Discreet Design Academy Debuts

[Tami]

Discreet Design Academy Debuts

Montreal, Canada; October 26, 2004 -- Discreet, a division of Autodesk Inc., has launched Discreet Design Academy (DDA), a secondary-school program designed by educators and Discreet to bring new visual communications-based learning experiences and skills into the classroom. Broadening the accessibility of 3D tools beyond specialized fine arts and vocational studies, DDA provides a cross-disciplined curriculum that incorporates Discreet 3ds max software into general math, science, and language arts coursework. The program is being rolled out to high schools in North America this fall.

DDA emphasizes teamwork, planning and thoughtful execution as students employ sophisticated visual communication techniques to explore topics such as planetary mechanics, archeological reconstruction of the Parthenon, the digestive system, forensics, weather systems and more. Students then animate solutions in 3ds max software to explain and present what they have learned. Through this forward-thinking program, students are not only learning how to think visually, but they are also gaining computer animation skills in the most widely used 3D software for professionals in film, game development, design, and broadcast markets.

The program is flexible and affordable, allowing schools to purchase either an annual or a perpetual classroom license to use the DDA curriculum and 3ds max software on up to 10 computers, with an 11th license for the instructor. DDA also includes comprehensive lesson plans, teaching guides and handouts to support five projects across a semester -- the equivalent of a fundamental animation course.

Discreet worked with leading educators and technical experts to map the program to the International Technology Education Association (ITEA), the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), science and language arts standards. The curriculum also aligns with the National Science Foundation's Visualization in Technology Education (VisTE) project, which focuses on linking science and technology through creation of visualizations.

DDA is available via an annual term license of 10 student seats and one faculty software license of 3ds max EDU, or a perpetual license, for ongoing use of the 11 DDA licenses. Teacher resources include syllabi, lesson plans, student handouts with exercises, projects and homework, evaluation rubrics and online tutorials. Single license increments are available for larger or expanding labs. Discreet additionally offers separate teacher development seminars. For more information, visit www.discreet.com/dda/.

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