TEAC 890-292 Creative Coding for Teachers

Writing code in the context of the emerging media arts

TEAC 890-292
Creative Coding for Teachers

TEAC 890 banner

A collaboration between TLTE and the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Art

Course Information

  • Course Schedule

    Dates: June 14 - July 7, 2021
    Session: Mini Session
    Credit Hours: 3
    Location of Class: Asynchronous Online-Distance Course
    Prerequisites: None. No coding or computer science background is necessary to be successful in this course.

  • Course Description

    This course is an introduction to writing code in the context of the emerging media arts. We will learn to read and write code in the programming language P5.js.
    While we become comfortable with key programming concepts (functions, variables, operators, conditionals, loops, and arrays), we will make use of these computational and logical tools to build digital and interactive artworks.
    Students will reflect on their creative coding process, and respond to the creative and technical work of peers.

  • Instructor

    • a picture of Gretchen Larsen
    • Gretchen Larsen is a PhD student in Teaching and Learning with Technology, and is concurrently pursuing an MFA in sculpture. She works with UNL’s Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media arts as a teacher and researcher.
    She previously taught web development at Southeast Community College. In her creative practice she combines computer code, electronics, traditional media (wood-working, metal), and machines for translating digital designs into physical objects (CNC, laser cutter). Her research describes and develops pedagogical strategies in the emerging media arts classroom.

  • Objectives

    At the end of the course, students will be able to:

    • Read and write with p5.js:
      Demonstrated through effective use of the p5.js language in exercises and assignments.
    • Understand key programming concepts:
      Functions, variables, operators, conditionals, loops, arrays
    • Create digital artworks using emerging technologies, informed by precedents from the history of art and technology.
    • Discuss, document, and critique their own creative coding practice:
      Demonstrated through discussion post reflections on creative coding process and peer reviews.
    • Demonstrate efficacy in computational thinking core components (see computational thinking).

  • Format

    The course will be totally asynchronous.
    Video lectures (~1 hour), corresponding lecture slides, and a daily assignment will be released each morning.
    Coding exercises are due at midnight, the day they are released.
    Watching the lecture and completing the exercise will take between 2 and 4 hours.
    Daily, synchronous/virtual office hours will be held for participants who seek additional support.

  • Required Materials

    You will need access to a laptop or other computer. I recommend maintaining a notebook for taking notes, drawing ideas, and “writing” code.

For More Information

  • Contact Instructor

    Please direct all your questions to:

    GRETCHEN LARSENTEAC 490/890 Instructor
    glarsen@huskers.unl.edu