ISTE - 3D Animation: It's not Just for Hollywood

[Formal Session : Lecture]
Wednesday, 6/30/2010, 10:30am–11:30am, CCC Korbel Ballroom 2A
Dan Cornell, Smoky Hill High School
Discover how 3D content creation, one of the fastest-growing fields worldwide, is infiltrating almost every industry. Discover curriculum ideas to prepare students for these trends.  (Contains Commercial Content)
Theme/Strand: Digital-age Teaching & Learning—Multimedia/Video/Digital Storytelling/Newscasting
Audience: Technology Integration Specialists, Teachers, Principals
Level: 6-12
NETS•S: 1, 2, 4, 6
NETS•T: 1- 3
NETS•A: 2
Keywords: 3D Animation, Visualization, Differentiated Instruction, architecture, engineering, medical, forensics, STEM

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Purpose & Objectives
Most people think of 3D animation as the visuals that make blockbuster movies and video games possible, but the applications for this art form go well beyond entertainment venues including: architecture, medical, aerospace, engineering, historical recreations, archeology, biotechnology, and forensics. Surprisingly, only about 4% of all computer animation produced is for the entertainment industry. The purpose of the presentation will be to give an overview of the present and future 3D technologies, future career trends and how to develop a curriculum that evolves within ever-changing digital landscape.
Outline
During this session, I will give a brief introduction about myself and my program, Digital-Evolutions. I will then discuss the future of 3D technologies, industry direction, student work, cross-disciplinary integration, teaching 3D with next-to-no experience, competition involvement, industry partners, meeting standards (STEM, NETS & art) and then open for discussion.
Supporting Research
Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008/09 predicts that digital media design and animation will show tremendous growth �much faster than average� through 2016 nationally. As of 2008, China has over 30 animation industrial bases, 5,400 animation companies, 450 high schools teaching certified animation courses, and 460,000 students studying animation related subjects. This was an increase of over 36% in comparison to 2006. (Aldric Chang 2008) According to Robi Roncarelli industry expert, China�s growth is not even due to outsourcing, but huge local demands. So it can be said that, our local industry is just at its infancy and this perpetual growth is blending together multiple disciplines, blurring the line between art, science, math, and technology.
Presenter Background
Dan Cornell brings a wide range of experiences, including 10 years as a Digital Visual Arts instructor, 8 of those years emphasizing on 3D Animation and Visualization, 7 years of Industry related experience, and 2 years as District Technology Coordinator. He created and was instructor within TEAM-C (Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Music) an advanced middle school technology integration program for 3 years and then moved on to high school. He then designed a new high school model, Digital-Evolutions, a digital visualization and animation program, introducing students to design principles, new media design, basic programming, engineering/medical visualization, video production & composting, and a heavy emphasis on 3D. Presently, he is teaching: 3D Animation, Advanced 3D Animation, Digital Media Studies Portfolio I & II, computer graphics, and IB Digital Arts. Dan presents at local, state and national conferences, including SIGGRAPH, GESET, TIE, and a number of others. He also maintains two 3D related resource sites including, www.3Dteachers.com, resources for 3d teachers and www.3Denver.com for industry professionals with in the Denver area.