Digital Electronics (DE) is open to Juniors (11th grade) and Seniors (12th grade) only.

Prerequisites for DE:

Algebra I and Geometry required

Successful completion of PLTW Engineering Science (POE) - recommended or

Successful completion of PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design

Digital Electronics Course Outline:

Open doors to understanding electronics and foundations in circuit design.

Digital electronics is the foundation of all modern electronic devices such as cellular phones, MP3 players, laptop computers, digital cameras, high definition televisions, etc. Students learn the digital circuit design process to create circuits and present solutions that can improve people’s lives.

Learn how advancements in foundational electronic components and digital circuit design processes have transformed the world around you.

Digital electronics is the study of electronic circuits that are used to process and control digital signals. In contrast to analog electronics, where information is represented by a continuously varying voltage, digital signals are represented by two discrete voltages or logic levels. This distinction allows for greater signal speed and storage capabilities and has revolutionized the world of electronics.

The major focus of the DE course is to expose students to the design process of combinational and sequential logic design, teamwork, communication methods, engineering standards, and technical documentation.

Utilizing the activity-project-problem-based (APB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students will analyze, design, and build digital electronic circuits. While implementing these designs, students will continually hone their professional skills, creative abilities, and understanding of the circuit design process.

Digital Electronics (DE) is a high school level course that is appropriate for 10th or 11th grade students interested in exploring electronics. Other than their concurrent enrollment in college preparatory mathematics and science courses, this course assumes no previous knowledge.

The following is a summary of the units of study that are included in the course. Activities, projects, and problems are provided to the teacher in the form of student-ready handouts, teacher notes/lesson planning resources, and supplementary materials, including simulations, instructional videos, and online resources as appropriate.

While many students may have been exposed to basic circuits and electricity in a science course, Digital Electronics is typically a unique experience for students because of its focus on understanding and implementing circuit design skills. The course is planned for a rigorous pace, and it is likely to contain more material than a skilled teacher new to the course will be able to complete in the first iteration. Building enthusiasm for rigorous exploration of electronics and circuit design for students is a primary goal of the course.

In Plano ISD, all PLTW Engineering courses are rated at Distinguished, at the same level as AP courses (5.0 on a 4.0 scale).  Academic rigor in these courses is consequently at a higher, college course, level.

Parents are encouraged to connect to Google Classroom to receive daily or weekly update e-mails on the status of their students' submission of required work.  To receive an invitation, please e-mail me at:  scott.mccleneghan@pisd.edu, and I will be happy to send you an invitation.  Also, all teachers periodically send out progress reports via e-mail.  If you have never received one, then we do not have a valid, or any, e-mail address on file.  Please e-mail me, or your student's counselor to have your e-mail address updated or entered into your student's profile.