In today’s fast-changing technological world, people that have critical and creative thinking skills will be able to adapt and excel, especially in the area of digital media. The North Vancouver Digital Media Academy, located at Argyle Secondary School, is an enriched hands-on program that will provide you with access to a broad and useful range of skills and knowledge in digital arts, project management, and problem solving. You will learn to create meaningful stories and solve challenging problems. One of our main goals is to prepare you for post secondary training as well as the many careers and lifestyles in digital media.
In BC there are many opportunities for post secondary training and careers in digital media. The Entertainment Industry offers you many exciting careers and working lifestyles. British Columbia is a world leader in the Film and Television, Animation, and Game Design industries. The Entertainment Industry in BC is the primary driving force for the demand for knowledgeable, flexible, creative workers who have experience using their imaginations to solve problems. The DMA offers you an enriched real-world learning environment where you can express your creativity while “rubbing elbows” with digital media professionals.
The Digital Media Academy will challenge you to become an independent self-directed learner with the skills and knowledge to solve real world design problems. You will learn to plan and organize your projects and use your creative, technological and intellectual skills to become the media design visionary of the future. You will learn the fundamentals of project management and the design process. You will learn to shape messages that communicate to various audiences and develop an understanding of how to communicate ideas with all media. You will be exposed to various media professionals through guest speakers, workshops, field trips, and work experience. You will be encouraged to experiment and be innovative.
In a flexible learning environment your team will work on projects to integrate your knowledge of media design, technology, and production. You will learn to express yourself in the creation of animations, short films, audio recordings, video games, special effects, magazines, web sites, posters, logos, and countless other media. In your senior year you will concentrate on building your portfolio by solving realistic design problems in a variety of media. At this time you will have the opportunity to explore and further concentrate on personal areas of interest. This portfolio will help you enter the post–secondary program of your choice.
Argyle Secondary School has the resources and staff to deliver an excellent Digital Media Program that will suit the broad and specialized educational needs of the students. Students from across the district will have access to Argyle’s industry standard equipment and software resources. The staff members involved in the Digital Media Program have a strong background in digital media and art as well as having experience in collaborative and self-directed learning.
Students will work in cohorts and take their required courses together. The DMA best suits students who are highly motivated and self-directed with a strong interest in art, design, and digital media. This program is especially useful for students who are focused on a career in digital media and the lifestyle that goes with this career. The DMA is scheduled into the student’s Grade 11 and 12 years during either Day 1 or Day 2 of a linear timetable. Students from all North Vancouver schools are eligible to apply.
Students will largely be evaluated formatively (as they learn) using rubrics and checklists. Your teachers will act as guides and collaborators. A final portfolio will allow students to apply to institutes of their choice and present broad and strong evidence of their experience in digital media art and design.
1. Be very interested in a media career path within a hands-on and self-directed learning environment.
2. Complete an application (see web site) including: a letter outlining why you desire to enter the DMA; a recommendation from a teacher; and a portfolio of your best media related work that will benefit your application.
3. Deliver your application directly to Murray Bulger at Argyle Secondary by April 30th.
4. A program fee of $300 will cover the costs of supplies, guest speakers, field trips, and other supplemental resources that will enrich the academy.
