| (a) General requirements. This course is recommended
for students in Grade 12. The practicum course is a paid or unpaid
capstone experience for students participating in a coherent sequence
of career and technical education courses in the Information Technology
Career Cluster. Prerequisite: a minimum of two high school information
technology courses. Corequisite: Practicum in Information Technology.
This course must be taken concurrently with Practicum in Information
Technology and may not be taken as a stand-alone course. Students
shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.
A student may repeat this course once for credit provided that the
student is experiencing different aspects of the industry and demonstrating
proficiency in additional and more advanced knowledge and skills.
(b) Introduction.
(1) Career and technical education instruction provides
content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical
knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed
in current or emerging professions.
(2) The Information Technology (IT) Career Cluster
focuses on building linkages in IT occupations for entry level, technical,
and professional careers related to the design, development, support,
and management of hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration
services.
(3) In Extended Practicum in Information Technology,
students will gain advanced knowledge and skills in the application,
design, production, implementation, maintenance, evaluation, and assessment
of products, services, and systems. Knowledge and skills in the proper
use of analytical skills and application of IT concepts and standards
are essential to prepare students for success in a technology-driven
society. Critical thinking, IT experience, and product development
may be conducted in a classroom setting with an instructor, with an
industry mentor, or both.
(4) Students are encouraged to participate in extended
learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations
and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.
(5) Statements that contain the word "including" reference
content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such
as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.
(c) Knowledge and skills.
(1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability
skills as required by business and industry. The student is expected
to:
(A) participate in a paid or unpaid, laboratory- or
work-based application of previously studied knowledge and skills
related to IT;
(B) participate in training, education, or preparation
for licensure, certification, or other relevant credentials to prepare
for employment;
(C) demonstrate professional standards and personal
qualities needed to be employable such as self-discipline, integrity,
customer service, work ethic, and adaptability with increased fluency;
(D) employ teamwork and conflict-management skills
with increased fluency to achieve collective goals; and
(E) employ planning and time-management skills and
tools such as project management and storyboarding with increased
fluency to enhance results and complete work tasks.
(2) The student applies professional communications
strategies. The student is expected to:
(A) demonstrate proper use of written, verbal, and
visual communication techniques consistent with IT industry standards
with increased proficiency;
(B) apply active listening skills to obtain and clarify
information;
(C) create and deliver formal and informal presentations
in an effective manner; and
(D) exhibit public relations skills to maintain internal
and external customer/client satisfaction.
(3) The student implements advanced problem-solving
methods. The student is expected to:
(A) employ critical-thinking skills with increased
fluency both independently and in groups to solve problems and make
decisions;
(B) apply critical-thinking strategies with increased
fluency to develop solutions using appropriate technologies and resources,
IT concepts, and industry standards; and
(C) apply decision-making techniques with increased
fluency to choose a technology-based solution.
(4) The student understands and applies proper safety
and security techniques in the workplace. The student is expected
to:
(A) demonstrate an understanding of and consistently
follow IT security rules, regulations, and procedures; and
(B) develop and implement security management plans
to address security requirements.
(5) The student understands the professional, ethical,
and legal responsibilities in IT. The student is expected to:
(A) demonstrate a positive, productive work ethic by
performing assigned tasks as directed;
(B) describe and practice ethical and legal responsibilities
associated with the field of IT;
(C) show integrity by choosing the ethical course of
action when making decisions; and
(D) comply with all applicable rules, laws, and regulations
in a consistent manner.
(6) The student participates in a supervised IT experience.
The student is expected to:
(A) design, create, and implement a product or service
that addresses a problem or meets a specified need in the field of
IT;
(B) identify areas where quality, reliability, and
safety can be designed into a product or service;
(C) develop a sustainability plan for the product or
service;
(D) develop an evaluation method to analyze the effect
of the product or service on client satisfaction and problem resolution;
and
(E) collect representative work samples.
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