To a greater or lesser degree, all members of society are dependent upon the world of business and technology. Because of this reality, the Computer Technology Department at Bishop Kelly High School is committed to the belief that a knowledge and skill in technology is vital to success in college or in real-world employment. Our students are living in a world that is changing at a dramatic pace—a world that grows smaller with each passing day due to the advances of technology. To be without a command of these skills is to be at a disadvantage in today’s—as well as tomorrow's—world. It is essential for all students to have the opportunity to explore, understand and acquire the skills that will impact their lives.
In a manner consistent with the philosophy of Bishop Kelly High School, the Computer Technology Department will strive to integrate into its course offerings the qualities of honesty, integrity, and loyalty as basic to proper understanding of business ethics. Students will be provided with opportunities to learn the languages and skills of business and technology and will be given challenges in problem solving to assist in the development of their moral character. Cooperation, understanding, and mutual respect will be stressed as they learn to work with others on projects and to prepare themselves for places in an interdependent and internationalized world.
Computer Courses and Prerequisites:
All students are required to have at least one technology credit for high school graduation. It is our hope that students entering Bishop Kelly High School will be able to keyboard at 30 wpm or better. Students will then have the opportunity to choose which technology course or courses they would like to take in order to fulfill the graduation requirement.
Students are not required to take Computer Applications I, as in the past. Students may choose which course best fits their needs and their past technology experiences. Course selections should be based upon student interest, skills, prior computer education, and the listed course prerequisites. We encourage parents and students to read through the course descriptions and to decide which course(s) would be in the best interest of that particular student.
Students who transfer to Bishop Kelly during the school year may use technology credits earned from their previous high school to fulfill their technology credit for graduation.
For those students who have not taken a keyboarding course prior to coming to Bishop Kelly or who do not have adequate keyboarding skills, we strongly encourage you to obtain a command of the computer keyboard before taking one of the following courses. Students may obtain that skill through summer school, community courses, or by using a software program at home.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS I - One Semester
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
This one-semester course is designed to introduce students to the elements of a computer system, to good file management skills, and to the processing of information by a computer. The emphasis of this course will be on word processing for personal use and on computer hardware and software. Software used during this course will be Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Office 2007—with an emphasis on Word and Outlook, for e-mail use. Students will also learn the program, Inspiration, for organizing ideas, data, and writing skills.
Students will explore the history of technology, will identify computer hardware and software and be able to explain their use, and will be able to make recommendations for purchasing a new computer system. Students will become competent with the features of Microsoft Word and will improve their word processing skills as they learn to use different toolbars and buttons, to vertically and horizontally align data, to select the proper page setup, to use shortcuts and special keys, and to prepare tables and to sort the data within those tables. They will use word processing and multimedia skills to prepare attractive desktop publishing materials, such as brochures, maps, menus, or newspapers. Students will improve their communication skills with others as they learn to create personal business letters and envelopes, to format reports in MLA format, to use graphics and digital cameras to create attractive documents, and to use proper e-mail etiquette skills. This course is designed to provide students with a good foundation in computer knowledge and word processing skills for personal future use.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 2 - One Semester
Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Computer Applications I or comparable skills
Computer Applications 2 is a one-semester course designed to reinforce and expand computer skills in Microsoft Office 2007 and the Internet. Emphasis will be placed on learning the applications of Excel, PowerPoint, Advanced Word skills, and Outlook. Students will design Excel worksheets, sort the worksheet data, use functions to write formulas, and visibly present their data in Excel charts and graphs. They will storyboard, create, and present effective PowerPoint presentations with sound, graphics, animation, and recorded voice. Students will have the opportunity to develop multimedia skills with Internet graphics, digital cameras, and scanners. This course will also provide education in Internet history, Web browsers, search engines, Internet research, Web page evaluation, Internet safety, pornography, and computer ethics. E-mail will be used as a method of communication between the students and the teacher or their peers. By the end of this course, students will feel confident and prepared to use Microsoft Office 2007, Internet Explorer, and Outlook.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 3 - One Semester
Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Computer Applications 2 or Instructor Approval
This one-semester course is designed for students with a strong interest and background skills in computer technology. Students will not only strengthen and improve their own technology skills, but they will also have the opportunity to assist others in developing their technology skills. Students who sign up for this class need to be able to work well with others, to demonstrate good work ethics and organizational skills, to be dependable and trustworthy, and to work independently to meet deadlines. Students will reinforce their current skills with Microsoft Office applications and computer hardware, but they will also be introduced to new software—Dreamweaver for web page creation and Adobe PhotoShop Premiere.
Students will create a web page that will be hosted on the Bishop Kelly website for at least one semester. Students will also be introduced to movie creation with the use of a digital movie camera. Students will be introduced to the concepts of Marketing and will have the opportunity to use those marketing skills as they form competing companies. This unit will provide students with opportunities for growth in leadership, communication, decision-making, and teamwork, as well as technology skills. Students will be able to provide service to others as they work with fellow classmates, teachers, and the community in technology-related projects. Future education and career exploration will also be emphasized.
INTRO TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING - Fall Semester Course
Grade Levels: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Computer Applications 2 or Instructor Approval AND Demonstrated Achievement in Algebra I or Geometry
Introduction to Computer Programming is a one-semester class that introduces the student to programming, using the Java programming language. This course will focus on problem solving techniques, programming methodologies, software design processes, features of the Java programming language, simple data structures, algorithms, and responsible use of computer systems. Students will be able to design and implement simple computer-based solutions to problems in several application areas. Students will be able to interpret existing programs, their design, and their development. Students will also be introduced to software engineering principles and other skills necessary to be successful in a software career.
COMPUTER HARDWARE - One Semester, Spring Course
Grade Levels: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Computer Applications I and 2 or Instructor Approval AND Demonstrated Achievement in Algebra I or Geometry.
Introduction to Computer Hardware is designed as a one-semester survey course of the hardware components of a computer system. Students will gain an understanding of the terms and concepts of the layered nature of the hardware components of computers, starting from the basic building blocks of transistors as switches to a functioning, simple computer system. The science behind each hardware layer of a computer will be taught through extensive use of problem solving in labs and projects. Through this style of learning, the students will be exposed to the art of engineering. Students will also gain an understanding of the many careers involved in the development of computer systems and what physical and social skills are needed to be successful in those careers.
AP COMPUTER PROGRAMMING - Full-year Course
Grade Levels: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Computer 1, 2 or 3, Introduction to Computer Programming and Instructor Approval.
Advanced Computer Programming is a full year, software engineering course based on the Java programming language. This course is designed as a second year course where students are required to have either demonstrated programming ability or have completed an introductory course in computer programming (preferably the course offered by Bishop Kelly High School, “An Introduction to Computer Programming Using Java”). Students may also be admitted to this class with a special recommendation by the technology department head.
The course is a college-prep course for potential computer science majors or students interested in a career in the field of Information Technology. Students learn to write structured Object Oriented programs, learn to use the standard Java library classes from the APâ Java subset, and learn extensive problem solving techniques commonly used in real-world programming problems.
The course also prepares the students for the APâ Computer Science A Examination, which includes an in-depth look at the APâ GridWorld Case study programming example currently used with the APâ Exam.