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.

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, computer animation, new media and game design industries. The entertainment industry in BC is the primary driving force for the demand for knowledgeable, flexible, creative

workers who have lot of experience using their imaginations to solve problems. The Academy 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. We are committed to educating responsible media artists for the information age by teaching you the fundamentals of project management and the design process.

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. You will learn to shape messages that communicate to various audiences and develop an understanding of how to communicate ideas with all media.

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, music videos, special effects, magazines, websites, CD covers, posters, advertisements, 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 excellent equipment and software resources. The staff members that will be 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. One of our staff won the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence, which is given to only 16 teachers in Canada.

Students will work in cohorts and take their core courses together. The Academy best suits students who are highly motivated and self-directed learners who have 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 Academy 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.

For most courses we will offer field trips, guest speakers, workshops and work experience. This will allow students to make contact with media professionals and experience various settings in the digital media industry. Students will be largely evaluated as they learn (formatively) while

solving hands-on projects while working with their teachers 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

Students applying to the Digital Media Academy should be interested in a media career path and they must suit a hands-on and self-directed means of learning. Please fill in an application and include a short letter outlining why you desire to enter the Academy. A portfolio of any media related work will be beneficial to your application.

A program fee of $500 will cover the cost of supplies, guest speakers/workshops, some fieldtrips, and other supplemental resources that will enrich the academy.