Back to Learning Catalog

Status

Open

Estimated Completion Time

18 Weeks

Overview

Building on the prior prerequisite course, you will gain further knowledge of information technology. Starting with an overview of programming, algorithms, and compilers, students will then learn the basics of webpage design and creating graphics. You will also explore security and cybercrime, emerging technologies, presentation software, and intellectual property laws. Finally, you will prepare for the future by discovering various careers in this field and planning your education!

During this course, you will learn career-related skills and earn a badge for this accomplishment. A badge is a digital certification of your career-related learning that you can share on social media or with higher education platforms, colleges, potential employers, peers, and colleagues. Select this link to learn more about badges.

Course Requirements

Required Materials:

  • App Inventor 2
  • Microsoft Word
  • Google account
  • Boomerang Add-on for Gmail
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Quizlet account

Major Topics and Concepts

Unit 1: Programming Like a Pro

  • Identify the stages of the software development life cycle
  • Describe how programming languages help solve problems
  • Define and use algorithms and their basic building blocks of sequence, selection, and iteration
  • Distinguish among various programming constructs such as identifiers, containers, functions, and objects
  • Use drag-and-drop software to design and develop a simple mobile app

Unit 2: Web Design

  • Identify and use basic principles of image design
  • Create SmartArt graphics using MS Word
  • Create a storyboard and implement its design in a webpage
  • Explain how websites have affected the business world
  • Use HTML and WYSIWYG editors to create webpages

Unit 3: Digitally Speaking

  • Explain the purpose and use of various communication tools
  • Describe and perform basic email functions
  • Understand the use of project management tools
  • Use advanced features of email

Unit 4: The Good and the Bad: Trends and Threats

  • Identify and describe security threats
  • Explain how different types of malware work
  • Describe issues relating to internet safety
  • Explain how encryption works

Unit 5: Working Together with Info Tech

  • Describe the importance of various types of relationships within the business world
  • Learn and apply strategies for resolving conflict in the workplace
  • Recognize the importance of leadership skills and teamwork
  • Identify a variety of ways that IT can help solve a business challenge

Unit 6: The Big Presentation

  • Create slideshow presentations using basic features
  • Insert graphical and multimedia elements into a PowerPoint
  • Add transitions and animations to slides
  • Utilize PowerPoint for project management purposes

Unit 7: Legal and Ethical Sides of IT

  • Distinguish the differences between copyrights, patents, and trademarks
  • Describe the consequences of copyright infringement, piracy, and plagiarism
  • Summarize confidentiality, integrity, and availability concerns relating to data
  • Discuss ethical and legal issues relating to IT

Unit 8: Pathways to Expanding IT Involvement

  • Discuss the benefits of competitive programming
  • Read and understand technical material from magazines, journals, and books
  • Take steps to becoming a lifelong learner
  • Be a responsible digital citizen who promotes security and advocates fairness online

Credits .5

Competency Group Overview

Meets ICT graduation requirement.

Competencies

  • Career Connections
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of various careers by researching careers and participating in and reflecting on sessions hosted by professionals working in these careers.
  • Programming, Software Development and Web Design
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of programming, software development and web design by demonstrating how programming languages are used to solve problems, identifying and using algorithms, examining various programming constructs, examining the stages of the software development cycle, designing and creating web pages and mobile applications, and describing how websites affect the business world.
  • Digital Tools and Security
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of digital tools and security by explaining the purpose and use of various digital tools for communication and project management, identifying and describing security threats and issues relating to internet safety, explaining the different types of malware and how they work, and explaining how encryption works.
  • Managing IT in Business
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of Managing IT in the business environment by describing the importance of various types of relationships within the business world, examining leadership skills in the workplace, identifying ways IT can help solve a business challenge, and explaining ethical and legal issues relating to IT.
  • Presentation Software
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of presentation software by creating slideshow presentations, implementing graphical and media elements, and adding transitions and animations to slides.
  • Expanding Knowledge of IT and Becoming an IT Professional
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of expanding knowledge in information technology and becoming a professional in information technology by examining the benefits of competitive programming, reading and explaining technical materials, and being a responsible digital citizen who promotes security and advocates fairness online.

Pre-Requisites

Principles of Information Technology 1a

Enroll Now

Attend a virtual open house

We offer regular online open house webinars where VLACS staff members provide parents and students with an overview of our programs and answer questions about online learning.

Register Today