The Digital Classroom
While it is not required for students to own a computer at home, my class is an entirely digital environment. That means that all materials are distributed and collected through an online learning management system. The LMS used for my classroom in Canvas. Both students and parents (if requested) can access all resources and activities through their Canvas account on any device with internet access including installation of the Canvas Student application on their cellphone, if desired.
As a parent wanting to keep up with your student's progress, one piece of information there that will help you better keep track of how your student is doing in my class is to set up a parent Canvas account. Doing so should allow you to see into my class along with any other class your student is in where the teacher uses Canvas.
As a parent wanting to keep up with your student's progress, one piece of information there that will help you better keep track of how your student is doing in my class is to set up a parent Canvas account. Doing so should allow you to see into my class along with any other class your student is in where the teacher uses Canvas.
Email Communication
Email is always the best way to contact me if you have questions or concerns. I typically respond within 48 hours (often within the same day) but if you do not hear back from me, please send another email to touch base.
Students - Please always use your Chapel Hill HS provided email, not a personal email, account when sending communications. You can also contact me from inside of the Canvas LMS.
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Parents - Please make sure you always include your student's full name when you email me to ask questions about their work in my class.
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Policies Overview
- Attendance and Participation: Students are expected to attend all classes and actively participate in project-based learning activities. Active participation includes working collaboratively with peers, asking questions, and contributing to discussions. Students who are not in my classroom when the bell rings to signify the start of class will be marked tardy. Parents will be contacted after three tardies and an administrative referral will be received after the fourth time.
- Timeliness: Students are responsible for completing project work on time. All assignments lock two days prior to progress reports for activities assigned in the first half of each quarter and two days prior to the end of the quarter for work assigned in the second half. Late work is accepted with penalty per the policy below. Students should communicate with the teacher ahead of time if they anticipate difficulty in completing an assignment on time.
- Respectful Behavior: Students are expected to be respectful and considerate of their peers and the teacher at all times. Disruptive behavior, such as talking out of turn or disrespectful language, will not be tolerated.
- Use of Technology: Students are expected to use technology in a responsible manner during project work. This includes using school-provided devices for academic purposes only, respecting copyright laws, and avoiding distraction from non-academic activities.
- Academic Integrity: Students are expected to uphold academic integrity at all times. This includes completing their own work, properly citing sources, and avoiding plagiarism. Cheating or any other form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.
- Grading: Grades will be based on a variety of factors, including participation, project work, and assessments. Rubrics will be provided for all projects and assessments to help students understand the expectations and grading criteria.
- Absences: In case of an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to make up missed work in a timely manner. The teacher will work with students individually to help them catch up on missed material.
Cell Phones
As a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course, our classroom experience (content, training, and application) is aimed to prepare students for success in the workplace. After extensive discussion and observation across courses, CTE staff have decided to implement a zero-tolerance cell phone policy for 2023-2024, per school board policy 4318. Students are encouraged to put their cell phones in a pocket or backpack. After acknowledging the device misuse, staff will address the issue in an escalating manner with the student, parent, and school administrators. An appropriate use of cell phones is appreciated as it improves the instruction and classroom experience for all students and staff.
There may be some activities that require the use of student cell phones. Students will be told when and if they will need to use their phone for any specific assignment when those activities take place.
There may be some activities that require the use of student cell phones. Students will be told when and if they will need to use their phone for any specific assignment when those activities take place.
Grading PolicyChapel Hill Carrboro City Schools has put in place a new grading policy (Regulation Code: 3400-R Student Evaluations and Grading) that requires teachers breakdown grades into two different categories. In this class, they will be broken down as follows:
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Late Work PenaltiesAll work will be accepted until two (2) days prior to the end of the quarter for earned credit, minus applicable late penalties. Assignments from the first half of the quarter submitted after progress reports will receive a maximum grade of 60 for acceptable work. All work locks at the end of the quarter unless otherwise stated in the assignment instructions.
Late Penalties Once an assigned deadline passes, students have a three (3) day grace period to account for unexpected issues and to meet extended time requirements for students who have such accommodations. During this grace period, students can earn full credit for submissions. After the grace period passes, submissions will receive a 10-point deduction per school day until a maximum grade of a 70 is reached. If a student has a major problem with a deadline (such as for illness, etc.), they can speak with me for special considerations. District Grading Policy - Minimum Grade of 50 CHCCS requires students to receive grades no lower than a 50 for all assignments. PowerSchool defaults to this policy regardless of the grade a student has earned. Canvas, on the other hand, will always retain the actual grade a student earns. This allows for an honest conversation with both students and parents about progress made in class. |
Office Hours/Tutoring
Office hours take place Monday-Thursday during the lunch break. Cancelations are posted on the Canvas calendar as soon as the need arises. It is always a good idea to check the calendar before coming for tutoring.
Common Technology Questions
My class uses industry standard software that often requires higher computer specifications than most families purchase for their student. None of the software is available for use on Chromebooks and some only runs on Windows PCs. Sorry Mac users.
While I do NOT require, or even expect, families to go out and purchase new computers as students have access to everything they need in my classroom, I am providing some information you might want to know in order to check if the software will run on your student's home computer. I am providing a mix of the recommended specifications for the applications we use in class:
While I do NOT require, or even expect, families to go out and purchase new computers as students have access to everything they need in my classroom, I am providing some information you might want to know in order to check if the software will run on your student's home computer. I am providing a mix of the recommended specifications for the applications we use in class:
Hardware
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SoftwareAlthough this is not necessarily a complete list of applications we will use, this list covers the professional software students learn in my classes:
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Adobe CC Suite
Students can access Adobe software by downloading the Adobe CC App and logging in using their Chapel Hill HS credentials. From there, they can install any of the software that is needed for class.
Autodesk 3ds Max (Windows PCs only)
Before downloading this software, it is important to check the system recommendations. This application requires resources above and beyond the typical student machine and it only runs on Windows PCs. If you are on a Mac or only have a Chromebook at home, you cannot install this software.
To install 3ds Max, visit https://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/3ds-max and create an account using your school email address. Autodesk allows students to receive a one-year free educational license. As a result, you will need to submit proof of your status as a student before you can download the software for use outside of a standard 10-day trial period. When instructed to do so, send Autodesk either a picture of your current (this year) student ID or the letter I will provide to you. It may take a couple of days for them to acknowledge your status, so be patient if you find you cannot access the software immediately.
Once you have access, you can download and install any of the software they offer for free. Make sure you download the version we are using in class. Currently, we are currently using 3ds Max 2024. Using any other version may make it difficult to open or work with your files on-campus. Access will need to be renewed for future years if needed.
To install 3ds Max, visit https://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/3ds-max and create an account using your school email address. Autodesk allows students to receive a one-year free educational license. As a result, you will need to submit proof of your status as a student before you can download the software for use outside of a standard 10-day trial period. When instructed to do so, send Autodesk either a picture of your current (this year) student ID or the letter I will provide to you. It may take a couple of days for them to acknowledge your status, so be patient if you find you cannot access the software immediately.
Once you have access, you can download and install any of the software they offer for free. Make sure you download the version we are using in class. Currently, we are currently using 3ds Max 2024. Using any other version may make it difficult to open or work with your files on-campus. Access will need to be renewed for future years if needed.
Game Engines
Students in Game Art & Design will use one of the following game engines to create video games. Both are available for free as long as students are not using them to create games for sale.
Unity game engine - Works well on systems without high end resources and is a common engine used by both professionals and hobbyists alike. Using this software requires a basic understanding of programming logic in the C# programming language.
Unreal 5 game engine - Created by Cary-based Epic Games, this game engine is used widely throughout the entertainment industry and is quickly becoming a standard for film as well as games. It offers access to Blueprints to simplify programming needs but also requires higher end hardware resources to function efficiently.
Remote Instruction
Although unlikely, in the event there is a need to return to remote instruction, or a student needs to be out of school for any reason, all resources and materials including lectures and assignments will be posted in my Canvas page for their class. Students (and parents) can access this information at any time.
Google Meet Expectations
- Be on time and ready to learn! - I will respect your time and you need to respect the time of class. Class begins and ends on-time.
- Enter Meet using your school account - This helps ensure only students in my class are present and we don't get "bombed" by those with mischievous intentions I will not let you into my class if I do not recognize your name.
- Leave your webcam turned on & be visible whenever possible - If you want a little privacy from showing your room, use a school-appropriate virtual background.
- Keep your microphone on mute - Only enable your microphone if conversing once you have been addressed in the room. Use the reactions to raise your hand or send a message in the chat to get my attention.
- Keep chat comments focused on the lesson/class - Only I can see your comments, so keep them relevant to class discussions.
- One-on-one assistance - It is very difficult to provide assistance without disrupting the work of everyone. I may need to send you to a breakout room and join you in there so you can share your screen with me and I can talk/show you through the steps or to solve a problem. Doing so in the session shares your screen with everyone in the class. I will keep these short. If you need more extended help, I will recommend you attend my office hours or schedule a time to have an individual video meeting.
Last Updated: 08/26/23