Mr.

Mills Computer (PIT) Syllabus 2011-12 Duty hours: Monday-Thursday room 118 computer lab 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. Tutoring: Tuesday-Thursday room 118 computer lab 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Principles of Information Technology Course Syllabus Waxahachie Global High School 2011-2012 Instructor: Mr. James Mills Phone: 972-923-4761 ext. 210 E-mail: jmills@wisd.org Web: classroom.wisd.org/webs/jmills/ Course Description (1 Credit) Students develop computer literacy skills to adapt to emerging technologies used in the global marketplace. Students implement personal and interpersonal skills to prepare for a rapidly evolving workplace environment. Students enhance reading, writing, computing, communication, and reasoning skills and apply them to the information technology environment. Course Objectives Identify career and education paths that use information technology skills Identify emerging technologies Demonstrate knowledge of acceptable and ethical technology use Demonstrate knowledge of computer hardware components, software components, network and information systems Effectively use and demonstrate knowledge of word processors, multimedia presentations, spreadsheets, and databases Gain knowledge and experience in the use of digital media and web publishing tools and techniques Mr. Mills Classroom Expectations 1. Please be seated and logged in to your computer when the bell rings. 2. Come to class prepared to learn. Have all materials ready. 3. Be polite, respectful, and positive. 4. Have nothing in your hands or on your workstation that does not pertain to class assignments (including content on your computer screen). 5. Do not bring food or drinks in the computer lab! 6. Understand and embrace the meaning of discovery learning vs. sit and get. 7. Restroom breaks will not be permitted during the first 15 and last 15 minutes of class. Class Procedures: Check the class website for daily assignments when you enter the classroom. classroom.wisd.org/webs/jmills/. This website may provide links to an alternate website for course content. Be ready to begin class work when the bell rings.

 If you must leave the room during class for any reason, please sign out. Sign back in upon re-entering the classroom. This is necessary for student accountability and safety. Return materials you utilize to their proper place before leaving the room. Rules Specific to the Computers: 1. Students must adhere to the WISD Student Acceptable Use Policy. 2. Absolutely no games. 3. Students will clean up their workstation and put away class resources before leaving the room. School Policies Students must wear their current student ID every day in order to be admitted to classes. Students without an ID will be sent to the Assistant Principals office. No food or drink is allowed in the computer lab, with the exception of bottled drinks with a closeable lid. Dress code violators will be referred to the Assistant Principal. For a full description of these and other school policies refer to the student handbook located online at www.wisd.org or the WGHS website. Absences and Make-Up Work You are responsible for obtaining make-up work from Mr. Mills. You must also make arrangements to complete any unfinished computer assignments in the lab in a timely manner. Missing 20 minutes or more of any class is considered to be an absence. Students with excused absences have the total number of class days absent plus one to turn in make-up work. Failure to turn in make-up work within the given time frame will result in a reduced grade. Students with unexcused absences will have a grade reduction of 10% on make-up work. Being absent does not excuse you from completing an assignment. You must turn in make-up work in a timely manner! Tardy Guidelines A student is considered tardy to class if they are not in their assigned seat when the tardy bell rings. Students who are tardy will immediately report to the appropriate Assistant Principals office for a tardy slip. Students will be marked tardy by the instructor. 6 weeks Grading Policy 40% Independent Practice: 25% Quizzes 15% Daily Assignments and Activities/Homework (may include participation in class activities) 60% Tests and Projects *If a student scores below a 70 on an assignment, the student will have one opportunity to retake that test for a maximum grade of 70%. It is the students responsibility to make arrangements to retake a failed test during tutorials.

Note: Each 6 weeks grade is 29% of your semester grade. The semester exam comprises the other 13%. Late Work: There is always more than enough class time provided to complete any assignment before the due date. Students who turn in late assignments will be penalized points for each day late. Grades are posted online for student and parent access through Skyward Family and Student Access. Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism Cheating is never acceptable. Copying, reading, deleting, or modifying another students work or giving your work to someone else will result in a 0 on the assignment and notification of the principal and your parent/guardian. Students will be assigned 2 days of In-School Suspension for cheating offenses. Have integrity in your work ethic and be an active learner. Tutorials It is your responsibility to let me know that you are in need of help. It is very important to not fall behind. Tutorial times in the school are offered every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 3:00-4:00 PM. If alternate tutorial/lab times are needed, please notify Mr. Mills to arrange additional times. Principles of Information Technology Curriculum Outline Students will have daily activities/assignments, quizzes, projects andproduction/ objective tests for each unit of study. Students will have a minimum of eight (8) grades per six weeks grading period. At least two (2) of those grades will be a major assessment or project. 1st 6 Weeks Introduction to Computers Students will review and demonstrate knowledge of applications software, computer hardware devices, network and operating systems, and file management, and communications technology World Wide Web Students will demonstrate effective search techniques and explore Web 2.0 technologies 2nd 6 Weeks Microsoft Office and Adobe CS3 and CS5 Students will gain essential knowledge and skills to create and edit Word documents Students will research IT careers and present information in the form of a formatted research paper Students will produce desktop publishing documents incorporating both text and graphics 3rd 6 Weeks Adobe CS3 and CS5 Students will be introduced to and use basic programming skills and languages. Students will use web page editing software language to create a web page containing links, graphics, and text while following proper design principles

4th 6 Weeks Adobe CS3 and CS5 Students will formulate and produce solutions to a variety of problems using technology Students will create, edit, maintain and save video 5th 6 Weeks Adobe CS3 and CS5 Students will create, design, edit, and organize photos Students will identify the guidelines for using graphics, fonts, and special effects in presentations. Students will also analyze the effectiveness of multimedia presentations. 6th 6 Weeks Adobe CS3 and CS5 Students will utilize the Flash multimedia platform to add animation, video, and interactivity to web based platforms Students will be evaluated by testing/product creating at the end of each lesson and/or unit. Students will be expected to work in groups/teams and understand the demand for such in the workplace. This course outline is meant only as a guide and is subject to change. Any necessary schedule updates will be reflected on the course website. Instructional Material and Resource Information It is mandatory that students turn in the Student Code of Conduct/Technology Appropriate Use Policy acknowledgement form in order to utilize the computers in the classroom. We will utilize Microsoft Office 2007, Adobe products, Internet Explorer 8, in addition to many other software applications and websites. There is not a state adopted text for this course. Students will be expected to set up an online account at www.schoology.com for content distribution, retrieval, storage, and assignment submission. Students will need to utilize their email accounts for this course. It will be recommended that each student create a Windows Live Skydrive account for an additional 25 GB of free storage. Supplies USB Flash Drive (if using for more than one class, minimum 4GB preferred) It is ok to use one for all your classes, but dedicate it to schoolwork and keep it clean of potential virus caring files like movies and music Headphones for assignments that require sound Kleenex OR paper towels Clorox (or equivalent) disinfecting wipes OR hand sanitizer