The use of computers in graphic design, page layout, social media, and computer art makes computer technology very important in today’s world. It is important that students learn how to use the computer as a tool. All sophomores will choose 2 half year classes from the 4 courses listed below. Students may select an additional computer course during their junior and/or senior year as an elective.
Course Descriptions
Creative Design: Adobe Photoshop
This course is designed for students with an interest in graphic design and digital art. Students will familiarize themselves with Adobe Photoshop's industry standard editing software and its expansive set of features. Image resolution, toolbars, layers, elements of digital art, color correction and typography will all be explored.
Creative Design: Adobe Illustrator
This course is designed for students with an interest in digital art and illustration. Don’t know how to illustrate? Not a problem. Illustrator’s vector based tools makes it easy for anyone to become a digital illustrator. Units include: logo design, web illustration, retro art posters, cinematic movie posters, vector landscapes and icon design. Create powerful digital graphics for print or web and get a taste of one of the most popular pieces of design software in the world.
Digital Photography
This course will focus on digital photography, the impact Adobe Photoshop can have on it and its application to publications. Different styles of photography will be explored including still life, action, candid, nature and more. Students will also contribute photographs to the school community including the yearbook, social media sites, and the ND web-site. Throughout the course students will be building an online photography portfolio.
Multimedia Video Editing
Learn the basic skills necessary to develop, produce, and edit student-created videos. Create commercials, public service announcements, movie trailers, mini documentaries and music videos. iMovie skills will include importing/exporting various video resolutions, movie clips, titles, transitions, extracting/implementing audio tracks and syncing sound with video.
Advanced Graphic Design
Students will explore the world of graphic arts as it relates to advertising and marketing in the real world. All aspects of Photoshop and scanning will be covered. Photographic retouching, collage creations, logo design, mock publications and advertisements will also be covered in Photoshop.
Students will explore advanced Photoshop features working with layers, adjustment layers, masking, texturizing and more. Fully interactive websites will be created. Students will use Adobe Dreamweaver to create attractive web pages and organize them into professional quality. All work will be posted to the internet.
Adobe Illustrator is explored in depth. Students will create computer drawing and art with the use if the pen tool, pathfinder tools, effects, color management. Illustrations will range from nature landscapes to cartoon characters.
Yearbook Design and Layout
The Notre Dame Yearbook is created in-house during the school year in this class. Yearbook is an elective class available to juniors and seniors. Students will learn Adobe InDesign and utilize the iMac lab for the creation of the yearbook. They will be expected to master Herff-Jones (our yearbook company) software. Students will write copy, take photographs, create an overall graphic look, and layout the entire yearbook.
AP Computer Science A (Online)
The Advanced Placement Computer Science A course is equivalent to a first semester college computer science course focused on object-oriented program and design using the Java programming language. The rigor of this course is consistent with colleges and universities and will prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam in May. Upon successful completion of the exam, students may receive college credit and will be well-prepared for advanced statistics coursework.
AP Computer Science Principles (Online)
This Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles course is equivalent to a one semester, college level, introductory computer science course. The rigor of this course is consistent with colleges and universities and will prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam in May. Upon successful completion of the exam, students may receive college credit and will be well-prepared for advanced computer science coursework.
Computer Facilities
Notre Dame Prep is committed to providing an up-to-date technological education. In addition to all students received a Chromebook for use at school and at home, all classrooms have computers connected to our network.
ND has two classroom labs equipped with Apple iMacs. Each computer is linked to our school Local Area Network, which allows each computer to access common files off the school servers. All computers have direct Internet access and e-mail connections. All computers are connected to networked printers.