Zulama Entertainment Technology Academy

SUMMARY

Zulama is a set of ready-made curricula in art, design, and programming. These curricula emphasize game- and project-based learning, with the goal of improving student engagement and reducing dropout rates.

GOALS

 Zulama is a ready-made art, design and programming curriculum with a focus on games and project-based learning. Zulama courses are one semester (14-15 weeks) long, and can be taught in 4-year tracks. The product is geared toward middle school and high school students.

APPROACH

 Zulama is built to address student retention problems by engaging pupils in learning intrinsically motivating subjects. Teachers choose Zulama because it allows them to implement a ready-made 21st century skills curriculum in their classroom; Zulama uses game- and project-based learning with teacher support to not only drive student enthusiasm for school, but also to teach “real world” skills.

The company’s curricula address a variety of subjects, including game design, programming, 3D modeling, and game production and marketing.

IMPLEMENTATION

Zulama is heavily involved in the implementation of its curricula in schools. The company has designed a recommended implementation plan that includes a pilot course. Zulama also provides training for participating teachers on blended and project-based learning, as well as the Zulama proprietary systems required by the course.

Once the pilot course is successful, Zulama recommends implementing its full course catalog over the course of 3 school years. Zulama trains the educators who are to teach each course before it begins. If desired, Zulama will also consult with schools on how to create spaces optimally designed for their courses.

Zulama’s materials are browser-based, but the courses have hardware requirements to ensure that all of the necessary programs can be run. The company’s website offers details on the full technical specifications required for their courses.

PRICING

Zulama’s courses are licensed on a yearly basis. A school administrator can purchase an introductory license for one year for $5,000, which includes an unlimited number of Zulama courses. After the first year, pricing is determined by the size of the school

WHO IS USING IT

As of June 2014, Zulama was used by more than 500 students in one to two dozen schools across the United States.