Units of Study

• Tech Toolbox - During this unit students will learn the essential technology skills necessary to build a foundation to be efficient and productive.

• Data Tech - During this unit students will effectively display and manipulate data using spreadsheet software.

• Digital Communication - During this unit students will effectively and appropriately use a variety of electronic communication and presentation tools to communicate an appropriate message to an audience.

• Digital Citizenship - During this unit students will explain and demonstrate the skills needed to be a responsible digital citizen. Being a responsible digital citizen includes components of legal and ethical use of technology and resources, evaluation of web resources, and online safety.

• Keyboarding – Embedded within the course, students will be working on keyboarding skills. Although introductions to keys and some practice will occur in class, students will be expected to practice at home. Students will use the following website which will allow teachers to see the amount of time they practice and their skills.

Units of Study

• Essential Tech Reboot/Google Toolbox - During this unit students will review the critical technology skills covered in the Essential Technology course. These skills include file management, district technology resources, word processing and a variety of Google Apps. Students will build readiness for working in a digital environment and improving personal productivity. Students will also develop their ability to apply their knowledge across both the Microsoft Word and Google platforms. Students will be assessed to determine the time needed to complete this unit.

• Advanced Spreadsheets - Students will utilize spreadsheet and graphing software to organize numerical data and synthesize the information. Students will also use spreadsheet tools to display information in a meaningful way.

• Multimedia - Students use a variety of multimedia tools and concepts to enhance communication skills. Students will be introduced to the basic concepts and design principles of desktop publishing, photo editing, audio editing and video editing. 

• Advanced Communications - Students will use a variety of media resources, presentation programs and web applications to communicate a message to a specific audience for a particular purpose.

• Intro to Programming - Students will apply the fundamental ideas and logical thinking used in programming and will learn how computer science is integrated into everyday life.

UNITS OF STUDY:

• Unit I – The Internet of Things - Around the world billions of internet-connected devices are generating and collecting data. Students will understand what the Internet of Things is and how connecting devices to share and collect data are changing life for the better. Students will also learn about the potential loss of privacy with the sharing and collection of data.

• Unit II – Intro to Computer Science - Computer science develops students’ computational and critical thinking skills and shows students how to create, not simply use, new technologies. This fundamental knowledge is needed to prepare students for the 21st century, regardless of their ultimate field of study or occupation. Students will use free web resources such as code.org to develop an understanding of this exciting technology.

• Unit III – Gaming Developer - To further understand the problem-solving process, students will design and code a variety of computer games using a free programming software. A variety of gaming strategies will be covered. Students will also learn the basics of visual design/user experience and incorporate those understandings when designing their games. Students will encounter a variety of programming errors when coding their games and will work individually and collaboratively to implement corrections. Students will also evaluate current popular games looking for similarities and differences.

• Unit IV – Mobile App Developer - Most of our students have access to at least one mobile device but aren't aware of the limitations and considerations of software designed and developed to run on mobile devices. This unit will explore the variety of mobile devices, mobile device platforms and provide an opportunity for students to design, code and execute software on mobile devices. Students will also consider the differences between software development on different devices such as mobile, laptop, and desktop devices.

• Unit V – Web Developer - Students will learn more advanced features to design and create web sites using a variety of resources. Students will learn more about user interface as it relates to web pages. Students will also learn how to evaluate websites for design and content, and build on their understanding of the purpose of websites

UNITS OF STUDY

• Unit I - Don’t Move – (Photography/still images) Students will learn the elements of design and apply these elements when creating static visual artifacts using Photoshop and drawing tools.

• Unit II – Can You Hear Me Now – (Audio/Sound Editing) Students will learn and apply best practices when creating auditory artifacts.

• Unit III – Technology on the Move – (Video editing) Students will learn the best practices of design application to analyze and create motion pictures.

• Unit IV - Websites - Students will learn the design principles for creating websites. They will build a website that integrates text, static images, audio recordings and motion pictures by building on knowledge from the first three units for study.

• Unit V – Culminating Project - Students will work in groups to create a final project that includes four components: print, audio, commercial/video and website.