Unit One
This first unit builds the foundation for the entire pathway. Students learn essential digital literacy skills, how to organize and manage project files, and explore careers in games and media arts. At the same time, they set up their personal portfolio, which will grow across all three years.
Topics Covered
- Digital literacy: safe logins, passwords, storage, and backups
- File management and naming conventions for creative workflows
- Game and media industry careers: art, design, animation, VFX, technical roles
- Hardware and software overview: classroom computers, OS basics, productivity tools, design software
- Setting up required accounts (Canvas, Jupiter, email, Google Drive/OneDrive)
- Launching a personal portfolio site (Google Sites or Canva)
Assignments
Learning Report
Objectives
- Demonstrate proper file management and storage techniques
- Recognize and describe careers across games and media arts
- Identify core classroom hardware and software used in the pathway
- Set up and log into all required accounts for class work
- Launch a live portfolio site and publish first entries (career research + reflection)
Materials
- Classroom computers with internet access
- Notebook or digital journal
- Accounts: Canvas, Jupiter, Google Sites or Canva
Assessment
Students show technical skills by creating a working file system and setting up accounts. Academic learning is demonstrated through career research, reflection, and the first entries published to their portfolio site.
Activities
Students set up accounts and confirm access. They practice file management with naming conventions and organization. In parallel, they research careers, complete a guided overview of classroom hardware/software, and post reflections in their portfolio.
Education Standards
The following standards are drawn from the 2024 AME Industry Skills Framework:
- 2.2 — Correctly use industry-appropriate terminology
- 3.1 — Explore creative and technical jobs across industries
- 3.2 — Conduct interest, aptitude, and career research
- 4.3 — Use job-specific hardware/software for workflows and delivery of content
- 4.6 — Use industry-standard asset tracking, file naming conventions, and backup protocols
- 11.1 — Demonstrate media literacy through critical inquiry and analysis