Breaking into the video game design field

Breaking Into The Video Game Design Field

If you’re a dedicated gamer, you’ve probably said more than once, «I should go into video game design, I could make stuff even cooler than this!» In fact, there is currently a great demand for individuals in the video game industry, but not everyone who loves to play games can successfully design them. There is a big gap between knowing what makes a great game and being able to actually design a game that fits those criteria.

The current demand for video game design experts is why more colleges than ever are offering courses in computer game design and computer animation studies under various titles. The best courses offer a degree that thoroughly covers everything from the basics of computer animation to game script development.

Education Plus Personality Equals Success in Video Game Design

Today’s game design companies are looking for a combination of talents and knowledge that can only come from experience and education with a good dash of the right kind of personality as well. Some people are avid gamers but simply don’t have the dedication and attention to detail that is necessary to become a designer, while others have the creative personality, attention to detail and striking concepts but have never bothered to get the educational background required to hit the ground running. There are several things that are key to success in video game design, including:

A background in computer animation and game design
This is where a solid college education comes in. Because the industry is constantly changing, you need a degree from an accredited university that keeps up with changes in the industry and has experienced professionals teaching the courses. You need to understand and be able to execute the steps of animation and design from the inside out to be successful.

Discipline and attention to detail
There is so much more to video game design than just having a great concept. You need to be able to develop detailed, precise flow charts for different levels and possible outcomes and be able to precisely structure the theme and mission of a game concept. Continuity, clean execution and flawless design are all the result of discipline and attention to detail.

Understanding of character and story development
In other words, you can’t just be all action oriented. A good college course will have courses that help you develop story structure and individualize characters so that they aren’t simply «cardboard stereotypes.» The uniqueness of each character and story can make or break a video game design, so be sure you’ve learned these skills.

Script writing
You can design the action, but you must also tell the story. If you are going to get a degree that relates to video game design and/or computer animation (both excellent choices), check out the curriculum to be sure you will learn script writing. Additionally, it may be a good idea to take a course or two in creative writing to further hone your skills. It also helps if you’re an avid reader who enjoys fantasy and adventure.

If you have the personal characteristics you can attend a good college that teaches you the right skills. Look for one that offers a good range of animation and gaming courses and includes the development of a complete portfolio. The portfolio is an indication that you will leave being able to complete a gaming project and that you will have a concrete example of your work for prospective employers to review. From there, your career in video game design will take flight.

Теги: , , ,

Detroit schools in motor city – heading for disaster

Detroit Schools in Motor City – Heading for Disaster?

Ah, Detroit. While the smell of rubber and welding may no longer emanate through the air in this city of automotive manufacturing, the schools are still working to keep production up; the production of well-educated, successful members of society. In the last decade, Detroit Public Schools have lost more than 60,000 students. While much of this loss has been due to the city’s steadily declining population and shrinking birthrates, leaders of Detroit Schools also say that this is attributable to poaching from charter schools and neighboring public school systems.

Detroit Schools aren’t going down without a fight, however. They are teaming up with community organizations, parent groups and its unions in an aggressive effort to recruit and retain students. The declining student enrollment at Detroit Schools may also force the district to operate on a lower budget, and will most definitely cause cuts in per pupil funding.

School systems like Detroit Schools must adapt or die. We live in an ever-changing world, and this change must be carefully implemented in our schools; both in order to keep up with trends in education, and to ensure that students are well-educated and ready to enter the adult world of work. When a city like Detroit is losing population as well as facing a shrinking birthrate, it struggles for survival just as a fish does on the deck of a boat. Hopefully, Detroit Schools will not flounder around, but face their problems head-on with a well-thought out plan on how to turn things around.

One way that the Detroit Schools can affect this change is to offer unique programs of study to its students. Gone are the days when Detroit Schools children studied only the three Rs, Home Economics and Physical Education. Colleges and universities are demanding better-prepared students, and employers want new-hires to already possess some of the skills needed for the job. Magnet schools are an excellent way for Detroit Schools to offer these kinds of programs.

A Detroit Schools magnet program offers students the chance to work through school while concentrating on areas they are interested in. Montessori magnets are popular, as well as Performing Arts and Foreign Language. Students who are Gifted & Talented can attend magnet programs that cater to their needs. Students with exceptionalities can go to a magnet school that will address the physical as well as the educational needs they possess.

Detroit Schools offer several magnet schools, of which many are unique. Among these world-class programs are the Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies School, Michigan’s only public school of its kind; Davis Aerospace, one of few college prep high schools in the country where students can obtain a pilot’s license; the Detroit School of the Arts, a multiple award winning performing arts high school; and Crockett Technical High School, a digital technology high school.

Теги: , , , ,

Jn0-562 certification

JN0-562 certification

The JN0-562 exam preparation material offered by certmagic is very comprehensive and covers all exam questions that need to be covered to pass the JN0-562 exam. Professionals and experts at certmagic are very dedicated and they prepare exam study guides and exam practice tests with great effort.

Exam notes and exam guides prepared by our professionals gives you powerful material that will prepare you for the day of exam. Learning exercises and learning guides on

JN0-562  exam study material will help you to enhance your skills and knowledge.

We guarantee your success in JN0-562 exams and we assure you that you will be successful after preparing from our study guides, because here we provide you complete study solutions and practice and assessment kits. Exam practice tests provide you a greater opportunity to test your knowledge and skills that you need to be good at to pass the JN0-562 exam.

The exam study material provided by certmagic is very useful and gives you very useful and interactive material. In our exam notes you will the accurate and up-to-date information .our up-to-date education material will guide you along the path of success.  Certmagic guarantees you success and assures you that you will pass the JN0-562  practice exam at the very first attempt.

At certmagic we are always striving to provide you the unique study tips that will lead you ultimately to success.

The exam study material provided by certmagic is very useful and gives you very useful and interactive material. In our exam notes you will the accurate and up-to-date information .our up-to-date education material will guide you along the path of success.  Certmagic guarantees you success and assures you that you will pass the JN0-562 practice exam at the very first attempt.

At certmagic we are always striving to provide you the unique study tips that will lead you ultimately to success.

Теги: , , , ,

Does reading readiness occur at the same age for every child

Does Reading Readiness Occur At The Same Age for Every Child?

Reading readiness occurs only when a child is truly ready to learn how to read. Although learning oral language comes naturally to humans, learning to read does not. We must be taught how to read.

Keep in mind that every child is different. Reading readiness varies greatly from one person to the next, and one teaching method may not work for every child. What worked for Steve may not work for Johnny, and what works for Johnny may not work for Amy.

There is no set age at which all children are ready, either. Do not worry if your child seems to be a bit of a late bloomer. Just support him as much as you can and try to nurture his reading readiness.

How Do I Know If My Child Is Ready To Read?

Of course, since the stages of reading readiness can progress at such different rates among children, nothing is written in stone. However, there are some standard questions you can keep in mind when you are watching your child for signs of readiness:

*Does he know what letters look like?

«Is she able to detect the pattern within a story? Try this. Tell her, «My favorite color is yellow. My favorite fruit is an apple. My favorite drink is chocolate milk.» If she responds, «My favorite show is Spongebob,» then she understood there was a pattern, but if she responds, «The dog is silly,» then she was unable to notice the pattern.

*Does he speak in complete sentences?

*Does she seem interested in being able to read? For example, does she point to road signs and ask you what they say?

«Can he differentiate between pictures and printed words?

*Does she have the ability to pick up a book and open it the right way on her own?

*Does he have a clear memory? For example, can he later remember what he saw yesterday? How about last week?

How Can I Help My Child To Reach Reading Readiness?

You can begin helping your child to learn to read as early as you would like. While your child is still only an infant, sing and talk to him or her as often as you can. Make sure you encourage his vocal noises as he tries to learn how to talk. Also make sure your baby has a lot of board books and cloth books. Allowing your infant to try to «read» his books by himself can help encourage important motor skills associated with the physical aspects of reading, like flipping through the pages and focusing on the images on each page.

Once your child has grown into a toddler, the possibilities for encouraging reading readiness are endless. It is absolutely crucial that you read to your child as often as you can keep her attention, and make it fun for her! Use a different silly voice for each of the characters. Get her involved in the story by asking her questions, like inquiring if she can point out certain pictures on the page.

Make reading into a fun game, and your children will absolutely love it. Here are just a few entertaining ideas that will teach your children to have a lifelong love of learning and knowledge:

«Put three or four toys that begin with the same letter on the desk or the floor. Add another toy—but this time it should be one that doesn’t begin with that letter. Ask your child to name each toy, as well as pick out the one that doesn’t belong.

«Consider drawing charts with pictures of items that begin with each letter of the alphabet, and ask your children to help you. Encourage your children to help you gather items for a scrapbook with images of objects that begin with all the letters. Make it into a long treasure hunt, and allow your children to feel a sense of accomplishment as they begin to pick out the right items.

*Introduce your children to the world of poetry by reading books with nursery rhymes. Explain to them how each line rhymes with the next. Once they begin to understand the concept, start saying a word to your child and asking him to come up with a rhyming word.

By playing educational and entertaining games like these, you can help your child achieve reading readiness at the youngest age possible. This means that you can give your child the greatest gift she will ever receive: she will learn to enjoy learning itself, and she will embark upon the journey of life with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

Теги: , , , ,

Try obama scholarships for moms: they could improve your future

Try Obama Scholarships For Moms: They Could Improve Your Future

There are some bright spots that should encourage you to look ahead despite the fact that the US economy is going through some tough times. By offering Obama scholarships for moms, the government is encouraging women to go to college. All types of mothers now have the chance to get a quality education that will undoubtedly benefit their families and future employers. Obama scholarships are made possible by federal Pell Grants. Obama and the government made some changes to these grants to make it easier for moms to go back to school. Now Pell Grants worth over $5,000 can be awarded. That makes these grants worth more than $1,000 over the previous maximum. Many single mothers are low-income, and that’s the group that Pell Grants are intended to help. To deal with this, the government is encouraging moms to go back to school. Having money to go to college could benefit both stay-at-home mothers and working mothers. These grants have other benefits to add incentive for moms to enroll in college. Large colleges and universities obviously attract many students. Many single mothers have been prevented from going to college because this wasn’t an option for them. The Pell Grants take this common factor into account. These particular Pell Grants make it possible for a working mom to attend college part-time or for a stay-at-home mom to take online courses. You can study what you want, anything from nursing to education to business. Single mothers now have more opportunity to study, and this is the important part. If you’re a single mom, an Obama Scholarship may be the break you need to start on a different path. Looking into how to apply for a scholarship is very simple. First, go online to fill out the FAFSA, the application for federal student aid. The application is free, and there’s a lot of information about aid that is available to you. The American Opportunity Tax Credit program states that the first $4,000 of your education is free, so keep that in mind. Consider this tax credit as well as the chance of getting a grant when weighing your options. Single moms who work or stay-at-home have a wonderful chance to attend college and advance their education. Government grants and free opportunities are meant to help moms care for their families and increase the money they can earn by being vital members of the workforce. The Obama scholarships help women have the chance to improve their family’s future as well as their own.

Теги: , , , ,

Be safe on your motorcycle

Be Safe on Your Motorcycle

Riding on a motorcycle is fun and exciting. Nothing feels better on a warm afternoon then being on one, feeling the light breeze and the sun as you travel. However, it is vital that you take motorcycle safety very seriously as it only takes a second for you to be involved in an accident. Keep in mind that you don’t have the protection of a vehicle around you. Your motorcycle and your body are going to come into direct contact with another vehicle as well as the road.

Most accidents involving motorcycles are the result of another vehicle not being able to see the motorcycle. I can remember one of the scariest moments in my life involved my husband on a motorcycle. He was about a mile ahead of me and I was traveling in my car with our children. My husband went to pass a semi truck. As he was preparing to go around the semi truck decided to pass the car in front of him. He put on his signal light and my husband had to get to the shoulder to avoid being hit. The semi truck driver never knew he was there.

The lesson here is for both the motorcycle rider and for other vehicles. Make sure you look for motorcycles behind you and on the side of you before you make a move. This is especially true during times of warmer weather. Motorcycle riders need to drive attentively, understanding that other vehicle drivers won’t always be able to see them.

Operating a motorcycle doesn’t mean you have any special privileges on the streets or the highways. I think I speak for most of us when I say that we have all seen reckless driving involving motorcycles. I have been passed on the right shoulder more times than I can count. I few times traffic has been at a complete stop when a motorcycle operator decides to weave in and out of traffic to get ahead of the mess.

Motorcycle riders often travel together, and they like to ride side by side. This is a safety hazard for everyone. Each rider needs to remain in single file and pay attention to what is going on around them. This also needs no wheelie tricks or excessive speeds while traveling.

It is very important to always wear eye protection and a helmet when you are riding on a motorcycle. In many states, it is mandatory. It is very easy to get a bug, dust, or other debris in your eye while riding a motorcycle if you don’t have eye protection on. A helmet can save your life as a head injury will be less likely than without one.

It is a good idea to always wear a long sleeved shirt and pants while riding a motorcycle as well. They will offer you protection from road rash and debris. If you ride your motorcycle at night make sure your headlight works properly and that you have on reflective tape or clothing.

Many motorcycle accidents are the result of road conditions. Pay attention to the road and watch for areas of spills, sand, water, or foreign items. We have all seen boards, wood pieces, and even furniture on the road. Can you imagine hitting such an object with a motorcycle? Likewise, watch for such items being hit by another vehicle and becoming airborne. Never ride your motorcycle in rain, sleet, or snow. The risk is too great.

Operating a motorcycle is a great way to spend your leisure time. It is also a very cost effective way of commuting to and from work. Operating a motorcycle is also a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly. You need to be more assertive and observant of your surroundings on a motorcycle than you do when operating a car. Make sure you have plenty of experience on how your motorcycle functions before you attempt to ride it in a location where there are other vehicles.

Теги: , , , ,

Obama is intending to introduce scholarships for single mothers

Obama Is Intending To Introduce Scholarships for Single Mothers

Single working mothers have perhaps the toughest job of all, in having to take care of their families on their own. A wish or a goal for many moms that has to be put on hold in order to take care of other responsibilities, is higher education. President Obama, together with his new administration, is, however, encouraging moms to make their education a priority. Obama scholarships are giving working mothers a great chance to improve their futures. While people of all ages are encouraged to seek higher education, Obama is urging working moms in particular with his Scholarships for Moms program. Building on The Scholarships for Moms program, is the federal government’s long-standing offer of Pell grants. Applied for through FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), Pell grants are the most commonly applied for forms of aid for students going to college. To encourage more mothers to return to school, the Obama administration is making some changes now. For the Scholarships for Moms program, the biggest incentive is with the amount of money being offered. $4000 per student is the maximum amount awarded through Pell grants. That amount is increased to $5,000 for mothers who apply to the program. The purpose of these grants is to allow working moms to return to school and earn a degree. In turn, that will allow them to better provide for their families now as well as in the future. In addition, the administration hopes that equipping mothers to earn more money as working professionals will also be a stimulus to the economy. Moms can receive an education without worrying about having to pay back money for a loan, or the costs of school. An additional great incentive for moms considering this program is that it applies to enrollment in nearly all types of higher education institution. As well as smaller community colleges, four-year universities are covered as well. You can choose to go to a private school or a public one. If staying on campus isn’t an option, then busy moms can study through online courses. Basically the government’s Scholarships for Moms program is a comprehensive attempt to get mothers who are keen back into the classroom. With the Obama scholarship, the worry of returning to school is removed. Working moms can earn a degree in almost any area of interest so that they are fully equipped to provide for their families. Higher education doesn’t have to be an unobtainable goal or an unfulfilled wish any longer. The Scholarships for Moms program has been designed to help create a brighter future for mothers and their children.

Теги: , , , , ,

Holistic health certificate programs

Holistic Health Certificate Programs

Find Holistic Health Certificate Programs in the United States and Canada. Individuals drawn to natural healing and noninvasive healthcare find that enrolling in any number of holistic health certificate programs provides them with the education and training necessary to become a professional holistic health consultant or practitioner.

Typical holistic health certificate programs range in training hours; however, studies generally cover human anatomy and physiology, Eastern and Western holistic health perspectives, holistic health, biofeedback, autogenic training (muscle relaxation during self-hypnosis), spiritual philosophies, Chinese medicine philosophies in relation to holistic healthcare, mind-body-spirit medicines, energy healing, imagery and meditation, and herbal medicine, among other subject matter.

Additional training in holistic health certificate programs may include but is not limited to art therapy, introduction to homeopathy and naturopathy, metaphysics, nutrition for wellness, hypnotherapy, NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), and other related studies.

If you are a professional nurse or other medical healthcare provider, enrolling in holistic health certificate programs can earn your way into the holistic health sector as a holistic nurse or doctor. For example, holistic health certificate programs designed for nurses teach practitioners the fundamentals of holistic nursing, in addition to wellness counseling, herbology, Feldenkrais, energy healing (i.e., Reiki), reflexology, aromatherapy, massage therapy, touch therapy, and other mind-body-spirit medicines.

Other holistic health certificate programs focus on spiritual studies, and involve in-depth training and education in spirituality, a Course in Miracles, spiritual counseling, metaphysics, psychic phenomenon, death and reincarnation, dream interpretation, and other mind-spirit therapies.

It is always a good idea to review potential healing arts or alternative medicine schools for the particular field of study in which you are interested. While some holistic schools provide specific training in holistic healthcare, others may offer multiple courses in herbal medicine, massage therapy, and the like.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding holistic health certificate programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore holistic health certificate programs near you.

Holistic Health Certificate Programs

© Copyright 2007

The CollegeBound Network

All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.

Теги: , , ,

 Page 6 of 76  « First  ... « 4  5  6  7  8 » ...  Last »