Course Description

This semester course is intended for students to learn concepts associated with key application software, basic computing fundamentals, and ethics and appropriate behavior while using technology as a tool in the classroom and in life.

Syllabus

Week 1 – Acceptable Use Policy Review
Week 2 - Computer Hardware
  • Identify and understand components and peripherals, including input and output devices: cameras, printers, scanners, game-controllers, etc
  • Explore and demonstrate knowledge of how to maintain computer equipment and solve hardware problems
Week 3 – Operating Systems:
  • Select and/or use the following effectively and productively: windows, folders, files and shortcuts; install, uninstall and run various applications; solve common problems
  • Critically discuss and select operating systems (e.g., Windows, Macintosh OS, Linux, etc.)
  • Use an operating system to manipulate a computer’s desktop, files and disks
  • Identify how to change the system settings, install or remove software.  Describe the different roles and rights of users on a computer
  • Manage computer files
  • Understand directories, file extensions, and associations.
Week 4 - 6 - Word Processing Applications:
  • Be able to effectively create and format text and documents (Use automatic formatting tools).
  • Be able to use word-processing tools to automate processes: document review, security, collaboration.
  • Use and modify tables and different lists.
  • Use and modify page layout options (e.g. numbering, columns, margins, and alignment of text in paragraphs and tables, tabs and rulers, and orientation).
Week 7 & 8 – Spreadsheet Applications:
  • Modify, organize and manage worksheet data, structure and formatting (e.g. budgets, statistics, and inventory).
  • Modify cells, columns, and rows (e.g. insert, delete, adjust the width/height, change alignment, locate, merge and unmerge cells).
  • Sort, calculate and manipulate data using formulas and functions and create/build simple, effective charts.
  • Apply knowledge of spreadsheets to create and modify charts and graphs.
Week 9 & 10 - Presentation software:
  • Insert and modify text, tables, multimedia, charts, and shapes on a slide.
  • Add, remove, and modify the order of slides.
  • Change the layout of slides.
  • Add and modify animations and transitions.
  • Understand the changing history of presentation software and its place in the modern workplace and academic setting.
  • Design, manage, modify and present presentations for a variety of audiences and purposes
Week 11 – Basic Database interactions:
  • Create and run basic reports.
  • Use and modify a basic query.
  • Add, delete, and modify data in a database.
Week 12 & 13 - Communication Networks and the Internet
  •  Use computers as powerful tools for finding, sharing, and storing information around the globe.
  •  Explore the risks of computing and study the negative impacts on society.
  •  Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology
  •  Identify the differences between the Internet, World Wide Web, and browsers.
  •  Classify domains, hyperlinks, homepages, favorites/bookmarks, plugins, tabs, browser history, and downloads/uploads.
  •  Interact with and identify different types of electronic communication/collaboration: email, cell phones, blogs, teleconferencing, social networks, email and other electronic devices/tools.
  •  Demonstrate responsibility in choosing the appropriate means of communication for a given situation and audience.
  • Understand common problems and challenges with electronic communication. (e.g., delivery failure, junk mail, fraud, viruses, etc.).
Week 14 & 15 -  Digital citizenship
  •  Categorize the difference between personal and professional communication.
  •  Define and explain spamming, flaming, cyber-bullying, libel, and slander.
  • Define and describe censorship, filtering, intellectual property, piracy, copyright, licensing, and creative commons.
  • Use effective search terms in a search engine to get specific information from reputable sources.
  •  Evaluate information from forums, knowledge bases, and articles.
  • Determine the validity of information.
  • Use advanced features of a search engine to filter information by file, media, category, and size.
  •  Analyze and discuss various societies’ uses of computing (e.g., work, school, government, home and social interaction)
  • Identify the risks of using computer hardware and software safely, ethically and legally.
  • Explain how to protect identity online (e.g. personal firewalls, cookies, virus and spyware protection, updating programs, and operating systems).
  • Investigate the purpose of ergonomics with monitors, computer mice, chair settings, lighting, and posture.
Week 16 & 17 - Intro to HTML Code
  • Students will be able to explain the basic html codes (single carriage return , double carriage return, bold text, italicize text, bulleted list, and numbered list)
  • Students will be able to design a basic html page using notepad
Week 18  Course Integration Projects
  • Students will use any or all of the following in a project to be presented to the Computer Technology teacher and a cross-curricular teacher: document processing, spreadsheet, electronic presentation