Technology Cluster - - Greater Lowell Technical High School

This shop allows students to explore a wide range of career opportunities offered in the business and office technology fields. Students will gain an industry related simulated experience while immersing themselves in the state of the art business application software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.

The Office Technology Sub-level provides students with an in-depth view of the many career opportunities offered in all aspects of the industry. Students will gain an industry related simulated experience while immersing themselves in the state of the art business application software to include: Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint. In additional, Adobe products such as Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks, and Contribute. This industry related project based course will enable the student to see first hand how these business applications are utilized within the web design, web animation, database management, real estate, medical, legal, events management, business management, finance and accounting industries.

Sophomore Year

Office Technology Shop - Level I
801A/X
Credits 12.0

Students in Office Technology Shop I will learn, apply, and demonstrate computer application skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher. Students will create a wide variety of documents including: forms, meeting documents, schedules, sales, marketing, and travel documents. Students will also complete and manage integrated Word, Excel and PowerPoint showcase multimedia portfolio projects. Students will learn and be responsible to manage their time and their work. This course will incorporate the use of a digital camera, scanner, and CD writing. Students become familiar with the SAM Software Training in preparation for MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) Certification in the areas of: Word, Excel and PowerPoint. (See MOS Certification description below).
While working towards MOS Certification embedded in this class, students will learn, apply, and demonstrate office management skills necessary to perform in a business environment along with the importance of ergonomics and how it relates to their work place. These office management skills include: correct keyboarding technique, formatting business letters, memorandums, email correspondence, business reports, and other related business documents. In addition, students will learn, apply and demonstrate project development and management skills. These skills include: defining the scope of work, evaluate project requirements, determining required resources, time requirements and risks.
MOS Certification: The Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (known as MOS Certification) program is globally recognized as the skill standard for the Microsoft Office Suite of Business Productivity Applications, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint®, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Outlook®, and Microsoft Project. MOS Certification provides students with authentication of knowledge and skills needed for lifetime of advancement. It ensures the student has mastered certain required elements. Computer training and certification increases productivity, efficiency, improves the quality of work and enables student's individual success. By encouraging students to developer these skills, this certification program helps fulfill the demand for qualified, knowledgeable people in today's workplace of technology. In addition, it also helps satisfy an organization's need for a qualitative assessment of a potential employee's skills.

Accounting I
803A/X
Credits 3.0

In this course, the student will perform fundamental accounting and bookkeeping functions and principles; describes the importance of accounting in principles; describe the importance of accounting in a business; define terms related to accounting (e.g., debits, credits, accounting equation, balance sheets); describe appropriate cash handling practices in a business; list typical ways a business obtains capital; describe how paycheck deductions affect a worker; list advantages/disadvantages of hourly and salaried employees; create and manage a balance sheet and additional financial statements.

Web Page Design I
814A/X
Credits 3.0

This course is designed to introduce the student to Macromedia’s Suite of web-authoring applications in order to create appealing cutting edge web designs. Students will create and manage websites and webpages. Students will create professional animated logos and website navigation controls. The student will create and edit sophisticated images for the web. Students will also learn to create dynamic images and superb action scripts.

Junior Year

Office Technology Shop - Level II
801 B/Y
Credits 9.0

This course is a continuation of Office Technology

Web Page Development II
807B/Y
Credits 6.0

This advanced project based course is a continuation of the web page development course taken sophomore year. Students will further develop their web development skills as well as create animations using the interactive power of Macromedia Flash, Fireworks and Freehand. As a final outcome of this course, students will create a personal web page that will highlight each student’s attained competencies and personal accomplishments. This web site will be their working portfolio to present to either a prospective employer or a college for possible admissions. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Web Page Development I

ACCESS / Operating Systems
708B/Y
Credits 3.0

This course is designed to give each student a thorough working knowledge of the Microsoft Windows operating systems. Through the use of hands-on presentations, integrated class activities and real world simulations, students will identify the purpose and use of various features built into the operating system. Topics include: understanding the relationship between hardware, software, and operating systems, understanding the role of Windows, working with the Desktop and the Taskbar, starting and managing multiple applications and managing files and folders. Students will learn how to analyze current system settings, identify system problems, prepare recommendations and resolve internal system conflicts. The Microsoft Access portion of the course provides a detailed understanding on how to use Microsoft Access 2002. Students will learn how to plan, create, modify, and query a database. Students will create customized reports, forms and combo boxes. In addition, topics include publishing to the internet, creating hyperlinks, and subforms. Students will create an application system using Macros, Wizards and the Switchboard Manager. Advanced features using Visual Basic and Advanced Form Techniques will also be discussed.

Record Keeping II
821B/Y
Credit 6.0

This course is a continuation of the Level I course. It provides the student with increased competency and better understanding of business operations. The student will also be introduced to various problems and instructional kits that will be completed on the computer. This introduction to computerized accounting/bookkeeping will equip the student for various tasks and job opportunities in the accounting/bookkeeping field.

Senior Year

MS Office Certifications
812C/Z
Credits 9.0

Students will develop business simulation projects that will include advanced applications in the Office Suite, Publisher and Frontpage. Students will review Office applications in preparation for M.O.U.S. (Microsoft Office User Specialist) and Frontpage Certification. Students will develop an Office Showcase Portfolio Project and an Advanced Multimedia Presentation.

Business Issues
818C/Z
Credits 6.0

Students will study situations that show how business and personal law impacts their lives. Each student is required to demonstrate application of basic skills, personal skills, technological skills, and teamwork skills. Students will achieve an understanding of legal terminology and principles which will be used in their careers.

Accounting
803C/Z
Credits 6.0

This course covers the principles and practices of accounting for the entire accounting cycle. It provides the student with a basis for advanced study in/or initial employment in accounting occupations and in other business occupations. It is designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary for employment. The student will further explore the use of computers in accounting. This computerized study will be based on problems and educational kits. This course will serve as a foundation for college.

MS Office Certifications
712C/Z
Credits 3.0

Students will develop business simulation projects that will include advanced applications in the Office Suite, and Publisher. Students will review Office applications in preparation for M.O.U.S. (Microsoft Office User Specialist) Certification. Students will develop an Office Showcase Portfolio Project and an Advanced Multimedia Presentation.