CSCI 441 - Computer Graphics

Fall 2023 - Assignment 0 - So You Want To Be A Hero

This assignment is due by Tuesday, August 22, 2023 11:59pm.


Part I - Tell Us About Yourself on Ed


If you have not used Ed before for any other classes, here is a short description. In order to facilitate an open discussion outside the classroom, we will be using the online web forum Ed Discussion. Ed Discussion allows anyone to ask a follow-up question and for anyone to contribute a response. Many times other students will have the same question that you have, or they will have a problem you previously had. This forum is useful for receiving quick responses and multiple solutions.

When a new question appears, the instructors will allow time for student responses. You are encouraged to help your fellow students (and remember responding to an existing question earns you experience points). The instructors will then mark an existing response as correct or provide a hint in the right direction after a brief time as passed. The TAs will also be monitoring Ed and providing feedback as necessary.

It is possible to post anonymous questions or send private messages to the instructor, but keep in mind that anonymous posts may not gain you experience towards leveling up.

Once you have access Ed Discussion, tell us a little about yourself by adding an introductory post. At a minimum, include the information below as well as anything else you feel is interesting for us all to know.


Part II - Submit Two Selfies


In order to help me learn all of your names as quickly as possible, please submit a PowerPoint presentation with two images of yourself. The first should just be an image of just your face. The second, please create a sign that has your name displayed and hold it up in view with your face. Be creative! Extra kudos for photos from the rock wall or pool.

If you prefer not to submit a picture of yourself (I'm not going to do anything with the pictures other than make a PowerPoint flash card to quiz myself) that is perfectly alright, but you must still submit to Canvas stating that you will introduce yourself to me in class on Wednesday as the alternative (and actually introduce yourself).


Part III - Prereq Survey


The prerequisites for this course are MATH332 Linear Algebra and CSCI220 / CSCI262 Data Structures. On Canvas under Assignments is a Prereq Survey quiz. This quiz is only graded for completion, not for correctness. The questions will cover topics you should already be familiar with, and you will see during the semester. If you get a question incorrect, it is not counted against you, but that should be a clue to yourself that you may want to review that topic before we get to it in class.


Part IV - Create Your Hero


Choose Your Hero In order to enter Maui's Canoe, you must create a Hero for yourself. Your hero will be your online presence in this course, and you will take your hero throughout our virtual world. In future assignments, you will bring your hero to life by creating an avatar for yourself.

As you create your hero, begin thinking about what your hero looks like. What clothing and accessories does your hero have?

Your hero will gain experience as you complete tasks and assignments. There are also hidden skills and achievements for your hero to uncover. As stated in the syllabus previously, your hero's level correlates to your participation grade in this course. There are many ways to gain experience points (XP) and as the course progresses you will quickly learn different ways to earn XP. Lastly, your hero's XP will be used to rank you amongst all the heroes in Maui's Canoe. You can check your World Ranking on the Leaderboard.

To get started, fill out this online Google Form and let the professor know a little about your computer science background. Then, create your hero. Be as creative as you wish (or if you have a favorite character from a book, movie, game, etc. feel free to try and emulate them). NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to modify or reject any inappropriate responses (you don't want to be known as "Hero_183726" for the rest of the course - there's been one in the past).



Grading Rubric


Your submission will be graded according to the following rubric.

Percentage Requirement Description
25% Add a post telling us about yourself with the info from Part I above.
25% Submit two selfies to Canvas.
25% Complete the Prereq Survey.
25% Create your hero by submitting the Google Form.

Experience Gained & Available Achievements


Assignment Attribute
Assignments +50 XP
Ed Attribute
Ed +1 XP
Unearned Yellow Badge
So You Want To Be A Hero

Submission


The introductory post must be completed on Ed Discussion. Selfies must be submitted to Canvas. Your Hero must be submitted through the Google Form.

This assignment is due by Tuesday, August 22, 2023 11:59pm.