Thurrock Trailblazer Cultural Catalogue 2019-20

SIGNALS
KS2
KS3
KS4
SEND
WELLBEING VIDEO GAMES
Signals is a centre for creative digital learning who specialise in film education, digital art and use
media production for social, learning and creative outcomes. Based in Colchester Essex, Signals is
a multi award winning arts and education charity that provides courses, workshops and projects
across the region. Using digital art to introduce young people to topics such as STEM, literacy,
history and even wellbeing, Signals have many years experience of delivering bespoke creative
digital education projects and workshops from KS2 to KS4.
“The students shoulders are back, they are talking and offering
opinions in class... they’ve smiled all week and looked truly joyful...
they believe in themselves”
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Signals educate and inspire students to
become digital creators rather than just
consumers, increasing their understanding of
and participation in digital art and its vast array
of applications.
Technology can spark debate, inspire and
motivate participants and Signals have had
great success and experience of working with
disadvantaged and hard to reach groups,
especially to help raise awareness and
engagement around PHSE topics.
WELLBEING VIDEO GAMES
The concept of wellbeing comprises of two
main elements: feeling good and functioning
well.
In this workshop students will learn the Five
Ways to Mental Wellbeing through making
video games - encouraging them to make
positive lifestyle choices for their mental and
physical health.
Students will use the free game design
software Construct 3 to program their own
video games which use emotions as
power-ups to overcome obstacles and
challenges.
Anger could become a way of speeding past
obstacles, fear a way of sneaking under them
and excitement a way of jumping over them!
Students design their own game levels
finding exciting ways to show how its healthy
to acknowledge our emotions and even use
them to our advantage.
SUITABILITY
This workshop is aimed at students in KS2-4.
DATES, LOCATION & FORMAT
Workshops are available weekdays from
9:00-17:30 and last 2 hours with a maximum of
30 students.
Workshops can either take place in your
classroom or at Signals’ studio in
Colchester.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will have an:
• Understanding of basic programming
techniques such as behaviours, variables,
events and actions
• Understanding of how to problem solve
and fix programming bugs with creative
solutions
• Ability to programme a 2D platformer game
in Construct 3
• Ability in Designing, coding and testing
their own custom game levels
• Been able to create and build an interactive
experience, considering UI and UX
CROSS-CURRICULAR LINKS
This workshop takes concepts from Computer
Science and applys them to a creative
medium that is translatable cross many
curriculum areas, including:
• ICT programming skills such as events,
actions, conditions functions, variables.
• Digital art and design, including character
design, scenery design and level design.
• SMSC/PSHE topics and British Values
TEACHER COMMITMENT & TRAINING
Signals are an Artsmark Partner, so please talk
to them about your Artsmark journey and see
how Signals can help you.
Teachers are encouraged to participate
alongside students and engage in their own
CPD.
Additional computers may be required for
larger class sizes (e.g access to a computer
suite).
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END?
Students are able to continue developing their
video games in their own time or in the
classroom with Construct 3, refining their
newly developed IT skills.
OTHER RESOURCES & SUPPORT
Lesson plans and links to equipment used
can be provided on request. The Five Ways to
Mental Wellbeing was produced by the New
Economics Foundation (NEF) on behalf of
Foresight.
COSTS
£250 2-hour workshop
£450 4-hour workshop
(2 hours with different classes)
All costs are inclusive of the equipment
required.
RECOMMENDED
This offer could complement the following:
• Into Film: Mindfulness on Film CPD
• Signals: Live Music Coding
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