Basic Concepts Taught

Interface principles
Computer Proficiency has everything to do with using program interfaces. The basis of learning any software requires, first and foremost, understanding the interface or GUI of programs. One does not learn to drive a car without first knowing how read the dashboard, using the brake and pedals, and the sticks.
Blender 2.4 does not use the Windows GUI or interface, so students are required to evaluate how the program functions in a logical manner different from what they are used to in a Windows GUI. To the students, it is similar to learning a new video game, because the controls and concepts for each game is different and are made by different companies.
Why learn a different interface? Doesn't everyone use the Microsoft Windows Interface for their software? While it may be true that a majority of the corporate workforce uses Microsoft GUI, the Apple OS are not uncommon, and the popularity of Linux is increasing. Meanwhile a majority of the non-corporate workforce and large companies use custom designed interfaces by in-house programmers.
By learning how to use Blender 2.4 students will learn how to interact with software using the keyboard and mouse on an advanced level and learn how to use software logically.

Design principles
Students in 3D Modeling and Animation will discover new designs concepts that would not been possible in 2-D software. 3-D Blender provides the tools and techniques to to enable students to build strong foundations for page design, explore creative applications for lines and shapes, and discover how to break the rules while maintaining the underlying structure of a layout.3-D Visualization
The brain functions in a 3-D environment everyday handling, observing and creating 3-D objects such as sculpting, so what is the big deal about 3-D software? Working with 3-D objects within a two dimensional space on a computer screen is an entirely different concept and requires higher level thinking skills and further develops spatial concepts.

Problem Solving
Students will be given challenges to recreate 3-D virtual models from images, live models, and attempt reproduce certain kinds of animation.

Specific Concepts Taught
X, Y, Z axis
Keyboard and mouse coordination
Camera Angles
Lighting
Rendering
3-D Shape Manipulation
Interpolation(A method of constructing new data points within the range of a discrete set of known data points)

What career possibilities are there?
Architecture
Engineering
Animator
Computer Graphics
Computer Programmer
Pilot
Product Development
Drafting (Auto CAD)
Cinematography
Accident recreator