INDS 400: Cardiovascular Game Design - Course Pitch and Completion
I proposed and completed an INDS 400 Course. The purpose of this course is to bring together a multidisciplinary group of students to work on a cardiovascular game. To pitch this course, I made a formal request to the INDS program director, Dr. Stephen Freeland, in Fall 2015. I developed a syllabus for this course, led a multidisciplinary team, created networks with stakeholders (project mentors, subject matter experts), and co-created innovate ideas to address issues in cardiovascular disease education. Of note, the successful proposal of the course with the syllabus is similar to a business pitch/plan.
This experience is connected to my Grand Challenge (Advanced Personalized Learning), because it brings together a group of students to personalize their learning of game design.
Grand Challenge: Advance Personalized Learning Experience Level: Silver Time Commitment: 80 total hours; 3 hours/week
Personal Reflection: This experience taught me the value of leadership and project management skills. I learned my ability to manage a student-led project and motivate peers to keep up with project deadlines. It was a fruitful experience, which left me with many skills. Additionally, I had the opportunity to learn from failure. My initial pitch to create this class failed miserably. With some courage and hard work, I came with a rejuvenated plan, which was ultimately accepted.
Program-Wide Learning Objectives
Integrity - experience does not explicitly address this
Perspectivism - development of course provided perspective of CVH education
Realistic vision - creation of realistic expectations for project deadlines
Teamwork - worked with a multi-disciplinary team of CS, Bio, CompE students
Persistence - had the opportunity to redo my pitch after initial failure
Flexibility - learned to be flexible with project deadlines and considerate of peers' commitments
Entrepreneurship Learning Objectives
Apply creative and innovative thinking to solve problems. - solving CVH education through board games
Understand successful organizations and effective leadership strategies. - trial and error leadership management
Develop strategies for recognizing opportunities and identifying the tools for quality risk assessment. - game prototyping stage
Exhibit skills for communicating ideas in a concise and logical way. - semi-monthly meetings
Work effectively in teams focused on entrepreneurship-related projects. - creation of a multi-disciplinary team
Apply entrepreneurial thinking to social issues and social problems. - CVH Education
Demonstrate an understanding of real-world entrepreneurship, including business plans, startups, and other projects. - creating a course syllabus
Network effectively with area entrepreneurs - network with game designers in area (UMBC alumns, professor contacts, etc.)