Scott Darlington, Interim Program Coordinator
The Digital Learning and Business department utilizes the International Society for Technology and Education (ISTE) competencies to provide Andover High School students the opportunity to develop their skills as learners, leaders, collaborators, designers, and facilitators. In the DL&B department, students “learn by doing” to create technology, business, and media products through interactive courses that engage learners through the use of project-based curricula. The goal of the department is to support students to be innovators through offering courses in the three strands of technology, business, and media. In addition to the ISTE digital competencies, the DL&B department uses the Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) standards and the National Standards for Business Education
International Society for Technology and Education (ISTE) Student Competencies
1. Computational Thinking (Learner) 2. Equity Leader (Leadership)
3. Collaborating Around Computing (Collaborator) 4. Creativity & Design (Designer)
5. Integrating Computational Thinking (Facilitator)
Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Skills
1. Creating 2. Connecting 3. Abstracting 4. Analyzing
5. Communicating 6. Collaborating 7. Researching
National Standards for Business Education
● all students will participate in the economic system;
● all students will encounter a business environment that is characterized by diversity;
● all students will use technology as a tool;
● technology has accelerated the pace and frequency of change.
Course Offerings
Intro to Business - This introductory course explores the dynamic world of business. Students will develop an understanding of a variety of business functions and of the importance of ethics and corporate social responsibility. This course builds a foundation for further studies in business and helps students develop the business knowledge and skills they will need in their everyday lives.
Overview of Topics Include:
Accounting and Finance
Social Media Marketing
Human Resources
Production, Products, Pricing
Entrepreneurship
Business Law
Students will engage in creative collaboration through project-based learning experiences. Students enrolled in this course have the opportunity to join the DECA Business and Marketing Organization. (formerly known as Marketing). Open to grades 9-12, but designed as a foundational course.
Entrepreneurship - This course will provide students with the techniques and tools needed to start and operate their own business. The focus of this course will be to select a business, prepare a business plan and learn how to manage an ongoing business. Students will develop concepts and complete a business plan upon completion of this course. Students will also have the opportunity to join the DECA Business and Marketing Organization. Students enrolled in this course have the opportunity to join the DECA Business and Marketing Organization. (formerly known as Social Entrepreneurship) Open to grades 9-12, and designed as an advanced course
Web & Game Design - This Project-Based course introduces students to the development of web based projects using many third party platforms. In this course, students will create interactive, state-of-the-art, web-based applications that support the demands of tomorrow's e-business processes across different devices. Students will design web pages with user interface elements designed for Computers, Tablets, and Smartphones. Student learning will include investigations into the components of global business needs. We will also develop game design projects using Minecraft, Unity and other applications. Students will also have the opportunity to join the DECA Business and Marketing Organization. (formerly known as UX Experience Design). Open to Grades 9-12. Designed as a foundational course
Film & Video Production I is a hands-on course designed to demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of television as a medium for communication. Working collaboratively, students will learn about the principles of communication, techniques of effective storytelling, technical setup and operation of television equipment. The course involves some after-school hours for recording various Andover events. This entry level course requires no previous production experience. Open to Grades 9-12.
Broadcast Journalism is an introductory course that will explore all aspects of television news and visual storytelling. Students will learn the basics of reporting, videography and editing stories. In this hands-on, collaborative environment, students will produce and broadcast the AHS News program, for the AHS Community. Areas of study include producing, story selection, writing, reporting, interviewing, camera work, editing, directing, graphics, audio, lighting and much more. The course involves after-school hours that will be used to record various sports and school events. This entry level course requires no previous production experience. Open to Grades 9-12.