Information Technology (ESL)

Students learn the fundamental skills of information technology required for all High School students. These skills include, but are not limited to, web page design, multimedia presentations, the writing process, research, networking file management, and troubleshooting. Projects normally are planned in conjunction with on-going units in ESL classes. Students apply their skills by assisting their peers in class projects.

IB Computer Science (Standard Level)

This course focuses on the Systems Life Cycle and Software Development, Computer Fundamentals, and Object Oriented Programming techniques using Java programming language. Students will be exposed to the hardware and software related to computer systems. They will learn how to interact, and be involved in systems development and the different methods, tools, techniques used in systems analysis and design, and the Social Significance and Implications of Computer Systems. Feasibility study, requirements definition, and design and development documentation will be covered. The system development life cycle, prototyping, data modeling, and user involvement will also be covered.
At the end of the course, students will be able to develop the computerized system using Systems Analysis and Design Methodologies and Java programming language.

First Year Lecture Notes

Second Year Lecture Notes

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Information Technology
Duration : One semester, class meets every other day.
Offered : Both semesters
Credit : 0.5

This course focuses on skill development on a range of software applications in a project-based environment. Students explore advanced word processing and spreadsheet techniques, create presentations and digital animations, and develop web pages in this course. A detailed syllabus of selected assignments , assessments, and examples of student work can be found on line.

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Multi-Media Documentary Presentation

This is a multi-media course combining all the elements of visual, sound, and photographic reproduction to create a computer generated final product that documents a self-directed study in the area of literature, history, art, environmental studies, or computers. The student will begin with a teacher-approved topic worthy of a semester study, research and develop a script, construct a story-board, then design a self-running computer slide show that is visually creative and that uses all of the various elements of multi-media production (animation, photography, sound, scanning sources, etc.) to develop the documentary presentation. Besides producing the final product, the course will require the students to master at least two computer applications. Previous computer knowledge is required.

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Video Production: basics of television and film making

A semester course for students with a special interest or career plans in video and film production or other aspects of media. All areas of "pre" and "post" production will be explored leading to a final video television product based on the principles of "good" film making. Among the topics covered: cameras, lenses, lighting, script writing, treatments, color, composition, audio, video recording, editing, directing and producing, news, dramatic, and documentary production. The course is broken into sixty areas of concentration (e.g. lenses, video quality). The text for each area can be found online. Ninety percent of all tests will also be given online. In short, all reading and testing materials can be accessed on a computer. Students will work in pairs to produce a total of three production products (e.g. a commercial, short documentary on campus life, club activity, etc.). The last of the three videos will be a short dramatic piece. Final grades will be based on online test and projects, participation, mastering a computer-editing program, classwork, and the final movie (dramatic) production.

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Web Page Development

This course incorporates a variety of software applications to create and update web pages. Dreamweaver will be used for webpage layout. Word processing, presentation and graphic design software will be used to create original web page content. The final assessment in this course will be an independent study involving a software application mutually acceptable to the student and instructor.

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Yearbook

This course centers on the production of the school yearbook, "Harmony". Creative layout and photography are vital to the course as well as organizing time and effort to meet publication deadlines throughout the year. This course is for the self motivated individual, with excellent work habits and organizational skills. The more advanced your English, Art and computer skills, the more likely it is that you can take a position of responsibility in the class. The course can be taken more than once.

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Introduction to Computer Programming
Duration : One semester, class meets every other day
Offered : Both semesters
Credit : 0.5
Prerequisite : Recommendation of mathematics instructor and approval of instructor

This course centers on an introductory programming language such as Scheme, C++, or Java to introduce students to the world of computer programming. A higher level understanding of math is necessary to understand the inner workings of computer algorithms, binary computation and logic. This course will prepare students for the IB Computer Science class proposed for the fall of 2004. (IB Computer Science is adopting JAVA as the language of instruction and RIS students continuing in computer science after this introductory course will then study JAVA.) Priority will be given to students in grades 9 and 10 to allow them to continue on to IB or AP Computer Studies.