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Emory University

CBS Atlanta Visits Our Emory Summer Camp

July 22nd, 2009 by Ryan

CBS Atlanta visited iD Tech Camps at Emory in 2009.  Click here to see iD Tech Camps in action!

 

 

As appeared in The Atlanta Jewish Times – Video game design at computer camp by Michael Zabinski

March 2nd, 2007 by Ryan

March 2, 2007

By Michael Zabinski

Today, children are bombarded with countless ways to play, especially high-tech play through computers and video games. Over the past 25 years, games have progressed from the primitive two-paddle Pong to sophisticated, online, multi-player games such as World of Warcraft (over 7.5 million online subscribers) with complicated plots and vivid graphics that unfold over dozens of hours of play. Video game sales soared to a record $12.5 billion in 2006 and are growing at a breathtaking pace – in part, due to the phenomenal technologies of the Xbox, Playstation and Wii. These new technologies appeal to children, young adults and adults and have fundamentally changed the way that they play. The increasing prevalence and prominence of these games have caught the attention of researchers because it turns out that children’s play can encourage and improve their ability to learn; games can be harnessed to promote learning.

Games Promote Learning. A crucial ingredient to effective education is motivation – that is, motivating the student to be curious and to want to absorb new information. Games certainly provide this motivation. What may be surprising, however, is that games also serve to sharpen mental acuity and promote learning. Games require and encourage focus, discipline, measured action, considered reaction, assimilation of external conditions, analytical reasoning, and strategic planning. Games improve memory and retention. Games require the setting of goals, and games usually provide encouragement and reinforcement as goals are achieved, helping to build self esteem. All of these attributes are ingredients to effective learning. Furthermore, computer and other video games have become so sophisticated that they often magnify the learning that occurs during play. And children can concentrate on games far longer than they do in other learning environments, thereby extending the learning experience.

From Playing Games to Designing Them. As children grow, their interest in games matures and sometimes evolves into a desire to create their own games. Game design offers an entirely new set of challenges, and, consequently, a new set of opportunities for learning. However, game design is not an easily self-taught science, and many children and young adults often look to their schools for help in designing their own games. Unfortunately, very few teachers understand games well enough to teach game design. In fact, game design is rarely part of an elementary or secondary school curriculum.

Computer Camps to the Rescue. At the National Computer Camp (www.nccamp.com) held annually at Fairfield University, instruction is offered in 2D and 3D game design (using 2D Multimedia Fusion by www.clickteam.com, 2D Stagecast Creator by www.Stagecast.com and 3D Game Studio by www.3dgamestudio.com). Most campers arrive at camp as experienced game players, and at camp they look for an opportunity to design their own games. They come with an active imagination and a desire to transform their ideas into an actual game.
Their imagination is the seed of their motivation, and, as they design their own game, the campers learn about geometric modeling, rendering, collision detection, character creation, plot development, storytelling, animation and graphical design. They learn to create action, adventure, and stories. They learn to work independently, and they also learn to collaborate with others. They even begin to learn about software engineering.      Campers bring their ideas to life as they add sequences of challenges, music, and interactivity. Campers think creatively and logically while designing imaginative games that explore the power of 2D and 3D game design software. Game design and game playing create opportunities for leadership, competition, team work and collaboration. But most importantly, game design fosters an imaginative spirit that can spark a whole new world of learning.

 

 

As appeared in Atlanta Parent – Atlanta Parent’s camp preview

February 27th, 2007 by Ryan

February 27, 2007

iD Tech Camps is the nation’s most recommended technology camp! Weeklong day and overnight summer technology programs for ages 7-18 at 50 prestigious universities in 23 states. This includes Emory University, Vanderbilt University, UNC – Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University, and Stanford University.

Students create 2D and 3D video games, experience game modding with Battlefield 2142™from Electronic Arts, improve your gaming skills with the Gaming Athletes course, build robots to compete, design websites with Flash® animations, film and edit digital movies, create your own comic book with zany digital photos, learn programming and more. Additionally, teens can travel to Spain for our Documentary Filmmaking program or participate in iD Gaming Academy for an intensive 3 weeks of game development.

With one computer per student and an average of five students per staff, campers are given the attention they need to excel and take home a project at the end of the weeklong course. Apple, Adobe, Autodesk, Canon, Clickteam, Garage Games, Microsoft, NVIDIA, VEX, Wacom and others have partners with iD Tech Camps to raise the bar in technology education.

Visit www.internalDrive.com or call 1-888-709-TECH (8324) for details and specials.

 

 

As appeared in Atlanta Parent – iD Tech Camps

February 21st, 2006 by Ryan

February 2006

Experience hands-on technology fun!  Weeklong day and overnight summer technology programs for ages 7-17 at over 40 prestigious universities nationwide in 19 states and Spain.  Locations include Emory University, College of William and Mary, the University of Virginia, and Georgetown University.

Learn the latest technology with instructors who make learning fun.  Film & edit digital movies, produce blockbuster special effects, create 2D and 3D video games, model 3D characters, design websites with Flash animation, learn programming & robotics, and more.  Additionally, students can learn filmmaking in Spain with the 2 ½ week teen study abroad program.

With one computer per student and an average of six students per instructor, campers are given the attention they need to excel and take home a project at the end of the weeklong course.  Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, Canon, HP, Photoflex, Conitec, Autodesk, Alias, Radio Shack, EA, Plextor and others have partnered with iD Tech Camps to raise the bar in technology education.

Visit www.internalDrive.com or call 1-888-709-TECH (8324) for details and specials.