USC has added  "Game Development" track within their computer science program

The last year and a half I have been blessed to have a student come in from GCC and work with me and my middle school students at Roosevelt middle school in Glendale. His name is Richard Dean

He originally came in to help with math but he was also an expert in 3D animation and Maya. In addition he was the one who got me to go into video game design and see the unlimited job opportunities for doing that as a career.

He just told me this week that he is trying to get into the USC computer science program and their new video game development track. This is one of the hottest tracks in the world today and look at some of the classes that are required.

I'm hoping that other school districts are making plans for putting in AP computer science and animation tracks.

I have included the classes required from USC for that track below, and you can see they also require Advanced math skills


MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (84 UNITS)

UNITS


CSCI 103L

Introduction to Programming 3


CSCI 104L

Data Structures and Object-Oriented Design 4


CSCI 109

Introduction to Computing 3


CSCI 170

Discrete Methods in Computer Science 4


CSCI 201L

Principles of Software Development 4


CSCI 270

Introduction to Algorithms and Theory of Computing 4


CSCI 350

Introduction to Operating Systems 4


CSCI 353

Introduction to Internetworking 4


CSCI 360

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence4


CSCI 420

Computer Graphics 4

CSCI 423

Native Console Multiplayer Game Development 4


CSCI 424

Game Engine Tool Development 4


CSCI 425

Immersive Game Design 4


EE 352L

Computer Organization and Architecture 4


GAME DEVELOPMENT (31 UNITS)

UNITS


CTIN 190

Introduction to Interactive Entertainment 4


CSCI 281

Pipelines for Games and Interactives 3


CSCI 491abL

Final Game Project (4-2) 6


CTAN 452

Introduction to 3-D Computer Animation 2


CTIN 484L

Intermediate Game Development 2


CTIN 488

Game Design Workshop 4


CTIN 489

Intermediate Game Design Workshop 3


ITP 380

Video Game Programming 4


ITP 485

Programming Game Engine 4


Total units 128

How to create a spinning logo that's
on fire in Autodesk Maya

I created this spinning logo yesterday using Autodesk Maya. I use their :

• Text
• Rotation
• And dynamics – gravity - Active objects
• And fire

My seventh-grade students will be working on spinning logos this next week to finish up our 10 weeks of school.  They have done incredible work in their 3D models and also 3D animations, and have shown that students in middle school can be learning and mastering high-end computer packages.  

They are well on their way preparing themselves for the high thing exciting jobs in 3-D animation and modeling in soon video game programming and also computer science.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXThag16rqmYchqU1FauOUA

Using Unity 3D to teach Computer Programming 

I I am starting to teach my students how do you program in C# using unity 3D video game design package.

My students will be creating 3D objects in Autodesk Maya and then bringing them in to Unity3D.  We will then on how to apply computer programming to make these objects move, rotate, scale them, and have them start to learn how to create a videogame.

So I will be using the video game itself to motivate them to learn computer programming which of course they can use for many more applications other than video game design and creation. 

This my Youtube channel where I have all of my video lessons

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXThag16rqmYchqU1FauOUA/featured

Record Breaking Number of students enroll in Harvards Computer Science Class 

This why I am teaching C# programming using the Unity3D program to get my students started in computer programming

Nearly 12 percent of Harvard College is enrolled in a single course, according to data released by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Registrar’s Office on Wednesday.

The course, Computer Science 50: “Introduction to Computer Science I,” attracted a record-breaking 818 undergraduates this semester, marking the largest number in the course’s 30-year history and the largest class offered at the College in the last five years, according to the Registrar’s website. Including non-College students, the enrollment number totals 875.


http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2014/9/11/cs50-breaks-enrollment-records/

Using Autodesk Maya to create 3D animations in grades sixth through eighth

I started my summer camp last week at my middle school. We had two class sessions for an hour went over the basics, the software to download and then the second session we went through some of the programs and they had about 15 minutes to experiment and use the computer

I had to take 10 minutes to get them out of the classroom they were so engaged in the software program they were not paying attention to anything else.  This is one of the first times I've ever seen this happen.

I put up five new lessons on my website so the students can practice on their own.  Because these are students in middle school I made my own video lessons starting with the basics. I kept the video short, only dealt with water to commands, and had them build something while learning the commands. I believe this is the formula for success with younger children

I've been received the image above from one of those students on Friday of that week. He had downloaded the newest version of the Maya software so it took me a few times to get it in on my version. 

He stated that my video lessons and help him to create his 3-D model, butI had not show them how to paint on projects so he learned this on his own. Plus he stated he was not going to really start animating. So in other words I need to speed up my lessons to keep up with him

Oh we are off to a great start. I will be adding more complex lessons this week for both my and unity therefore my students cannot only learning class you can learn on their own

Here is the link to my online video lessons that they are using.

http://computergraphics.com/online%20video%20lessons.htm

Autodesk will now be providing schools and colleges free access to their incredible software! And as you read the article you will see my school and I got a great plug in their press release 

Autodesk Transforms Education Business Model to Help Advance 21st Century Skills in the United States and Canada

3D Design Software Leader Delivers on Commitment to Prepare an Industry-ready Workforce by Removing Barriers to Software Access

Category:

Autodesk Consumer Group and Education

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 9:00 am EDT

Dateline:

SAN FRANCISCO

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Public Company Information:

NASDAQ:

ADSK

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK), a leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software, today announced that it will offer schools in the United States and Canada free access to its professional 3D design software and creativity applications.

This represents the next step in the continued transformation of Autodesk’s education business model in order to fulfill its mission of helping students and educators imagine, design and create a better world. Autodesk’s pledge is valued at over $460 million, and empowers educators at more than 35,000 middle schools, high schools, and higher education institutions in the United States and Canada.

“Advances in accessible 3D design and fabrication technology are disrupting design, engineering and entertainment professions as we know them. The rise in mobile and cloud technology also means that it is possible to design anywhere, at any time. Nearly anyone with an idea can turn concepts into reality overnight, and we believe that today’s students will shape tomorrow’s industries,” said Tom Joseph, senior director of education, Autodesk.

“This is the second pledge we have made in North America in less than six months, and we are not stopping here. There is still work that lies ahead of us as we join forces with governments, institutions, and partners to prepare an industry-ready workforce around the world by removing the barriers to software access,” Joseph added.

Autodesk’s 3D design software, creativity applications, and learning resources are being used across the education continuum to advance learning outcomes, including:

• Building proficiency with young learners from middle schools and up to support science, technology, engineering, digital arts, or mathematics (STEAM) related subjects to solve real world challenges.
• Imparting industry-relevant knowledge and 3D design skills to give students a competitive edge to achieve their personal goals today, and career success in the future.
• Helping educators to inspire creativity and innovation through a project-based curriculum and a multidisciplinary approach to education; facilitating collaboration and hands-on problem-solving skills that reflect today’s business realities.

“At RIT, we are grooming our students for successful careers in industrial design, and teaching them to leverage advanced technologies to address global design challenges is integral. Having free access to advanced, professional design tools like Autodesk Fusion 360™ has empowered our students and taught them how to navigate changes in a fast paced industry. The cloud component of the product also teaches them how to collaborate with one another and communicate their ideas with other disciplines, which are critical skills that they will need when they graduate,” said Alex Lobos, assistant professor of Industrial Design, Rochester Institute of Technology.

In February, Autodesk pledged support for President Obama’s ConnectEd initiative by expanding its Design the Future program in the U.S. to advance STEAM education and support the demand for related careers. Students and educators have also had free access to individual licenses of Autodesk software via the Autodesk Education Community since 2006.

“We have seen firsthand how students have become more engaged in core subjects like math and science when they can experiment, model and animate in 3D with Autodesk^® 123D^® Design and Autodesk^® Maya^®. The new focus of the national Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards are based on getting our students both college and career ready. By teaching them skills like 3D modeling and 3D animation using professional Autodesk products, we are giving both students and educators a real advantage," said Kent Ganevsky, an educator at Theodore Roosevelt Middle School and Design the Future program adopter.

To request free access to Autodesk software for schools, please visit www.autodesk.com/academic.

About Autodesk

Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone—from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.

Autodesk, Fusion 360, 123D, and Maya are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

© 2014 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

Free Autodesk software and/or cloud-based services may only be used for educational purposes and are subject to acceptance of and compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license agreement or terms of service. Details and restrictions available at http://usa.autodesk.com/legal-notices-trademarks.

Contact:

Autodesk, Inc.
Noah Cole, +1 415-580-3535
noah.cole@autodesk.com
Rebecca Wong, +65 9841 9766
rebecca.wong@autodesk.com

- See more at: http://news.autodesk.com/press-release/autodesk-consumer-group-and-education/autodesk-transforms-education-business-model-hel#sthash.oR1IRr83.dpuf

Using the smartboard for teaching 

I have used my smartboard for teaching 7th grade math for the last three years.   I make it a part of all of my lesson plans.

I call on my students to come up and solve problems on the board and go step by step to do so. This enables both the students and I to see if they can do the problems we are working on.

They all love coming up to the smart board to do the problems and even though I use a seating chart to call on students they are always raising their hands to come and solve problems on the smart board. 

I have all of my lessons done before each class we simply go from screen to screen.   I can bring in images, capture screens from the internet,  and use the document scanner to scan in images from any book I want.   They are a variety of tools to use to hide part of the screen,  highlight parts of it, and to use a wide variety of images and interactive games that it comes with. 

I also use the responder for a wide variety of my tests.   This means the test are instantly graded when I stop the tests, and not only can I see and record or export them the students can instantly see their grade and what questions they missed also.  This is incredible advantage to offer to my students.   They have immediate feedback on these tests and we can go over them instantly.    Compared to wait for days to get a non-responder test back,  the is a great tool to motivate your students and to let you know what subjects you may have to reteach again,

I also show instructional youtube videos on my smart board and it plus in a set of classroom speakers built into my room.   I will also soon be creating my own youtube instructional videos and also a interactive website

So I would recommend that all teachers or instructors in any field look to use a smartboard in their classes for it will definitely enhance their teaching. 

3D Printing from Makerbot Arrived! 

I received my 3D Makerbot printer Friday and I cannot wait till it up and use it

I am going to start with Autodesk Maya in my Middle School math class and 3D animation classes.   We are going to design 3D models and then use the 3D printer to print them.

3D animation is based on vectors ( small space and 3D space ). 3D Animation  uses vector algebra and matrix algebra to create 3D computer graphics.

So teaching lessons in 3D animation is great method of teaching math, art, and a great introduction to the job skill of creating presentations.

A great introduction into common core which not only college ready but job ready.