Technology
Our vision is to teach students to implement and communicate innovative
and practical solutions to problems through the use of technology. We
offer activity-based programs that include multi-media courses in fully
equipped labs including our mobile labs and writing labs that make it
possible for students to integrate technology into all areas of their
curriculum. Course work includes opportunities in programming, the
graphic arts, multi-media, filmmaking, web design and development,
as well as online courses through The
Virtual High School.
540/ COMPUTER LITERACY I
Software by Design I
Grade 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: None ½ credit
This course introduces you to computer skills and communication tools needed in today’s job world and in college. This course will also address efficient use of the Internet for research as well as computer ethics. The skills learned in this course will give you a good foundation as you pursue additional technology classes. You’ll become proficient in the following applications: spreadsheets, presentation software, desktop publishing software, and Web 2.0 applications such as blogs, wikis, and collaborative applications such as Google Apps. This is a problem and projects-based course and students will create an electronic portfolio of their best work. Students will also put their advanced research skills to the test while completing a multi-week research and blog project.
541/ COMPUTER LITERACY II
Software by Design II
Grade 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: Computer Literacy I ½ credit
A continuation of the knowledge and skills begun in Computer Literacy I, you’ll explore new topics such as databases, web graphics, GIS and animation as we continue to use Web 2.0 tools and applications such as blogs, wikis, and Google Apps. This is a problem and projects-based course and students will create electronic portfolio of their best work.
VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL
Grade 9-12
Levels and credits vary according to course(s) chosen.
Woodstock Union High School offers online courses to a limited number of students each year through the Virtual High School (VHS). VHS is a non-profit consortium of schools that offers full-semester online courses to students of the participating schools.
VHS offers over 200 full semester courses in Arts, Business, English Language Arts, Foreign Language, Life Skills, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Technology. In addition, VHS offers 15 Advanced Placement (AP) full year courses and 11 Pre-Advanced Placement courses to participating students. All core courses are NCAA accredited.
Students participating in VHS NetCourses not only receive rigorous course content in their courses; they also have the opportunity to participate with other students from other states in a virtual classroom learning experience. Students who take online courses are gaining many of the skills such as multimedia presentation skills, online collaboration and communication, assessment of online resources, and online team-building skills that are essential to the 21st Century learner.
WUHS treats VHS courses like any other course offered in the program of studies and students who think they may be a good candidate need to have at least one study hall blocked into their schedule.
If you think you may be a good candidate for a VHS student, visit our school
website (www.wuhsms.org/academics/vhs/) to find out
more and how to apply.
0593/ MAPPING OUR WORLD: INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
(GIS)
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: none* ½ credit in technology
GIS has the power to turn us all into geographers and problem solvers
and to gain a better understanding of how geography impacts our lives. This
semester-long class is part geography course, part computer course as we
use tools such as ArcGIS, GPS, MS Excel, PowerPoint and imaging software
to examine our world and to investigate issues facing our global and local
communities. The course also
includes several field trips and outdoor excursions that allow us to
explore and map our own community and visit with local agencies and organizations
that rely heavily on GIS, GPS, and other mapping tools.
0607/ DIGITAL GRAPHIC ART I
Grades 10-12 Level III
Prerequisite: A final grade of 75 in ½ credit
Studio Art
Not recommended for students enrolling in ski schools
This course will be an introduction to graphic arts on the computer.
Students will learn photo touch-up, advertising
techniques, digital fine art and the input and output of data using printers
and scanners. Students will work on Macintosh computers with Adobe CS2 software,
which includes InDesign and PhotoShop. The course teaches the use of digital
cameras and the incorporation of digital photography into artwork. Art will
be burned onto CD’s and students will learn how to present work and cut
a beveled mat. A final project will be required. This course is also offered
for ½ art credit under course #607.
0608/DIGITAL GRAPHIC ART II
Grades 10-12 Level III
Prerequisite: A final grade of 75 in ½ credit
Digital Graphics I
Not recommended for students enrolling in ski schools
This course will be a technical continuation of Digital Graphic Art I.
Students will increase their knowledge and skill levels with the Adobe CS2
software. They will design a package and learn how to market a product.
InDesign will be used to produce a multiple page book. Logos, business cards
and three-dimensional art will also be covered. There will be
both group and individual projects. A final project will be required.
This course is also offered for ½ art credit under course #608.
0591/ FOUNDATIONS OF WEB DESIGN I
Grades 9- 12 Level III
Prerequisite: none ½
credit
This course will introduce you to the exciting world of web design. You’ll
learn the principles of good design as you design, develop and publish a
web portfolio and several web sites. Students will utilize digital cameras,
scanners and other peripheral devices as well as various web authoring programs
and image editing software. We’ll start the course by learning HTML and
then transition into web authoring software such as Adobe Dreamweaver and
Adobe Fireworks. Peer review is also an important aspect of this class as
you provide feedback and receive constructive feedback from classmates who
view your assignments.
0592/ FOUNDATIONS OF WEB DESIGN II:
ANIMATION & EFFECTS
Grades 9 – 12 Level III
Prerequisite: Foundations of Web Design I ½ credit
Have you ever seen animated images on the Internet and wondered, “How did they do that?” or “How can I do that?” If so, then this course is for you. Animation and Effects is the companion course to Foundations of Web Design I and will focus primarily on creating animation effects and components for the web and creating web sites entirely with Flash. Students will develop the skills to create simple cartoon animations, interactive buttons, other 2D and 3D dynamic graphics, as well as web components like music and video players for the web. This course will enable students to create professional- looking and sounding animations. As students develop their ability to animate, they will also develop their skills in design.
0162/ PROBLEM SOLVING WITH LEGO ROBOTICS
Grades 9 – 12 Level III
Prerequisite: None ½ credit
This course will provide students with the opportunity to work in cooperative
learning teams to design, construct, and program Lego Robots to complete
a wide variety of authentic, real work design challenges. Through these
project-based lessons, students will apply prior knowledge
while learning to problem solve and work in small cooperative groups.
Students will complete design challenges, maintain a robotics blog, research
the role of robotics in society, and develop learning goals. Students completing
this course may wish to pursue further study in Computer Programming and
Computer Science.
585/ COMPUTER PROGRAMMING I
Grade 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: A final grade of 80 ½ credit
or higher in Algebra I
This course is not a course about using computer software such
as word processing or spreadsheets. Instead, it is the course to take
in order to learn how to be the person who designs such software. The course
approach combines lecture, large and small group work, projects, individual
work, and extensive time programming. The course covers the basic structures
and algorithms of computer programming using True BASIC, a modern, structured
(i.e. using no line numbers) programming language. Structures discussed
include loops, IFTHEN and CASE decision structures, subprograms, functions,
strings, arrays (1 and 2-dimensional), libraries, and external files.
This course, when taken in combination with Computer Programming II,
provides the background to insure a smooth transition into a college-level
computer science course. Students who complete this course are eligible
to elect Computer Programming II in the second semester. Also available
for ½ math credit under course # 145.
586/ COMPUTER PROGRAMMING II
Grade 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: Computer Programming I ½ credit
or the equivalent
This course is a continuation of Computer Programming I, covering increasingly
sophisticated algorithms and structures and an introduction to the Java
programming language. By the end of Computer Programming II, students will
have
designed and written an extensive piece of software as the final project.
The design and implementation of their projects are generally larger
in scale than those in Computer Programming I. Also available for ½ math
credit under course # 150.
1064/ DIGITAL CINEMA
Grades 10 – 12 Level III
Prerequisite: Studio 1 for an art credit ½ credit
No prerequisite for a Technology credit
Not recommended for students enrolling in ski schools
This course will explore the use of electronic media as a means of creative
expression. In this course students will study the historical development
of the visual narrative. Students will analyze several short and feature
length films. Using the computer and video assembly software, students will
explore the production of the multimedia narrative.
Students will create short digital video productions combining sound,
text, video and still images. Emphasis will be on scriptwriting, camera
work, and non-linear video editing using iMovie. Also available for ½ art
credit under course # 1064.
1065/ ADVANCED DIGITAL CINEMA
Grades: 10-12 Level III
Prerequisite: Digital Cinema l ½ credit
Not recommended for students enrolling in ski schools
This course is for students who have some experience in video production
and camera work. Students enrolled in this course will work on more advanced
projects, drawing on the skills and experience developed in the introductory
course. They will view examples of a variety of cinematic genres and
compare fictional narrative, documentary, avant-garde, and experimental
cinema styles. Students will further their understanding of cinematic
production by working as a team to produce a medium length feature film.
New topics will include advanced lighting, sound recording, and editing
techniques using Final Cut Express. Also available for ½ art credit under
course # 1065.
0576/ WOOD AND METAL STUDIO
Grades 9 – 12 Level III
Prerequisite: None ½ credit
Students in the Wood and Metal Studio will learn the art of working in
wood and metal. In the Woodworking Unit, students will learn to use the
table saw, band saw, planer and joiner to make beautiful wooden objects
out of maple, cherry and walnut. Students will learn various techniques
for safely for carving, cutting, joining and finishing wood. In the Jewelry
Making Unit, students will explore the ancient craft of silver smithing
and jewelry making – cutting, filing, stone setting, soldering and buffing
– to make rings and pendants.