Business and Technology

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

OVERVIEW

The Business Department of North Attleboro High School is dedicated to preparing students for a rapidly changing world by expanding each student’s knowledge and skills in business, computer and information technology. We believe the knowledge, 21st century skills and ethics taught are necessary for active, life-long participation in a global, informational society—fostering success in one’s personal life, college study and career choice.

BUSINESS

The business courses provide the essential basics for the development of skills and abilities to help students realize their potential fully. Individuals come in contact with and are affected by business through their daily experiences and/or efforts to make a living. Therefore, all students will benefit by studying subjects offered by the Business Department. Students will find that the business courses they have taken will broaden their background and will give them a foundation on which to build their college career.

INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS

Grades 9-12, 2.5 Credits, Level 2 - 610

Introduction to Business is the introductory course in the Business Department and is the required starting point for some courses for students as they move through the Business Department. This two and a half credit, semester course provides the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in upper level business courses. You will gain experience and develop transferable skills in a variety of business-related topics and tasks. Students are exposed to fundamental economic principles and will learn about the roles of both business and consumers in our Free Enterprise system. You will be introduced to entrepreneurship and business management, customer service, marketing, basic financial management and record keeping, and will also be introduced to multiple business applications through Google Suite. Students will learn through researching, problem-solving, application, demonstrating, recording and reporting.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Grades 11-12, 2.5 Credits, Level 1 - 620

Have you ever wanted to own your own business? Students will design and develop original business plans or blueprints. Emphasis will be placed on planning, organizing, developing, and managing the daily operations of a business. In addition, students will learn the various marketing functions and apply them to their business. Topics will include ethics, social responsibilities, skills, and characteristics that are essential in order to become a successful entrepreneur. By the end of the semester, students will demonstrate the knowledge and skill-set needed to start a business.

Guidelines for selection: Successful completion of Introduction to Business

ACCOUNTING I

Grades 9-12, 2.5 Credits, Level 1 – 627

Accounting, often referred to as “the language of business,” is presented in a series of steps from simple to complex, introducing the student to the basic requirements of all accounting systems. The skills presented help to develop essential business documents; such as the balance sheet and income statement, which are useful to the business, investors, economists, and the general public. Each logical step in the accounting process is presented, drilled, and summarized and related to the previous step to introduce the student to a flow of information called the accounting cycle. Though students work daily with numbers, an ability to follow step-by-step instructions is more essential than advanced knowledge in math. Simple addition, subtraction and division skills are the only math requirements. Completion of Accounting I not only provides the skills to complete basic tasks required of the accounting clerk, but introduces the serious student to a knowledge of the fundamentals required to operate any business financially. The careers available in accounting become apparent as every aspect of the course is related daily to actual business world experience.

SPORT and ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING

Grades 11-12, 2.5 Credits, Level 1 - 630

This interactive course will offer students a step-by-step journey through the world of Sports and Entertainment Marketing. The students will learn the basic functions of marketing and then apply them to sports and entertainment. Research of current events will be used to enhance student learning as well as Sports Marketing simulation software. Through use of the software, students will work in teams and will market the franchise in that city as they develop promotional campaigns, and organize concerts among many other decisions.

Guidelines for selection: Successful completion of Introduction to Business

PERSONAL FINANCE

Grade 11-12, 2.5 Credits, Level 2 – 641

This course is a comprehensive study of personal financial literacy designed for the college-bound and career-oriented student. Students learn how to make informed financial decisions related to budgeting, banking, credit, insurance, taxes, and career exploration. An integral component of the financial literacy curriculum is the application of decision- making skills that enables students to become more responsible consumers for lifetime success.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computer Science courses help prepare the student for a world where technology will play an increasing role in their lives. Each course is designed to be “hands-on”, allowing the student to acquire the necessary skills to be proficient. Assignments are primarily done in-class, at a computer, but students must be prepared to spend time outside of class if needed.

CREATIVE COMPUTING

Grades 9-12, 2.5 Credits, Level 2 - 646

This is a computer science course introducing the basics of web design as well as foundational programming concepts. Students learn the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and students create a culminating personal portfolio website showcasing projects they build throughout the course. With a unique focus on creativity, problem solving and project based learning, Creative Computing gives students the opportunity to explore several important topics of computing using their own ideas and creativity to develop an interest in computer science that will foster further endeavors in the field.

Guidelines for selection: The Creative Computing course is designed for complete beginners with no previous background in computer science.

BASIC PROGRAMMING I

Grades 9-12, 2.5 Credits, Level 2 – 648

The CodeHS introduction to computer science curriculum teaches the foundations of computer science and basic programming using JavaScript, with an emphasis on helping students develop logical thinking and problem solving skills. Students will create a wide variety of interactive media projects such as animations, stories, games and more. Whether you wish to create programs for your own use or are considering a career in programming, this course will help you get started and help you to achieve your goal.

BASIC PROGRAMMING II

Grades 9-12, 2.5 Credits, Level 1 - 650

Building on the knowledge acquired in Basic I, the student will create complex programs that solve real-world problems. Using advanced tools such as decision-making code, the student can design solutions with different possible outcomes. Other advanced topics include menus, procedures, functions, and arrays.

Guideline for election: Basic Programming I.

VIDEO GAME DESIGN

Grades 10-12, 5 Credits, Level 1 – 656

Video Game Design is a rigorous course designed for those familiar with the basics of JavaScript. The course is highly visual, dynamic, and interactive making it engaging for new coders. Students will combine many concepts of computer science to build several of their own games from scratch using JavaScript.

Guidelines for election: successful completion of Basic Programming.

INTRO TO COMPUTER SCIENCE IN PYTHON I

Grades 10-12, 2.5 Credits, Level 1- 658

The CodeHS Introduction to Computer Science in Python course teaches the fundamentals of computer programming as well as some advanced features of the Python language. Students will develop an appreciation for how computers store and manipulate information by building simple console-based games. The entirely web-based curriculum is made up of a series of learning modules that cover the fundamentals of programming. Each module is made up of short video tutorials, example programs, quizzes, programming exercises, challenge problems, and unit tests.

Guidelines for election: successful completion of Basic Programming.

WEB PAGE DESIGN PART I

Grades 9-12, 2.5 Credits, Level 2 – 660

The World Wide Web is THE communication medium for the 21st Century, and HTML is the language of the World Wide Web. This course will give the students the skills to apply the most important topics of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). Students will work individually and in teams, creating documents that combine good writing and layout techniques, along with critical thinking skills. The students will be assessed by their ability to use HTML to its full potential. Each student will build an individualized portfolio composed of business and academic applications. Troubleshooting activities will be used to improve the students' problem-solving skills. The student will learn the programming basics behind the creation of Web pages. The course will teach the students the fundamentals of why the Web works and how Web sites and Web graphics are designed. Students will experience hands-on activities to sharpen their skills. A good basic foundation of HTML now can help students to become more web-literate and more web-productive later. Students will practice their writing skills in a Web-based environment.

WEB PAGE DESIGN PART II

Grades 9-12, 2.5 Credits, Level 1 – 661

This course will complete the skills developed in Part I by an advanced exploration of the creation of more complicated Web pages. Students will learn to manipulate their HTML created web pages by using the language of JAVA. JAVA will enable the student to add sophisticated graphical enhancements to their creations. In this course the students will continue their study by learning about CGI scripts; creating online forms, creating a JavaScript function; working with JavaScript objects and events; and creating a multimedia Web page.

Guideline for election: Web Page Design Part I

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE

Grades 10-12, 5 Credits, AP - 665

This course is intended for students who have demonstrated superior proficiency in Basic Programming and a desire to pursue advanced topics in computer science. This course is the equivalent of two semesters of college computer science. The course will follow the College Board syllabus for AP Computer Science Principles and includes programming in the Python programming language. With a unique focus on creative problem solving and real-world applications, AP Computer Science Principles prepares students for college and a career. Details about the course content can be found by accessing the College Board website. Students are prepared for and required to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May.

Guideline for election: 85 or better in Basic Programming I or permission of instructor.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Grades 9-12, 2.5 Credits, 862

In this class, students will be introduced to foundational visual communication and design strategies with a focus on typography, style, composition, visual elements, and creative technical software. Students will use Adobe Creative Suite applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) to complete in-depth art and design projects. Creative approaches to projects will be encouraged coupled with increased technical proficiency. Exploration of career opportunities, development of leadership, teamwork, collaborative and technical skills requisite in many aspects of life and industry which are creative and multi-faceted will be developed.

DIGITAL PHOTO

Grades 9-12, 2.5 Credits, 864

Learn to capture, edit and share high quality photos using a DSLR camera. In Digital Photo, students will learn photographic lighting, composition, editing and what it takes to create a powerful image. Adobe Photoshop and other industry-standard software will be utilized to manipulate and edit images. Students will learn how to create, manage and creatively alter digital images to tell their story.

YEARBOOK / DESIGN STUDIO

Grades 9-12, Semester – Level 1 - 870 (2.5 credits), Full Year – Level 1 - 871 (5 credits)

Students will work in a true studio environment to design the NAHS yearbook as well as print and web products for community-based clients. Clients will submit jobs and students will work to complete the jobs in a timely and professional manner. Industry-standard software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) will be utilized to design yearbook spreads as well as posters, brochures, business cards, web graphics, and more. Students will gain a working knowledge of graphic design, writing, and photography best practices. Ideal for creative-minded students who want to gain skills in digital design and publishing.

Guideline for election: Completion of Graphic Design or Digital Photo