Harrells Christian Academy
Course Syllabus
Course Title:   8th grade computers

Credit Hours:  One semester = ½ unit

Description:    Computer class for the eighth grade is a semester course designed to further expose students so they can be more efficient on the computer. The students will complete many “hands-on” applications in word processing, spreadsheets, slide presentations, desktop publishing and databases.  During the semester they will learn some html codes and develop a simple web page. They will communicate by email to others in the class and to me. By the end of the course I expect them to be keyboarding at least 40 wpm. Also, at the end of the coarse the eighth graders will be given a proficiency test to evaluate their skills.

Textbook:       Century Jr. 21 Input Technologies & Computer Applications ©2006

Software:        Microsoft Office 2007
                        Quia – used to take tests, quizzes, and other activities

Instructor:      Mrs. Alice Butler
                        Maus Hall Room 602
910-532-4575 x231 school
910-525-3115 home

Major Course Objections (from NCDPI):

• Responsible and safe use of online resources
• Using Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines
• Using spreadsheets and databases relevant to classroom assignments
• Choosing charts/tables or graphs to best represent data
• Conducting online research and evaluating the information found
• Using word processing/desktop publishing for classroom assignments/projects
• Selecting and using a variety of technological tools to develop projects in content areas
• Design simple web pages

Course Requirements & Grading:
Daily class requirements                                50% of grade
            Attend class
Participate in class discussions & activities
Complete all assignments on time, including homework     
Read directions on board and complete at the beginning of class
Keep all documents organized in your folder on the g drive
Keep an organized notebook of all printed material

 

Tests                                                                50% of grade
            Mix of computerized tests and application tests
            Weekly tests will be every Friday unless told differently.

Absences:  When you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain notes and assignments from a classmate or the teacher. If you miss a test, be prepared to take it the day you return to school. Work should be made up promptly.

Participation: You need to be an active learner – this means participate.

Homework: You will not have homework every night, but when it is assigned, I expect you to do it and it will be graded.

Logistics: On each assignment put the following in the header on the left side before you print:
Name
Course period
Name of assignment
Date

Personal Conduct:
“Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.”
I will treat you with respect and I expect you to do the same towards me and your classmates.
Misconduct will be handled per the middle school “Blue” sheet.

Curriculum Standards from NCDPI will be followed:
Strands: 1= Societal/Ethical Issues; 2 = Database; 3 = Spreadsheet; 4= Keyboard Utilization/Word Processing/Desk Top Publishing; 5 = Multimedia/Presentation; 6 = Telecommunications/Internet; number in parentheses after each objective below indicates the strand under which it falls.
 

Competency Goal 1: The learner will understand important issues of a technology-based society and will exhibit ethical behavior in the use of computer and other technologies.

Objectives: 1.01 Demonstrate, discuss, and visually represent knowledge of changes in information technologies and the effect those changes have on North Carolina and society. (1) 1.02 Use technology terms/concepts to describe and explain strategies used to collect, organize, and present findings for assignments/projects. (1) 1.03 Model ethical behavior relating to security, privacy, passwords, and personal information, and recognize possible consequences of misuse. (1) 1.04 Recognize and discuss how Copyright Laws protect ownership of intellectual property and identify and discuss consequences of misuse. (1) 1.05 Investigate computer/technology-related careers/occupations in North Carolina, past, present, and future. (1) 1.06 Demonstrate knowledge of and explain how databases are used in an information-intensive society. (2) 1.07 Use knowledge of database terms/concepts, functions, and operations to explain strategies used to organize, analyze, and report information in content area assignments. (2) 1.08 Cite sources of information used in content area databases. (2) 1.09 Recognize, discuss, and investigate how spreadsheets in a variety of settings (e.g., schools, government, business, industry, transportation, communications). (3) 1.10 Use spreadsheet and graphing terms/concepts to present and explain content area assignments. (3) 1.11 Cite sources of information used in content area spreadsheets. (3) 1.12 Demonstrate knowledge of the advantages/disadvantages of using word processing to develop, publish, and present information to a variety of audiences. (4) 1.13 Review and use WP/DTP terms/concepts to describe and explain how assignments/projects were created. (4) 1.14 Demonstrate appropriate use of copyrighted materials in word processing documents used for content projects/assignments. (4) 1.15 Demonstrate knowledge of multimedia tools/concepts used by media (e.g., games, video, radio/TV broadcasts, websites) to entertain, sell and influence ideas and opinions. (5) 1.16 Use multimedia terms/concepts correctly to describe and explain projects/products. (5) 1.17 Recognize, discuss, and establish ethical guidelines for use of personal and copyrighted media (e.g., images, music, video, content, language) in multimedia projects and presentations as a class/group. (5) 1.18 Recognize, discuss, and model correctly formatted citations for copyrighted materials and adhere to Fair Use Guidelines. (5) 1.19 Use appropriate terms/concepts to describe telecommunications tools and resources used to develop and complete assignments. (6) 1.20 Demonstrate knowledge of responsible, safe, and ethical use of networked digital information (e.g., Internet, mobile phone, wireless, LANs). (6) 1.21 Demonstrate knowledge of Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines by explaining selection and use of Internet resources in content projects/assignments. (6)

Competency Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.

Objectives: 2.01 Recognize and describe strategies for identifying, solving, and preventing minor hardware and software problems. (1) 2.02 Modify/create and use databases to organize, report, and display data. (2) 2.03 Select and use spreadsheet formulas and functions to solve problems in content areas. (3) 2.04 Use spreadsheet features/functions to calculate and present findings for content area assignments. (3) 2.05 Use proper keyboarding techniques to improve accuracy, speed, and general efficiency in computer operation. (4) 2.06 Select and justify use of appropriate collaborative tools to survey, collect, share, and communicate information in content areas. (6)

Competency Goal 3: The learner will use a variety of technologies to access, analyze, interpret, synthesize, apply, and communicate information.

Objectives: 3.01 Select and use a variety of technology tools to collect, analyze, and present information. (1) 3.02 Select and use appropriate database features and functions to collect and organize information to solve problems in content areas and explain strategies used. (2) 3.03 Modify/create and use databases to analyze, interpret, and evaluate data and report findings. (2) 3.04 Create/modify spreadsheets to analyze and interpret information, test simple "what if..." statements, solve problems, and make decisions in content areas. (3) 3.05 Select and use WP/DTP features/functions to develop, edit/revise, and publish documents/assignments. (4) 3.06 Develop and use rubrics to evaluate the quality of published documents/projects for content, design, and appropriate use of resources. (4) 3.07 Plan, design, and develop a multimedia product using data (e.g., graphs, charts, database reports) to present content information. (5) 3.08 Create/modify and use rubrics to evaluate multimedia presentations for content, design, appropriateness for target audience, and effective and ethical use of resources. (5) 3.09 Plan, select, evaluate, interpret and use a variety of digital resources to develop assignments/projects about North Carolina History. (6) 3.10 Use evaluation tools to select Internet resources and information for content and usefulness in content area assignments. (6)

 

I am looking forward to a great semester.  Please call or email me if you ever have questions or if I can be of service to you.

Please sign this syllabus and have your student put it in their computer notebook.

Student___________________________

Parent____________________________