[Yr7-10it] Year 10 Programming and Game Development

[Jenny Bean]

Hi Neil

Last year I used a program called Construct2 from https://www.scirra.com/ .
Games are made using a drag and drop method of coding based around HTML5.
The games run in a web browser. I used it with Unit 2 IT students who loved
it. They made a shooting game, platform game and a racing game. There are
plenty of resources on the site and the program has a free version which is
not crippled in any way. I found that the students understood the
programming concepts better due to the visual nature of the program.

Hope this helps

Jenny Bean
Oakleigh Grammar


-----Original Message-----
From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Bruckner, Neil D
Sent: Monday, 29 April 2013 3:58 PM
To: yr7-10it at edulists.com.au
Subject: [Yr7-10it] Year 10 Programming and Game Development

Hi All,

Next semester I have to teach a year 10 subject titled "Programming and Game
Development", it hasn't been taught here for years so I don't have anything
to run with.  The students chose the course based on the below:

Course Aims:

*         This subject is aimed at introducing students to programming,
animation and game development.  The subject will  cater for students of
varying standards of skills and look at a range of appropriate software.

Course Content:

o   Students will be introduced to basic programming - design, development
and testing.

o   Students will use game making programs to modify existing games, then
design and develop their own.

o   Students will use animation programs to create short projects such as
cartoons, movies, interactive programs.

The subject is to provide a pathway to VCE IT and VET ICT.

At this stage I am thinking of using Small Basic as the programming
language, and perhaps GameMaker as game development tool, as I have used
both previously.  I'm also not adverse to students selecting the software
tool they want to use, as long as it can deliver the desired result/product.
I would like to break the course into 3 topics, 7 weeks of programming, 7
weeks of game development and 4 weeks of animation.

I'm wondering if anyone is teaching anything similar that could
suggest/share resources, course outlines, recommend text books etc.

Regards

Neil Bruckner
Bellarine Secondary College



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