Elmira District Secondary School
11 Communications Technology Course Outline
Department: Technological Education
Course: Communications Technology
Code: TGJ 3MI -01
Instructor: Mr. Gord Maier
Date: September 2013
The Communications Technology program will provide each student with the opportunity to
explore the practices, impacts and use of today’s communication media and devices.
Topics to be covered include:
SECTION
TOPIC AREAS
PROJECTS
SECTION I: Introduction to Communications Technology
1 Introduction / Careers /
Impacts
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Safety
Course introduction
What is communications technology?
The socio/economic impact of a current
communications technology
Communications Technology Careers
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Web research
Review grade 10
Guest speaker
Tech Impacts
presentation
Career and
Education
Research
SECTION II: Graphic Production
2 Computer Graphics
3 Desktop Publishing
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Introduction to computer graphics
Intro Adobe InDesign
Intro Adobe Illustrator
Layers, object properties, help
Drawing tools, text, and effects
Colours and colour palettes
Vector vs. Raster Images
Layout and design: thumbnail sketches, rough
layout and comprehensive design
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Review DTP (desktop publishing)
Introduction to Adobe InDesign
Elements of design: colour, line shape and
texture
Principles of design: proportion, balance,
rhythm, emphasis, unity
Elements of design: whitespace, heading and
body text, text hierarchy, elements of type and
the study of typography
Advertising and mass media
Print production process
Career highlight
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Software Demos
and online
tutorials
Rough sketching
Draft process
Font Exploration
Object drawing
Personal Logo
development
Work sheets
Magazine Cover
Movie Poster
project
SECTION III: Internet and Web
4 The Internet and Web
Development
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Introduction to computer technology
Career highlight
Elements of web page search
Introduction to HTML coding
Designing a web page
Creating an animated image for the web
File formats: size, efficiency and
appropriateness in a web page
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HTML coding intro
Web page design
Personal Portfolio
Website
(Summative Activity
developed thru the
semester)
File Formats
SECTION IV: Light, Imaging and Photography
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Introduction to photography
Career highlight
Digital photography vs. traditional photography
Equipment usage and safety
Lighting and composition
Subject of Interest placement
Digital darkroom - photo editing
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6 Lighting
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Light and colour temperature
Lighting design and setup
Care and cleaning of theater lights
Safety and Fall Protection option
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7 Computer Imaging
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Introduction to photo manipulation
Adobe PhotoShop©
Advanced image scanning, manipulation and
processing
Ethics and Impacts of Photo Manipulation
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Introduction to audio technology
Career highlight
Principles of audio communication
Audacity and Adobe Audition
Transmission channels
Audio equipment: investigate the microphone,
telephone transmission, radio transmission,
audio playback and digital recording and
editing(compact disc, midi files, mpeg players
and files)
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5 Photography
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Darkroom
techniques
Computer editing
Lighting
Digital Photo Safari
Demo
Practical
application to
photography and
video
Tutorials
Computer
manipulated
images
Digital Makeovers
SECTION V: Audio
8 Audio Technology
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Audio Safety
Audio Chain
Mic, mixer,
equalizer, power
amplifier and
speaker operation
Movie Soundscape
Project
SECTION VI: Animation and Video
9 Animation
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Introduction to animation
Career highlight
Animation basics and techniques
Persistence of vision
Story boards
Stop frame animation: Claymation, Legomation,
Photo Time Lapse
2 Dimensional Animation: GIF, Flash
3 Dimensional Animation: 3dStudio & Maya
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Animation shorts
Tutorials
Web Animation
Stop motion / 2D or
3D major project
10 Video Production
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11 Live Communications
(as time and opportunity
permits)
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Introduction to video technology
Career highlight
Equipment: webcam and digital camcorder
Adobe Premiere Pro : the editing suite
Review of principles of audio communication in
relation to video communication
Video equipment: television transmission, video
recorders, video players and digital recordings
Basics of video composition: angles, framing and
composition
Video production (in groups)
Stage Design
School Activities ie Coffee House
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Video lab: Camera
operation
Video lab: Basics of
editing
Video lab: Basics of
video composition
Summative Group
Video production
Live Sound / Theatre
opportunities in school
Upon completion, the student are expected be able to:
 identify modern methods of technological communication
 work successfully both independently and in group settings
 appreciate the value of their knowledge and skills, and how they apply within their world and
potential careers
 develop transferable skills that will enable them to adapt to a changing work environment
 apply their knowledge creatively to open-ended problems
 focus on the process as well as the product or solution
 demonstrate knowledge and skills pertaining to graphic communication (i.e. computer graphics,
desktop publishing, printing techniques and sketching techniques)
 demonstrate knowledge and skills pertaining to live communication (i.e. photography)
 knowledge and skills pertaining to electronic communication (i.e. video and audio production, editing,
transmission and equipment usage)
 demonstrate knowledge and skill pertaining computer technology and communications in a modern
educational environment and today’s workplace (ie the computer as an effective tool)
Evaluation:
Written tests and assignments, practical projects, group work, class participation, homework completion,
and note taking will be used in student evaluation. Activity (70%) grading will be time and difficulty
weighted. Summative (30%) will be graded against course expectations.
The final mark will be weighted as follows:
Tests and Quizzes (section/unit, rotations, theory)
Skill Development and Training Activities – ie Camera Techniques
Assignments and Labs – ie Software Tutorials, Audio Labs
Projects – ie Reports, Culminating Activities, Presentations
Summative – Personal Web Portfolio
Written Exam
Mr. G. Maier
20%
10%
10%
30%
15%
15%
100%