International Game Developers Association

[edit] INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY MASTER COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE TITLE:

Introduction to Computer Applications

COURSE NUMBER:

GAM121

CREDIT/CONTACT HOURS:

50 Contact hours 4 Credit hours

COURSE LENGTH:

11 Weeks

UNIT OF ACADEMIC MEASUREMENT:

Quarter system

PREREQUISITES:

None

CO-REQUISITES:

None

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course introduces the student to computer applications and basic networking principles used in the industry, with emphasis on the game industry. Students will have the opportunity to investigate different applications with project-based activities.

TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (S)

Computer Confluence, Complete by George Beekman & Michael J. Quinn, Seventh Edition Publisher: Prentice Hall; 7th edition ISBN: 0132246031

RESOURCES & SUPPLIES

None

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to do the following:

• Examine computer hardware and software that is used within the game design and development industry.

• Describe similarities and differences between various operating systems, such as Windows, Unix/Linux, and Mac OS.

• Use computer terminology, and relate basic events and developments from computer history.

• Analyze computer system management, navigation, and file types.

• Discuss various peripheral devices, digital media, and emerging computer technologies.

• Investigate basic networking principles, communication standards, and Internet use.

• Create web pages using HTML coding and/or web design software.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:

Teacher-directed instruction, group work, homework assignments, in-class assignments, journals, and term papers.

GRADING:

ASSIGNMENT VALUES:

The International Academy's grading scale is as follows:

• A ....... 100-95
• A- ....... 94-90
• B+ ...... 89-87
• B ........ 86-84
• B- ....... 83-80
• C+ ...... 79-77
• C ........ 76-74
• C- ....... 73-70
• D+ ...... 69-67
• D ........ 66-60
• F ........ 59 and below

Assignments Weight:

Assignment 1 10pts Assignment 2 20pts Assignment 3 30pts QUIZ 1 50pts Assignment 4 40pts QUIZ 2 50pts Assignment 5 30pts Assignment 6 10pts QUIZ 3 50pts Assignment 7 20pts QUIZ 4 50pts Assignment 8 w/ Presentations 40pts Final Exam 50pts Discussion / Participation Points 50pts TOTAL POINTS 500pts

LIBRARY ASSIGNMENTS:

Students will access both the IADT Detroit library resources as well as the Cybrary for materials to support their classroom learning.

COURSE POLICIES:

• Students are responsible for arranging with a classmate to obtain missed notes, materials, and/or assignments.

• All papers and assignments will be typed in double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, have 1-inch margins, and be stapled in the upper left-hand corner.

• The upper right-hand corner header will contain:

Your Name

Date

Course Name: Teacher Name

Description and the

Assignment name.

For example:

Damon Christopher

7/9/07

GAM121: Christopher

Assignment 1

Ch. 0-2 Ques.

• Pages shall be numbered in the footer.

• Students are expected to meet every deadline presented within the course.

• Any submissions after the applicable Deadline, but before or by the next class period will be penalized half the applicable points (50%).

• Projects submitted beyond the following class period of the date due will receive no credit - still must be submitted for any extra credit (if applicable) to be counted towards the cumulative grade.

• Students are also expected to involve themselves fully in class discussions and help generate a healthy group dynamic.

• Constructive feedback is welcome and encouraged. As a facilitator of your educational experience, feedback is essential to fostering an optimal educational environment for you. All feedback is taken seriously and addressed accordingly; if I don’t know, I can’t help.

• Interpersonal and professional respect is expected at all times; no exceptions! Name-calling and belittlement are unprofessional and destructive, therefore will not be tolerated.

INTEGRITY OF STUDENT WORK:

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that will not be tolerated and may result in failure for an individual project, failure for the course, and dismissal from the college. See your Student Handbook for further information.

ATTENDANCE:

• Class activities and discussions are an integral part of the learning process. Therefore, students are expected to attend each class.

• All absences must be preceded by communication to the instructor.

• Attendance is taken at every class session and becomes a part of the student’s permanent record. Excused absences may be accepted for extenuating circumstances including death in family, personal illness (student should call in at least 30 minutes prior to the start of class), school-related job interview or externship interview, military obligations, or jury duty. More than six absences in any given course may result in automatic withdrawal from the course(s) in which the absence occurs. This withdrawal will be recorded as an F on your academic transcript. Attendance is essential for class participation. The effect of class participation varies from instructor to instructor and is explained in the syllabus handed out at the beginning of each course. Students who will be absent for a valid reason should notify the instructor in advance. If a class project is due during that period of absence, the student should clear the absence with the instructor in advance and make the necessary arrangements to submit work missed.

MAKE-UP WORK:

General: Make-up and late work will be allowed only if the student has made arrangements with the instructor under extenuating circumstance. See instructor for special conditions.

Quizzes: A maximum of one (1) quiz may be made-up or retaken during a designated time per arrangements with the instructor. In the case of a re-take, a higher resulting grade will replace the original grade for that quiz toward the cumulative grade.

TOPICAL OUTLINE:

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT .................. APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE OF CLASS TIME ALLOCATED TO EACH TOPIC

• Hardware & Software Fundamentals ...................................... 20%
• Essential Applications ......................................................... 20%
• Networking & the Internet ..................................................... 20%
• Issues & Implications ........................................................... 20%
• Digital Media Applications .................................................... 20%
• TOTAL .............................................................................. 100%

CLASS MEETING OUTLINE:

WEEK 1:

Class 1

Syllabus, Course Policies Discussion of Chapter 0 CMYK vs RGB Show how to use school email, the school portal, give an example of IM speak and professional speak and discuss the importance of when and how Reading: Chapters 0 & 1

Class 2

In-depth naming files, naming conventions Z drive, thaw drive, memory keys, dvd’s, how many back-up copies to keep, Discussion of Online Research & Plagiarism Reading: Chapters 2 & 4

Assignment 1: Select 2 Review Questions from each of Chapters 0, 1 & 2 and respond (1 paragraph each). Answers are to be typed and labeled accordingly.

WEEK 2:

Class 1

Assignment 1 Due Microsoft Word & Excel – Tables, Spreadsheets, Calculations Reading: Chapter 5

Assignment 2: Spreadsheet

Class 2

Assignment 2 Due Powerpoint - Creating a “GOOD” looking .ppt (bullet pointing, colors, graphics) Scanning Reading: Chapter 3

Assignment 3: Select 3 Review Questions from each of Chapters 3 & 5 and respond (1 paragraph each). Answers are to be typed and labeled accordingly.

WEEK 3:

Class 1

Assignment 3 Due How to use the color printer on the 3rd floor How to use a firewire drive, a wacom tablet Video Cameras (GL 2’s) and Digital Cameras (Digital Rebels)

Reading: Chapters 0-5 Assignment: Study for Quiz 1

Class 2

QUIZ 1 HTML – tags, linking, images, tables File Management (naming, saving, etc again), try to get into the MAC lab to review both OS, Piracy

Reading: Chapter 9

Assignment 4: HTML Website Using notepad, create a basic web page about yourself: additional instruction TBA

WEEK 4:

Class 1

HTML revisited

Reading: Chapter 6

Class 2

Review good website examples and start to discuss creativity and how to make something look good, possibly refer to the principles of design. Demo: How to search on the web, what search engines are better and why.

Reading: Chapter 8

WEEK 5:

Class 1

Assignment 4 Due Photoshop Basics: Tools/Toolbar Undo Image Adjustments Filters

Class 2

QUIZ 2 Photoshop cont.

Assignment 5: Photoshop Composition Create an 8 x 10 illustration based on a favorite line of poetry or song lyric. Utilize the type tools in the painting software to integrate the words into your picture in a way that makes visual sense. Presented as Assignment 6 in week 7.

WEEK 6:

Class 1

Topic: Photoshop – make a collage

Reading: Assignment 6: Assignment 5 Presentation - Prepare an Outline for your Assignment 5 Presentation and submit a copy prior to your presentation.

Class 2

In-class work time: Assignment 5 Reading: Chapter 7

WEEK 7:

Assignment 5 (Photoshop) & 6 (Presentation) Due Demo: Databases and how they work Reading: Chapter 13

Class 2

Illustrator – draw a character The Workplace Path, stroke, Fill Creating Simple Shapes Selecting and Transforming Shapes Editing Curves Working with Type Painting and Color Drawing with the Pen Tool Brushes Patterns & Gradients Layers & Stacking Assignment 7: Aquarium Creatures

WEEK 8:

Class 1

QUIZ 3 In-class work time: Assignment 7

Class 2

Assignment 7 Due at end of class.

WEEK 9:

Class 1

Flash Basics: Tool Palette Primary components Importing Images into Flash Frame by frame Animation

Class 2

Flash cont: Layers Tweening and Motion Guides Illusion of Depth

Assignment 8: Create an animation of an aquarium. Show a variety of creatures moving in different directions. Use plants and a tank to allow the creatures to move around objects simulating 3d.

WEEK 10:

Class 1

QUIZ 4 Flash Lab: Students are to be working on Assignment 8

Class 2

Flash Lab: Students are to be working on Assignment 8

WEEK 11:

Class 1

Assignment 8 Due: Presentations

Class 2

Final Exam: A practical application of the tools learned.

• subject to change