Programming & Mobile Applications

Our mission is to provide students with the essential knowledge, skills, and work habits to excel in their careers and future learning.

Course

Programming & Mobile Apps

National Career Cluster: Information Technology
Michigan Career Pathway: Business/Management/Marketing & Technology 
CIP Code: 11.0201 - Computer Programming/Programmer, General

Instructor                                                        

David Baker
517.244.1322 
dbaker@inghamisd.org

Course Dates

 Fall 2026 - Spring 2027

Class Meeting Times

AM Session: 7:55 am-10:40 am

PM Session: 11:35 am - 2:15 pm

Types of Credit

See High School Credit Options

Note: Local districts award high school credit, not the WTC.

Articulation Agreements

Baker College
Davenport University
Ferris State University
Washtenaw Community College

Special Requirements/Program Prerequisites

This program may be taken as a one or two year program by both juniors and seniors. The program is designed to give students marketable skills in the areas covered as well as prepare them for careers and college.  Students may return for a second year to focus their learning on their specific interest areas. 

Students entering the program should demonstrate the following skills.

•  Good communication skills, including reading and writing at grade level.
•  Good attendance (no more than 2 absences each term)
•  Strong understanding of Algebra concepts
•  Positive attitude and a sincere interest in Programming and/or Robotics (no previous experience required).

Course Topics

Academic (Mathematics, Reading, Writing and Study Skills)

Students will complete assignments in class to improve their math, reading, and writing skills.  Because this class integrates math with many assignments, math credit is available (see pg 1) for most students. Math, reading and writing skills are integrated into class assignments and projects.  Study skills are taught and integrated in all assignments.  Students will learn how to apply critical thinking skills to solve problems that seem difficult at first glance.  

 Career and Job Preparation

All students have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge by presenting their projects and receive business feedback in our class Showcase held each spring.  The showcase is judged by a variety of IT professionals and parents are encouraged to attend.

Students create a portfolio of team and individual work which they use during job interviews. Students also create resumes, cover letters and learn how to properly complete job applications. Students explore their personal values and strengths, learning styles and abilities as they relate to their career interests.   Information technology related business visits, guest speakers and job shadows provide more information on career interests.

Computer Programming

Students will learn the Key Programming concepts, including Procedural Programming and Object Oriented Programming; using Java Programming Language, students will have the opportunity to learn other languages as well including C++, C#, Python and JavaScript. Second Year students will create several applications including mobile applications, database applications and learn to use AWS to make an application with a serverless backend.  Students will learn about the Software Development Lifecycle and how to plan and manage larger scale programming projects on teams.     At the end of the year students will put what they learned together to create a project of their choice (Robotics, Game Design, Mobile Application Development, Website Design etc).

Exit Outcomes

• Proficient use of computers and computer software.
• Design, development and high quality of effective high quality interactive computer programs.
• Teamwork and leadership skills.
• Exploration of careers pertaining to student’s interests and abilities and preparation for higher education.
• Business etiquette skills.
• Employability skills to seek, obtain, and keep a job.

Work Based Learning Opportunities

After attaining adequate skills and knowledge in their career area, students that demonstrate employable work habits will be placed in work experiences as those positions are available.  We strive to provide students with a job shadow or work experience in the area of their career interest depending upon the availability of appropriate opportunities. Students benefit from trips to businesses, colleges, and guest speakers.

Grading Policy

We will have a strong emphasis on student self evaluation and teaching students how to become independent lifelong learners. According to studies one of the most effective ways in helping students learn is to have students constantly self evaluate themselves and drive their own learning, another is to have high expectations. Both of these will be major focuses in our class along with providing students real industry like experience including design reviews and working on group projects.

The Programming class is one of many classes that have shifted class grades to be based on providing evidence for several Essential Competency Areas (ECA’s). The term used to describe this grading style is Evidenced Based Reporting (EBR). The goal of EBR is to have a report that is easier to see what areas a student is excelling in and what areas are opportunities for growth. Within the EBR system, students have multiple opportunities to show evidence for each ECA.

Essential Competency Areas (ECA’s):

Interpersonal/Coachability: Effective communication, collaboration, and professional behavior with peers and instructor.

Theory and Application: Ability to explain topics covered and apply them appropriately.

Work Ethic: Staying focused and engaged, working independently, seeking out additional learning, and approaching problems systematically.

Documentation: Writing clear, readable, and well-organized code following naming conventions, proper indentation, comments, and the DRY principle.

Debugging: Ability to identify and fix errors, from syntax/compilation errors to logical errors, using the debugger and breakpoints.

Attendance: Coming to class on time, contacting the instructor about absences, and being mentally present and ready to learn.

Rubric:

NE: Not Enough Evidence

DV: Developing

AP: Approaching Proficiency

PR: Proficient

EX: Exceptional

Goal Calendar

How do I calculate my grade?

• Meeting the target on the grading calendar for each ECA results in an A.
• For each level below the target the grade gets reduced by 1 letter grade.
• For each level above the target the grade increases by ⅓ letter grade.
• Grades will also be influenced by the trend of scores. For example, if a student trends downward, his/her grade will likely be impacted negatively. If a student trends upward, his/her grade will likely be impacted positively.

 ECA:  Attendance

ECA: Theory and Application

ECA: Documentation 

ECA: Work Ethic 

ECA: Debugging 

Early College with Baker of Jackson

Students will be expected complete the same assessments/or equivalent assessments for the corresponding courses at Baker College in addition to meeting satisfactory requirements of the Programming course at the Wilson Talent Center.  Early College students will also be dual enrolled in courses at Baker College and will be expected to complete that course work outside of the Programming Class, dual enrollment courses will not factor into their WTC grade. 

These courses include the following:

• C++ Programming: CS2150
• Computer Operating System & Maintenance: CIS 1110A

High Level Outline of typical Material Covered

Year 1:   Java

Semester 1:

• Computer Background/foundations
• Procedural Programming
• Test Driven Development                          

Semester 2:

•   Object oriented programming
•   Project management

Year 2:  

Semester 1:

• Group projects
• Databases/SQL
• Amazon Web Services Development

Semester 2:

• Large Group project.

Internships and Work Based-Learning

Internships and work-based learning are evaluated by the employer each term.  The student will be evaluated on both skills and work habits on an evaluation form.  This evaluation becomes a pro-rated portion of the student’s grade for the term.

Examples

6 week internship during a 9 week marking period
2/3 of the grade = internship evaluation
1/3 of the grade=class grade

Cooperative work-based learning (unpaid or paid)

2 school days at work and 3 days in class.
2/5 of the grade = co-op evaluation by employer
3/5 of the grade = class academics grade

Virtual Mentorship – Graded same as Cooperative work-based learning

• This is similar to Cooperative work-based learning, but students remain in the classroom and meet virtually with Mentor in the industry to work on Industry programming problems while also working on class work.

Credentials Offered

Students in this program have the opportunity to earn the following industry-recognized credentials, which are also among Michigan’s state-approved CTE credentials for CIP 11.0201:

• Oracle Certified Foundations Associate, Java (Jr. Java Associate)

• Certiport IT Specialist – Java

• Certiport IT Specialist – Databases

Additional industry-recognized credentials (for example, AWS credentials) may be added each year on the recommendation of the Program Advisory Committee.

Safety Training

CIP-specific safety training is completed in the classroom before students begin hands-on/laboratory work, and is reinforced throughout the year. Topics include:

• General safety with hand tools and small power tools used in robotics and microcontroller projects

• Soldering safety and proper soldering procedures

• Electrical safety when working with Arduino and other microcontrollers

• Workstation ergonomics, eye strain, and repetitive-strain awareness

• Digital citizenship, cyber safety, and protection of personal data

• Responsible and ethical use of generative AI tools in software development

• Classroom emergency, fire, and lockdown procedures

Student Leadership

Student leadership is an integral component of the program. Students develop leadership skills through classroom and program-related activities, including:

• Classroom leadership-style training each fall

• Designated group leads on team projects to serve as a first point of contact and to support peer motivation

• End-of-year Programming Showcase where students present projects to industry professionals, parents, and community members

• Boss Mode Bootcamp guest-speaker series and resume / mock-interview events with advisory committee members

• Community service opportunities such as Sawdust Santa

Dress Code

Students in the Programming and Mobile Applications program are expected to follow the Wilson Talent Center (WTC) student handbook dress-code policy for everyday class. The dress code with input from the advisory board is designed to support a professional, focused, and respectful learning environment that mirrors expectations students will encounter in the IT industry.

In addition to the standard daily dress code, students will be asked to dress in business casual or business professional attire on designated days, including:

• Mock interviews, Mock Job Fair, and other career-preparation events with advisory members

• Site visits and field trips to local employers and college campuses

• The end-of-year Programming Showcase and any presentations to outside audiences

• Work-Based Learning placements (internships, co-op, virtual mentorship) per the employer’s dress expectations

Advance notice will be given before any business-casual or business-professional day. Students who need assistance meeting these expectations should speak with the instructor or a WTC counselor; the program will work with students to ensure no one is excluded from an event because of attire.

Universal Learning

The Programming and Mobile Applications program is committed to universal learning and supporting all students’ needs. Our classroom space, routines, resources, and interactions will be as inclusive as possible. Treating each other with respect, listening to each other, having an open mind and a willingness to help each other learn is crucial to universal learning.

Strategies to provide optimal learning for all students in this course include:

• Each student can redo assignments, tests and quizzes if they are not satisfied with their first attempt.
• Every student can move around the classroom as needed.
• Every student has access to a copy of the teachers notes on the class web page
• Each student will be afforded a spot in the classroom where they can learn to the best of their ability.
• Each student will have access to peer to peer support.