Computers and Technology

Welcome to the Mackenzie Computers and Technology Department!

The Computers Office is located in room 233 in the Computers hallway.

Contact us at 416 395 3330 x20115

The Design and Technology Office is located in room 118 in the Music/Tech hallway.

Contact us at 416 395 3330 x20136

ACL: Mr. Gugliemi


Courses Offered:

Grade 9 Courses

Course Title: Exploring Technological Design 

Course Code: TDJ1O1

Description: This exploratory course introduces students to concepts and skills related to technological design, which involves the development of solutions to various design challenges and the fabrication of models or prototypes of those solutions. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues and will begin to explore secondary and post-secondary pathways leading to careers in the field. 

Prerequisite: None

Course Title: Exploring Communications Technology

Course Code: TGJ1O1

Description: This exploratory course introduces students to concepts and skills in communications technology, which encompasses television/video and movie production, radio and audio production, print and graphic communications, photography, and animation. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the field.

Prerequisite: None

Course Title: Digital Technology and Innovations (MaCS Grade 9)

Course Code: ICD2OP

Description: This course helps students develop cutting-edge digital technology and computer programming skills that will support them in contributing to and leading the global economic, scientific and societal innovations of tomorrow. Students will learn and apply coding concepts and skills to build hands-on projects and investigate artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other emerging digital technologies that connect to a wide range of fields and careers. Using critical thinking skills with a focus on digital citizenship, students will investigate the appropriate use and development of the digital technologies that they encounter every day, as well as the benefits and limitations of these technologies.

Prerequisite: None

Grade 10 Courses

Course Title: Technological Design

Course Code: TDJ2O1

Description: This course provides students with opportunities to apply a design process to meet a variety of technological challenges. Students will research projects, create designs, build models and/or prototypes, and assess products and/or processes using appropriate tools, techniques, and strategies. Student projects may include designs for homes, vehicles, bridges, robotic arms, clothing, or other products. Students will develop an awareness of environmental and societal issues related to technological design, and learn about secondary and post-secondary education and training leading to careers in the field. 

Prerequisite: None

Course Title: Computer Technology

Course Code: TEJ2O1

Description: This course introduces students to computer systems, networking, and interfacing, as well as electronics  and robotics. Students will assemble, repair, and configure computers with various types of operating systems and application software. Students will build small electronic circuits and write computer programs to control simple peripheral devices or robots. Students will also develop an awareness of environmental and societal issues related to the use of computers, and learn about secondary and post-secondary pathways to careers in computer technology.

 Prerequisite: None

Course Title: Communications Technology

Course Code: TGJ2O1

Description: This course introduces students to communications technology from a media perspective. Students will work in the areas of TV/video and movie production, radio and audio production, print and graphic communications, photography, and animation. Student projects may include computer-based activities such as creating videos, editing photos, working with audio, cartooning, developing animations, and designing web pages. Students will also develop an awareness of environmental and societal issues related to communications technology and explore secondary and post-secondary education and training pathways and career opportunities in the various communications technology fields. 

Prerequisite: None

Course Title: Digital Technology and Innovations

Course Code: ICD2O1

Description: This course helps students develop cutting-edge digital technology and computer programming skills that will support them in contributing to and leading the global economic, scientific and societal innovations of tomorrow. Students will learn and apply coding concepts and skills to build hands-on projects and investigate artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other emerging digital technologies that connect to a wide range of fields and careers. Using critical thinking skills with a focus on digital citizenship, students will investigate the appropriate use and development of the digital technologies that they encounter every day, as well as the benefits and limitations of these technologies.

prerequisite: none

grade 11 courses

course title: technological design, college/ university preparation

course code: tdj3m1

description: this course examines how technological design is influenced by human, environmental, financial, and material requirements and resources. students will research, design, build, and assess solutions that meet specific human needs, using working drawings and other communication methods to present their design ideas. they will develop an awareness of environmental, societal, and cultural issues related to technological design, and will explore career opportunities in the field, as well as the college and/or university program requirements for them. 

prerequisite: none

course title: computer engineering technology, college/ university preparation

course code: tej3m1

description: this course examines computer systems and control of external devices. students will assemble computers and small networks by installing and configuring appropriate hardware and software. students will develop knowledge and skills in electronics, robotics, programming, and networks, and will build systems that use computer programs and interfaces to control and/or respond to external devices. students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues, and will learn about college and university programs leading to careers in computer technology.  

prerequisite: none

course title: communications technology: yearbook, college/ university preparation

course code: tgg3m1

description: this course examines the fundamentals and principles of graphic design as it applies the world of communication and print media. students will develop their digital media skills using the design process and a variety of software tools to create their final projects. using the knowledge acquired through their studies, students will participate in publishing the school yearbook. it is recommended that candidates have a background in digital media technology, either through having taken a communications technology course such as tgj2o1 or tgj3/4m, or else an arts-based digital media course, including a cyber arts course.

prerequisite: none

course title: communications technology: computer animation, college/ university preparation

course code: tgi3m1

description: students will learn about the evolution and fundamental principles of animation, as well as acquiring skills to create animations using a variety of platforms and formats. 2-d stop motion and 3d industry grade animation software will be explored.

prerequisite: none (tgj2o1 or asm2o1 recommended)

course title: communications technology: print and graphic communications, college/university preparation

course code: tgj3m1

description: this course examines communications technology from a media perspective. students will develop knowledge and skills as they design and produce media projects in the areas of live, recorded, and graphic communications. these areas may include tv, video, and movie production; radio and audio production; print and graphic communications; photography; digital imaging; broadcast journalism; and interactive new media. students will also develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues and explore college and university programs and career opportunities in the various communications technology fields. 

prerequisite: none

course title: introduction to computer science, university preparation

course code: ics3u1

description: this course introduces students to computer science. students will design software independently and as a part of a team, using industry-standard programming tools and applying the software development life-cycle model. they will also write and use various types of problems as their understanding of the computing environment grows. they will also explore environmental and ergonomic issues, emerging research in computer science, and global career trends in computer related fields. prerequisite: none

grade 12 courses

course title: technological design, college/university preparation

course code: tdj4m1

description: this course introduces students to the fundamentals of design advocacy and marketing, while building on their design skills and their knowledge of professional design practices. students will apply a systematic design process to research, design, build, and assess solutions that meet specific human needs, using illustrations, presentation drawings, and other communication methods to present their designs. students will enhance their problem-solving and communication skills, and explore career opportunities and the postsecondary education and training requirements for them. 

prerequisite: technological design, grade 11, university/college preparation

course title: computer engineering technology, college/university preparation

course code: tej4m1

description: this course extends students’ understanding of computer systems and computer interfacing with external devices. students will assemble computer systems by installing and configuring appropriate hardware and software, and will learn more about fundamental concepts of electronics, robotics, programming, and networks. students will examine related environmental and societal issues, and will explore postsecondary pathways leading to careers in computer technology.

prerequisite: computer engineering technology, grade 11, university/college preparation

course title: computer engineering technology: robotics and control systems

course code: ter4m1

description: this course enables students to further develop knowledge and skills used to design, build and program robots. students will build practical electronic circuits and write interface programs to control the operations of a robotic device.

prerequisite: computer engineering technology, grade 11, university/college preparation

course title: communications technology: yearbook, university/college preparation

course code: tgg4m1

description: this course enables students to further develop their media knowledge while designing and producing projects in the areas of graphic communications. students will learn about print; graphic communications; photography; digital imaging and interactive media. students will also expand their awareness of environmental and societal issues related to communications technology. students will further investigate career opportunities and challenges in a rapidly changing technological environment. using the knowledge acquired through their studies, students will participate in publishing the school yearbook.

prerequisite: none

course title: communications technology: computer animation, college/university preparation

course code: tgj4m1

description: students will learn about the evolution and fundamental principles of animation, as well as acquiring skills to create animations using a variety of platforms and formats. 2-d stop motion and 3d industry grade animation software will be explored.

prerequisites (one of the following): communications technology: print and graphics communications, grade 11, university/college preparation, communications technology: print and graphics communications, grade 12, university/college preparation, or communications technology: computer animation, grade 11, university/college preparation

course title: communications technology: print and graphic communications

course code: tgj4m1

description: this course enables students to further develop media knowledge and skills while designing and producing projects in the areas of live, recorded, and graphic communications. students may work in the areas of tv, video, and movie production; radio and audio production; print and graphic communications; photography; digital imaging; broadcast journalism; and interactive new media. students will also expand their awareness of environmental and societal issues related to communications technology, and will investigate career opportunities and challenges in a rapidly changing technological environment.

prerequisites (one of the following): communications technology: print and graphic communications, grade 11, university/college preparation or communication technology: yearbook, grade 11, university/college

course title: computer science, university preparation or advanced placement

course code: ics4u1, ics4u0

description: this course enables students to further develop knowledge and skills in computer science. students will use modular design principles to create complex and fully documented programs, according to industry standards. student teams will manage a large software development project, from planning through to project review. students will also analyse algorithms for effectiveness. they will investigate ethical issues in computing and further explore environmental issues, emerging technologies, areas of research in computer science, and careers in the field. 

prerequisite: introduction to computer science, grade 11, university preparation

course title: computer engineering technology: robotics and control systemscollege/university preparation

course code: ter4m1

description: this course enables students to further develop knowledge and skills used to design, build and program robots.students will build practical electronic circuits and write interface programs to control the operations of a robotic device.

prerequisite: computer engineering technology, grade 11, university/college preparation

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