After a first career as a full-time professor of Political Science, I began bringing my tech hobbies into the college classroom, which not only offered me a change of subject but also a fundamental change of teaching methodologies. Below are descriptions and syllabuses with some supporting material from the for-credit college courses I have taught that are relevant to tinkerfarm.net. All of these courses were offered for all majors without pre-requisites at an intermediate undergraduate level.
XR Studio
Description: A project-based course using the Unity 3D engine to develop applications in animation, gaming, simulation, augmented reality, or virtual reality. Target platforms may be mobile, desktop, AR/VR headset, cinema, or fulldome. Students will be mentored in completing a project of their own design using Unity and supporting applications. As a studio course, it is appropriate only for advanced independent learners comfortable with the expectation of quickly achieving proficiency in sophisticated software.
Syllabus: XR Studio.
Offered: Capital University, 2019, 2020
Introduction to Rapid Protoyping
Description: This is a project-based learning course using the design thinking process to design, build, and evaluate prototype devices. Students will work in teams and on an individual project of their choosing using the resources of Capital’s Prototyping Lab. Objectives of increasing the student’s creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, team work, and professional communication skills will be pursued while gaining experience with 3D design software, 3D printing, 2D design and fabrication tools, working with and programming electronics, and constructing physical models. No background required beyond a drive to create.
Syllabus: Introduction to Rapid Protoyping.
Offered: Capital University, 2018
3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping
Description: Have an idea for a product or small project but don’t know how to get it made? This hands-on course will introduce you to the tools and concepts you need to rapidly bring your ideas to life using the resources of Stetson’s Innovation Lab. Primary emphasis will be on 3D printing and 3D design for printing. This will be supplemented with introductory units on model making, electronics, micro-controllers, vacuum forming, CNC routing, hand tools and power tools.
Syllabus: 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping.
Offered: Stetson University, 2017 (Co-taught with Tandy Grubbs)