Information & Communications Technology Course Description

The purpose of this Information & Communications Technology course is to provide students with the computer, digital, and information technology skills necessary for success in their future academic and occupational goals. In addition to fundamental computer information, the content includes (but is not limited to) digital technologies associated with multimedia, word processing, spreadsheets, Internet communications, and cybersecurity.

You may also be interested in our Computer Science: An Overview course.

Internet Safety and Ethics

• Learn reasons that people put false or misleading information on the internet.
• Learn criteria for differentiating fake news from credible news.
• Practice evaluating the credibility of information they find on the internet.
• Define the terms “copyright,” “public domain,” and “fair use.”
• Identify the purpose of the Four Factors of Fair Use.
• Apply fair use to real-world examples, making a case for or against.

Using the Internet to Locate Information

• Identify and use web terminology (WWW, Web Browser, Internet, Web Page, Address Bar, Hyperlinks, Navigation Buttons, Search Bar, Bookmarks/Favorites, Tab, Downloading, Plug-ins).
• Compare and contrast the types of Internet domains (e.g., .com, .org, .edu, .gov, .net.mil).
• Demonstrate proficiency using various web tools (e.g., downloading of files, transfer of files, PDF).
• Properly cite Internet sources used to obtain information for a research project.

Appropriate Use of Email

• Identify components of an email message.
• Explain the format of an email address (i.e., user name, @ symbol, domain).
• Attach a file to an email message.
• Reply to and forward an email message to one or more addressees.
• Identify the appropriate use of email and demonstrate related email etiquette.
• Perform email organization and cleanup (e.g., trash, flags, create folders).

Using Word Processing Software

• Define the term “cloud computing,” and explain benefits of creating and storing word-processing documents online.
• List and describe common word processor interface tools and features.
• Identify common keyboard shortcuts used in word processors, and explain the benefits of using shortcuts.
• Format the page setup of a document, including margins, line spacing, indents, headers vs. footers, orientation.
• Explain printing options in a word processor, including shrink-to-fit, 2-sided printing, and document orientation.
• Copy, paste and move text within a document using mouse, menu and keyboard techniques.
• Copy, paste and move text among multiple documents using mouse, menu and keyboard techniques.
• Modify document view settings to display close-up, single and multiple pages.
• Define the term “format” as it relates to word processing.
• Format text using styles and font tools in a word processor.
• Insert page breaks in a document.
• Create source citations and/or a bibliography in a document.
• Insert a current date and time stamp into a document.
• Use word processor tools to determine the number of pages, words and characters in a document.
• Use spell check, grammar check, thesaurus, and find & replace to edit a document.
• Insert and modify sizing of images in a word-processing document.
• Position an image relative to text in a document, using various text-wrapping options.
• Use word-processing drawing tools to create pre-formatted shapes that enhance a document’s content. Use word-processor drawing tools to create a visual representation of information (e.g. SmartArt), such as diagram, flow chart.
• Apply a column layout to text in a document as appropriate for the content (e.g., article, newsletter).
• Apply simple numbered and bulleted lists in a document to make content easier to read and understand.
• Create a table in a word-processing document, and enter and move data in the table. Convert a body of text into a table structure in a document to make content easier to read and understand.

Using Presentation Software

• Create and/or modify a “slide master” or template to apply a consistent appearance to a presentation.
• Add and format titles, subtitles and talking points in presentation slides.
• Add slide numbers and/or date and time codes to presentation slides.
• Insert and format images/graphics in presentation slides.
• Insert new or duplicate slides in a presentation.
• Modify slide transitions in a presentation to include animation.
• Insert and/or modify sound settings and timing in a presentation.
• Modify the sequence of slides in a presentation.
• Produce a presentation that includes text, graphics and images, and present it.
• Modify a presentation’s setup to repeat (i.e., loop) the presentation continuously.

Using Spreadsheet Software

• Work with the Excel environment.
• Identify the parts of the spreadsheet display, including cells, columns and rows, cell references, cell range
• Insert and format various types of data (text, numeric, date/time) in a spreadsheet cells.
• Resize column width and row height in a spreadsheet.
• Apply shading and borders to a spreadsheet
• Merge and unmerge cells in a spreadsheet.
• Use the auto sum function to calculate the values of multiple cells.
• Insert common functions (SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, MIN) and simple mathematical formulas which include addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division into a spreadsheet.
• Distinguish between absolute and relative cell references in a spreadsheet.
• Identify various types of charts (e.g., line, bar, pie, scatter) and common chart components (e.g., vertical axis, horizontal axis, legend), and explain when to use each chart type.
• Create a chart from existing data and format the pieces (data set), change the background color, and add appropriate titles and a legend.

This Information & Communications Technology course is designed for middle school and high school students.

Course Outline

• Computers & Information Processing
• Hardware & System Software
• Networks, Security, and Privacy
• Troubleshooting and Maintenance
• Application Software
• The internet & Digital Ethics and Awareness
• Cloud Computing
• Microsoft Office Features and File Management
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint

Meet the Teacher

Anna Pollard

Computer Science, Information & Communications Technology (ICT), Web Development, Intro to Python, STEAM Club, Art Classes, Graphic Design

My professional career began in the graphic and web design industry as a Creative Director in the field of Informational Technology. After 15 years of professional IT work, I made a career change to share my technology knowledge with students and began a career in teaching. [...]