Harrells Christian Academy
Course Syllabus
Course Title:   7th grade computers

Credit Hours:  One semester = ½ unit

Description:    Computer class for the seventh grade is a semester course designed to further expose students to a range of functions and techniques in order to be more efficient on the computer. The students will be introduced to many new terms and will complete many “hands-on” applications in word processing, spreadsheets, slide presentations, desktop publishing and databases.  They will better understand the role of computers and computer ethics in the home, the school, and the world of business. 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 32 wpm.

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
• Refining application skills
• Using formulas in a spreadsheet
• Using search strategy with two or more criteria in a database
• Increasing productivity and accuracy in keyboarding
• Using word processing, spreadsheet, database, and multimedia for assignments in all subject areas
• Locating and retrieving information using telecommunications
• Evaluating resources and information for accuracy and usefulness
• Selecting and using a variety of technology tools

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 Identify and describe the effect technological changes have had on business, transportation, communications, industry, and agriculture in a global society. (1) 1.02 Use network terms and concepts related to local and wide area networks (LANs, WANs) and Internet connectivity. (1) 1.03 Use ethical, safe, and responsible behavior relating to issues (e.g., security, privacy, passwords, 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 technology knowledge and skills needed for the workplace now and in the future. (1) 1.06 Demonstrate knowledge of why databases are used to collect, organize, and report information in a variety of settings. (2) 1.07 Use knowledge of database terms/concepts, functions, and operations to describe and explain content area findings. (2) 1.08 Cite sources of information used in content area databases. (2) 1.09 Demonstrate knowledge that spreadsheets are used to process information in a variety of settings (e.g., schools, government, business, industry, mathematics, science). (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 Demonstrate knowledge and use of WP/DTP terms/concepts (e.g., columns, tables, using multiple files and/or applications) to create and publish assignments/projects. (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 Demonstrate knowledge of multimedia by using terms/concepts to describe and explain content 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 Recognize and use terms/concepts (e.g., IP address, Intranet, private networks, discussion forum, threaded discussion). (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 Demonstrate knowledge of strategies for identifying and solving minor hardware and software problems. (1) 2.02 Enter/edit data and use spreadsheet features and functions to project outcomes and test simple “what if…” statements in content assignments. (3) 2.03 Use proper keyboarding techniques to improve accuracy, speed, and general efficiency in computer operation. (4) 2.04 Demonstrate knowledge and use of WP/DTP features (e.g., columns, tables, headers/footers) to format and publish content projects/products. (4) 2.05 Use a variety of collaborative tools to survey, collect, and communicate information for content area assignments. (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 appropriate technology tools to solve problems and make decisions in content areas. (1) 3.02 Select and use two or more criteria to organize, interpret, and display content data and explain strategies used. (2) 3.03 Modify/edit databases to organize, analyze, and interpret data, and to create reports (e.g., documents, multimedia project, webpages). (2) 3.04 Evaluate and use database data and reports to solve problems and make decisions in content areas. (2) 3.05 Modify/create spreadsheets and graphs/charts to analyze and interpret data for content assignments. (3) 3.06 Create/modify spreadsheets to test simple “what if…” statements to solve problems and make decisions in content areas. (3) 3.07 Demonstrate use of WP/DTP features/functions to design, format, layout, and publish assignments. (4) 3.08 Plan, design, and develop a multimedia product using data (e.g., graphs, charts, database reports) to present content information in the most effective way, citing sources. (5) 3.09 Create/modify and use rubrics to evaluate multimedia presentations for elements (e.g., organization, content, design, appropriateness for target audience, effectiveness, ethical use of resources). (5) 3.10 Select, evaluate, and use a variety of digital resources and information to research and present findings about Eastern Hemisphere: Africa, Asia, and Australia. (6) 3.11 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____________________________