Information Technology

Core Pathway Courses:

Introduction to Software Technology

Introduction to Software Technology is the foundational course for Cloud Computing, Computer Science, Game Design, Internet of Things, Programming, Web and Digital Design, and Web Development pathways. This course is designed for high school students to understand, communicate, and adapt to a digital world as it impacts their personal life, society, and the business world. Exposure to foundational knowledge in programming languages, software development, app creation, and user interfacing applications are all taught in a computer lab with hands-on activities and project-focused tasks. 

Students will not only understand the concepts but apply their knowledge to situations and defend their actions, decisions, and/or choices through the knowledge and skills acquired in this course. Employability skills are integrated into activities, tasks, and projects throughout the course standards to demonstrate the skills required by business and industry. Competencies in the co-curricular student organizations are integral components of both the employability skills standards and content standards for this course. Various forms of technologies will be highlighted to expose students to the emerging technologies impacting the digital world. Professional communication skills and practices, problem solving, ethical and legal issues, and the impact of effective presentation skills are taught in this course as a foundational knowledge to prepare students to be college and career ready. The knowledge and skills taught in this course build upon each other to form a comprehensive introduction to the digital world. 

Computer Science Principles

How can computing change the world? What is computer science? Engage your creativity. Demonstrate and build your problem-solving ability all while connecting the relevance of computer science to society! Computer Science (CS) Principles is an intellectually rich and engaging course that is focused on building a solid understanding and foundation in computer science. This course emphasizes the content, practices, thinking and skills central to the discipline of computer science. Through both its content and pedagogy, this course aims to appeal to a broad audience. The focus of this course will fall into these computational thinking practices: connecting computing, developing computational artifacts, abstracting, analyzing problems and artifacts, communicating, and collaborating. Various forms of technologies will be used to expose students to resources and application of computer science. Professional communication skills and practices, problem-solving, ethical and legal issues, and the impact of effective presentation skills are enhanced in this course to prepare students to be college and career ready. Employability skills are integrated into activities, tasks, and projects throughout the course standards to demonstrate the skills required by business and industry. Competencies in the co-curricular student organizations are integral components of both the employability skills standards and content standards for this course. 

Elective Courses to Complete Pathway:

Embedded Computing

The demand for programming (software development) has gone well beyond desktop computers and the web, into a ubiquitous world of personal devices, smart cars, intelligent factories, and even more. These systems interact with us directly, as well as with each other. This course will focus on the interaction of programming and devices, using data from various sensors and sources in order to make decisions, take actions, and more. A common industry term to describe this work is Internet of Things. Students will show first-hand how programming and machines interact to accomplish common and essential tasks throughout our society. 

Embedded Computing is the third course in the Internet of Things pathway. Students enrolled in this course should have successfully completed Introduction to Digital Technology and Computer Science Principles. After mastery of the standards in this course, students should be prepared to earn an industry-recognized credential in this career area. 

Cloud Computing (future course to be offered)

The Cloud Computing course is intended for students who seek an overall understanding of cloud computing, independent of specific technical roles, cloud concepts, core services, security, architecture, and support. Students dive deeply into cloud computing best practices and learn how cloud computing helps users develop a global infrastructure to support use case at scale while also developing and inventing innovative technologies. Innovation through cloud computing is making a major impact in nearly every industry, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, government, and nonprofit. The global public cloud computing market has consistently grown 15 percent year after year and is projected to continue to grow annually. This course utilizes hands-on practical lab activities to explore and build cloud technologies. 

Students will not only understand the concepts but apply their knowledge to situations and defend their actions/decisions/choices through the knowledge and skills acquired in this course. Employability skills are integrated into activities, tasks, and projects throughout the course standards to demonstrate the skills required by business and industry. Competencies in the cocurricular student organizations are integral components of both the employability skills standards and content standards for this course. Various forms of technologies will be highlighted to expose students to the emerging technologies impacting the digital world. Professional communication skills and practices, problem-solving, ethical and legal issues, and the impact of effective presentation skills are taught in this course as a foundational knowledge to prepare students to be college and career ready. The knowledge and skills taught in this course build upon each other to form a comprehensive introduction to the digital world. 

Cloud Computing is the third course in the Cloud Computing career pathway. Students enrolled in this course should have successfully completed Introduction to Digital Technology and Computer Science Principles, in that order. After mastery of the standards in this course, students should be prepared to earn an industry-recognized credential in this career area, such as AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-cloud-practitioner/), Google Associate Cloud Engineer (https://cloud.google.com/certification/cloud-engineer), or Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azurefundamentals/).