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Category: Career and Technical

Computer Science I: Joy and Beauty of Computing High School Credit

Course Length:

One semester

Course Description:

The goal of this course is to teach you to think like a computer scientist. This way of thinking combines some of the best features of mathematics, engineering, and natural science. Like mathematicians, computer scientists use formal languages to denote ideas (specifically computations). Like engineers, they design things, assembling components into systems and evaluating tradeoffs among alternatives. Like scientists, they observe the behavior of complex systems, form hypotheses, and test predictions. The single most important skill for a computer scientist is problem-solving. Problem-solving means the ability to formulate problems, think creatively about solutions, and express a solution clearly and accurately. As it turns out, the process of learning to program is an excellent opportunity to practice problem-solving skills.

Prerequisites:

Intended for incoming high school junior or senior students

Comprehensive Syllabus:  

http://mtda.link/computerscience

Required Materials:

None

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

This specific course requires the following:

Online Learning Resources (No Textbook Required)

  • Learning with Python: Interactive Edition (Using Python 3.x) – site . Links to the sections that you will be required to read are provided as part of the activities for the class. The on-line textbook contains more than will be covered in the class.
  • Python 3.x Tutorial – site . This is an additional resource to use when using Python.

Mandatory Software Download

  • Python 3.x with the IDLE editor – site

This course requires students to have access to desktop development platforms.  ChromeOS/Chromebooks are not compatible with this course.

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: semester available
Spring: semester available
Summer: not available

Lead Teacher:

Buffy Smith, Helena School District, buffy.smith@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

EDU101US – Introduction to Education Seminar Dual Credit

COURSE LENGTH:

One semester

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

EDU 101 is a discussion-centered course designed to develop our critical understanding of public education and the role of classroom teachers in today’s public schools. We will discuss what it means to know, to learn, and to teach. We will examine how public schools developed and changed over the last 175+ years and how teachers’ roles have evolved accordingly. We will look at challenges facing teachers today and society’s expectations of teachers and public schools through short and longer texts of theory, practice, and teacher narrative. Our responses to texts include writing, both formal and informal, discourse, and presentation. Most importantly, we will begin to see the classroom as a place of work, of community, of inclusion, and of infinite promise. We will explore your current beliefs, values, and attitudes toward teaching and learning based on your prior experiences in order to make you aware of the diverse perspectives of teachers and students and how these dispositions influence the choices teachers make in planning and instruction.

PREREQUISITES:

MTDA is recommending this course for Seniors only as there is significant reading and analysis of college-level text throughout this course.

COMPREHENSIVE SYLLABUS:  

EDU101US Public Syllabus link

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

None

SPECIFIC TECHNICAL/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

This specific course requires the following:

COURSE AVAILABILITY (SUBJECT TO RESOURCE AND TEACHER AVAILABILITY):

Fall: semester available
Spring: semester available
Summer: not available

LEAD TEACHER:

Trisha Carlson, Kalispell Public Schools, trisha.carlson.mtda@mtda.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

Microsoft® Office Career Technology

Course Length:

One semester

Course Description:

This course will introduce students to the Microsoft Office (Course supports learning in Office 2007, 2010, 2013 or Mac 2011) suite of applications and tools. Programs covered include Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel with the goal of using them as a learning and workflow tool. In addition, students will work in Typing.com to improve their overall typing skills with a focus on speed and accuracy.

Prerequisites:

Students should have basic tech skills.

Comprehensive Syllabus:  

Microsoft Office Career Technology Syllabus

Required Materials:

None

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

This specific course requires Microsoft Office 2016 or newer.  Google Workplace, OpenOffice, Microsoft Works, iWork, and alternatives are not supported.

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: semester available
Spring: semester available
Summer: not available

Lead Teacher:

Jareth Wilson, Flathead Public Schools, jareth.wilson@montanadigitalacadeny.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

Personal Finance

Course Length:

One semester

Course Description:

Personal Finance is a course designed to help students understand the impact of individual choices on occupational goals and future earnings potential. Real-world topics covered will include income, money management, spending, and credit, as well as saving and investing. Students will design personal and household budgets; simulate the use of checking and saving accounts; demonstrate knowledge of finance, debt, and credit management; and evaluate and understand insurance and taxes. This course will provide a foundation of understanding for making informed personal financial decisions.

Prerequisites:

Students should have basic high school math skills.

Comprehensive Syllabus:  

http://mtda.link/personalfinance

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

This specific course requires the following:

Audio capability is helpful and recommended.

Students must be able to access http://www.moneyskill.org/ Money Skill is an online reality-based personal financial course.

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: available
Spring: available

Lead Teacher:

Rebecca Bates, Columbia Falls High School, rebecca.bates@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

AP® Computer Science A A & B

Course Length:

Two one-semester courses (students must independently register for each semester)

Course Description:

AP* Computer Science prepares students for the AP* exam in May. This course is comparable to a college-level introductory computer programming course. The course develops the skills required to write programs or parts of programs used to correctly solve specific problems. Students will learn design techniques to make programs understandable, adaptable, and reusable. The focus is on the Java programming language, a cross-platform language that will enable students to develop programs that can be run in a variety of environments (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, etc.). Skills learned in this course will aid in many ways, regardless chosen professional field. And, perhaps most importantly, studying computer science opens up a creative world to students unlike any other. https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-computer-science-a

Prerequisites:

Students should be at a junior-level reading and writing level.

Comprehensive Syllabus:  

AP Computer Science A Public Syllabus

Required Materials:

All required materials are provided in the course.

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

This course requires students to have access to desktop development platforms.  ChromeOS/Chromebooks are not compatible with this course.

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: A semester available
Spring: B semester available

Lead Teacher:

Paul Furthmyre, Montana School for the Deaf and Blind, paul.furthmyre.teacher@mtda.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES