Computer Science

Internet Safety

Internet Safety training starts when students start using computers here at ACS in First Grade. In First and Second Grade they use only one or two specific closely monitored learning websites.

In 3rd grade the students start their first projects where they search the Internet here at school. At this grade they are trained in proper searching and internet safety (cyberbullying, online predators, what information to give online, etc).  This continues each year in Computer Science all way thru 8th grade. In 6-8th grade they complete projects about cyberbullying, online predators, proper downloading, how to avoid viruses, and similar topics. They present these projects to their classmates in class. 

At the high school level, there are various protections within their software, and they continue to receive Internet Safety Training along with training regarding proper Social Media behavior.

Technology courses

 1st Grade-3rd Grade:
Students in 1st , 2nd,  and 3rd grade have class once per week in which the main emphasis is keyboarding skills. Students use online "games" to learn the fundamentals of keyboarding and other computer base functions. Students learn the beginnings of computer programming in the worldwide initiative Code.org. Also, during these school years students begin their initial journey into the Microsoft Office products: Word, Powerpoint and Excel. 

4th Grade-6th Grade:
The 4th and 5th grade students have computer science classes once per week. During these years the emphasis switches to keyboard speed building and more in depth Microsoft Office products: Word, Powerpoint, and Excel. Several projects utilize the skills learned to reinforce them.   The 4th and 5th grade classes are also trained in internet safety.

7th Grade:
The 7th grade course has an in-depth emphasis on Microsoft Word, and  Microsoft Powerpoint, and an introduction to Microsoft Excel. Typing/ keyboarding skills are re-emphasized as a daily warmup. All grades receive additional internet safety training and computer coding each year.

Computer Applications:
This class satisfies the computer credit requirement for 9-12th grade students. It is a project-based class in which students learn by applying the different processes they have learned. Students become proficient in Microsoft Access, Windows Movie Maker, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Prezi, computer coding and or Small Basic Programming, Arduino, Padlet and website making by using Wix and Weebly. Students also reinforce their previous learning of Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel..

Multi Media/Algoma News:
This class can either satisfy the computer credit needed or can qualify as a fine arts credit. It is a class for 9-12th grade students who have an interest in video making and news production. The Algoma News publishes the school video news once a week in the second semester. Students in this class develop a talent for storytelling while keeping the responsibility of media in mind. The five questions students ask themselves when making videos for the news are:
    1) Does it promote Christ?
    2) Is it professional?
    3) Is it proper?
    4) Is it progressive? 
    5) Is it creative?
Students use Windows Movie Maker, Adobe Premier Pro, and other programs such as Format Factory. Several of the videos on this website were produced by our students.