Game Programming provides learners with the computer programming and visual design skills to develop, test, debug, and modify games and mobile applications through the use of object-oriented programming (OOP) languages and visual design applications. During the software development process, students will be exposed to system analysis and design, and instruction will include the use of common OOP language features like encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Throughout the program, learners will build on their OOP and game development skills, as they work with advanced data handling (pointers, arrays, strings, and files), and recursive, searching, and sorting algorithms. In addition to developing games and mobile applications, students will apply their programming skills to interact with and control robots and physical computing devices like micro:bits, raspberry pis, and programmable drones. Students will have the opportunity to earn three industry certifications throughout the three-year program that will also earn them college credit.

Click here to view the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) CTE Information Technology (IT) Career Guide.

• CS – Involves the mathematical and computational thinking and practice involved in solving problems and building applications and systems using technical devices.

• Digital literacy – A demonstrated proficiency in the hardware, software, communication, and collaboration skills necessary for success in a digital environment.

• IT – Includes some CS practices (like programming), but a greater emphasis is placed on an in-depth understanding of: how hardware, software, and networked communication systems work and are configured; problem analysis; and strong communication and collaboration skills - in an effort to fulfill organizational needs.

Fundamentals of IT

This orientation-level course (ORN) is designed to provide students with transferable employability competencies, digital literacy, problem solving, and technical skills that are essential for success in academic and employment settings. Students will engage in an exploration of academic and career options, as they examine and develop their interests and strengths to identify and plan the steps necessary to access college and career opportunities. Students will cultivate and validate their digital literacy through the exploration of: information technology hardware and software; information management; software application content creation; communication and collaboration; and safety and security – as they prepare for an industry digital literacy certification. Further, they will explore digital literacy as a foundation of digital equity and active citizenship that allows for full participation in our society, and employ strategies for positive and productive engagement with technology. Students will apply the digital literacy and problem-solving strategies and skills that they develop in a variety of hard and soft-skill scenarios, and through hands-on computing tasks. This course is a prerequisite for the CTE IT Game Programming/Programming, Networking and Security, and Web Development training and advanced-level courses that are part of IT career-focused training programs.

Game Programming I (Gaming Concepts I)

Game Programming I is a training-level (TRN) course that provides learners with the computer programming and design skills to develop applications and games through the use of object-oriented programming. Students will be exposed to the fundamentals of system analysis and design, and the systems development life cycle. Instruction will include the use of common object-oriented programming language features like encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Programming language study will include work with: variable declarations; arithmetic, Boolean, comparison, and string operators; assignment and print statements; input/output statements and conversions; conditional and iterative statements; functions; lists; and classes. This is the second course in the CTE IT Game Programming career-focused training program, and is a prerequisite for the CTE Game Programming II course.

This course is taught in a blended format, and includes: a guided exploration of post-secondary academic and professional prospects in Information Technology, and instruction in visual design and object-oriented programming disciplines. Instruction, collaboration, and learning takes place in virtual (online) and face-to-face environments. Students will begin the course: exploring the evolution of gaming; examining the history of game design and development; evaluating different video games through play; and assessing the cultural impact of video games, companies, and gaming communities. Students will then progress to software development, as they learn to create programs and games using an object-oriented programming language. Students will apply their programming skills to interact with and control robots and physical computing devices like micro:bits, raspberry pis, and programmable drones. Throughout their study of software development, students will also incorporate their prior knowledge of design and ‘rules of play’ to create several playable games that they can share online with their peers. The course will culminate with students preparing for and taking an industry certification exam in Python.

Game Programming II (Gaming Concepts II)

Game Programming II is an advanced training-level (ATR) course that is designed for learners who have successfully met or exceeded the Game Programming I learning outcomes. Throughout the course, learners will build on their object-oriented programming and game design skills as they work with advanced data handling (pointers, arrays, strings, and files), and recursive, searching, and sorting algorithms. Students will develop, test, debug, and modify games and applications. This is the third and final course in the CTE IT Game Programming career-focused training program.

This course is taught in a blended format, and includes instruction in HTML5 mobile app and game development using the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript languages. Instruction, collaboration, and learning takes place in virtual (online) and face-to-face environments. Students will begin the course exploring the HTML and CSS languages using the Visual Studio integrated development environment (IDE) and the Bootstrap front-end web development framework. Students will then transfer previous learning and make connections with the object-oriented principles and constructs learned in Game Programming I, as they explore the JavaScript language and integrate what they learn into Visual Studio and Bootstrap to build interactive and responsive design interfaces. Students will further apply their knowledge and skills of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design to mobile app development using the React Native framework - and develop an app for publication. The course will culminate with a Senior Capstone Project, and an Information Technology Specialist (ITS) certification exam in JavaScript.

The American Council on Education (ACE) “connects workplace learning with colleges and universities by helping students gain access to academic credit for formal training taken outside traditional degree programs.” Through ACE, students can earn articulation credit at more than 400 participating colleges and universities. The credits that students can earn for certifications in this pathway are as follows: