The main goals of our class are:
MS DIGITAL ART (4th Period): Learn how to create art and design projects using Adobe Express and Adobe Photoshop, with a brief introduction to Adobe Illustrator.
GAME & SIMULATION FOUNDATIONS (GAMING 1) (5th-6th Period): Learn game design using Unity. There will be a certification exam given in the 2nd semester.
GAME & SIMULATION DESIGN (GAMING 2) (6th Period): Learn coding to create playable games using Unity. There will be a certification exam given in the 2nd semester.
Pre-Requisites:
MS DIGITAL ART: Middle School Digital Art is for 7-8th graders only and you must have completed a technology class when you were in 6th grade.
GAMING 1 & 2: You must have completed a DIT (general computers) class BEFORE starting the Gaming Classes.
GAMING 2: You must have completed Game & Simulation Foundations (Gaming 1) BEFORE starting Game & Simulation Design (Gaming 2).
You are required to have already had these classes, so please see me right away if you have NOT had them.
Assignments/Projects:
All assignments will be posted on this website every week. Go to your class page and see what is due that week at the top of the page. If you are behind or were absent, you can also find all of the previous assignments on your class page.
INSTRUCTIONS - All assignments will be posted on this website every week. Each project will have instructional slides and/or videos showing how to do each project. Everyone will work independently by reading the instructions provided while you build the projects. Ask the teacher if you don't understand something for one-on-one help. This way you can work at your own pace and are able to jump back in if you are absent.
REMEMBER TO BACK UP YOUR WORK - I highly suggest purchasing a flash drive or using Google Drive or OneDrive to keep back-ups of your files. Work may be lost on the school computers, and lost work will not be excused.
Supplies:
USB-C Flash Drive to store your files. This is especially important if you are in the Gaming classes! I recommend one with at least 64 GB.
USB-C is the only USB option available on the Mac computers.
(A USB flash drive that has both USB-A and USB-C is recommended as an option just in case you need to connect to another computer that doesn’t have USB-C available.)
Headphones are provided but you may choose to bring your own (must have a 3.5mm audio jack to work with our computers, no wireless/Bluetooth).
Contact:
If you have any questions or concerns, email oakest@odysseycharterschool.com.
Class Expectations
Place your backpack on the table and go directly to your seat.
Wait quietly for instructions (which will be on the board and on Canvas) or start your work if you already know what you’re doing.
When the teacher is taking roll and trying to explain the assignment, stop talking and pay attention so that everyone can hear.
Use the entire day and week to do the assignments. Your grade is based on your effort and the time you spend. Anyone who rushes everything in a short time to be as fast as possible will have points deducted from their potential grade.
If you do an amazing job before the time is up, you must work on a project of your choice to keep you occupied. You have to work EVERY DAY.
No going around the room and distracting other classmates.
When class is in session, be quiet so others can concentrate. No more shouting. If you are warned and it continues you will be sent to the office.
Stay in your seat until the bell rings. Your grade is based on working bell to bell.
Computer Lab Rules
NO food or drinks at the computers. Keep water bottles off the desks to avoid spills.
NO play fighting. Not only is this not appropriate classroom behavior, but you are in a computer lab and might unintentionally knock over the computer equipment.
If there is any damage or anything unplugged at your workspace, report it immediately so you do not get blamed. If you are found to be the one who did it, you will be reported to the Dean. You will also be reported to the Dean if you are found to be installing anything on the computers. The I.T. Dept. will not tolerate this.
Keep phones turned off and in your backpack, not at your desk. Remember this is a school-wide rule.
Playing games, watching Youtube, and using your phone is prohibited. If you choose otherwise:
1st offense - You will be warned and lose points off your project grade.
2nd offense - If you are warned and continue to do it, your parent will be notified and you will be given bookwork instead of your computer privilege.
3rd offense - You will be sent to the Dean and face possible suspension.
4th offense - You can be removed from the class entirely.
School Rules & Expectations
At Odyssey Charter JR/SR High School we:
Come to class ready to learn with our agenda, pencils, paper, books, and other necessary materials.
Listen actively during instruction and stay focused on tasks throughout class time.
Follow directions right away to help keep our learning environment focused and respectful.
Speak to others respectfully and appropriately, using kind and thoughtful language.
Take care of school property and clean up our workspaces when finished.
Keep phones, earbuds, and other electronic devices turned off and stored in backpacks.
Keep food and snacks stored away until lunchtime in the café, gum and candy are NOT permitted.
Wait to be dismissed by the teacher, not the bell, showing responsibility and patience.
Grading
Assignments will be turned into Canvas. All grades will be posted in Focus only, not in Canvas. It is your responsibility to check your grade in Focus often and check for any missing assignments!
GRADE = EFFORT - You will see that up on our site every week to remind you that the amount of work and effort you put into your projects will determine your grade. If you get done early:
Scroll down to this quarter's projects and get started on the next project if posted... or
Create another of the same project for an even better grade... or
Work on a project of your choice, then turn it in with your assigned project at the end of the week.
This is not extra time to get caught up on homework. You should not be working on other classes, even if you are done early.
RUBRIC - Your projects will be graded based on these areas:
Completeness - You completely finished all of the steps listed in the instructions.
Craftsmanship & Effort - Your project was done neatly with no errors.
Professionalism - Your work was turned in on time. If you are in the Gaming classes, you also followed the proper steps to turn in your project.
Class Participation - You spent every minute of class time working on projects.
INTEGRITY - Turning in work that is not your own creation will result in an F. Trust me, I can tell. It will be your responsibility to prove that you did the work if questioned.