(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

(1)

Exploration of Game Design (Periods 1 & 2) Francis P. Knoblauch

Conway Middle School 2015-16 Course Syllabus

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Exploration of Game Design is a course at Conway Middle School

following the STEM model (science, technology, engineering and math). It is an adaptation of the

Exploration of Communication curriculum framework (DOE 8600030). Students will engage in the

design process using web based game design software, and additional software for modeling and virtual reality. They will understand that video gaming applications are developed through real problem solving processes. They will learn how to develop basic simulation and interactive game interfaces that integrate video and audio media sources. There will be connections to related careers that will deepen student understanding of this fascinating industry as they study, apply, and innovate using new vocabulary, concepts and skills. The class is offered to seventh and eighth graders and will last for 18 weeks (offered each semester).

RESOURCES: Vocabulary, concepts, and game build tutorials taken from:

Francis Knoblauch, Technology & Craft of Computer Game Design, 2015

o Web based tutorials and guides accessible from teacher website.

o Digital projects submitted to teacher via Edmodo.

ASSESSMENT: Student performance will be evaluated on a point system inclusive of research

questions in tutorials and problems, tests, projects and products, as well as participation. Some projects, as well as objective tests and quizzes will be submitted electronically through Edmodo. The grading scale for all assigned work is as follows:

o 90-100% = A o 80 – 89.9 = B o 71 -79.9% = C o 60 – 69.9% = D o 59.9 OR BELOW = F

END OF COURSE ASSESSMENT: As with all classes, the state is requiring an end of course

assessment. Orange County Public School career and technical (CTE) programs will use a portfolio assessment in which students will show growth and competency in the skills studied in class. For our students, this will mean that they will assemble a portfolio of their best work throughout the

semester. This is a less stressful alternative to the conventional objective test that would be taken (in other words no bubbling of answers). More information on the assembly of this portfolio will be offered later in the semester. Students will be oriented to save and archive their work throughout the semester so it can be selected and added to this portfolio later on.

CLASS RULES AND EXPECTATIONS: Rules and expectations, as well as consequences are

consistent with Conway Middle School Step Plan and the OCPS code of conduct. Students should be prepared, respectful, and on time. Food and drink are never allowed! Students must sign and comply with the CMS Computer usage agreement.

ORDER OF INSTRUCTION: This is a projected plan of objectives and topics week by week. WEEK 1 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will understand what technology is,

how it is studied through STEM, and how the problem solving process works in technology.

 Expectations for success

 Safe and proper use of lab resources

 Common terminology and concepts for technology and STEM.

 Vocabulary and concepts review in a “Quiz Bowl” game.

(2)

WEEK 2 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will understand the engineering

design problem solving process and how it works in technology.

 New vocabulary and concept building

 Understanding problem statements, design briefs, and working with criteria and

constraints

 Developing a solution and solving

 Avatar Design Challenge

 Testing and Evaluating a solution

 Showing and Presenting a solution – The Peer Review

 Documenting the Six Steps

 Test

WEEK 3 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will learn introductory vocabulary,

concepts, and skills needed to apply the Game Maker game engine software for game builds and class tutorials.

 Orientation to completing and documenting tutorials (tutorial guides)

 Introduction to Game Maker application

 Navigating the Global User Interface

 “Your First Game Build” tutorial and tutorial guide

 Quiz

WEEKS 4 & 5 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will learn to build a basic

game from assets, by giving them sprite, object, and room properties.

 “Evil Clutches” tutorial and tutorial guide

 Creating sprite and object resources

 Assignment of programming properties

 Building a room with background

 Adding audio resources

 Test

WEEK 6 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will learn to apply coordinate

systems and logic in game building, and complete a game with basic animation, a front end, game information and credits.

 “Galactic Mail” tutorial and tutorial guide

 Coordinate systems in game properties and programming

 Randomness in programming

 IF/THEN conditional statements

 Images and sub-images

 Gameplay and playability

 Rewards and penalties (scoring)

 Front Ends and credits

 Test

(3)

WEEK 7 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will learn to apply basic animation

properties, how to set origins and coordinates to create animation, and how to write conditional statements using ELSE.

 “Lazarus” (Stages 1 & 2) tutorial and tutorial guide

 Basic animation principles

 Writing Conditional Statements

 Testing properties (checks) and block programming

WEEK 8 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will learn to apply basic animation

properties that simulate physics, creating controller objects, and use variables in programming.

 “Lazarus” (Stages 3 & 4) tutorial and tutorial guide

 Programming variables

 Programming for physics

 Creating and programming controller objects

 Test

WEEK 9 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will learn to how the design process

works in game building.

 Lazarus” (Stages 5, 6, & 7) tutorial and tutorial guide

 Concept development and game development

 Prototyping and testing

 Process of game design as it relates to the six steps of design

 Quiz

WEEK 10 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will understand the impacts of

technology on society, society on technology, and explain the history and evolution of technology (in terms of video game design).

 Close read of technology based articles

 Documentation of concepts learned from reading

 Movie “History of Game Design” (Discovery Channel)

 Mini-game build modeling classic video game using Game Maker.

WEEK 11 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to utilize a game design

process involving a set of steps which can be performed in sequence. Students will employ brainstorming as a group problem-solving design process.

 Documenting the six steps of design

 Identifying and defining a problem based on criteria and constraints

 Team Building for problem solving

 Documentation of concepts learned from reading

 Brainstorming solutions and researching their validity

 Expressing concepts and ideas to your team

(4)

WEEK 12 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to further develop a

game concept, and express that concept in written and graphic form.

 Writing a concept document

 Developing concept sketches

 Creating a storyboard

 Test

WEEK 13 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to apply design

concepts and perform tasks needed to produce a working solution to the problem, including the development of graphical assets.

 Composition of graphical assets and understanding pixels

 Understanding various file formats (.png, jpg, gif, etc.)

 Incorporating elements of design into graphical assets

 Producing scaled drawings of graphical assets

 Creating graphical assets (sprites and backgrounds) in digital format

 Animation of graphical assets

 Custom game building and programming in Game Maker

WEEK 14 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to perform tasks

needed to produce a working solution to the problem, including the development of audio assets.

 Purpose of sound effects and background music/rhythms

 Understanding various file formats (.wav, mp3)

 Producing simple background music or rhythms

 Planning and creating audio assets (sprites and backgrounds) in digital format

 Custom game building and programming in Game Maker

 Test

WEEKS 15 & 16 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to perform tasks

needed to produce a testable prototype of a game solution. *Students will identify and

expound on various careers in game design, including training and educational requirements.

 Dividing tasks among the team

 Using references to research programming properties

 Designing a package for a DVD

 Custom game building in Game Maker

 Careers in game design*

*This is an ongoing assignment that will be available on teacher website. Students will be required to complete at least one career study, but may upload an additional for one extra credit. This will “bell work” done during any lab time in subsequent weeks.

WEEK 17 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will understand how to test and

evaluate solutions to game build problems.

 Alpha testing & Beta testing

 Evaluating information gathered from testing

 Troubleshooting and debugging

 Compiling an executable file

 Test

(5)

WEEK 18 UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will understand how to

show/present solutions to game build problems.

 Submitting .exe files electronically

 Submitting documentation of Game design project

 Burning and packaging DVD of custom game