Smyrna High School
BUSINESS EDUCATION
Instructor: Alexandra Ulrich Email: Alexandra.Ulrich@smyrna.k12.de.us SHS Room 111
Course Description: DBC 2 is a project-based curriculum that teaches the professional web design and development
process. It focuses on developing career and communication skills in print and graphic design using Adobe tools and
Microsoft Office 2010. It also develops key understanding of computer literacy.
Prerequisite: None Course Level: 9th to 12th grade
Students in the Digital Business Communications 2 are expected to demonstrate effective communication skills, customer
relations expertise, and concepts vital to the development of a business career. This curriculum includes instruction and
practical application in business law, economics, financial analysis, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, students are
expected to learn and understand organizational concepts involving human resource and strategic management in the
world of business, as well as systems used to monitor and control day-to-day operations. This course is designed for
students to gain an introduction to programs in Adobe and Microsoft Office 2010 suites. The programs are used for
graphic enhancement, web-page development, and animation. Students are expected to gain a working knowledge of the
programs used in the production of websites for employers. Students will need an ability to work self-paced on projects
and take direction from an “employer”.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The outline below gives an overview of the components of the Digital Business Communications 2 course. The standards
for this framework are aligned to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), National Educational
Technology Standards (NETS) for Students (2007), as well as the new Adobe Certified Associated Visual Communication
objectives to prepare students for certification. This framework also includes standards for ‘Digital Media’ and ‘Web
Development and Administration’ from the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies (NWCET).
COURSE OUTLINE
Integrated
Standards
DIGITAL DESIGN
Web Design: Foundations of Web Design
4 weeks
Graphic design with Adobe
Fireworks CS4
Web portfolios using Adobe
6 weeks
Dreamweaver CS4
6 weeks
Building a basic client website
Rules; Expectations; Introductions; Ergonomics
Career Development; Ethical Responsibilities; Leadership; Safety and Security;
Teamwork
Students learn to create, modify, and optimize a variety of digital images
Students create the elements of a web portfolio with Dreamweaver and
Fireworks
Student teams build a website for a client
Students learn a collaborative process for reviewing a website they have
2 weeks
Review workshop
created
Visual Design: Foundations of Design and Print Production (Photography, Illustration & Basic Print Layout)
Students gather images from multiple sources (including learning the basics of
4 weeks
Collages and photography
photography) then modify and optimize these images to form a collage
Students analyze color theory and design principles used in logos then plan,
3 weeks
Logos
create, and build a logo
Students create a business card, and in the process, they learn about
3 weeks
Business cards
typography and layout design
Students are introduced to the process of working with a client through an
4 weeks
Advertisements
advertisement project
Students create a PDF portfolio that features completed work and a career
4 weeks
Portfolios
exploration
DIGITAL DESIGN 2A/2B:
Web Design: Foundations of Web Design
Enhancing the user experience with
6 weeks
Adobe Flash CS4
Students begin using Flash to enhance user experience on the web
Digital narratives using Adobe Flash
4 weeks
CS4
Students use Flash to create digital narratives
Student teams design a website for a client
Students write a design document to help them communicate clearly with the
5 weeks
Designing a client website
client
Students consider the contents of their web portfolios from the viewpoint of
2 weeks
Web portfolio workshop
work after this course
Visual Design: Foundations of Design and Print Production (Multi-Column & Multi-Page, Reusable Print Layouts)
Students create a brochure, using advanced image manipulation techniques
5 weeks
Brochures
and page layout design
Students work in teams to create the theme, purpose, and content of a
5 weeks
Newsletters
newsletter
5 weeks
Mini-yearbooks
Students form teams to develop and create a yearbook
Students improve their portfolios from earlier and redesign them to better
address their overall future focus [may be used as their Culminating Project in
4 weeks
Final portfolios
their Senior year]; students will present their portfolios
GRADING SCALE
GRADE SUMMARY
Based on a Total Points system:
Leadership; Daily Assignments/projects; Quizzes; Final Portfolio
CLASSROOM RULES
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No eating or drinking in the classroom
Be in class before the bell rings
SHS attendance policies will be followed
Cheating—1st offense=”0” on assignment, parents notified, referral to administration
Note: All students involved will receive the same consequence(s)
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed when you return
You are allowed the number of days absent (ex.) plus one (+1) to turn in the missed work—work not turned in by
the deadline will receive a 0
Quizzes and tests are open book; notes are allowed
RESOURCES
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November Learning - Search Techniques: http://www.novemberlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=160
Flash Developer Center: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flash/?navID=gettingstarted
Dreamweaver Developer Center: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/dreamweaver/?navID=gettingstarted
Photoshop Website: http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/photoshop/
E-Portfolios – Video Training Guide: http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/eportfolio/
Adobe - Electronic Portfolios, Digital Assessment, & Lesson Plans:
http://www.adobe.com/education/instruction/teach/acrobat-curriculum.html
Adobe Creative Suite 3 Video Workshops: http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/video_workshop/
Adobe Creative Suite 3 Video Workshops: http://www.adobe.com/go/videoworkshop/
Adobe TV [CS4] (How-To Videos): http://tv.adobe.com