Classes 1 - 4

Below is a description of 4 classes. Please evaluate these courses and give your opinion from a students point. What I am looking for is whether or not you would take this class and how you would rate these classes. Which would you take? - 1 to 4, 1 being the class you would take first...
Please give it a number and rationale
Name: 


  1. Computer Games Design (non-programming version)

    In this course students use a game engine to create a playable game. Students learn about the different genres of games, and the basic elements of game design, such as artistry, creating a story, game flow aligned to story and plot, game strategy, rules of play, music and sound, event modeling, etc. Students use a variety of computer tools that enhance their games. - Minimal prerequisites; any student who has taken Principles of IT can take this.
    - This course is likely to generate high student interest.
    - Provides students with a good grasp of design and story telling principles
    - Allows students to express themselves in the “arty” side of IT.
    - Teacher does not have to be an experienced programmer.
    - Is a nice complement to NAF’s Web Design or Digital Video courses because they build similar skills such as telling a story, drawing the audience in, using sound, etc. - Requires software such as GameMaker on all student computers.
    - There are not many “game design” jobs out there, and they tend to be filled by people with extensive experience.
    - The course could give students a false impression of job possibilities.



  1. Designing and Programming Computer Games

    In this course students design a playable game and use Python to code it. They first learn the different genres of games, and the basic elements of game design, such as artistry, creating a story, game flow aligned to story and plot, game strategy, rules of play, music and sound, etc. Students use a variety of computer tools to enhance and ease game programming. - Students who have successfully completed a Python programming course can gain additional experience and use their Python programming skills to do something they enjoy.
    - Provides students with a good grasp of design and story telling principles.
    – Excellent for cross-curricular with English.
    - Students gain programming skills that are valuable in college and lead to jobs. - Intro to Python programming is a prerequisite. May also require some upper-level math skills.
    - Teacher needs programming expertise.
    - Covering both the basics of design and the programming skills to code the program they design may be too much for one semester.
    - Students will be limited to designing and developing games that do not require advanced Python programming skills.



  1. Graphic Design

    This course introduces students to art intended to communicating information and advertising. This is a project-based course that teaches the basics of design principles, Photoshop, layers, color, typography, masks, and filters. Students work with a client to design products such as logo designs, business cards, letterheads, greeting cards, a magazine ad page, a board game, a CD cover, and a promotional poster. - Minimal prerequisites; any student who has taken Principles of IT can take this.
    - Prepares students for Adobe certification in Photoshop and possibly InDesign
    - High student interest in Photoshop
    - Allows students to express themselves in the “arty” side of IT
    - Nice complement to Web Design course
    - Useful skill that students can use in internship, entry-level job, and college work. - Need to have Photoshop, and possibly InDesign licenses for all student computers.
    - Teacher needs an art skill set in addition to IT




  1. Web Design 2

    This course is a second-semester follow-on to the existing AOIT Web Design course. Students would develop strong HTML skills and practice in Dreamweaver, in addition to the Flash and multimedia aspects of Web Design. - Prepares students for Adobe certification in Flash
    - With two semesters of web design, students would have strong enough skills for an internship, entry-level job, and college work. - Need to have Dreamweaver and Flash licenses for all student computers.
    - NAF’s first-semester Web Design course would be a pre-requisite







Beth Frierson, M.A.T, NBCT
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology - AOIT