Online Courses



Alyson Katz and Sandy Wilder, two of our teachers in the Scalable Game Design project who have used AgentSheets in all of their computer education classes for the past 4-5 (??) years, created and offered a blended class (combination of mostly online + some face time) for teaching Scalable Game Design. "It was the students' excitement to learn, the collaboration, the engagement that was amazing to watch as we taught AgentSheets in our middle school computer tech classes", Alyson says. "Tt was 21st century learning at its best!" "We were taking an online class for teachers to learn how to teach online and our project was to create an online course. Well one thing led to another and the next thing we knew we were running a a summer program for Video Game Design using Agentsheets", Sandy Wilder says. The class was offered as a three-week online summer camp, with three optional face to face meetings, at the beginning, middle and end of the class. The meetings lasted 3-4 hours and took place in Alyson's computer lab at Louisville Middle School. The sessions were not mandatory but it turned out to be very helpful for the students to go to the first session.






 * Meeting 1:








 * Meeting 2:
 * Meeting 3: Gave students help to finalize their games and upload to Arcade. The latter part of the last face-to-face session was a show and tell for the students to showcase what they had done in the course. Parents were invited to watch their kids present.





Teacher reactions
"It was beyond our expectations is all we can say", Alyson and Sandy both agree. The parents were involved and supportive talking about what a great opportunity we created and how wonderfully the experience  has worked for their kids. The students were so focused and on target, it was hard to get them to take a break. They created sophisticated games and simulations for their level of training and age. "It was quite an experience to be part of," Alyson concludes.

Parent reactions
The reactions from parents were overwhelmingly positive. Some were disappointed that their kids did not make it


 * "We are very grateful to both of you for giving her the opportunity to try your class; it is a wonderful project!"


 * "Sounds like the first class was great, Anna was on her box most of the afternoon.  Thank you!"


 * "My daughter was sad to miss out on your computer class this summer.  She had a few sports camps those first weeks and couldn't attend.  So we are hoping you will be teaching again next summer.  Will you put us on your mailing list and send us information for next year?  That would be great!


 * "My friend's daughter is in the class and she told me that you are trying to get girls interested in technology.  I applaud your efforts.  I am an aerospace engineer (now stay at home mom) and what got me interested was a computer class I took in the summer around 6th grade."


 * "I would like to help you with your endeavors.  I could promote your class to my daughters friends and teachers at her school or help in some other way.  Let me know.  Maybe we could meet up sometime once school starts or earlier."

Student reactions
Students were eager for the class and were asking for follow-up classes to continue with game and simulation design.


 * "Dear Ms. Katz, I am really excited about the Agent Sheets class and I can't wait until the 13th!"


 * "When is the next class?"


 * "Is there an advanced level?"


 * "Can we keep programming when the class is over?"

The AgentSheets software was included in the course fee for students to take home with them and continue using it after the class was over.