Information Technology

Philosophy

The application of the Technology Standards encourages and supports the design, implementation, and assessment of learning experiences to engage students and to improve learning. AISJ students use technology to analyze, learn, and explore. Digital age skills prepare students to work, live and contribute to the social and civic fabric of their communities evaluating the skills and knowledge needed to live effectively and productively in an increasingly technological world.

Integrated Technology Standards

Standard 1: Creativity and Innovation

Learners demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology

Standard 2: Communication and Collaboration

Learners use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others
 

Standard 3: Research and Information Fluency

Learners apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information
 

Standard 4: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making

Learners use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources

Standard 5: Digital Citizenship

Learners understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior
 

Standard 6: Technology Operations and Concepts

Learners demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations
 

Course Descriptions

Robotics 1

Applying mathematical understanding the students construct and program robots to interact with the world using four different sensors. Computer programming fundamentals are introduced, and skills are developed by means of a series of graded challenge activities so that success is achieved at many different levels. Challenges entail: analyzing the problem, breaking it down into smaller steps, considering the iterative design and building up the solution in phases to complete the challenge. The elective finishes with a series of grand challenges using four sensors.
 

Robotics 2

In Robotics II students continue to refine their programming skills by using advanced programming techniques in order to solve increasingly complex challenges.  The new EV3 system is used and we will further advance the understanding from previous concepts. A number of challenges making use of different sensors, including the new color and gyro sensors, will be covered. The EV3 system, with its more powerful processor and expanded memory, gives us more flexibility to create a number of different robots from a data logging device to a complicated device that can move on tread rather than wheels.  Mechanical arms and other variations on the standard build of the robot are introduced. The elective finishes with the students designing and building a robot to compete in a robot sumo competition.
 

Digital Game Design

In this course students will use the design cycle to design, code, test and create their own digital games.  Using the Gamestar Mechanic program, students will learn the fundamentals of game design and the design process as well as the basics of computer programming.  In the second half of the course, students will then design their own game using visual and/or text-based programming environments found in the GameMaker and Unity programs.  A service learning option in which students design a game to help an elementary class practice and master learning objectives related to a unit may be offered.  Prior programming experience would be helpful, but there are no prerequisites for this course. All levels of programming expertise will be catered for.
 

Introduction to Multimedia

The focus in Introduction to Multimedia will be exploring in three main fields of study: multimedia presentation, photography and movie making.  Students will develop basic elements of photography (shot composition and photo editing) and build a skill-building portfolio of images that represent all elements of design. Students will be introduced to movie making and stop-motion animation and showcase their creative efforts from concept to finished products. 
 

Multimedia II

The focus in Multimedia II will be on making and editing movies and incorporating special effects, producing videos from storyboarding to editing. Students will be exposed to various design software (Adobe Creative Suite) that is the current industry standard. The course develops skills in using digital tools, story planning, and scriptwriting, filming, the green screen to manipulate the background, sound effects to impact movies, digital editing and develop collaborative skills by working in small groups.  Students will build a skill-building portfolio that encourages them to be self-directed learners and showcase their creative efforts from concept to finished products.
 

Multimedia: Animation

The focus in Multimedia: Animation, will be on creating image moving art and the illusion of motion.  Students will explore both traditional hand-drawn animation, storyboarding and computer animation using various software (Adobe Creative Suite, Pivot Animator, Fire Alpaca) that is the current industry standard. Students will create their own Stop-motion animation, explore digital editing and learn the difference between 2D and 3D animation. They will build a skill-building portfolio that encourages them to be self-directed learners and showcase their creative efforts from concept to finished products.