 

WHAT WE WILL DO:
Find the beauty and joy of game design and problem solving

• Consider gaming and current events. Read articles. Write opinion pieces.

• Looking at a variety of disciplines and industries, learn how we can (or cannot) make a

computer solve a problem and understand why.

 

GOALS OR OBJECTIVES AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Technical skills like programming, graphic design and animation, testing / debugging and other skills that are needed for game development but are also transferable to all types of industries.
• How to form and work in project development teams
• Understand the engineering cycle used to design games and solve various types of problems.
• How physics & math play such a large role in making games playable
• How to develop, program and market an original game.
• Develop foundational knowledge in game design, animation, graphics, and computer software and hardware.

• Apply skills in Mathematics, Physics, English Language Arts, Social Science, and Entrepreneurship.
• Learn the twenty-first century skills of creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and technical expertise, which will increase employment capacity across the job market.
• Prepare for both entry-level employment and additional postsecondary training needed for advancement in the highly competitive game design industry.

 

PORTFOLIOS

In this course you'll document everything you do on your digital portfolios. That is, you will post everything -- answers to reading questions, write-ups of hands-on tutorials, written responses to assigned articles, documentation of creative projects -- on your personal portfolio page. The portfolios will promote sharing -- you can learn from each other -- and will constitute a full record of what you've done in the course that you can refer back to during and after the course and share with your friends and family. Porfolios will be graded periodically during the semester.

 

ROOM RULES AND PROCEDURES:

All homework, lessons, and communication will be posted on Edmodo.com

 

Use code: pbz8u4

 

TEXTBOOK: Abelson, Ledeen, Lewis, Blown to Bits: Your Life, Liberty, and Happiness After the Digital Explosion.

   

*Additional readings will be given as class assignments.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. A Google Account – this will link to you Edmodo account, used for App Inventor

2. CHECK EDMODO everyday. I will typically communicate to the class through Edmodo – through assignments, your reflections, comments and feedback provided for each grade. Here you will track your grade – it is in your hands.

3. Take responsibility for your learning: Participate in class, ask questions of both the

instructor and your classmates, seek extra help.

4. Do not fall behind, do not defer programming assignments.

5. Help Ms. Aaronson make the course better.

6. Project-Based Learning. This course uses Project-Based Learning (PBL), a pedagogy designed to engage students in the educational process. PBL frames learning in the context of real-world problems, and there is evidence that PBL improves retention while also developing problem solving, critical thinking, and group communication skills.

 

 

 

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING:

Class Participation: You will be called on in class to participate and share. I often will ask you to think out loud about a problem we are working on in class. Try to avoid saying, “I don’t know,” or “Go to someone else.” I highly value in-class contributions and “playing well with others.” It is a subjective part of your grade, but if you are a frequent contributor it will likely bump up your grade each quarter.

Quizzes: We will have several quizzes, ESPECIALLY early on in the year. The quizzes will typically recap the week’s lectures and lab work, i.e. there should be no surprises on  quizzes. The quizzes will be through Edmodo – you will have three chances to reset your score and try again – you just have to message me that you want to try again.

Programming and Gaming Assignments: Programming assignments are by far the most important kind of work in this class. If this  is an art class, programming is your paintbrush. Programming assignments will be your major outlet for creativity and personal expression.  You will work often in partners or teams of three or four. Every programming assignment will be followed by a reflection where you will explain what you did, how it relates to universal concepts and what you learned.

Writing Assignments:

You will be asked to occasionally write an opinion piece derived and extended from

something you journaled about in class, or from some program that you wrote. These will mostly take the form of web pages that you will post on your digital portfolio. Take your writing seriously.

Oral and Video Presentations There will be approximately three (3) oral and/or videotaped presentations of your creative projects during the semester. If time permits, these will be given in class. Although it may be necessary to some of these presentations in one or two evening sessions during the semester.