We live in a digital society. Digital literacy is the knowledge, skills, and behaviors involving the effective and safe use of digital devices such as the Chromebook for purposes of communication, expression and learning. Students are given the opportunity to develop various digital and technology skills to help prepare them for a digital world. Students will also begin to explore the world of Design Learning/problem solving they will experience in grades 6-8. Students will be assessed using course standards only. No letter grade will be given for this class.
Students develop an understanding of how technology is used to solve problems and enable innovation, and explore using technology tools to solve problems and create products. Students will learn the importance of effective communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills and will learn independently and/or through group explorations the basics of website design, computer game design, beginner coding, and media editing including audio and/or digital image editing.
The Design Learning-6 class focuses on building 21st century digital literacy skills. Students will be introduced to STEM thinking through a variety of hands-on opportunities. Within projects, students will think critically, solve problems and focus on science concepts to deepen learning. The problem solving process will be explored and utilized in the invention unit.. Students will learn to work more effectively on teams to solve problems using technology. This is a semester-long class.Students will be assessed using the standards based report card. No letter grade will be given for this class.
Students will apply technology skills to solve problems and create authentic products. Effective communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills are advanced as students work independently and/or in group explorations for deeper learning about website design, computer game design, beginner coding, and media editing including audio and/or digital image editing.
An introduction to different facets of engineering design, this course will emphasize the following: evolution and history of design, the steps in the engineering design process, tools and techniques used to innovate or invent solutions to problems. Students will be introduced to a variety of skill building opportunities including bottle rocket and dragster design, build, and racing, robotics, and 3D printing that will prepare them for Design Learning 8.
Design Learning-8 deepens and puts into practice the engineering design process using model construction projects and LEGO SPIKE Prime robots. Students are challenged to design, build and program a robot to move, act smarter than the average machine, and perform complex tasks in a reliable system. Students work collaboratively and build presentation skills throughout the course. Within projects, students will think critically, use various technologies, solve problems and focus on science concepts to complete activities and journals. Students refine their presentation skills in front of authentic audiences. Students will continue their introduction to computer science and programming. Students will explore and build basic programming skills through multiple programming languages.
This design-learning course replaces Entrepreneurial Learning and Alpha Project and is intended to be a precursor to the You Design It course at Perry High School. Students in this course will have the ability to co-create and design their learning with the instructor around topics of interest to the student. The course will feature Project and Problem Based Learning to provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills via authentic problem solving that allow students to grow in their abilities to create, communicate, collaborate, and think critically.