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Animation and Programming With Alice - Level 1SP

Create simple 3D animations and digital stories with SIMs-like characters using object and text-based coding.
Sally Morris - Tech/SPED
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(220)
Class

What's included

6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content
Homework
1-2 hours per week. Homework will be to complete each week's project.
Assessment
Teacher will give feedback via messaging. Those who need grades or documentation will be accommodated.
Grading
Grades or certificates of completion are provided by request.

Class Experience

Beginner Level
This class covers the same content as the live format class, but you will access the lessons, complete the assignments, and contribute to classroom discussions on your own schedule during the week.

Students will learn how to create and place characters in a 3D world, and then create digital stories using text-based dialog and animation.  We will be using Alice 3.0, which combines object-based coding with texted-based Java coding in Netbeans.  Alice is a free program made available by Carnegie Mellon and is used widely in elementary through college-age computer, visual arts, and other core classes. Students need to have general computer skills, but no previous animation or coding experience is required.  

Students will be introduced to projects that I will demonstrate step-by-step sharing my screen and students can use the video to follow along on their own computers.  (Teacher will be also be available throughout the week for help and questions on projects outside of class.) 

Lesson 1 will be an introduction to the user interface, how to find, place, and modify objects in Alice.  Lesson 2 and 3 will set up a "tea party" scene with props and characters that we will then modify with character movement and text-based dialog.  Lesson 4 will create a space-themed scene and we will animate a space creature walking across the terrain.  Lesson 5 will introduce "Methods" and Lesson 5 will implement "Procedures".  Both of these important programming concepts will teach students how to accomplish tasks more effectively.  In Lesson 6, students will be given guidelines for a digital story that they will create which will incorporate characters, movement, and dialog.  Students will have a lot of freedom in what they choose to do for this final project.  Students will be encouraged to share their projects with their peers.

Parents or students will need to download and install Alice 3 on their computer prior to the first week (teacher will be available for any technical support needed!)  Download it from: http://www.alice.org/get-alice/alice-3/.  Alice 3 will run on Windows (32- or 64-bit systems), Mac OS, or Linux. 

We will also have discussion prompts to discuss animation, elements of good storytelling, and other related content.  Students will be expected to answer the questions, interact with each other, and contribute to the discussion posts each week.
Learning Goals
Students will learn how to place and animate objects in a virtual 3D world.  They will also learn basic programming concepts and beginning Java programming.
learning goal

Syllabus

6 Lessons
over 6 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Introduction
 Introduction to the user interface, how to find, place, and modify objects in Alice. 
Lesson 2:
Set up Scenes
 Set up a "tea party" scene with props and characters. 
Lesson 3:
Animation and Speech
 Character movement and text-based dialog. 
Lesson 4:
Walk Cycle
 Animating a Character to walk across the screen 

Other Details

Learning Needs
I welcome students with unique learning needs and can tailor content to meet their needs.
Parental Guidance
Students will need to download the Alice program onto their computer: https://www.alice.org/get-alice/alice-3/ (scroll down to Downloads). No account creation is required.
Pre-Requisites
Basic computer skills.
Joined April, 2019
4.8
220reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Texas Teaching Certificate in Special Education
Indiana Teaching Certificate
Master's Degree in Education from Wilkes University
Bachelor's Degree from Ball State University
I've taught animation and programming to both middle school and high school students. I like to have fun and help students learn to use technology creatively.

Reviews

Self-Paced Course
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$15

weekly or $90 for all content
6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content

Completed by 24 learners
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Ages: 9-14

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