Educator Testimonials

Mark Carrick, High School Teacher - Gilroy, CA

When Mark Carrick started teaching CAD six years ago as part of the Regional Occupational Program at Gilroy High School in Gilroy, CA, he never imagined how popular his classes would become. Two classes grew to five classes, and when some students needed more challenging work, he pulled out one of the first versions of 3ds Max for the students to explore. Before long, it was “pure education” as students began constructing their own projects and teaching each other.

Mark now teaches just one class of CAD and four classes of “Digital Design and Animation.” His curriculum for this digital design class has evolved over the last few years. The training that Mark received at DMA last summer has been a significant factor in how his curriculum has evolved. Last summer, Mark spent 5 weeks with DMA at Stanford University, taking 3ds Max I and II, Photoshop I and II, and Flash I. The hands-on experience offered by DMA was the main reason Mark chose to invest in training with DMA: “I had been to a number of computer training programs where they mostly just talk. You learn zero in programs like that. I wanted a training program where I would have a mouse and where I could learn a software package without extra fumbling around. DMA provided the hands-on experience that I was looking for.‛

Before DMA, Mark had taught 3ds Max with poly modeling and other artistic endeavors, but had never taught with a gaming edge. The 3ds max classes showed him a new dimension of the software that he knew would excite his students. Similarly, he had previously taught graphic design with a simple program, but what he learned in the Photoshop classes turned him into a far more advanced graphic designer. As a result of what he learned with DMA, this school year he has modified his Digital Design and Animation class curriculum to include just one quarter of the simple graphic design program, one quarter of Photoshop, and two quarters of 3ds Max with an emphasis on gaming. Digital Design is one of the most popular classes at Gilroy High School, with a waiting list and with some students taking it four years in a row. What keeps the class exciting and relevant is that the curriculum is constantly evolving. This summer, Mark hopes to take two classes of Maya with DMA and next year to incorporate Maya into his classroom curriculum. “[With DMA training,] revamping curriculum is a real possible thing. My curriculum is changing daily, weekly, yearly.”

In addition to software training, Mark’s experience with DMA provided him with new insights into how to teach computer based courses. By watching the DMA instructors, he learned some new teaching techniques. As he explains, “I had never been directly taught how to teach a computer class.” For example, the 10-1 teacher-student ratio in DMA classes convinced him that he needed more helpers when teaching. To solve that need, he has “deputized” his more advanced students, which has both helped to improve their learning and to help his class run more effectively.

Mark’s students are learning that “there is a real future for them in graphic arts, multimedia, or gaming.” Some of his students have even gone on to pursue art programs at prestigious universities. And as his curriculum continues to evolve, Mark is excited about the possibilities.

Jenny Angelacos, High School Teacher - Santa Cruz, CA

As a regional occupation instructor for Santa Cruz County, Jenny Angelacos was first introduced to the Digital Media Academy^TM from fellow video instructors who had taken DMA courses in the past. Jenny knew that she didn’t like learning new computer applications from a book. As a visual learner, she wanted a training program that was hands-on. Her colleagues recommended that she come to DMA.

Jenny chose to take Final Cut Pro II, staying on campus at Stanford University. She was amazed at what she was able to learn in just one week. “As a graduate with a film degree from UCSC, I learned more about FCP during one week at DMA than I learned during my 2 years of film classes!” The skills she gained have since enhanced her abilities as a filmmaker, and her students are reaping the benefits. “It goes without saying that I am passing all of the tricks of the trade I learned at DMA down to my students!”

Furthermore, her experience at DMA gave her first hand experience to be on both sides of the “classroom stage.” She says that “because of this experience as a student, I am aware of how I should pace my own class, and what types of printed materials should accompany my demonstrations.”

Jenny is hoping to return to DMA next summer for other courses in video production and filmmaking, such as Abode After Effects. When asked about how DMA training can help other educators, she says, “I would highly recommend DMA to any educator hoping to gain a firm grasp on Final Cut Pro in an extremely short amount of time. What you learn during one workshop is enough to wet your student’s appetite for an entire year!”