info tech

Computer Science vs Programming

	Computer Science Program / Pathway	Programming Program / Pathway
1st Course	Introduction to Digital Technology
2nd Course	Computer Science Principles
3rd Course	Programming, Games, Apps,and Society

* To view course standards, click on the course name above

Computer Science Pathway

Introduction to Digital Technology
Computer Science Principles (georigia standards or College Board for AP standards)
AP Computer Science (Contact College Board for standards)

Introduction to Digital Technology: (Georgia Standards - PDF)

Introduction to Digital Technology is the foundational course for Web & Digital Communications, Programming, Advanced Programming, Information Support & Services, and Network Systems pathways.

This course is designed for high school students to understand, communicate, and adapt to a digital world as it impacts their personal life, society, and the business world. Exposure to foundational knowledge in hardware, software, programming, web design, IT support, and networks are all taught in a computer lab with hands-on activities and project-focused tasks. Students will not only understand the concepts but apply their knowledge to situations and defend their actions/decisions/choices through the knowledge and skills acquired in this course.

Employability skills are integrated into activities, tasks, and projects throughout the course standards to demonstrate the skills required by business and industry. Competencies in the co-curricular student organization, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), are integral components of both the employability skills standards and content standards for this course. Various forms of technologies will be highlighted to expose students to the emerging technologies impacting the digital world. Professional communication skills and practices, problem-solving, ethical and legal issues, and the impact of effective presentation skills are taught in this course as a foundational knowledge to prepare students to be college and career ready. The knowledge and skills taught in this course build upon each other to form a comprehensive introduction to the digital world.

Introduction to Digital Technology is a course that is appropriate for all high school students. The pre-requisite for this course is advisor approval.

Computer Science Principles: (Georgia Standards - PDF)

Big Ideas of Computer Science Principles

1. Creativity

2. Abstraction

3. Data and information

4. Algorithms

5. Programming

6. The Internet

7. Global impact

How can computing change the world? What is computer science? Engage your creativity, demonstrate and build your problem-solving ability all while connecting the relevance of computer science to the society! Computer Science (CS) Principles is an intellectually rich and engaging course that is focused on building a solid understanding and foundation in computer science. This course emphasizes the content, practices, thinking and skills central to the discipline of computer science.Through both its content and pedagogy, this course aims to appeal to a broad audience. The focus of this course will fall into these computational thinking practices: connecting computing, developing computational artifacts, abstracting, analyzing problems and artifacts, communicating, and collaborating.

Various forms of technologies will be used to expose students to resources and application of computer science. Professional communication skills and practices, problem-solving, ethical and legal issues, and the impact of effective presentation skills are enhanced in this course to prepare students to be college and career ready. Employability skills are integrated into activities, tasks, and projects throughout the course standards to demonstrate the skills required by business and industry.

Computer Science Principles is the second course in the pathways Programming and Computer Science in the Information Technology Cluster. Students enrolled in this course should have successfully completed Introduction to Digital Technology.

AP Computer Science A: (Contact College Board for standards)

Understand core aspects of computer science which you can use to create solutions that are understandable, adaptable, and when appropriate, reusable.

The design and implementation of computer programs to solve problems involve skills that are fundamental to the study of computer science. This includes the development and analysis of algorithms and fundamental data structures, and the use of logic and formal methods.