Published: June 10, 2009 08:11 am      

Camp combines computers, fun

Local students discovered learning can be fun as they participated in a technology camp this week at Madison Central High School.

The two-day camp has classes for elementary, middle and high school students.

On Tuesday, students used a tutorial to create a “Catch the Clown” game and a scrolling shooter game.

“The goal of offering Video Game Design Curriculum is to embed the requirements of the computer science curriculum into game design courses which highly engages students as they learn to appreciate gaming as producers rather than consumers,” said Dr. Tina Sartori of Turning Technologies of Youngstown, Ohio.

Students also were given a scenario of working for a software company, in which they are asked to create a new, exciting game for a large company. They were asked to come up with a story line packaging sound effects, graphics, game, manual, help file, promotional video clip, CD label and point of sale material, Sartori said. Students also had to manage resources and cash flow to make the project commercially viable.

Today, the students will create the basics of their video game using Game Maker Pro, an open source video game software. The students also have the option of taking an online class where they can continue their learning by creating multi-player games.

Turning Technologies offers a range of services, including core content games that teachers can use to engage students in learning, in which students use response clicker systems to participate, Sartori said.

“It’s a way to engage the students to a much higher level of learning,” said Sartori.

Other activities at the camp included using an educational dance mat to learn about a variety of subjects, including math, language arts, history, foreign languages and geography. Teachers also can design their own questions using the mat, according to Tina Barrett, Technology Integration Specialist for Madison County schools.

“It’s just one more way of keeping kids active in the classroom,” Barrett said.

There are different subjects and levels of questions available for kindergarten through 12th grade. Similar to popular games such as “Dance Dance Revolution,” a student stands in the middle of the mat, and, instead of dancing to colors and rhythm, a question scrolls across the screen and the student has a selection of answers corresponding to a place on the mat to step on. The game offers changing music and backgrounds.

Many of the elementary and middle schools in Madison County have integrated the program in the classroom, Barrett said.

“The kids really love it,” said Barrett.

The camp also offered a video making class.