Computing (Robotics and Game Design)
Essential Skills – Using Computers and the Internet
Computer Applications (Programming and Control)
Project Implementation
Course Handbook 2017
Student’s name ______________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COURSE OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Essential Skills – Using Computers and the Internet .................................................................................................................. 3
Computer Applications (Programming and Control) .................................................................................................................. 3
Project Implementation .............................................................................................................................................................. 3
ASSESSMENT ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
COURSE CRITERIA ................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
COURSE DOCUMENTS........................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Essential Skills – Using Computers and the Internet .................................................................................................................. 4
Computer Applications (Programming and Control) .................................................................................................................. 4
Project Implementation .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
IMPORTANT DATES ................................................................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
COURSE OUTLINE ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5
SUBJECT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 5
LESSON TIMES AND LOCATION ............................................................................................................................................................... 5
CLASS BLOG ..........................................................................................................................................ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
CONTACT DETAILS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5
ASSESSMENT RECORD SHEET...................................................................................................................................................... 8
COMPUTING (ROBOTICS AND GAME DESIGN) – ASSESSMENT SUMMARY ................................................................................. 9
Teacher’s name:
Rob Torok
Phone:
6220 3133 (via main office)
6220 3145 (staffroom)
0468 902 802 (mobile)
Staffroom:
A424
Email:
[email protected]
(or [email protected])
Computing (Robotics and Game Design) – Course Handbook 2017
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COURSE OVERVIEW
This subject consists of three interconnected courses…

Essential Skills – Using Computers and the Internet
Everyday use of computers – e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, simple graphics, social media

Computer Applications (Programming and Control)
Focused learning in one area of computing – e.g. robotics, gaming

Project Implementation
Plan, develop, and work on a major project as part of a team – e.g. participate in a robotics competition, produce
a game for target audience.
Essential Skills – Using Computers and the Internet
This course is designed for learners who need to develop their everyday adult skills in use of computers and the
internet. The topics covered in this course will be integrated into the study of Robotics and Game Design throughout
the year.
Computer Applications (Programming and Control)
This course is intended to provide focused learning in one area of computing. In the first half of the year, the focus
area will be robotics, starting with LEGO-based robotics and culminating with a minor project and/or participation in
a robotics competition such as RoboCup Junior.
In the second half of the year, the focus will be on game design. This will include analysing and modifying paperbased games, before moving our attention to video games.
Project Implementation
Plan, develop, and work on a major project as part of a team – e.g. participate in a robotics competition, produce a
video or board game for target audience.
Computing (Robotics and Game Design) – Course Handbook 2017
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Assessment
Your assessment in this subject will be based on a wide range of activities including practical design challenges,
assignments, and major projects.
I will keep track of your attendance and results, and you may ask to see your own record at any point in time. For
any subject, it’s a good idea to regularly check your results and discuss them with your teacher.
Specific details of the assessments will be announced throughout the year, but to give you an idea of what’s coming,
here’s a taste of the assessments tasks I’ve used in previous years…
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Robotics challenges (throughout Term 1/2)
Minor Project: Playful inventions - Work in a small team to make a robotic game
Robotics presentation
Online safety brochure
Game design challenges (throughout Term 2/3)
Video game publisher presentation – Create a presentation about a video game studio or publisher
Ethics in game design
Video game review
Major project: Two-player game – Make a video game that is fun to play with a friend
Course Criteria
This subject consists of three interconnected courses, each with a different set of criteria and a different set of
possible awards.
See the last page of this handbook for a summary of the criteria and sample assessment tasks for each of the three
courses.
Course Documents
Further information about the courses that comprise this subject are available from the TASC website.
Essential Skills – Using Computers and the Internet
http://www.tasc.tas.gov.au/4DCGI/_WWW_doc/191839/RND01/ESC205114_course.pdf
Computer Applications (Programming and Control)
http://www.tasc.tas.gov.au/4DCGI/_WWW_doc/204681/RND01/ICT205114ComputerApplications.pdf
Project Implementation
http://www.tasc.tas.gov.au/4DCGI/_WWW_doc/166689/RND01/PRJ205113_V1a.pdf
Computing (Robotics and Game Design) – Course Handbook 2017
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Class Requirements
To have the best opportunity to do well in this class and be a valuable member of the class, you are expected to:
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Attend every lesson - If you miss a lesson, you will need to bring a note or have your parent/guardian call the
office, and it is your responsibility to check the blog and catch up on any missed work.
BE ON TIME!
Bring paper and pens to every lesson.
Check the class notebook regularly – especially if you miss a class.
Complete all set homework tasks on time.
Ask questions when you do not understand the concept and/or need assistance.
Be polite in class – to the teacher and fellow students.
Lesson Times and Location
Computing (Robotics and Game Design) is on Line 1 in A426. Lesson times are:
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Monday 8:45 - 10:10, 10:40 - 12:10
Wednesday 1:00 – 2:25
Times for additional support will be set up during the year as required.
OneNote and Class Blog
Any important news, dates, homework tasks, notes from class, useful links etc. will be shared via the class OneNote
notebook and/or posted on the blog.
The address is: http://www.xpress360.net.au/rgd/
Contact Details
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or constructive feedback.
There are multiple ways to reach me – see Page 2 for a full list.
The Engineering Design Process
The Engineering Design Process is the basis of all the challenges we do throughout the year. For example, in
Robotics, it looks like this…
Computing (Robotics and Game Design) – Course Handbook 2017
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COURSE OUTLINE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Term One
Week
Topic
Challenge/Project
1
The Engineering Design
Process
Crash Test Dummy
The Tallest Tower
2
Datalogging
Light/dark scavenger hunt
Silly walks
3
Graph programming
Programming basics
I see red
I see all the colours!
4
What is a robot?
Working with sensors
(Wait and Math blocks)
Basic program structure
(Switch and Loops
blocks)
There and back again?
Cockroach
Gladiator/Sumo/Candy Grab
Escape the box!
9
Term Two
Illuminati
Here Fido!
Remote control
7
8
Robotics presentation
Going the distance
Steepest incline
5
6
10
Working with the display
Working with numbers
Working with timers
Etch-a-sketch
Keeping score
Reaction timer
1
Brainstorming
Iterative prototyping
Minor project: Project
proposal
Minor project: Prototyping
2
User testing
Minor project: Development
3
Documentation
Working with WordPress
Minor project: Sharing
Minor project: Peer- and selfevaluation
RCJ Rescue
RCJ Dance
4
5
Other Tasks/
Milestones
Online Safety
Programming worksheet
The Wave Challenge
RCJ Soccer
6
Design a brochure
7
Game design
A-Maze Me!
8
10 “Need to Knows”
A Solid Platform
Computing (Robotics and Game Design) – Course Handbook 2017
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Term Three
9
Game elements
10
What is a game?
Extra Credits: “So you
want to be a game
designer”
Top Gun
1
Extra Credits: “Fail
faster!”
10-min prototyping exercise
Game Design Game
2
Prototyping for fun
Find the Fun
DIY Game: Proposal
3
Mechanics, Dynamics,
Aesthetics (MDA)
DIY Game: Production
4
Playtesting (technical
and user testing)
DIY Game: Testing
5
Creating a cohesive
player experience
DIY Game: Share your game
6
Ethics in video game
design
Ethics assignment
7
Analyse a game
One-line game reviews
Game analysis
8
9
Game polish
10
User interface
Major project: Alpha
version
Major project: Testing
Major project: Polish
1
Term Four
Major project: Brainstorming
Major project: Game
proposal
Major project: Prototyping
Major project: Game design
document
Major project: Beta
version
Major project: Sharing
Major project: Peer- and selfevaluation
2
3
Personal v professional
reviews
Game review
4
Reviewing tools
Spreadsheets
Spreadsheet challenges
Computing (Robotics and Game Design) – Course Handbook 2017
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ASSESSMENT RECORD SHEET
Criteria
Task
Weighting
Robotics challenges
(throughout Term 1/2)
Essential Skills
Computer
Applications
Medium
(individual
tasks – minor)
1, 3, 4
4, 5
(Minor Project (e.g.
“Playful inventions”)
Medium
2, 3, 4
1, 3, 4, 5
Robotics presentation
Major
1, 2
1, 3
EV3 worksheet
Minor
3
1
Online safety brochure
Major
2, 4
2, 3
Upload a game to the
class blog (DIY game)
Medium
3, 4
3, 5
Game design challenges
(throughout Term 2/3)
Medium
(individual
tasks – minor)
1, 3, 4
4, 5
Ethics in video games
Major
2, 4
2, 3
Major project (e.g.
“Retro Games Revisited”)
Major
2, 3, 4
3, 4, 5
Video game review
Major
2, 4
3, 4
Spreadsheet challenges
Medium
2, 4
3, 4
Computing (Robotics and Game Design) – Course Handbook 2017
Result
Project
Implementation
(% or
A/B/C/t/z)
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
Page | 8
COMPUTING (ROBOTICS AND GAME DESIGN) – ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
This subject consists of three interconnected courses, each with a different set of criteria and possible awards.
Course
Essential Skills: Using
Computers and the Internet
ESC205114, TQA level 2
Everyday use of computers – e.g.
word processing, spreadsheets,
simple graphics, social media
Computer Applications
(Programming and Control)
ICT205114, TQA level 2
Focused learning in one area of
computing – e.g. robotics,
gaming
Criteria
1. Identify digital technology tools suitable for
routine tasks
2. Interpret information to access and use digital
technology
3. Follow procedures to perform given tasks, and
review performance
4. Use digital technologies effectively, safely and
productively
Possible awards
SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT (SA)
4 ‘C’ (satisfactory standard) ratings
1.
EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT (EA)
5 ‘A’ (high standard) ratings
2.
3.
4.
5.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
computer terms and applications
Demonstrate understanding of social and
ethical issues related to the use of computers
and digital technology
Collect and communicate ideas and
information using digital technology
Apply skills in the use of computers and digital
technologies
Demonstrate planning and organisational skills
Assessment tasks may include…
 Robotics presentation
 Games presentation
 Participation in class
PRELIMINARY ACHIEVEMENT (PA)
3 ‘C’ (satisfactory standard) ratings
COMMENDABLE ACHIEVEMENT (CA)
2 ‘A’ (high standard) ratings and 3 ‘C’
(satisfactory standard) ratings
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Robotics challenges (various)
Online safety brochure
Game design challenges (various)
Game review
Ethics in video games assignment
Participation in class
SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT (SA)
5 ‘C’ (satisfactory standard) ratings
PRELIMINARY ACHIEVEMENT (PA)
2 ‘C’ (satisfactory standard) ratings
Project Implementation
PRJ205113, TQA level 2
Plan, develop, and work on a
major project as part of a team –
e.g. be part of a robotics
competition team, produce a
game
1.
2.
3.
4.
Negotiate and undertake tasks
Communicate ideas and information
Work with others and in teams
Apply problem solving and goal setting
methods
PASS
4 ‘C’ ratings
Note: There is no PRELIMINARY
ACHIEVEMENT (PA) for Project
Implementation!
 Game proposal
 Game design document
 Blog post, including:
o Game description
o Images (e.g. screenshots)
o Playable version of the game
o Reflection
 Test report
 Self- and peer-evaluation
 Participation in class