Below are the computer-oriented courses for 2011-2012. The entire Central High School Program of Studies is available for download.
Computer Essentials for College and Business
2.5 credits
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
It is so important for students to be able to apply technology and computer skills across the curriculum to meet the requirements of all of their teachers and programs, both during their high school career as well as for college preparation! This course provides the “backbone” for students to obtain the necessary skills that they can use throughout their school day and beyond to meet the expectations of all of their other courses! Whether the requirement is to create a research paper, speak in front of a group utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, adding a chart to their spreadsheet or database, or utilizing scanners and digital cameras to import graphics into an application, students will be able to meet the challenge! Specific applications using the software packages and peripheral equipment are a major focus. Internet applications are also embedded throughout this course. It would be advantageous for students to obtain this as early in their high school career as possible so that the skills obtained can be used immediately in all their coursework. Software applications that will be utilized include: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Just a few of the many skills that will be taught include: touch-typing and word processing text formatting, use of graphics, Internet searches and applications, copyrights and plagiarism, spreadsheet formulas, charts and graphs, creating slide presentations and animations, and much, much more! (Students may also pursue further study and experiences in this field for additional credits through CTE-Work Experience. See course description for further details.)
Inside Microsoft Office
2.5 credits
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
This hands-on course is a natural follow-up to Computer Essentials for College and Business! It concentrates on utilizing the computer to perform business functions, solve problems, and especially prepare students for college requirements! Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access) will be used extensively for enhanced word processing/desktop publishing, spreadsheet applications, presentations, graphics projects, data base applications, and integrating these software packages with the Internet. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Computer Essentials for College and Business or Fundamentals of Word Processing and Desktop Publishing. (Students may also pursue further study and experiences in this field for additional credits through CTE-Work Experience. See course description for further details.)
Computer Graphics I: Photoshop
2.5 credits
Grades 10, 11, 12
Computer graphics and computer-generated commercial art have become the norm in our environment. This semester course explores the use of computer graphic illustrations in such areas as advertising, presentation drawing, charting, graphing, rendering and graphic arts. Students will be using Adobe Photoshop as the main software component to this course. Photoshop is one of the leading graphic software applications utilized across many career fields as well as in college. Emphasis is placed upon the practical aspects of computer graphics and how this is used in web publishing, design and illustration, photography and multimedia presentations. No prerequisite, although experience with computers is highly encouraged. (Students may also pursue further study and experiences in this field for additional credits through CTE-Work Experience. See course description for further details.)
Computer Graphics II: Advanced Photoshop
2.5 credits
Grades 10, 11, 12
The objective of this course is to give students a working knowledge of the digital imaging process learning digital camera operation and other methods of digital image capture. Students will then study various methods of manipulation of digital images, employing the computer and associated commercial software (Adobe Photoshop) and peripheral equipment (cameras and scanners) to alter photographic images. Students will apply design principles to each application. This semester course also explores the use of computer graphic illustrations in such areas as advertising, presentation drawing, desktop video, charting and graphing, rendering and graphic arts. Computer Graphics I: Photoshop is a prerequisite for this course. (Students may also pursue further study and experiences in this field for additional credits through CTE-Work Experience. See course description for further details.)
Web Page Design and Macromedia Flash
2.5 credits
Grades 10, 11, 12
Create your own web page and create a web page for projects in other classes! The Internet is the world’s biggest information resource! Every day, millions of users cruise the Internet to do research and conduct business. Students will create web pages with HTML code and with web design software such as Microsoft FrontPage and post them for viewing on the Internet! Students will be using this to create stand-alone and web-based multimedia projects. In addition, basic JAVA applications and graphic animations will be explored and incorporated into web page designs. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Computer Essentials for College and Business or Fundamentals of Word Processing and Desktop Publishing. (Students may also pursue further study and experiences in this field for additional credits through CTE-Work Experience. See course description for further details.)
CTE - Work Experience
5-10 credits
Career and Technical Education (CTE) encompasses a sequence of academic courses that prepare students for postsecondary education and for entry into the competitive 21st century workforce. The Work Experience component is an experiential, supervised activity that encourages students to explore their career interests through paid or unpaid employment, apprenticeships, community service, cooperative education, internships, or school-based enterprises. Students are supervised by the school’s Teacher/Coordinator and are exposed to the sixteen sectors of industry, called NJ State “career clusters,” which include agriculture, construction, business administration, finance, government, health science, hospitality, information technology, law, sales and marketing, engineering and more. The CTE-Work Experience program fosters critical thinking skills, effective communication, financial literacy, and workplace readiness.