Torque In K-12?
by Davey Jackson · in Torque in Education · 04/23/2007 (11:40 am) · 8 replies
A number of schools have expressed an interest in using Torque to teach game design and programming to K-12 students. What are your questions an comments about using Torque in K-12 education?
#2
Torque Game Builder Educational Site License
Torque Game Builder X Educational Site License
Torque Game Engine Educational Site license
Torque Suite Educational Site License
Campus Suite Educational Site License
Torque Summer Camp License
Student Club License (For 10 or more student only)
Student Discount License (With site license or summer camp license only)
Torque Research License (Doctoral level, non-distributed research only)
We also provide complimentary teacher evaluation licenses for instructors teaching game design and game programming.
Please contact education@garagegames.com for particulars of each pricing schedule or to apply for an instructor eval license.
05/14/2007 (11:48 am)
GarageGames provides several different licensing models for educational institutions depending on the program's particular needs. Here is brief listing of our educational pricing schedules:Torque Game Builder Educational Site License
Torque Game Builder X Educational Site License
Torque Game Engine Educational Site license
Torque Suite Educational Site License
Campus Suite Educational Site License
Torque Summer Camp License
Student Club License (For 10 or more student only)
Student Discount License (With site license or summer camp license only)
Torque Research License (Doctoral level, non-distributed research only)
We also provide complimentary teacher evaluation licenses for instructors teaching game design and game programming.
Please contact education@garagegames.com for particulars of each pricing schedule or to apply for an instructor eval license.
#3
You might want to consider "Alice" or "Panda" from Carnegie Mellon University. The programs were designed to teach game programming and are clearly documented and supported. This makes using them much easier than trying to get help using Torque.
Another great advantage of Alice and Panda are that they are FREE! No licensing nightmares like trying to install Torque on school computers that don't allow students to write on the hard disks. Also, the programs can be taken home by the students to do homework, as most students have access to computers at home.
You can contact Kai Wang ( "Kai Wang" ) who has a program running at the Community College level and uses Alice.
Alles Gute!
Will
05/30/2007 (12:08 pm)
Howdy,You might want to consider "Alice" or "Panda" from Carnegie Mellon University. The programs were designed to teach game programming and are clearly documented and supported. This makes using them much easier than trying to get help using Torque.
Another great advantage of Alice and Panda are that they are FREE! No licensing nightmares like trying to install Torque on school computers that don't allow students to write on the hard disks. Also, the programs can be taken home by the students to do homework, as most students have access to computers at home.
You can contact Kai Wang ( "Kai Wang"
Alles Gute!
Will
#4
Alice and Panda are good intro programs but are not (to my knowledge) used by professional studios. So, while some of the intro resources provided by Alice and Panda may be smoother than Torque's, the ability for students to learn tools in the classroom that professional developers use is removed. GarageGames also has FREE licensing options for our C#/XNA based engines.
Also, the TGB 1.5 beta (which is now available) now features external file saving so students CAN save to external drives.
05/30/2007 (1:55 pm)
Thank you for the addtional resources Will. Alice and Panda are good intro programs but are not (to my knowledge) used by professional studios. So, while some of the intro resources provided by Alice and Panda may be smoother than Torque's, the ability for students to learn tools in the classroom that professional developers use is removed. GarageGames also has FREE licensing options for our C#/XNA based engines.
Also, the TGB 1.5 beta (which is now available) now features external file saving so students CAN save to external drives.
#5
05/30/2007 (3:34 pm)
I'd also like to note that TGB includes quite a bit of documentation.
#6
The first 3 months we spent teaching programming, design, and art concepts. We worked on Tools with Artists during that time and for the next 2 months. Programmers started with TGB in January.
I felt TGB was a terrific tool for the program. There was a little challenge making the connection between TorqueScript and the way things are done, but largely the biggest problem was the kids insisting on an over-ambitious design. That said we still had the best results of any of the courses we've taught.
This is our 4th year teaching the course, 1st using TGB. Looks like TGB from here on out.
07/06/2007 (6:57 pm)
We used TGB for a high school level game curriculum this last school year at Homesource here in Eugene. These were kids that for the most part had no experience, only interest. We run the course with Programming, Design/Testing and Art teams; a pseudo dev house approach.The first 3 months we spent teaching programming, design, and art concepts. We worked on Tools with Artists during that time and for the next 2 months. Programmers started with TGB in January.
I felt TGB was a terrific tool for the program. There was a little challenge making the connection between TorqueScript and the way things are done, but largely the biggest problem was the kids insisting on an over-ambitious design. That said we still had the best results of any of the courses we've taught.
This is our 4th year teaching the course, 1st using TGB. Looks like TGB from here on out.
#7
I would love to see the output of your TGB class. Any chance we can see that or post it here somewhere?
Alles GUte!
Will
07/07/2007 (11:14 am)
Howdy Kelly!I would love to see the output of your TGB class. Any chance we can see that or post it here somewhere?
Alles GUte!
Will
#8
06/03/2009 (8:09 am)
hello I am a student at sanford-brown college getting my assoc. in game and web. I use torque at school but do not have it at home. I would really like to have at home but it a little to expensive for me to afford right now. So my question is can students get a discount or use torque for free for homework purposes only. 
Torque Owner John Snyder
In addition, I am preparing to develop the second version of an online game for implementing our Computer Applications course for our district's Virtual High School. The first version is written in Flash, and I would much rather revise it using something like Torque. What sorts of restrictions and/or royalties are required on such an online course implemented with Torque?