Reliable regular computer access outside of class (ARC passes available)
Classroom Policies
Grade breakdown
Participation (in class & online) - 20%
Homework - 20%
Weekly Knowledge and skills Quiz - 20%
Tests & Projects - 20%
Final Exam - 20%
Grading Policies
All major and minor assessments will be posted on the class website.
All students have a one time 'the computer didn't work' pass on an assessment (not including tests or projects).
Late work looses 20% per day it is late
Attendance
Attendance is critical for engagement in this class. Arriving more than five minutes late or unprepared is 1/4 of an absence (tardy). Due to the digital nature of this class it is imperative that students follow the highest standards of academic honesty. Inappropriate citing of another person's work will result in the failure of the assignment and judicial action.
Course Plan
Unit 1 - A Vision of Students Today
One Week
This unit will provide an introduction to basic concepts to be introduced in this course. Students will become versatile with classroom management tools and gain an understanding of the context in which we will operate.
Knowledge introduced:
History of information
History of the internet
Skills introduced:
OSX review
FirstClass
Classroom management website
Assessments:
Weekly knowledge and skills quiz
Setup account and home page on course management website
Online response to thought question and video
Unit 2 - Shift Happens
One Week
This unit will provide the core cross platform skills we will need to function effectively during the rest of the course.
Knowledge introduced:
Password management
Getting help (tech help desk, help files, help forums)
Parts and function of the computer
Skills introduced:
File management
Troubleshooting (printing, flash drives, communication, problem solving tactics)
Assessments:
Weekly knowledge and skills quiz
Online response to thought question and video
Unit 3 - Puzzles vs. Mysteries
Two Weeks
In this unit students will be exposed to the three main elements of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel and PowerPoint as they explore the differences between puzzles and mysteries. Using a deductive process students will attempt to solve a classic puzzle and will present their findings in writing, statistics and in a presentation.
Knowledge introduced:
The difference between puzzles and mysteries and the significance for the information age.
Skills introduced
Basics of Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Google Docs
Assessments:
Weekly knowledge and skills quiz
Online response to thought question
One page paper
5 slide presentation
Unit 4 - This I Believe
Two Weeks
In this unit students will reflect on their personal values and the values of their parents and grand parents. They will plan and record an audio podcast based on the National Public Radio series, "This I believe."
Knowledge introduced:
Reflection and dialog on personal values both in context of technology and outside of this context.
Skills introduced:
Use of wiki to manage group project
GarageBand: recording, editing and exporting
iTunes
Assessments:
Weekly knowledge and skills quiz
Online response to thought question and video
Rough draft of podcast project
Final draft of project
Unit 5 - The Machine is Us/ing Us
Two Weeks
In this unit students will explore the internet including search, web 2.0 and internet safety.
Table of Contents
Required Materials
Classroom Policies
Grade breakdown
Participation (in class & online) - 20%Homework - 20%
Weekly Knowledge and skills Quiz - 20%
Tests & Projects - 20%
Final Exam - 20%
Grading Policies
Attendance
Attendance is critical for engagement in this class. Arriving more than five minutes late or unprepared is 1/4 of an absence (tardy). Due to the digital nature of this class it is imperative that students follow the highest standards of academic honesty. Inappropriate citing of another person's work will result in the failure of the assignment and judicial action.Course Plan
Unit 1 - A Vision of Students Today
One WeekThis unit will provide an introduction to basic concepts to be introduced in this course. Students will become versatile with classroom management tools and gain an understanding of the context in which we will operate.
Knowledge introduced:
- History of information
- History of the internet
Skills introduced:- OSX review
- FirstClass
- Classroom management website
Assessments:Unit 2 - Shift Happens
One WeekThis unit will provide the core cross platform skills we will need to function effectively during the rest of the course.
Knowledge introduced:
- Password management
- Getting help (tech help desk, help files, help forums)
- Parts and function of the computer
Skills introduced:- File management
- Troubleshooting (printing, flash drives, communication, problem solving tactics)
Assessments:Unit 3 - Puzzles vs. Mysteries
Two WeeksIn this unit students will be exposed to the three main elements of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel and PowerPoint as they explore the differences between puzzles and mysteries. Using a deductive process students will attempt to solve a classic puzzle and will present their findings in writing, statistics and in a presentation.
Knowledge introduced:
- The difference between puzzles and mysteries and the significance for the information age.
Skills introduced- Basics of Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Google Docs
Assessments:Unit 4 - This I Believe
Two WeeksIn this unit students will reflect on their personal values and the values of their parents and grand parents. They will plan and record an audio podcast based on the National Public Radio series, "This I believe."
Knowledge introduced:
- Reflection and dialog on personal values both in context of technology and outside of this context.
Skills introduced:Assessments:
Unit 5 - The Machine is Us/ing Us
Two WeeksIn this unit students will explore the internet including search, web 2.0 and internet safety.
Knowledge introduced:
- Web 1.0 vs. 2.0
- Review password management
- Internet safety
Skills introduced:- Search
- Positive social networking
Assessments:Unit 6 - Final Project