Computers & Technology Education Course Descriptions
Wyomissing Area High School

Applied Computers I - 501

Grade 9
6 Periods/Cycle/Semester

This required course is a continuation of the Introduction to Computer Applications taken by eighth graders. It provides students with valuable business and personal computer skills. Students will use the popular Microsoft Word (word processing), Excel (spreadsheet), and Powerpoint (presentation software) applications.  Although this is a required course, it can be substituted by Visual Basic Programming I (#504). The textbooks used in this course are MS Word 2010 Comprehensive Concepts & Techniques by Shelly & Cashman, MS Excel 2010 Comprehensive Concepts & Techniques by Shelly & Cashman, & MS Access 2010 Comprehensive Concepts & Techniques by Shelly & Cashman.


Advanced Software Applications for Business and Industry - 502

Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
6 Periods/Cycle/Fall Semester

Students will learn advanced Microsoft Office techniques, strategies and skills. Using the Excel and PowerPoint programs, students will follow an exercise-oriented approach to solving practical problems and developing effective presentations.


Introduction to Web Design - 503

.5 credit
Grades 10, 11, and 12
6 Periods/Cycle/Spring Semester

This course is an introduction to website development. Planning, building, and maintaining websites is technical and creative at the same time so students who are logical as well as those who are artistic are welcome. Successful completion of Intro to Computer Science (#504) is a prerequisite.


Intro to Computer Science - 504

.5 credit
Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
6 Periods/Cycle/Either Semester

This course is an introduction to computer science in which students design interactive programs and games that use graphics, animation, audio, and robots. Students learn about user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) as they design games like Flappy Bird or apps like Snapchat. Many students follow up this course with Computer Science Using Games and Apps (#505) in the same school year.


Computer Science Using Games and Apps - 505

.5 credit
Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
6 Periods/Cycle/Either Semester

This course extends the Intro to Computer Science course (#504) and includes the popular Game Project, a large program entirely designed and coded by the student. Besides providing insight into how a computer works and "thinks", More Computer Science develops students' logic and analytical skills that are important for many career paths. By the end of the course, students produce their own portfolio of computer programs. Successful completion of Intro to Computer Science (#504) is a prerequisite. This course is recommended for those who want to pursue more advanced computer science courses.


Honors Computer Science - Java I & II - 506/507

Grades 10, 11, and 12
6 Periods/Cycle/First & Second Semester

Students use the computer language Java to code interactive, object-oriented programs that are graphical and text-based. Intro to Computer Science (#504) is a prerequisite for Honors Computer Science - Java I (#506). Completion of the first semester #506 course is required for the second-semester #507 course.



AP Computer Science A - Java I & II - 508/509

Grades 10, 11, and 12
6 Periods/Cycle/First & Second Semester

Students use the computer language Java to code interactive, object-oriented programs that are graphical and text-based. Students in 508 and 509 complete additional assignments beyond the required coursework for Honors Computer Science - Java programming (#506 and #507). AP students must also take the AP Computer Science A Exam at the end of the school year. These courses follow the prerequisite coursesVisual Basic Programming I and II (#504 and #505). Earning an A in Intro to Computer Science (#504) is a prerequisite for AP Computer Science A - Java I (#508). Completion of the first semester #508 course is required for the second-semester #509 course.



Honors Software Design - Android - 516
Grades 11 and 12
6 Periods/Cycle/All Year

This course builds upon the foundation of object-oriented programming learned in the prerequisite courses Honors or AP Computer Science - Java II (507 or 509). Students develop interactive apps for Android phones and tablets. Students also distribute and market their apps on their own web sites. Students do not need their own Android smartphones or tablets to take this course. This course is equivalent to a course for sophomores at some colleges.



Honors Software Design - iPhone - 517
Grade 12
6 Periods/Cycle/All Year

Students develop interactive apps for iPhones and iPads. The course builds upon the student's skills of mobile app development and object-oriented programming learned in the prerequisite course Honors Software Design - Android (516). Advanced concepts such as pointers, data structures, and database integration are covered. This course is equivalent to a course for sophomores at some colleges.



STEM Robotics - 518

IS STEM Robotics - 519

Grades 10, 11, and 12
6 Periods/Cycle/All Year

Students research, design, test, redesign, and implement practical solutions to real-world problems with various kinds of technology. They use STEM resources including software development tools and hardware such as 3-D printers, robots, Arduino boards, Raspberry Pi, quadcopters, and more. Significant responsibility is placed on the student to innovate and show initiative as well as to document and reflect his or her learning with an online portfolio. Students may incur costs for some self-selected projects and participation in activities or competitions outside of class may be required. Computer Science Using Games adn Apps (505) is a prerequisite for 518 or 519 STEM Robotics. Instructor approval and availability is required for 519. Either course may be repeated more than once.



Honors STEM Robotics - 520

IS Honors STEM Robotics - 521

Grades 10, 11, and 12
6 Periods/Cycle/All Year

Students research, design, test, redesign, and implement practical solutions to real-world problems with various kinds of technology. They use STEM resources including software development tools and hardware such as 3-D printers, robots, Arduino boards, Raspberry Pi, quadcopters, and more. Significant responsibility is placed on the student to innovate and show initiative as well as to document and reflect his or her learning with an online portfolio. Students may incur costs for some self-selected projects and participation in activities or competitions outside of class may be required. Students in the 520 or 521 Honors STEM Robotics sections are required to submit detailed project proposals that explain and illustrate how the technology is implemented to solve problems. They must also complete engineering work logs with more extensive documentation of all research, activities, and results. Earning an A or B in Computer Science Using Games and Apps (505) is a prerequisite for 520 or 521 Honors STEM Robotics. Instructor approval and availability is required for 521. Either course may be repeated more than once.


8th grade Introduction to Computer Applications - 582
Grade 8
6 Periods/Cycle/Quarter

This course introduces students to the popular Microsoft Word and Excel programs. It covers the basics of word processing and spreadsheet operations.

Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) - 950
Grades 9 - 12
6 Periods/Cycle/Per Semester

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the fundamentals of mechanical drawing. Students will learn how to clearly represent objects and shapes using computer-aided drafting (CAD) software. Students will create 3D objects, apply basic animations, and learn to prepare their project to be printed or shared electronically.

Architectural Planning and Design - 951
Grades 10 - 12
6 Periods/Cycle/Per Semester

The course is so structured as to give the student a fundamental background in basic architectural drafting.

Traditional and computer application will be employed to complete the following drawings: floor plans, wall sections, stair details, elevations, and plot plans.

Multimedia Technology I - 956

Grades 10, 11, and 12
6 Periods/Cycle/First Semester

This course is designed as a project-oriented “hands on” introduction to the world of multimedia technology. Students will work with Apple Pro Mac computers, scanners, digital still cameras, Wyo5Live studio equipment, and more, as well as a variety of software including, Final Cut Pro X, Photoshop, QuickTime, and more.

Students will be introduced to videography and learn about proper use and care of video equipment. Apple’s Final Cut Pro X digital editing software will be used to edit student made videos. Instruction will also include experiences in graphic design, layout work, and much more. A variety of individual and team multimedia projects will be copied to CD or DVD. Students will be charged for all blank media and storage cases.


Multimedia Technology II- 957

Grades 10, 11, and 12
6 Periods/Cycle/Second Semester

Multimedia Technology 957 is project-oriented “hands on” course, designed for the video enthusiast, focusing on the audio and video side of the world of multimedia technology. The students will learn how to properly and creatively use digital video cameras. The student will learn pre-production, production, and post-production techniques as they work in the digital format. Students will work with software such as Final Cut Pro X, Motion, QuickTime, Adobe Photoshop and more.

Students will produce videos ranging from sports highlights, class memories, interviews, commercials, family documentaries, comedies, and many more. Students will be required to do “after school” and “weekend” video work, and it is highly recommended that the students have access to a digital video camera. Students will have the opportunity to enter video contests throughout the year. Students will be charged for all blank media and storage cases.


Multimedia Technology III- 958/959

Grades 10, 11, and 12
6 Periods/Cycle/Second Semester

Multimedia Technology III is a full year, project-oriented, "hands on" course, designed for the video enthusiast. Students considering a career in communications should take this course. Students will focus on projects at a higher level of sophistication and technical proficiency than Multimedia Technology I or II.

Students will work with professional level software such as Final Cut Pro X, QuickTime Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, and more. Seniors electing this course will help to direct, lead, and produce a culminating video project as well as other educational videos. Students will help to direct, lead, and produce a Spartan Year in Sports highlight video, sports videos to be used in conjunction with Wyo5Live, as well as produce other exciting and educational videos. Students will be required to do “after school” and "weekend" video work, and it is highly recommended that the students have access to a digital video camera. Students will pay for or supply all blank media and storage cases.


7th grade Exploring Technology - 970

Grade 7
6 Periods/Cycle/Quarter

This course is designed to be an exploratory experience involving the technological systems of communication, transportation, and production. Activities will be of a “hands on” problem solving nature. Students will complete various projects as they learn about technology and how it affects them and their surroundings. Students will be introduced to computer programming by creating simple programs using Alice or Scratch.  Students will design, create, and troubleshoot a car made from cardboard.  Students will create an “All About Me” video project using the iLife software from Apple.


8th grade Applying Technology - 980

Grade 8
6 Periods/Cycle/Quarter

This course provides students with a general introduction to the materials processing and management components of a manufacturing activity, as well as a continuation of learning about communication, transportation, and production technology. Instruction will include “hands on” experiences in the safe and proper use of hand tools, power tools, and machines as well as techniques in layout and design. Students will get “hands on” and problem solving experiences constructing a variety of projects.