Computers & Technology Education Course Descriptions
Wyomissing Area High School
Grade 9
5 Periods/Week/Semester
This required course is a continuation of 8th grade Word Processing. It provides students with valuable business and personal computer skills. Students use
the popular Microsoft Word (word-processing), Excel (spreadsheet), and Access (database) applications. As of 2004-2005, the textbooks used in this course are MS Word
2002 Comprehensive Concepts & Techniques by Shelly & Cashman (Thomson Learning,
2002), MS Excel 2002 Comprehensive Concepts & Techniques by Shelly & Cashman
(Thomson Learning, 2002), & MS Access 2002 Comprehensive Concepts & Techniques
by Shelly & Cashman (Thomson Learning, 2002).
Applied Computers II - 502
Grades
10,11, and 12
5 Periods/Week/First Semester
This course is a continuation of course 501. Successful completion of that
course
or the demonstration of the student's competency in working with MS Office
is a prerequisite. Course 502 will extend the student's basic knowledge of
Excel spreadsheet
and Access database applications as well as present advanced concepts and techniques
used to integrate the suite of Office 2002 (i.e. Office XP) products.
The
textbook used in this course is MS Excel 2002 Comprehensive Concepts & Techniques by Shelly & Cashman (Thomson Learning, 2002).
Applied Computers III - 503
Grades
10,11, and 12
5 Periods/Week/First Semester
This course is an introduction to web site development, one of the most exciting
subjects that you can study. Planning, building, and maintaining web sites
is technical and creative at the same time so students who are logical as well
as those who are artistic are welcome. Students learn to use the industry-standard
applications, Macromedia Dreamweaver and Macromedia Fireworks. Successful completion
of Applied Computers I is a prerequisite.
The textbook used in this course is Dreamweaver MX Comprehensive
Concepts & Techniques
by Shelly & Cashman (Thomson Learning, 2004).
Visual Basic Programming I & II - 504/505
Grades
9,10,11, and 12
5 Periods/Week/First Semester
Visual Basic Programming I is offered in the fall semester as a first course
in computer programming in the BASIC language on the microcomputer. Students
must have already taken or should be concurrently taking Algebra
I
to sign up for Visual Basic Programming I (#504).
The course provides a great opportunity to develop logic and analytical skills. The major topics of the course include variable, assignment statements, strings, If statements, and loops. Students write interactive programs that respond to user events such as mouse-clicks and key presses.
Visual
Basic Programming II (course #505) is a continuation of Visual Basic Programming
I (course #504) and is only offered in the spring semester. Therefore, successful
completion of the Visual Basic Programming I is a prerequisite. The major topics
of Visual Basic Programming II include event and function procedures, graphics,
files, searching, and sorting. The culminating project is the popular "game
program" assignment that is entirely designed and coded by the student. It
should be noted that earning A's in Visual Basic Programming I and II is
a prerequisite for the follow-up course AP Java Programming I (#508) and
earning A's or B's is a prerequisite for the follow-up course Honors Java
Programming I (#506).
Honors Java Programming I & II - 506/507
Grades 10, 11,
and 12
5 Periods/Week/First & Second Semester
This course builds upon the foundation of structured programming learned by
the student in Visual Basic Programming
I and II (#504 & #505). Students use the commercial computer language Java.
In addition, the student is introduced to the concept of object-oriented programming.
The major topics of this course include the syntax of Java, object-oriented
programming, classes, searching algorithms, and sorting algorithms. The student
will need to spend a significant amount of time using a school or home computer
to work on required assignments for this course. Earning A's or B's in Visual
Basic Programming I and II is a prerequisite for Honors Java Programming I.
The textbook that is used in Honors Java Programming I & II is Computing Concepts with Java Essentials (3rd edition, ISBN 0-471-24371-X) by Cay S. Horstmann.
AP
Java Programming I & II
- 508/509
Grades 10, 11,
and 12
5 Periods/Week/First & Second Semester
Since Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered to prepare students for the
AP examination, students who enroll in AP courses must sign
up and
pay
for the exam by the start of school in September or lose the right of having
AP listed on their transcript. The AP Program is based on the premise that
college-level
material can be taught successfully to able and well-prepared secondary school
students. Participating colleges, in turn, grant credit and/or appropriate
placement
to students who have done well on the AP Examinations.
This course builds upon the foundation of structured programming learned by
the student in the prerequisite courses Visual Basic Programming I and II
(#504 & #505). Students use the commercial computer language Java.
In addition, the student is introduced to the concept of object-oriented programming.
The major topics of this course include the syntax of Java, object-oriented
programming, classes, searching algorithms, and sorting algorithms. The student
will need to spend a significant amount of time using a school or home computer
to work on required assignments for this course. Earning A's in Visual
Basic Programming I and II is a prerequisite for AP Java Programming I.
In addition to the required coursework for Honors Java Programming I and II
(#506 & 507), students algorithms, data abstraction,
and Java syntax in greater detail. Additional assignments are made
to this regard. Students analyze case studies that illustrate real world-problems
as well as programs that solve those problems. This course is equivalent to
a first semester, college computer science course.
The textbook that is used in AP Java Programming I & II is Computing Concepts with Java Essentials (3rd edition, ISBN 0-471-24371-X) by Cay S. Horstmann.
Grades 11 and
12
5 Periods/Week/First & Second Semester
The course builds upon the foundation of object-oriented programming learned
in the prerequisite course Honors or AP Java Programming. The
major topics of this course include in-depth study of Java syntax, object-oriented
programming, abstract data structures, and algorithmic analysis. The course
is based on the computer language Java. The student will need to spend a significant
amount of time using a school or home computer to work on required assignments
in this class.
In addition to the required coursework for Honors Data Structures (#516), AP Data Structures (#517) students study abstract data structures, algorithms, and case studies in greater detail. Additional assignments are made to this regard. AP Data Structures is equivalent to a second semester, college computer science course.
At the conclusion of this course, students in enrolled in AP Data Structures (#517) will take the AP Computer Science AB exam. Since AP courses are offered to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam, students who enroll in AP courses must pay for and take the exam or lose the right of having AP listed on their transcript. The AP Program is based on the premise that college-level material can be taught successfully to able and well-prepared secondary school students. Participating colleges, in turn, grant credit and/or appropriate placement to students who have done well on the AP examinations.
Earning A's or B's in Honors or AP Java Programming I and II (#506-509) is a prerequisite for Honors Data Structures (#516). Earning A's or B's in AP Java Programming I and II (#508 & #509) or earning A's in Honors Java Programming I and II (#506 & #507) is a prerequisite for AP Data Structures (#517).
The textbook that is used in Honors and AP Data Structures is Big Java by Cay S. Horstmann.
Grade 8
5 Periods/Week/Quarter
Eighth grade computer Word Processing introduces students to the popular Microsoft
Word and Excel programs. It covers the basics of word processing and spreadsheet
operations. The concepts learned here will be expanded on in 9th grade Applied
Computers I. This class meets daily for 9 weeks.
Grades 9 - 12
5 Periods/Week/Both Semesters
The course is designed as an introductory course into the fundamentals of mechanical
drawing. The class will start by learning the basic concepts of mechanical drawing
(traditional methods) and apply these concepts to drawings completed on the
computer.
Grades 10 - 12
5 Periods/Week/Both Semesters
The course is so structured as to give the student a fundamental background
in basic architectural drafting. Traditional and computer application will be
employed to complete the following drawings: floor plans, wall sections, stair
details, elevations, and plot plans.
Grade 9 - 12
5 Periods/Week/All Year
This course provides first year Materials Technology students in grades 9 through 12 a general introduction to material processing manufacturing
activity. Instruction will include "hands on" experiences on the safe
and proper use of hand tools, power tools, and machines. Students will be exposed
to the concepts and principles, skills and techniques, processes and procedures,
layout and design, and developing and problem-solving used in producing a product
or mass produced product. Also included in the course will be a continuation
of learning about the other areas of technology including communications, production,
and transportation and how they relate to manufacturing. A variety of projects
related to technology education will be manufactured during this class. Students
will be charged for all projects they build.
Grades 10 - 12
5 Periods/Week/All Year
Open to all students in grades 10, 11, 12 who have successfully completed 952 Materials Technology I. The course is designed as an integrative “hands on” experience based on today’s woodworking technologies. Students will be exposed to the concepts and principles, skills and techniques, processes and procedures used in designing and producing and a finished product. Students will be charged for materials upon completion of their project.
Grades 10 - 12
5 Periods/Week/Both Semesters
This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge to deal with
such everyday problems as painting the house, home environmental safety, electrical
wiring, residential plumbing, etc.
Grades 10 - 12
6 Periods/Cycle/First Semester
This course is designed as a project oriented "hands on" introduction to the exciting
world of multimedia technology. Students will work with Apple G5 computers, scanners, digital still cameras, Wyo5Live studio equipment, and more, as well as a variety
of software including iLive (including iMovie, iTunes, iDVD, iPhoto, and Garageband), Final Cut Pro HD, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Illustrator, AppleWorks, QuickTime Pro, QTVR, and more. Students will be introducted to videography
and learn about the proper use and care of video equipment, digital and analog. Apple's iMovie and Final Cut Pro HD, digital editing software, will be used to edit student-made videos. Instruction will also include experiences in graphic design, layout work, package design, QTVR creation, and much more. A variety of individual and team multimedia projects can be copied to VHS tap, CD, or DVD, for use as a student portfolio. Students will be charged for all blank media and storage cases.
Grades 10 - 12
6 Periods/Cycle/Second Semester
Multimedia Technology II is an exciting project oriented "hands on" course designed for the video enthusiast, focusing on the audio and video side of the interesting world of multimedia technology. The student will learn how to properly and creatively use digital and analog video cameras. The student will learn pre-production, production, and post-production techniques as they work in the exciting digital format. Students will work on Apple G5 computers with software such as iLive (including iMovie, iTunes, iDVD, iPhoto, and Garageband), Final Cut Pro HD, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Illustrator, AppleWorks, QuickTime Pro, QTVR, and more. Students will produce videos ranging from sports highlights, class memories, interviews, commercials, family documentaries, comedies, and many more. A brief history of moviemaking and its influence on society the last 100 plus years will also be included in the course. Students will be required to do after school and weekend video work, and it is highly recommended that the students have access to a video camera (digital or analog). All individual or team produced video projects will be burned to a student designed DVD and case. Students will have the opportunity to enter video contests throughout the year. Students will be charged for all blank media and storage cases.
Grades 10 - 12
6 Periods/Cycle/Second Semester
MultiMedia Technology 3 is an exciting, full year, project oriented,"hands on" course, designed for the video enthusiast, focusing on the audio and video side of the interesting world of multimedia technology. Students will focus on projects at a higher level of sophistication and technical proficiency than Multimedia Technology II #957 students. Students will work with Apple G5 computers, iLife '06 and professional level software such as Final Cut Pro 5, QuickTime Pro, DVD Studio Pro 4, Motion 2, Soundtrack Pro, Adobe After Effects, and more. All students will be required to enter a group or individual video in the local AAA Safety contest. Seniors electing this course will help to direct, lead, and produce their Senior Memories Movie (2007) as well as other exciting and educational videos. Juniors and seniors electing this course will help to direct, lead, and produce a Spartan Year in Sports highlight video, sports videos to be used in conjunction with Wyo5Live, as well as produce other exciting and educational videos. Students will be required to do “after school” and "weekend" video work, and it is highly recommended that the students have access to a video camera (analog or digital). All individual or team produced video projects will be burned to a student designed and authored DVD and case. Students will pay for all blank media and storage cases.
• Prerequisite of A or B in 957 Multimedia Technology II, or by teacher permission.
• Honors Level - Second year (Seniors only) of elective or by teacher permission.
Grade 7
5 Periods/Week/Quarter
This course is designed to be an exploratory experience involving the technological
systems of communication, transportation, and production. Students will study
the evolution of technology and its systems. Activities will be of a hands-on,
problem-solving nature. Students will complete individual (invention PowerPoint slide show, racecar, etc.) and class (Wyo5Live TV studio) projects as they learn about technology and how it affects them and their surroundings.