Business and Information Technology

This nine-week course provides basic exploratory activities in computer software applications and coding fundamentals. Students learn to create computer programs that will help them learn to collaborate with others, develop problem-solving skills, and persist through difficult tasks. They will study programming concepts, computational thinking, digital citizenship, and develop interactive games or stories they can share. This course is open to students in grades 6 through 8, and serves as the foundation for the Creative Coding and Computer Solutions II course.

This nine-week course expands upon the Foundations of Creative Coding and Computer Solutions course. Students will continue their exploration of coding by building on what they learned in the foundations course. They will delve into more complex concepts such as controlling game flow with loops, events and conditional statements, and add animation using sprites. Admission to this course is based upon the successful completion of the Foundations of Creative Coding and Computer Solutions course.

This semester course is a culmination of topics covered in the previously completed Foundations of Creative Coding and Computer Solutions, and the Creative Coding and Computer Solutions II courses. Students will take a closer look at cloud computing, app design, privacy and encryption. This course concludes with the development of an independent project where students work to design, build, present, and market a game or app. Admission to this course is based upon the successful completion of the Foundations of Creative Coding and Computer Solutions course as well as the Creative Coding and Computer Solutions II course.

Students learn how economies and markets operate and how the United States economy is interconnected with the global economy. Additionally, they learn how to navigate the financial decisions they must face and to make informed decisions relating to career exploration, budgeting, banking, credit, insurance, spending, financing postsecondary education, taxes, saving and investing, buying/leasing a vehicle, and living independently. They also learn the importance of investing in themselves to gain the knowledge and skills valued I n the marketplace. Development of financial literacy skills and an understanding of economic principles will provide the basis for responsible citizenship, more effective participation in the workforce, and career success. The course incorporates all economics and financial literacy objectives included in the Code of Virginia 'a722.1-200-03B.

This course is designed for secondary school students to develop real-life, outcome-driven approach skills for digital citizenship, basic computer operations, keyboarding, application software (word processing, spreadsheets, multimedia applications, databases), and career exploration. This course promotes skills that can be applied across the curriculum and offers preparation relevant to 21st century skills and postsecondary education.

Students develop proficiency in designing and creating desktop-published projects, multimedia presentations/projects, and Web sites, using industry-standard application software. Students apply principles of layout and design in completing projects. Students create portfolios that include a r'e9sum'e9 and a variety of desktop-published, multimedia and Web-site projects produced in the course.