Sterling Academy Blog

Why Game Design Classes for High School Students Are a Good Choice

Posted by Sterling Staff on Oct 18, 2021 9:11:01 AM

There is really no such thing as a standard high school curriculum anymore. Yes, completion of certain basic math, science, language arts, and history classes are usually included as part of most secondary education requirements; but beyond a few core courses, high school education can — and should be — centered on the passions and interests of individual students. Rather than simply preparing them for future success, high school should inspire students to dream, stretching their imaginations so that they are able to recognize and assess endeavors they might never have otherwise contemplated. Thus, part of a good education is exposing kids to new ideas through unique and unusual electives. Here are five reasons to consider game design classes for high school students:

 

  1. Game Design Classes for High School Students Inspire Creativity


    In contrast to many foundational courses, coding and programming are inherently creative processes, demanding curiosity, imagination, innovation, and agility rather than mere memorization. Game design classes for high school students, in particular, rely on abstract thinking, as well as experimentation, to foster ideas, develop a story and bring concepts to life. Research shows that having an outlet for creative expression increases a student’s confidence, encourages the development of advanced problem-solving skills, decreases his or her anxiety, and leads to a deeper understanding of a subject.

  2. They Teach Logical Thinking


    The goal of any educational program is to inspire understanding. And understanding stems from logical, critical thought. Because the essence of computer programming is decomposition, taking a problem and breaking it into smaller parts so that it can be figured out, game design classes for high school students are the perfect vector for teaching computational thinking, the foundation on which more advanced thinking evolves.

  3. Game Design Classes Strengthen Communication Skills


    Coding is essentially a type of language, and studies show that learning a new language actually builds brain matter, providing enhanced cellular connections that enable increased cognitive processing and safeguard against age-related brain deterioration. The result: game design classes for high school students help to open and protect students’ minds so that they can better understand the world around them.

  4. They Improve Career Opportunities 


    Being able to code is a very marketable skill. Game design classes for high school students teach essential computer programming skills that many future employers look for in employees. A background in coding opens doors for students in college and beyond.

     

  5. Game Design Classes for High School Students are Fun


    Of course, coding is also fun, providing students with an outlet to explore, design, and create without limit. Adding courses that spark the interest of students and are enjoyable allows kids to relax for at least part of their school day, better preparing them for other courses which might be less appealing.

The Sterling Academy Difference

At Sterling Academy, we believe students need access not just to quality core classes, but to electives that excite and engage them. Our game design courses offer learners the opportunity to explore a potentially marketable (and lucrative) interest while at the same time instilling in them fundamental academic skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Please contact our Enrollment Office to learn more about what makes Sterling Academy different from other online institutions.

 

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How to navigate the transition between grade levels

Posted by Sterling Staff on Aug 31, 2015 7:51:00 AM

Transitioning from grade school to middle school or middle school to high school can be a time of tremendous anxiety for your child. Whereas their elementary school was small, their middle school could have hundreds more students. And when it’s time to leave there, they may find themselves in a 2000-student high school.

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Posted by Sterling Staff on Jul 13, 2015 8:34:00 AM

Training for the Olympics or other regional, national or international sports competitions can be a full-time job. Yet many aspiring Olympians – and even some professional athletes -- are youngsters who have to juggle time-consuming practice requirements with rigid traditional school schedules. Add to that the frequent travel for competitions, to meet with sponsors and so on, and scheduling worlds collide.

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Homeschooler and entrepreneur: The story of Palmer Luckey and the Oculus Rift

Posted by Sterling Staff on Jun 15, 2015 10:23:00 PM

In October, 22-year-old Palmer Luckey received the Smithsonian Magazine 2014 American Ingenuity Award, in the youth category, for his virtual reality innovations including invention of the Oculus Rift. To what does he attribute his exceptional success at such an age? He told the Washington Post “I think it’s pretty safe to say that the Rift never would’ve happened had I not been homeschooled.”

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How Online Elective Courses Help to Shape a Student's Future Career

Posted by Sterling Staff on May 25, 2015 6:11:00 AM

Once you graduate from high school, you’re expected to choose a direction for the rest of your life – a career path or a college major. How can you know what you want to do if you don’t know what is out there? No teen in the normal course of their life can be expected to acquire a grasp of all the possibilities, without some help.

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Education Options for International Students seeking an American high school diploma

Posted by Sterling Staff on May 18, 2015 6:03:00 AM

Sometimes international students prefer to earn an American high school diploma. Here at Sterling Academy we receive inquiries from all around the world asking about attending our online high school in order to earn that desirable American diploma. We welcome these calls. We live in a global environment now, so integrating foreign students into our school is only natural.

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The benefits of studying online during the summer

Posted by Sterling Staff on May 11, 2015 6:03:00 AM

Is your high school student looking to attend summer school? Maybe they should be – taking courses online, though, rather than in a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom. There are definite benefits to studying online during the summer, and not just for students who are struggling.

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What should your high schooler do over summer break?

Posted by Sterling Staff on May 4, 2015 7:46:00 AM

Most American students who attend public schools look forward to a hiatus every summer. Traditionally, many high school students seek part-time jobs during this extended period. It’s an excellent opportunity to earn money to put toward college or necessities, and holding a job teaches teens about the importance of “work ethic,” a life skill they will always need.

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5 Common Misconceptions about Online School

Posted by Sterling Staff on Apr 27, 2015 12:52:00 PM

As online schools have grown in popularity in recent years, there is more information available about them that interested students and parents can access. Unfortunately not all that information is accurate. The last thing you need when you’re making decisions about something as important as your education is erroneous “facts.”

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So what if your child isn't a prodigy?

Posted by Sterling Staff on Apr 20, 2015 7:54:00 AM

The beauty of online high school is that it offers distinct advantages for every type of student. By studying online instead of in a traditional brick-and-mortar setting, unusually talented young people can spend all the time they want on their passion without neglecting required courses.

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