The main goals of our class are:
MS DIGITAL ART (4th Period): Learn how to create graphic design projects mostly using Adobe Express and a brief introduction to Adobe Photoshop.
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 classes are for 7-8th graders only and you must have completed a technology class when you were in 6th grade. Please see me if you have not.
GAMING 1 & 2: You must have completed a DIT (general computers) class BEFORE starting the Gaming Classes and you must be in high school. Please see me if you have not.
GAMING 2: You must have completed Game & Simulation Foundations (Gaming 1) BEFORE starting Game & Simulation Design (Gaming 2) and you must be in high school. Please see me if you have not.
Assignments/Projects:
Everyone works independently by reading instructions / slides and/or videos provided while you build the projects. Ask the teacher if you don't understand something for one-on-one help.
INSTRUCTIONS - All assignments will be posted on this website every week. Occasionally we have longer assignments but usually they start on Mondays and are due on Fridays. There are slides and videos to show you how to do them. This way you can work at your own pace and are able to jump back in if you are absent.
BACK UP FILES - It’s your responsibility to keep back-ups of your work files! I suggest purchasing a flash drive. You can’t always rely on the school computers to save your work and if it gets deleted it’s your loss since you didn’t make copies elsewhere. BE ORGANIZED!
RUBRIC - Your projects will be graded based on these areas:
Completeness (50%) - You finished all the steps listed in the instructions AND turned it in on time.
Craftsmanship (30%) - Your project was done neatly with no errors.
Effort & Participation (20%) - Every minute of class was used making your project the best, you tried something new, or you made more than one project.
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 these new 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.)
Amazon purchase option HERE
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, you can always email me at oakest@odysseycharterschool.com.
Class Expectations
As soon as you arrive to class, set your backpack down at the table by the door so the walkway is clear. Keep all water bottles at the table by the door and not at your desk to avoid spills. Keep your phone and any food in your backpack and not at your desk.
Read the front projector board for announcements which will either prompt you to begin / continue your project or participate in an activity.
A few minutes before the bell rings, make sure all of your work is saved. Make sure any work that is due is turned in.
Stay seated in your assigned seat and working from the time the bell rings and class begins to the time it rings at the end. This means no standing at the door early, even if all of your work is turned in. You may talk quietly to the person next to you but don't get out of your seat to talk to others or change seats.
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.
Computer Lab Rules & Expectations
NO FOOD/DRINKS - Keep our computer lab clean. Your computer desk is not an appropriate place to have snacks and drinks. Do not eat in the classroom and keep drinks away from the computers.
RESPECT EQUIPMENT - Do not damage or mess with any computer lab equipment.
NO GAMES / OTHER SITES / INSTALLS - Going on other sites, such as YouTube or game sites, is not allowed. Don't think I don't notice what you are doing on your computer, I watch your screens via LanSchool and IT watches / records your browsing history. NO installing anything onto the computers or messing with anything IT has set up on the computers.
EQUIPMENT CHECK - Each day when you arrive, you should check your computer equipment for damages and report anything immediately so that the person that sat there before you will be to blame and not you.
Not using the computers responsibly will have the following consequences in order:
a. Warning
b. Points taken off your project grade
c. Points taken off your project grade + Bookwork
d. Referral to Dean + Parent letter
e. Suspension
f. Being completely removed from the class
Any damage to the computer equipment will be an instant referral to the Dean.
NO Phones
Keep phones turned off and in your backpack, not at your desk. Remember this is a school-wide rule. Listening to music or texting a parent are not valid reasons to use your phone.
Grading
M.S. DIGITAL ART - Projects will be turned into our Adobe Express classroom.
GAMING - Projects will be turned into Canvas. See the link on our class page for instructions on how you will need to turn in your game projects to Canvas. This is only for turning in the project, your grades will only be in Focus.
All grades will be posted to Focus. It is your responsibility to check your grades often and check for any missing assignments!
Even if you’re not done or happy with your work it’s best to turn in what you have and then ask me if you can improve later for a better grade. I almost always say yes to that!
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, move onto the next project or ask the teacher what you should do next. There is also a link to a Choice Board on your class page with ideas you can do if you are done early.
This is not a study hall to get caught up with your Math or History homework. You should not be working on other classes, even if you are done early.
Remember you are not allowed to go on other sites or use your phone.
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.