(720) 887-1992
Mr. Winter's Computer Course Syllabus
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Mr. Winter |
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Course Curriculum:
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Office 1/2: Shelly, Gary B., Thomas J. Cashman, and Misty E. Vermaat.
Microsoft
Office XP Introductory Concepts and Techniques. Boston: Course Technology/Thomson Learning,
2002. · Office 1/2: Shelly, Gary B., Thomas J. Cashman, and Misty E. Vermaat. Microsoft Office XP Advanced Concepts and Techniques. Boston: Course Technology/Thomson Learning, 2002. · Office 2: Shelly, Gary B., Thomas J. Cashman, and Misty E. Vermaat. Microsoft Office XP Post Advanced Concepts and Techniques. Boston: Course Technology/Thomson Learning, 2002. · Office 1/2: SAM/TOM Assessment & Training. Boston: Course Technology/Thomson Learning, 2003. · HTML: Shelly, Gary B., Thomas J. Cashman, Denise M. Woods, and William J. Dorin. HTML Comprehensive Concepts and Techniques. Boston: Course Technology/Thomson Learning, 2002. · Flash: Shuman, Jim. Macromedia Flash 8 Revealed. Boston: Course Technology/Thomson Learning, 2006. · Flash 2: Rebenschied, Shane. Macromedia Flash Professional 8 Beyond the Basics. Berkeley: Lynda.com/Books, 2006. · Dreamweaver: Bishop, Sherry. Macromedia Dreamweaver 8 Revealed. Boston: Course Technology/Thomson Learning, 2006. · Video Gaming (Flash): Rhodes, Glen. Macromedia Flash Professional 8 Game Development. Boston: Charles River Media, 2007. · Video Gaming (Visual Basic): Harbour, Jonathan S. Microsoft Visual Basic Game Programming for Teens. Boston: Course Technology/Thomson Learning, 2005.
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Various Internet
sites. |
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Course Description: |
Office 1 (030310 Computer Apps) provides you with the proper knowledge, skills and procedures to create documents, workbooks, databases, and presentations using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access. You will have the opportunity to gain certification with Microsoft through the MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) program. When you take the MOS exam, you may apply for college credit. Office 1 is required for all other computer classes.
Office 2 (030320 Computer Apps Adv) offers a deeper study of the Microsoft Office 2002 (XP) suite including Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. The knowledge gained from Office 1 will be expanded as you learn more functions available in each application. You may take an additional MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) exam and receive a certificate directly from Microsoft. When you pass the MOS exam, you can receive college credit.
HTML (030430 Internet Fund) provides you with the proper knowledge, skills and procedures to create HTML documents suitable for developing Web pages. You will learn common Web page formats and functions such as HTML tags, hyperlinks, images, tables, image maps, frames, and forms.
Flash (030800 Digital Video Pre Prod) offers a fun learning experience because it allows you to create animations, games, change user interfaces, Web message areas, and Internet applications. You will learn the basics of Flash which include learning the Flash environment, drawing objects, working with symbols and interactivity, creating animations, and creating special effects. You will prepare and publish movies and complex animations.
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Homework: |
Homework will be assigned as needed. If you do not
complete your work in class, I expect the work to be completed outside of
class time. |
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Materials: |
Pen or Pencil |
Fall 2006! Hidden Prize if found by 4/12/07 - Type "Deadlines are 4/6, 4/24, 5/9 and 5/24" in subject of email then add "candy please" or "points please" in subject. Type first and last name in message.
Just as an employer expects efficiency out of an employee, so do I. You are expected to complete the required assignments of the course. If you fall behind, you are expected to make up assignments outside of class time and by increasing your focus in class. You are expected to set intermediate goals for completing your work and to keep track of your time. You will be graded on meeting the following deadlines:
| Common Assignments | First third | Second third | Third third | |
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Due |
Due by April 6 This includes the parent form. |
April 24 | May 9 | May 24 (Seniors May 21) |
| Office 1 | Excel chapters 1-3, EPA | Access 1-3, APA | Word 1-6, WPA, | |
| Office 2 | Excel 4-6, EPA | Access 4-6, APA | PowerPoint 1-5, PPA | |
| HTML (PA each chapter) | Chapters Intro, 1-2 | Chapters 3-5 | Chapters 6-8 | |
| Flash (PA each chapter) | Chapters 1-3 | Chapters 4-6 | Chapters 7-9 | |
| Flash 2*(PA each chapter) | Chapters 1-4 | Chapters 5-8 | Chapters 9-12 | |
| Dreamweaver* (PA each chapter) | Chapters 1-3 | Chapters 4-6 | Chapters 7-9 | |
| Video Gaming (Flash)* (PA at end of class) | Chapters 1-5 | Chapters 7-10 | Chapters 11-15 | |
| Video Gaming (Visual Basic)* (PA each chapter) | Chapters 1-4 | Chapters 5-8 | Chapters 9-12 |
*New courses for 2006-2007. Workload may need to be adjusted more or less depending on needs of teacher.
College Credit
Note: Currently only offered for Office 1 and 2
The
objectives of the computer technology classes are to provide you with the tools
you will need in other high school classes, college courses, and for the
working world. These tools include the skills learned to operate a computer,
but also time and project management, goal setting, commitment, and
self-discipline. Because of that, grades will attempt to measure these skills
and abilities and give feedback on what you need to do to prepare for your
future.
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Just as in college, there are
opportunities to test out of subjects. If you pass an official certification
exam, you do not have to complete the section of the course. You may take
practice exams to get an indication if you can pass the official certification
exam. You only pay the $60
the school is charged.
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Word core exam (excluded from doing
chapters 1-6 for Office 1)
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Excel core exam (excluded from doing
chapters 1-6 for Office 1 and Office 2)
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Access exam (excluded from doing chapters
1-6 for Office 1 and 2)
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PowerPoint exam (excluded from doing
chapters 1-4 for Office 2)
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You can apply via the American Council on
Education (ACE) transcript service for one college credit for each of the exams
passed.
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Take Office 1 and pass Word expert: 3
credits
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Take Office 1 and pass Excel expert: 3
credits
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Take Office 1 and pass Access: 3 credits
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For each 3 college credits you receive,
you can receive 1 high school credit as well. Since the classes are self-paced,
if you have prior knowledge and pass the certification tests, you can complete
your 3 high school credits in less than three quarter’s time.
· By making the course self-paced, this allows you to progress at your own speed. However, make your time count. This does not mean you slack off during class. In fact, the amount of material is about what a student can do if 100% of the time is spent on the assignments. If you are absent for any reason, spend a lot of time gossiping or on breaks, don't focus thoroughly, or need extra time to finish assignments, you'll probably have a lot of work to do outside of class hours or you may not pass the class.
· This will meet the needs of both fast and slow students. However, students are expected to focus on their work for the entire period every day and do their best job. The grade will be a direct reflection on how much a student is on-task and completing assignments correctly.
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The course is designed to meet students'
learning needs based on gradually moving up Bloom’s Taxonomy. This
recognizes the need for basic skills as well as the importance learning
higher-level thinking skills. A “complete” chapter consists of the
following:
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Bloom
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Assignment |
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Knowledge
– (recall information) |
Project – This leads you through acquiring skills in a step-by-step mode. All the information is provided for you in the book. Lessons (in Flash and Dreamweaver) |
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Comprehension
(grasp and interpret prior learning),
Application, and Analysis |
Apply Your Knowledge – This part of the chapter generally requires you to make corrections to an existing document. Design Project (in Flash and Dreamweaver) |
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Application
(transfer information to a new task with a minimum of direction) |
Lab 1 – This gives you more general instructions on what must be done to create a document, does not give you step-by-step instructions, and requires you to recall or look-up instructions. Skills Review and Project Builders (in Flash and Dreamweaver) |
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Comprehension
and Analysis (see parts and
relationships) |
ChapterNotes
– You list the objectives of the chapter and the definition or steps
required to complete a process. If it is a process, you also indicate where
you did the process in the project. |
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Application
and Synthesis (combine parts of
prior knowledge into a new product) |
Personal Assignment (at the end of each application – Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint or chapter - HTML, Flash, Dreamweaver, Gaming) you are required to create a document that meets the objectives of the chapters in that section. |
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Evaluation (makes
a judgment based on criteria) |
Correct and turn in work – Review your documents for problems, compare with diagrams in book, and click the Check Assignments link at the top of the Whiteboard. |
Preparation
for the Work World
· Most employers want a job done well. Therefore, credit will only be given for documents that complete the objectives of the assignment, look professional, and have a minimum of mistakes. Since the spell-check feature is a tool of the computer, this includes correct spelling on all documents. Examples of completed documents are in the book and/or on the Web site. You are expected to check your work against these examples. If an assignment does not meet these guidelines, I will give feedback and may give you the opportunity to make corrections. Chapter assignments that are completed correctly the first time with no errors will receive a 100 or more if you do extra credit.
· An employer expects employees to use the resources available to them for solving problems. If you run across problems when creating a document (with either the software or hardware), you are expected to try trouble-shooting yourself, use books and on-line help resources, and your co-workers. Use the instructor as a last resort because he will not be available when you leave the class.
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Many employers want employees who arrive
to work on-time and are productive throughout the day. Therefore, a minutes
grade is given based on the number of minutes worked out of the expected 4050
minutes in class (90 minutes per day for 9 weeks) based on the following:
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You are allowed up to a 5 minute break
without penalty per day to stretch, stand up, look at something besides the
screen, or use the restroom as long as you do not disrupt other people in the
classroom. If
you fall behind in assignments, this privilege may be revoked until you have
caught up on your assignments. You may also lose this privilege if you disrupt
anyone else's work or break any school rules.
· You are expected to be working on your assignments every class period. If you are going to Web sites, playing games, getting out of your chair, talking about things not related to the class and not getting your work done, the teacher may deduct time from your minutes grade and move you to a different location away from distractions.
· Excused absences count 90 minutes. Generally, you can still get an A for the Minute Points if you work the whole period each day and have two excused absences.
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Unexcused absences, tardies, or
suspensions count for twice the actual amount of time missed. For example, if
you are absent one day without an excuse, you are docked 180 minutes (2 class
periods) toward your productivity grade. If you are late 5 minutes one day to
class without an excuse, you are docked 10 minutes on your minutes
grade.
· The school policy states that if a student is late 10 or more minutes (unexcused) or if a student has two unexcused tardies, this counts as an absence. Therefore, in either of these situations, you will have 90 minutes deducted from your productivity grade. Every unexcused tardy after two will also count as 90 minutes deducted from your minutes grade.
· Suspended students will lose all productivity minutes for any time missed and may make up time at the teacher’s discretion.
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At the discretion and convenience of the
teacher, you may make up missed time before or after school, at lunch, or during another
class.
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A Final
Exam will account for 10% of your score. If you pass one
certification exam, you do not have to take the final and will receive a bonus
of 90 minutes “vacation time” which can be used on the
day of the exam. In other words, you don’t have to be in class for this
exam (you will need a note from your parents).
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Grades are available on-line through www.jajags.com
Web by clicking on the Infinite Campus link. Grades are updated at least
weekly.
Assignments
are listed on Mr. Winter’s Web site (www.rickwinter.com)
off of his student page (see http://www.rickwinter.com/MyClasses/ClassPage.htm).
The student is responsible for checking this location periodically to see if
there are any changes to assignments or notes for their completion.
Assignments
are graded for completeness and for quality. On your grade list you will see
chapters and “quality checks.” Mr. Winter will do occasional
quality reviews of some documents. Generally, here is how the documents will be
graded:
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1-5 points off if files are named
incorrectly (you have the list of file names to check against and there are
explicit instructions on the Web site).
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1-3 points off for each file if the DOC ID is incorrect.
The instructions are explicit on the Web site and posted in the room. (Name,
Date, Filename)
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2-5 points off for an error in doing a
procedure or a missing step.
· 1 for each word spelled incorrectly. Always do a spell check! For Internet classes, copy and paste your HTML documents into Word to check for spelling errors. The total is up to 5 points on a normal chapter assignment.
· Generally there are 4-5 files in a chapter plus the ChapterNotes. The ChapterNotes are worth 25 points out of 100 total for the chapter and the other points are allocated based on the number of files.
Grading Scale
A: 90
-100 % | B: 80 - 89 % | C: 70 - 79 % | D: 60 - 69 %
F: Below 59 %: Try again next time.
Course Policies
The
discipline policy for this class is a simple process. The objective is to change
behavior, not punishment. If you violate the class rules, you will be given verbal
and written warnings. Further problems will result in detention, notification
of parents, and consequences which may include removal from the classroom.
Classroom Rules
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Honor all people by talking and listening appropriately.
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Participate and behave appropriately in group situations.
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Be at your desk and working when the bell rings.
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Each individual is responsible for maintaining the equipment in the classroom and to pickup trash. Avoid spills. In the computer lab, drinks must be in containers with lids. The school handbook is to be modified and allowing food and drink is up to each teacher. I will determine this option depending on the behavior of the class and its ability to keep the room clean.
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Because of viruses, spyware, and other problems, no downloads, burned CDs, floppy disks, personal e-mail, or games will be allowed unless approved by the teacher. On your own login you may change desktop or screen saver settings.
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Electronics
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In general, students are not allowed to use any personal electronic device in the classroom. Cell phones should be left at home or safely locked in a student's locker. There is an exception of mp3, ipods, and CD players in this computer lab. Since most of the work is independent and some students productivity is enhanced with music, music players are allowed during independent work and not during lectures as long as they do not disrupt anyone's learning. Cell phones, on the other hand, are not allowed in class.
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If a student chooses to bring an unapproved electronic device to class, the following disciplinary measures will be implemented:
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First offense: The teacher will confiscate the device and take it to the office. A student can retrieve the device between 3:00 and 3:30 that day.
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Second offense: The teacher will confiscate the device and take it to the office. Only a parent can retrieve the device between 3:00 and 3:30 that day or any day after. The office will not call the parent. It is the responsibility of the student to let the parent know.
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Third offense: The teacher will confiscate the device and take it to the office. A parent conference with administration will be required before the device will be returned.
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If the student continues to defy the teacher(s) and this policy, s/he will be suspended.
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We will add any other rules adopted by the class that are deemed necessary.
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We will also follow all rules outlined in the JA student handbook and Jeffco Conduct Code. These policies can be briefly outlined as follows:
I will respect People, Property, and Principles.
Plagiarism Policy
If you knowingly copy or use someone else’s work and present it as your own without proper attribution, you will face consequences up to and including suspension.
Syllabus Hidden Prize before 4/10/2007: The first three people in each class that send me an email message that says Syllabus Hidden Prize in both the Subject and Message will receive points or a piece of candy if you have your first and last name signed on the bottom.
Course Requirements
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Attendance: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to determine and make up missed assignments. Since most of the work is done in the lab or on the lab computers, or with textbooks that are only available in the classroom, you may need to schedule a time before or after school to complete the work.
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You are expected to be at every class, on time, and working when the bell rings and ready for instruction whenever the instructor starts.
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You will be expected to participate in class activities: discussions, workshops, and small group opportunities.
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You will be responsible to create and store assignments on the network, personal computer, floppy disk, and may be required to prepare some hard copies.
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You should support other students and not disrupt their learning.
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If you need help, you are expected to consult the tools you will always have first: the book, on-line help, and a peer. If you still need help, ask the instructor.