Learning Strategist

Dr. Karen McCloskey

MA, PhD, QM Quality Matters

TGJ2O

Grade 10

Open/University Preparation

Communications Technology

Find additional course details below, including delivery format, course availability, course duration, prerequisite, tuition fee, hardware/software requirements, etc.

TGJ2O

Grade 10

Open/University Preparation

Communications Technology

Find additional course details below, including delivery format, course availability, course duration, prerequisite, tuition fee, hardware/software requirements, etc.

Course Details

Course Code

TGJ2O

Course Name

Communications Technology

Grade

Grade 10

Course Type

Open/University Preparation

Format

Asynchronous Delivery

Prerequisite

None

Tuition Fee

$500.00

Course Duration

At Your Own Pace (4 weeks to 6 months)

Credit Value

1.0

Availability

Start Anytime

Course Reviser/Developer

Dr. Karen McCloskey

Latest Revision Date

July 2026

Curriculum

TGJ2O – The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10: Technological Education, 2009 (revised)

Course Description, Unit Overview, Timeline

This course introduces students to communications technology from a media perspective. Students develop knowledge and skills as they design and produce media projects in areas such as television, video, and movie production; radio and audio production; print and graphic communications; photography and digital imaging; broadcast journalism; and interactive new media. Students also develop the interpersonal, teamwork, and project management skills needed to plan, produce, and evaluate media projects, and begin to explore education and career opportunities in the field of communications technology.

Outlined below is a description of each unit, including what students will learn and the recommended hours for completion.

Unit Title & Description

Time Allocated

Unit 1: Behind the Screen: Tools, Teams, and Technical Foundations

You will build foundational knowledge of communications technology, including core concepts, terminology, and the basic scientific and mathematical principles behind media tools such as resolution, file formats, and colour. You will learn safe and responsible practices for using cameras, recording devices, and editing software, and develop the interpersonal and collaboration skills needed to work effectively with others on media projects.

25 Hours

Unit 2: Tell the Story: Design, Production, and Project Management

You will apply the design process and project management techniques to plan and produce media projects across photography, graphic design, and print communications. You will develop and refine technical and creative skills through hands-on production tasks, using accessible digital tools to create original media products that communicate ideas clearly for a specific audience and purpose.

35 Hours

Unit 3: Lights, Camera, Sound: Video and Audio Production

You will apply the design process to plan, shoot, and edit short video and audio productions, including basic scripting, storyboarding, recording techniques, and editing. You will manage production timelines and files while creating polished video and audio products that demonstrate your technical and creative skills.

20 Hours

Unit 4: Media in the World: Impact, Ethics, and Career Pathways

You will examine the environmental impact of communications technologies and explore the social effects and ethical issues raised by media production, including privacy, misinformation, and digital citizenship. You will research career opportunities across the communications technology sector and the education and training pathways, including skilled trades, that lead to them.

20 Hours

Final Exam/Culminating Task

You will plan, produce, and submit an original media production, such as a short video, podcast, or graphic design campaign, supported by a project plan and reflection explaining your design choices, technical process, and awareness of social and environmental impact. The culminating task is worth 10% and the final exam is worth 10% of the total grade.

10 Hours

Total Hours

110 Hours

Teaching and Learning Strategies

At Royal Ontario Academy, our asynchronous, self-paced courses are crafted to engage students actively, encouraging deep learning and self-reflection. Students complete guided tutorials in accessible photo, video, audio, and graphic design software to build technical skills at their own pace, then apply the design process to plan and produce original media products that solve a real communication problem for a specific audience.

Students break larger productions into stages, manage their own timelines and files, and review sample media products and their own work against clear criteria. Case studies and real-world media examples are used throughout to explore technical choices, audience impact, and social and ethical issues in communications technology, while career exploration activities connect course learning to postsecondary and skilled trades pathways.

Assessment and Evaluation

A wide variety of assessment and evaluation tools will be used to earn credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma at Royal Ontario Academy, including quizzes, assignments, projects, and final assessments. The final exam is a closed-book, online test that is proctored and has a time limit.

All OSSD courses at our virtual high school follow this evaluation breakdown:

Classroom Work (unit quizzes and unit assignments): 65% of the final grade.
Final Evaluation: 20% of the final grade (culminating task worth 10% and a proctored final exam worth 10%).
Attendance and Participation: 15% of the final grade, reported at midterm and final based on documented weekly engagement with the course.

Students receive two reports per course:

Midterm Report: Reflects achievement to the halfway point of the course.
Final Report: Reflects overall achievement across the entire course.

According to Growing Success (Ontario Ministry of Education), the primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. To ensure that assessment, evaluation, and reporting are valid and reliable, Royal Ontario Academy teachers use practices that:

are fair, transparent, and equitable for all students;
support all students, including those with special education needs, English language learners, and First Nation, Métis, or Inuit students;
are carefully planned to align with curriculum expectations and learning goals;
are communicated clearly to students at the beginning of the course and at key points throughout;
are ongoing and varied, providing multiple opportunities to demonstrate learning;
provide ongoing descriptive feedback that is clear, specific, and timely;
develop students’ self-assessment skills so they can set goals and plan next steps.

Accommodations and IEP for Students

At Royal Ontario Academy, we believe that all OSSD students can benefit from a more accommodating online learning experience. Accommodations allow for increased access to the course, without any changes to the knowledge and skills the student is expected to demonstrate.

An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a personalized document that outlines a student’s learning needs, as well as the accommodations or services they require to succeed in their courses. At Royal Ontario Academy, our flexible online learning environment already addresses many common accommodation needs, but if a student requires additional support, our Principal is ready to help.

Students with Existing IEP: If a student has an existing IEP from another elementary or secondary school, Royal Ontario Academy can implement the listed accommodations, provided they are applicable within our online learning environment. A copy of the student’s IEP must be submitted to our Principal for review.
Students Without an IEP: If a student requires accommodations but does not currently have an IEP, our Principal will work with the student to assess their learning needs and develop a path forward.
English Language Learners: Students can provide information about their English language proficiency during registration, helping teachers and the Principal tailor teaching strategies and accommodations.

For students and parents wishing to submit IEP documentation or request accommodations, please contact our Principal at info@royalontarioacademy.com.

Resources Required by the Student

Students should have the following minimum hardware and software to access the Communications Technology course.

Minimum Technical Specifications

Hardware

A PC running Windows XP or higher or
A Mac running OS X or
A Chromebook running Chrome OS
2GB of RAM
High speed internet connection
A sound card with speakers or headphones
A functional webcam and microphone

Software

Adobe Reader
Java
A typical Office Suite including a word processor application, equation editor, and spreadsheets

Browser

Mozilla Firefox 4 or higher or
Internet Explorer 7 or higher or
Safari 5 or higher or
Google Chrome 11 or higher

In some cases, a scanner or phone/camera may be used to submit handwritten assignments.

Course-Specific Software

Video and Photo Recording Device: A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone to capture photos, video, and audio for media projects.
GIMP: An open-source graphic design tool that downloads and runs offline on Windows, Mac, and Linux with no regional access restrictions, for creating graphic design projects, digital images, and print communications. (gimp.org)
Shotcut: An open-source video editor that downloads and runs offline on Windows, Mac, and Linux with no regional access restrictions, for editing video productions on lower-spec devices. (shotcut.org)
Audacity: An open-source audio editing tool that downloads and runs offline on Windows, Mac, and Linux with no regional access restrictions, for recording and editing podcasts and audio productions. (audacityteam.org)
Document Creation Software: Microsoft Word or another offline word-processing tool for writing production plans, scripts, and reflections.

All required course-specific software is widely recognized and accessible, and works offline once installed, so that a student’s location, internet speed, or device does not limit their ability to complete the course.

Do students need any additional resources (i.e. textbooks)?

Every student needs access to a desktop computer or laptop with high-speed internet and word processing software. All Royal Ontario Academy course content is contained within our Moodle learning management system, so no textbooks are required for this course.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is TGJ2O?
TGJ2O is a Grade 10 Communications Technology course at the Open level.

2. What does the course code mean?
TGJ refers to Communications Technology, 2 refers to Grade 10, and O refers to the Open course type.

3. What is the prerequisite for TGJ2O?
There is no prerequisite for this course.

4. How long does it take to complete the TGJ2O online course?
The The completion of the TGJ2O course varies depending on the availability and pace of each student. The course can be completed in a minimum of 4 weeks to a maximum of 6 months.

5. Does TGJ2O count towards my OSSD requirements?
Yes. TGJ2O fulfills the Grade 9/10 Technological Education compulsory credit requirement for students entering Grade 9 in 2024 or later, in addition to counting as one of the 30 credits required for the OSSD.

6. How are lessons delivered for TGJ2O?
At Royal Ontario Academy, course learning is delivered asynchronously through videos, guided software tutorials, interactive tools, written notes, and hands-on media production tasks such as photography, video, audio, and graphic design projects.

7. Does this course require expensive software or equipment?
No. Course tasks use open-source, offline-capable software such as GIMP, Shotcut, and Audacity, along with a smartphone, tablet, or computer camera. Students are not required to purchase specialized or costly equipment.

8. What is the withdrawal policy?
For students registered in Grade 9 and 10 courses, withdrawals can be made at any time and are not recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST).

9. What is the due date of my course?
Since your course is self-paced, there are no set due dates, allowing you to progress at your own speed.

10. Can I earn my OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) credits through online courses?
Yes, you can earn your OSSD credits fully online through Royal Ontario Academy. To earn OSSD credits, you will need to complete 30 credits, pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy requirement, and fulfill 40 hours of community involvement.

Canadian Course Pricing

$500

/ 1 course

$900

/ 2 courses

$1275

/ 3 courses

Start your learning journey with us.

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Communications Technology