Originally published on 6/16/21
This year, John Burrows, Graphic Design and Illustration Instructor at JB Hensler College and Career Academy thought, “What project can we create that allows multiple classes to actively work together?”
The answer? A Classic Arcade Cabinet!
“Many collaborative projects are driven by one dominant group. We wanted to create a project that needed to be more about classes working together, communicating, and listening to each other. It needed to be a project that couldn’t be dictated by any one class. The idea to do a classic arcade cabinet was picked because it allowed multiple teams to collaborate by communicating, researching, bringing their skill set to the project, and listening. This collaboration would allow students from diverse backgrounds and varied skill sets to contribute as equals towards a meaningful and common goal,” shared Burrows.
In order to make this collaborative project happen, the instructors determined what classes would be needed.
“It was a process,” Burrows explained. “Originally, we thought we needed graphic design to design the look, the construction class to build the cabinet, and the information technology class to do all the computer work. As the project progressed, we realized we needed more help.”
The collision repair class was added to do the fine finishes and painting as well as the legal studies class to make sure they were proceeding legally.
“We were so impressed with how well each group worked together. The IT students met with the construction students to talk about their specific components and to make sure everything fit right, and graphic design students shared the build plans, templates, and design ideas with the law students. Communication between the different classes was key to this project,” shared Burrows.
The students enjoyed participating in the project as well.
“I loved the fact that we finished such a cool thing. I really thought it was going to be another cool project we start but never finish, like so many other school projects,” said IT student Roland Soto.
“This project was about students doing what they learned all year long. It was just about them using those skills to create something they were proud of. Construction built it, collision repair finished it, graphic design covered it in their design and IT installed their hardware. It was beautiful to watch all the hard work payoff in such a complete way,” said Kyle Kettler, Assistant Principal of JB Hensler College and Career Academy.
“This project has been so rewarding to create from start to finish. Seeing teachers invest their time and energy into something we have never done before and take on their role with enthusiasm has encouraged me to continue creating these collaborative projects,” shared Burrows.
What’s next? Another school will be creating the games in their computer programming class to go on the machines they make next year.
“I know there are limits to what can be done with this project, but I also know we have only started to see what those limits are,” Burrows said.