Digital Learning Curriculum

Using a project-based approach this course introduces students to the development of websites using HTML5 and CSS3. By the end of the course, students will know how to create a website from scratch including positioning and styling text, images, and video. From the start of the course, projects evolve from basic, fixed web elements and layouts to more “responsive” and dynamic websites. Students will use Responsive Web Design frameworks and Javascript to ensure that websites look good on any screen (desktops, tablets, and phones). Throughout the course students will learn to plan their website projects with a proof of concept which includes the objectives of the website, the target audience, wireframes and sitemaps. Additional topics to be covered include how the internet works, the fundamentals of programming, privacy and security, web standards and integrated development environments (IDE). Tech Prep Credit

Business Management in the 21st Century is about fulfilling the American Dream. The course provides future entrepreneurs with an introduction to the spirit of enterprise encouraged by the free enterprise system. Students will learn the fundamental principles of business and economics and how the interaction of these factors affects everyday life. Topics will include the mechanics of starting a business, the components of managing a business, globalization and international 48 business, economics, finance, technology, ethics, and other topics associated with managing a business. The course will stress vocabulary as well as higher level reasoning in the solving of both mathematical and situational problems. By exploring the local and global markets as well as government influence on business, students will focus on their individual business plan modeled on a business of their choice. Junior/Senior Elective; Sophomore Elective with a prerequisite of Introduction to Business strongly recommended

This course is designed to provide the student with specific knowledge of personal finance and prepare the student to operate in an appropriate financial and professional manner as an adult. The subject matter will focus on career decision/planning, business professionalism, personal and resource management, money management and budgeting, credit management, financial security, taxation, insurance, and comprehensive investing. This class is designed to be driven by the participation of the student in all class activities. Students will compete in an investment competition during this class. The curriculum is reflective of the standards found in Personal Financial Literacy from the 2018 Massachusetts History and Social Science Framework. Junior/Senior Elective; Sophomore Elective with a prerequisite of Introduction to Business strongly recommended

This course is designed to provide instruction in the basic skills required for success in today’s challenging business environment. Through hands-on student activities including group problem solving and presentations the course will cover the topics of communication, business math, economics, and theory of the firm. Communication will include business writing, effective presentation, and negotiation. Business math will include currency conversions and financial statement analysis. The economics module will provide an overview of how prices and values are determined and how financial markets work. Theory of the firm will introduce the various types of businesses, how they are structured, and how they are managed. It is highly recommended that this course be taken in preparation for “Business Management in the 21st Century” and “Personal Financial Management.” Freshman/Sophomore Elective

Accounting is a crucial component of academic background for students who will pursue higher levels of education in the business field and for those students who will pursue entrepreneurial ventures. The course covers the entire accounting cycles for a service business and for a merchandising business. Although students master accounting concepts and principles by preparing documents and reports manually, the introduction of computerized systems has resulted in technology skills becoming an integral part of our curriculum. Automated procedures eliminate many repetitious tasks and permit the inclusion of individual and group activities, which involve high-level thinking skills. Tech Prep Credit

This is a financial accounting course that continues and expands upon the organizations and procedures of the first year Accounting course. Much of the material covered will be the same material that students would cover in a beginning college Accounting course. A large component of the course will be computerized with a special Accounting Excel Spreadsheet section offered. Prerequisite: Accounting I

This course introduces students to the world of Sports and Entertainment Marketing with an exciting overview designed to give students the basic skills for the sports and entertainment marketing industry. The subject matter for the course builds from the ground up with basic marketing skills, to understanding the sports and entertainment market, then to promoting sports and entertainment products, marketing research and data collection, branding and licensing, and ultimately mapping out a career in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing industry. Junior/Senior Elective; Sophomore Elective with a prerequisite of Introduction to Business strongly recommended

Companies operate on a global scale. Core business functions like manufacturing, management, finance, and sales and marketing for one organization are often distributed across the globe. The economy requires employees to be well versed in how businesses need to operate to be competitive and ultimately successful in a global environment. This course will address the trend of globalization and its effect on how businesses must function to meet the needs of its partners, suppliers, customers, shareholders, and employees. Challenges of dealing with international government, culture and custom, law, infrastructure, currency exchange, and technology will be studied. US corporate and foreign corporate perspectives will be analyzed. Specific country or regional studies will be undertaken throughout the year. Junior/Senior Elective; sophomore elective with a prerequisite of Introduction to Business strongly recommended

This course defines marketing and gives a detailed view of the role of marketing in today’s economy. It emphasizes the need for quality data, understanding consumer behavior and competition, the importance of technology, and segues into how to develop and implement a successful marketing plan. The course also parlays economic principles from basic “Supply and Demand” laws to a more comprehensive account of product pricing and pricing based on market conditions. Students will also learn about marketing in a global economy, how to manage marketing risks and what financial tools are necessary for success in marketing. Also discussed will be the value of selling, preparing for effective selling, the selling process, the role of marketing in sales, and sales support. Ultimately, students will be able to map out an education and career path if they decide that they are interested in pursuing a career in Sales and/or Marketing. Junior/Senior Elective; sophomore elective with a prerequisite of Introduction to Business strongly recommended

This project-based course brings technical drawing into the computer world. Techniques and concepts of technical drawing will be translated using Computer Aided Drafting software. This course introduces the student to the accepted standard of technical drawing in today’s high tech industry. The course’s focus is on students’ development of their own preferences in methodology when it comes to Computer Aided Drafting. Students will produce technically correct working drawings, which will include information necessary for the manufacture, assembly, or construction of an object design. Enrollment in this course can be applied toward 50 satisfying either a Science Department graduation requirement or a Digital Learning and Entrepreneurship Department graduation requirement but not both. Prerequisite: Introduction to Engineering Design Learning Standards: Technology & Engineering 1,2,3,4,5

In Robotics Academy, students design, fabricate, program, and use task-oriented robots. Students demonstrate mastery by building robots utilizing a variety of sensors and combine them with a controller to build a complete system designed to accomplish a task. The fundamentals of problem-solving, program design, algorithms, and programming using a high-level language are central to this course. This course includes the study of current industrial, commercial, governmental, and competitive robotics. Students are expected to keep a web-based notebook at every phase of the design process. Upon the completion of each project, students present their results in a formal presentation. No previous experience in robotics, electronics, or mechanics is necessary. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Web Design & Development recommended Sophomore/Junior/Senior Elective

Robotics Academy II expands students’ experiences with robotics building and programming and prepares students to complete more advanced teacher-led as well as self-directed robotics challenges. Students will deepen their electromechanical design and building experience and build fluency with the Arduino C-Based programming language. Students will be expected to monitor and log their process of fabrication, debugging, and incremental tests and testing which will culminate in multiple demonstrations seeking to meet design objectives. Students will be expected work collaboratively in small teams and successfully complete challenges which will include the relationships between power, voltage and current, mechanical linkages, levers, and torque. The completion of these advanced interdisciplinary robotics challenges is the project based capstone to the robotics curriculum at North Reading High School. Additional requirements will include working as part of a team to synthesize a physical system to operate in a random environment through an iterative design procedure that will justify the students’ selection of critical design decisions. Prerequisite: Robotics Academy, and Web Design & Development or Computer Programming Junior/Senior Elective

Video Production is a hands-on course designed to demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of television as a medium for communication. Students will learn about the principles of communication, the history of television, techniques of effective audio/visual communication, terminology, technical setup and operation of television equipment, as well as the basic concepts and technical aspects of television studio production. Students will begin to learn how to plan, write, shoot, produce, direct, and edit basic video projects on professional cameras and editing software. Students will develop pre-production planning and production management skills. Students should be self-motivated, creative, and able to work in groups. The studio is a highly cooperative, project-based setting. Participation in the course will involve after school hours that 51 will be used to video tape various school, community, and sporting events. Students will be required to participate in one remote studio production per term that will take place after regular school hours. Enrollment in this course can be applied toward satisfying either a Fine Arts graduation requirement or a Digital Learning and Entrepreneurship Department graduation requirement but not both. Junior/Senior Elective Learning Standards: Fine Arts Learning Standards: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9

The Computer Programming course is designed to develop the student’s understanding of computer programming through class discussion, written programs, and hands-on computer usage. Students will be required to create and develop original solutions to problems that can be solved by computer programs. Topics include syntax and semantics, input/output commands, looping, functions, subroutines, string processing, arrays, recursion, reading from and writing to files, object-oriented programming, and graphics. Contemporary programming languages such as C# and Java will be incorporated. Enrollment in this course can be applied toward satisfying either a Mathematics Department graduation requirement or a Digital Learning and Entrepreneurship Department graduation requirement, but not both. Prerequisite/Co-requisite: Algebra II

Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course. Students cultivate their understanding of computer science by working with data, collaborating to solve problems, and developing computer programs. Throughout the course, students will explore concepts like creativity, abstraction, data and information, algorithms, programming, the internet, and the global impact of computing. The course engages students in the creative aspects of the 31 field by allowing them to develop computational artifacts based on their interests. Students will learn a range of programming languages and skills to support problem solving and course project outcomes. The course culminates in a performance task and multiple choice AP exam assessment. Enrollment in this course can be applied toward satisfying either a Mathematics Department graduation requirement or a Digital Learning and Entrepreneurship Department graduation requirement, but not both. Students will be required to take the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles Examination. This course is available to junior and senior students only. Prerequisite: Web Design, Robotics I, or Computer Programming.

Advanced Placement Computer Science A is the equivalent of a college-level course aligned with the curriculum established by the College Board. In addition to extending students’ understanding of the basic topics studied in the prerequisite Computer Programming course such as objects, syntax and style, algorithms, loops, strings, classes, and arrays, the Advanced Placement Computer Science A course will cover additional topics including both hardware and software study, and searching and sorting algorithms. Students are expected to be familiar with and be able to use standard Java. Study of these topics will be supported by Advanced Placement level practice problems from previously administered Advanced Placement Computer Science A examinations. Summer assignments are to be completed for this course. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain the summer assignments prior to leaving school in June. Enrollment in this course can be applied toward satisfying either a Mathematics Department graduation requirement or a Digital Learning and Entrepreneurship Department graduation requirement, but not both. Students will be required to take the Advanced Placement Computer Science A Examination. This course is available to junior and senior students only. Prerequisite: Computer Programming: Academic or Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles