Get Smart!  Your Mission, should you accept it, is to become a top animation operative!   The Animation 10 course originated as a locally developed curriculum.  The intention of the course is to give students an introduction to fundamental animation  methods as they apply in computer generated animation.  The entire course is presented in a "Secret Agent" theme where the student assumes the role of an agent in training.  The student must complete 16 missions to accomplish the status of Animation Operative.  Students are led through the course by "Agent 28" who gives the student secret messages along the way as well as top secret directives via their standard issue Blackberry.  Each mission has the student engaged in an assignment, a confirmation activity, an asynchronous discussion, and assembling a dossier of works as they progress.  The entire course is jam packed with video clips, URL resources, open source applications, theme music and rich graphics and imagery to complete the secret agent theme.  Students love the hands on activities and are often overheard saying "Why can't all my classes be like this!"

“When it comes to designing an online course, the Blackboard Exemplary Course Program is where the bar is set. I believe learning should be a fun and engaging activity. I also am finding more and more of my students are not afraid to direct their own learning in a world rich with information and multimedia. Students expect instantaneous feedback, real time collaboration and engagement, and experiences that are challenging but at the same time, somewhat entertaining. These are the realities that all teachers must compete with in their classrooms. The Exemplary Course Program rubric is the lens through which I measure my courses specifically for those things intended to create a positive learning outcome. In creating a new course, or updating an existing course, I find it is easy to lose sight of the fundamentals that make them effective.  The Exemplary course rubric maintains a focus of pedagogical practice founded in research. It is a great tool and good exercise to complete every year, towards keeping courses current and effective. This process is essentially a "yearly physical" with the purpose of ensuring everything is current, healthy and alive. I am proud to say this is my second course designated as exemplary by Blackboard. My secret formula is simple. To create an exemplary course is to begin the design process using the Blackboard Exemplary Course rubric as a foundation for effective online learning.” - Reg Nakoneshny

Responsible and dynamic use of technology

• The inclusion of a text to speech reader at the beginning of each "misson" was very useful for all students
  
• Excellent modeled behavior.  In an animation course, one would want to see animations, and the xtranormal avatars were really well done! Each eye and hand gesture was so attuneto the speech that I wanted to continue watching...and listening
  
• This course utilizes multiple and redundant methods of delivery, building a solid foundation and structure for learning while reducing cognitive load. Content is presented in video, audio and text, giving students a choice to operate within their prefered learning style.
  
  Engaging, hands-on student learning activities and content
  
• The overall theme of the course and creativity of delivering content using a "mission style" theoretical premise is certainly appropriate to the audience and topic area.This approach will certainly help motivate learners in a fun and engaging fashion.
  
• This course is fun and engaging, and thoroughly covers the topic. Much of the content is narrative in nature, inviting learners to become "Secret Agents" on a mission to become animation experts, culminating in a final project illustrating what they have learned. It's an effective digital game-based learning environment that fosters interest and study of the topic.
  
  Clearly organized content
  
• The structure and flow of each "mission" or learning module is exceptional. Each module begins with an overview and a list of "What you are to learn," How you are to learn it," "How you are to [demonstrate it]," and "How the quality of your learning will be evauated." This is an EXTREMELY great breakdown and advance organizer. The module continues on with content, knowledge checks, and other activities before ending with a recap and checklist to ensure that the student has completed all requirements. Great packaging!
  
• The frequency and variety of course activities and assessments is a stand-out practice. Learners are continuously engaged with course content as they progress through each module. The practice and reinforcement provided aids in their mastery of the content.
  
• Course content is well-structured, organized and easy to navigate. The presentation is highly consistent from module to module, with multiple and appropriate instructional activities and methods of assessment and evaluation directly linked to overall course goals and objectives.