The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) launched its latest New Generation CAPE Animation and Game Design Syllabus on Saturday 12 March 2016 at the KingstOOn Festival in Jamaica. CAPE Animation and Game Design will be taught in schools from September 2016 and the first examination will be offered in May/June 2017.
The new syllabus describes Animation and Game Design as “a course of study that focuses on the process of creating motion and shape change illusion as well as the art of applying design and aesthetics for animation and game development.” Mrs. Camille Selvon Abrahams, a member of the CAPE Animation and Game Design Panel and Creative Director of Animae Caribe Animation Festival, spoke briefly about the development and contents of the new syllabus. She expressed her gratitude to CXC for having involved the animation sector in the development of this syllabus.
Dr. Annette Piper, Assistant Registrar Syllabus and Curriculum Development, who delivered remarks on behalf of Dr. Carol Granston, CXC’s Pro Registrar, mentioned that CXC in response to the changing social and economic demands of the Caribbean, has developed a number of New Generation syllabuses.
“While the CAPE syllabuses have always been designed to provide the key knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes and values required to access tertiary education and are relevant to the world of work, the new generation subjects have added a third dimension in keeping with the development needs in the region and the international community. Each of the New Generation syllabuses have a component that focuses on the development of entrepreneurial skills and competencies. These components of the syllabuses are designed to equip learners with the key competencies that will enable them to pursue entrepreneurial ventures and, in the process, create employment for themselves and others.”
The CAPE Animation and Game Design syllabus is a spin-off of the Digital Media syllabus which was launched in 2013. In developing the syllabus the importance of animation as part of the emerging digital industry and its potential for employment generation was recognised. In addition, training in animation would offer new opportunities that could be gained from outsourcing of these jobs since major companies in North America seek to engage talents from other territories. Both in terms of language and proximity, the Caribbean would be ideally placed to take full advantage of these opportunities.
The Animation and Gaming industry has the potential to provide numerous lucrative opportunities for persons in the region to create their own opportunities to pursue entrepreneurial ventures thereby creating opportunities for themselves as other. Dr. Piper explained that the Animation and Game Design syllabus has been designed in such a way that through a collaborative, highly practical and industry-driven approach, the opportunity will be provided for students not only to develop their aesthetic and technical competence, but to express creativity and conceptualize projects that integrate technology, arts and media to address local and international issues while creating source of education, entertainment and employment.
It will also empower students for further studies or immediate entry into the job market whether through waged or entrepreneurial employment, by providing goods or services on any feasible scale. In addition, students are encouraged to develop products and services that are of real world value and significance and to work in teams. More information about this syllabus can be found on the CXC website.
The KingstOOn festival brought together hundreds of professional animators, students and artists from across the Caribbean and around the world to participate in the animation conference and film festival from 12 to 13 March 2016 at the Edna Manley College in Kingston, Jamaica. The festival is an initiative of the Government of Jamaica in collaboration with the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank.
