21 replies to this topic

[leilatan]

what exactly is DDP and is it mandatory to take it?

[Sulate]

It is mandatory. It is tech's version of a technology/art/creativity class, Freshman year, you will be using the computers and blocks to design things, it focuses mostly on architecture.

Depending on your teacher, you will either get an easy 95 or you will lose a lot of sleep.

[©Milton]

An art class where you will design objects, much like how an architect designs, however, it is done mostly on a computer. You will use a program called Inventor, which isn't too complex. It's handy to be clever with the computer. Things might be a little hard to learn at first, but once you grasp the basics, it'll go smoothly. Oh and you can even get it for free on your computer through a link on the Project Lead The Way (pltw) site, although not always the current version used.

Just don't slip up, 'cause. For one of the marking periods, I slipped up big time, 'cause I had trouble sleeping, and fell asleep in class a lot. So I wasn't aware of the homework I received, although I did exceptionally well on tests. A week before grades were submitted for that marking period, I found out my current average for DDP was 37. I was about to sh*t my pants heha. But luckily, I had a week to make up, which I spent everyday afterschool making up homework and doing extra credit work. I ended up getting an 80 (double the grade in a week!) (: So yeah, it is mandatory.

Oh and If i do remember, if you did extraordinary in the class, you were able to pay a fee, to receive college credits. I can't remember the other details, but maybe someone with more information/authority can elaborate on this.

[NickC]

Sulate, on 31 August 2010 - 11:18 PM, said:

It is mandatory. It is tech's version of a technology/art/creativity class, Freshman year, you will be using the computers and blocks to design things, it focuses mostly on architecture.

Depending on your teacher, you will either get an easy 95 or you will lose a lot of sleep.

It's not "Tech's version" - PLTW DDP is an actual course that STEM Schools across the nation teach. There is a curriculum and has a college credit terminal exam similar to that of an AP.

For the course syllabus, please click: http://www.bths.edu/....jsp?rn=6750755

[blackmanor1000]

It also gives you a little taste of Industrial Design/Mechanical Engineering.

[ClEMeNt]

It'll give you headaches if you don't pay attention.

[Sulate]

NickC, on 01 September 2010 - 12:52 AM, said:

It's not "Tech's version" - PLTW DDP is an actual course that STEM Schools across the nation teach. There is a curriculum and has a college credit terminal exam similar to that of an AP.

For the course syllabus, please click: http://www.bths.edu/....jsp?rn=6750755

Okay, correction, it is STEM schools' version. Better? ;)

[SomeDude]

Is weighted toward our average? Or is it just some frivolous subject?

[Cowfun]

it's double weighted, like an ap, i think.

[blackmanor1000]

Yea, like an AP, it has a 10% weight and it's counted twice because it's a double period.

[Becca95]

blackmanor1000, on 01 September 2010 - 01:52 PM, said:

Yea, like an AP, it has a 10% weight and it's counted twice because it's a double period.

It's actually not counted twice as a double period because DDP is every other day, making it as if having it every day. It's just weighted 10%

[briellecardieri]

I don't know if it works like this anymore, but I remember that at the end of my freshman year we took two tests for DDP - A high school level DDP test and a college level DDP test. If you scored high enough on the college level DDP test, you could earn college credit for the class. The test is really hard though so if you want college credit make sure you pay attention and work hard all year.

[jennalavin]

basically its like architecture on the computer? it's really annoying, and the tests are too hard to get actual college credit for.

[NickC]

Sulate, on 01 September 2010 - 12:56 PM, said:

Okay, correction, it is STEM schools' version. Better? ;)

What I'm trying to say is that its an actual college credit course and most universities across the nation will accept it either as an elective or even a Gen-Ed for the art requirement.

[Tang]

blackmanor1000, on 01 September 2010 - 01:52 PM, said:

Yea, like an AP, it has a 10% weight and it's counted twice because it's a double period.

Nah, I'm pretty sure it's not counted twice just weighted 10%. But DDP was not annoying at all for me, in fact I had a free 2 periods every time I had DDP. All I did in that class was play games and socialize LOL. It depends on your teacher really.

[HereIAm]

Easy class, can be fun...just pray you dont get the wrong teacher

[NickC]

DDP is becoming better and better year after year because teachers are collaborating with each other and sharing ideas on how to teach their classes more effectively yielding better student performance both in class and on the PLTW DDP Exam by RIT. When I first took the course back in 2006, it was the same year it was introduced. Needless to say, probably 10% of the teachers teaching it had a clue what was going on which is why you would often get "OMG, that class was retarded" comments from upperclassmen. The class of 2010 is out and by the time 2011 is gone, the negative associations with PLTW DDP should be gone.

[HereIAm]

NickC, on 01 September 2010 - 08:00 PM, said:

DDP is becoming better and better year after year because teachers are collaborating with each other and sharing ideas on how to teach their classes more effectively yielding better student performance both in class and on the PLTW DDP Exam by RIT. When I first took the course back in 2006, it was the same year it was introduced. Needless to say, probably 10% of the teachers teaching it had a clue what was going on which is why you would often get "OMG, that class was retarded" comments from upperclassmen. The class of 2010 is out and by the time 2011 is gone, the negative associations with PLTW DDP should be gone.

I still think that the fact that your grade depends on the leniency of the teacher is stupid, especially for a class like DDP. I worked my a** off in the class I did every project and homework to my full artistic capabilities and still finished with a 55 even after attending weeks of after school tutoring, whereas people with more lenient teacher played games during class and never did any projects passed with 85's-95's.

[NickC]

HereIAm, on 02 September 2010 - 08:55 PM, said:

I still think that the fact that your grade depends on the leniency of the teacher is stupid, especially for a class like DDP. I worked my a** off in the class I did every project and homework to my full artistic capabilities and still finished with a 55 even after attending weeks of after school tutoring, whereas people with more lenient teacher played games during class and never did any projects passed with 85's-95's.

If what you are saying is true, go to 1W18, the Principal's office, and file a grade appeal form. If you have the documentation (homework, tests, assignments etc) with grades on it to prove that you deserve whatever grade you deserve, then the change will be made for you granted that your attendance in the class is exceptional and so forth.

(This is why we don't ever throw things away!)

[Jae]

@NickC: What if your DDP teacher was such a procrastinator they made us leave all our stuff with them and you already spent a year trying to get them to make time to go to storage with you to get it?

I spent a lot of money on prints and such to make a good portfolio and now I don't even have solid proof that I even took the course.