Course Outline — Communications Technology: (TGJ2O)

This course introduces students to communications technology from a media perspective. Students will work in the areas of TV/video and movie production, radio and audio production, print and graphic communications, photography, and interactive new media and animation. Student projects may include computer-based activities such as creating videos, editing photos, working with audio, cartooning, developing animations, and designing web pages. Students will also develop an awareness of environmental and societal issues related to communications technology, and will explore secondary and post secondary education and training pathways and career opportunities in the various communication technology fields.

Syllabus 

TGJ2O is based on the revised Ontario Curriculum Expectations for Technological Education Grades 9 and 10, The Ontario Ministry of Education, 2009. There are six units, each of which consists of four to five activities (lessons and assignments) and a summative activity for each unit. The first five units are term work and the final unit is the culminating assignment. 

Unit 1: Communication Systems 

Activity 1: Welcome to Communication Technology 
Activity 2: Reasons for Communicating 
Activity 3: Look How Far We've Come 
Activity 4: Impact of Technology 
Activity 5: Unit Summative 

Unit 2: Communication by Design 

Activity 1: What is Graphic Design 
Activity 2: Typography 
Activity 3: Creating Contrast 
Activity 4: Working with the Principles of Design 
Activity 5: Publishing 
Activity 6: Unit Summative 

Unit 3: Compose Yourself 

Activity 1: Parts of the Camera 
Activity 2: Composing the Shot 
Activity 3: The View from Here 
Activity 4: You've been Framed 
Activity 5: Unit Summative 

Unit 4: Animation and Sound 

Activity 1: What is Animation 
Activity 2: Animating Pictures with Photoshop 
Activity 3: Animating Text with FLASH 
Activity 4: How to Animate a drawing 
Activity 5: Sound FX's 
Activity 6: Unit Summative 

Unit 5: The Production 

Activity 1: Capturing the 
Action Activity 2: Transitions 
Activity 3: Editing the Shots 
Activity 4: Developing the Story 
Activity 5: Unit Summative 

Unit 6: Culminating Activity 

Activity 1: Putting it all Together 
Activity 2: Matching Your Expertise


Assessment

Students will be provided with numerous and varied opportunities to demonstrate the full extent of their achievement of the curriculum expectations, across all four categories of the Achievement Chart. Progress will be monitored on an on-going basis using a variety of assessment tools, including written work, formal testing, quizzes, teacher-student communication, discussion boards and chat rooms.

As required by the Ministry of Education, students will be assessed in the four areas of the achievement chart. The suggested breakdown for this course is as follows:

  • Knowledge and Understanding 20%
  • Thinking and Inquiry 15%
  • Communication 30%
  • Application 35%


Final Grade

The final grade will be determined as follows:

Term Work
Based on evaluations conducted throughout the course.
70%
Summative Evaluation
A final evaluation in the form of assignments.
30%

*Unless otherwise indicated, all assignments will be submitted using the dropbox for that assignment.

Learning Skills

The following Learning Skills rubric can be used by online teachers when assessing Learning Skills:

Categories Needs Improvement Satisfactory Good Excellent

Responsibility

fulfills responsibilities and commitments within the e- learning environment

completes and submits class work, homework and assignments according to agreed-upon timelines

takes responsibility for and manages own behaviour

demonstrates limited responsible behaviour demonstrates some responsible behaviour demonstrates considerable responsible behaviour demonstrates a high degree of responsible behaviour

Organization

devises and follows a plan and process for completing work and tasks

establishes priorities and manages time to complete tasks and achieve goals

identifies, gathers, evaluates and uses information, technology and resources to complete tasks

demonstrates limited organizational skills demonstrates some organizational skills demonstrates considerable organizational skills demonstrates a high degree of organizational skills

Independent Work

independently monitors, assesses, and revises plans to complete tasks and meet goals

uses class time appropriately to complete tasks

follows instructions with minimal supervision

demonstrates limited ability to work independently demonstrates some ability to work independently demonstrates considerable ability to work independently demonstrates a high degree of ability to work independently

Collaboration

accepts various roles and an equitable share of work in a group

responds positively to the ideas, opinions, values, and traditions of others

builds healthy peer-to-peer relationships through personal and media assisted interactions

works with others to resolve conflicts and build consensus to achieve group goals

shares information, resources, and expertise and promotes critical thinking to solve problems and makes decisions

demonstrates limited collaborative behaviour demonstrates some collaborative behaviour demonstrates considerable collaborative behaviour demonstrates a high degree of collaborative behaviour

Initiative

looks for and acts on new ideas and opportunities for learning

demonstrates the capacity for innovation and a willingness to take risks

demonstrates curiosity and interest in learning

approaches new tasks with a positive attitude

recognizes and advocates appropriately for the rights of self and others

demonstrates limited initiative demonstrates some initiative demonstrates considerable initiative demonstrates a high degree of initiative

Self Regulation

sets own individual goals and monitors progress towards achieving them

seeks clarification or assistance when needed

assesses and reflects critically on own strengths, needs, and interests

identifies learning opportunities, choices, and strategies to meet personal needs and achieve goals

perseveres and makes an effort when responding to challenges

demonstrates limited self- regulation demonstrates some self- regulation demonstrates considerable self- regulation demonstrates a high degree of self- regulation