Computers & Technology

Summary of Course Content and Activities

CREDITS: 5

This course covers the fundamentals of Word Processing, Spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and Keyboarding. Instruction includes watching instructional videos, engaging in guided practice, and completing projects to demonstrate proficiency. The course is divided into five modules, each of which, upon successful completion, earns one credit. Through this structure, students will systematically build and validate their skills in each area. The combination of visual learning, hands-on practice, and project-based assessment ensures comprehensive understanding and practical application. - Access to Microsoft Office is mandatory 

Course Sequence

● Lessons 1-4 Word Processing
● Lessons 5-8 Digital Presentation
● Lessons 9-12 Spreadsheet
● Lesson 13-16 Project A
● Lessons 17-18 Keyboarding

Philosophy statement for teaching this course

This is a great course to expose yourself to the functional uses of a computer. Taking this course will make online learning easier and whet your appetite for further study in these topics.

Prerequisites

none

Materials and Resources

Supplied by NorthStar Academy

• Microsoft Office

Forecasted amount of time required to complete each week's lesson

4-6 hours

Description of student evaluations, quizzes and tests.

Assignments, projects and test - 100%

Summary of Course Content and Activities

This is a 6-credit course spread out over the 18 weeks of a semester. You will find that some lessons are shorter than others, with some lesson material and reflection forum posts, while others are projects that are spread out over a couple of weeks.

Visual Composition
COM 1005
Lessons 1-3

This is the first module and the prerequisite for all of the other modules in this course.
It must be completed in order to earn any of the other credits. Students learn to employ
fundamental elements and principles of design for various media and gain a strong
foundational multidisciplinary experience in preparation for other Communication
Technology courses.

Correspondence
INF 2090
Lessons 5-6

Students enhance their skills in document production as they prepare various forms of
correspondence in publishable form, using word processing and e-mail software.

Spreadsheets
INF 2080
Lessons 7-9

Students develop skills in the proper use of spreadsheet software through advanced
data manipulation and preparation of appropriate reports and printouts in text and
graphic format.

Animation
COM 1145
Lessons 10-12

Students are introduced to a variety of animation techniques and produce a simple
animation; the focus is on basic skills, including planning, keyframing, stage set-up, and
production, used to create a moving picture.

Web Design
COM 1055
Lessons 13-15

Students research the characteristics of effective Web page(s) and learn World Wide
Web Consortium (W3C) conventions and accessibility concerns to construct a simple
Web page.

Prerequisites

Computers 10

Materials and Resources

Supplied by NorthStar Academy

• Microsoft Office

Description of student evaluations, quizzes and tests.

Assignments, projects and test - 100%

Description:

CREDITS: 5

Robotics- Learning Arduino

Arduino can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors and can affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators. The microcontroller on the board is programmed using the Arduino programming language.

This course will teach you about programming and let you build your own program.

Requirements:

Ambition to learn. The course also requires the use of a computer and programming software which is provided.

Resources: Robotics Kit (provided)

Description:

CREDITS: 5

Lego Mind Storm?  Do we have your attention? "LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT is back and better than ever: new models, more customizable programming and all-new technologies! MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 combines the versatility of the LEGO building system with all-new technologies, an intelligent microcomputer brick and intuitive drag-and-drop programming software. The new 2.0 toolkit features everything you need to create your first robot in 30 minutes and then thousands of other robotics inventions that do what you want!"

Requirements:

Ambition to learn. The course also requires the use of a computer and programming software.

Resources:

• Lego Mindstorm Kit ( provided)