COURSE TITLE: Computer Applications I

TEACHER: Jayson Campeau

ROOM: B 3.5

E-MAIL: jayson_campeau@eu.odedodea.edu

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to Information Technology in Business, Grade 9 or 10, Open (BTT1O, BTT2O)

This course introduces students to the use of information technology in a business environment. Students will learn how to use information technology in a work environment, perform electronic research, communicate electronically, and use common business software. They will also explore possible future occupations in information technology.

                                

COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES/STANDARDS:

 

Information Management

 

q       demonstrate an understanding of the information technology terms used in business;

q       explain key infrastructures relevant to information technology;

q       manage an information technology work environment;

q       electronically manage personal data and computer files.

 

Software Applications

 

q       demonstrate the skills required to enter data by using appropriate keyboarding techniques;

q       demonstrate the use of basic functions and features of common business software;

q       produce documents that meet basic business standards and formats.

 

Electronic Communication

 

q       demonstrate an ability to use electronic software to create presentations;

q       use electronic tools to communicate effectively with others;                

q       demonstrate an understanding of the legal issues relating to electronic communication.

 

Electronic Research and Ethical Issues

 

q       use a variety of electronic media to find relevant information;

q       analyse the various uses of the Internet in a business environment;

q       analyse the ethical issues concerning the use of electronic information.

 

Career Opportunities

 

q       describe career opportunities related to information technology;

q       assess their information technology skills and competencies;

q       demonstrate an understanding of information technology programs designed for use in  secondary schools.

SCOPE & SEQUENCE:

Information Technology Groundwork

Students will create an electronic information technology reference manual of terms, and explain the key infrastructures related to information technology. Through investigation, students will develop an understanding of key information technology infrastructures, explore legal and ethical issues related to technology, understand the importance of ergonomics, navigate through the desktop, and have their data entry skills assessed. Students= overall performance for this unit will be evaluated using the Unit 1 Assessment Rubric

 

$   Information Technology Reference Manual and Infrastructure

$   Exploring Legal and Ethical Issues in Technology

$   The Ergonomically Correct Workplace

  Navigating Through the Desktop

The Power of Application Software in Business

 

Students will enhance and/or develop their basic software application skills using specific application software, investigate web-page design software and Internet search engines, and assess their data entry skills on an ongoing basis. Each student will track his/her development using Software Competencies Checklists. Document production will focus on the creation of correctly-formatted business documents in a culminating project that will require students to plan, make decisions, and create documents integrating the software applications. Documents created will be stored in files and folders that are logical and useful. Students= overall performance for this unit will be evaluated using the Unit 2 Assessment Rubric.

 

$   Determining Software Competencies Through Readiness   Exercises

$   The Internet Information Hunt

$   Unlocking the Mysteries of Desktop Publishing

  Using Information Technology to Plan an Upcoming Event

E-communication: Presenting with Purpose and Pizzazz

Students will complete readiness and remedial exercises and use electronic tools to enhance and/or develop their communication skills, develop an understanding of what e-mail is and how it works, investigate a variety of topics related to electronic communication, and apply their new, electronic-communication skills to create an electronic presentation. Students= overall performance for this unit will be evaluated using the Electronic Presentation Rubric (Unit 3, Appendix B).

 

$   Making the Most of an Electronic Presentation

$   Does E-mail Need A Stamp?

$   Investigating Electronic Communication

  Dazzle Your Audience

 

Gathering and Assessing Information Using Electronic Media

Students will enhance and/or develop their ability to gather information from a variety of electronic sources; develop evaluation criteria to evaluate the electronic information gathered with respect to validity, bias, usefulness, confidentiality, and the degree to which it is up to date; develop an understanding of Internet connections; investigate dangers that are associated with transmission of information; apply research and critical thinking skills developed in researching the business and communication etiquette of a designated culture; and apply their research findings to a variety of formats to be shared with classmates. Students= overall performance of this unit will be evaluated using the Unit 4 Assessment Rubric.

 

$   Techniques for Powerful Research Using Electronic Tools

$   Caveat Lector a.k.a. Let the Reader Beware

$   Internet Connections and Computer Viruses

  Shrinking the World: Cultures and Customs on the WWW

 

 

Careers in Information Technology

 

Students will assemble a scrapbook consisting of different information technology job advertisements, use the Internet to access a variety of web sites related to locating job advertisements, use appropriate software to produce a desktop-published document that will provide Internet advice for the Ajob hunter,@ explore the information technology options in their school, and revise their information technology growth plans based on this newly-acquired information. Using copies of the exemplary work and information technology Skills and Competencies Checklists that students have collected throughout the course, they will determine their level of achievement and organize their portfolios accordingly. Students= overall performance for this unit will be evaluated using the Unit 5 Assessment Rubric.

 

$   Information Technology Careers Scrapbook

$  A Pathway to Jobs on the Internet

$  My Personal Portfolio (ongoing)

 Investigating Information Technology Programs in Your School

 

 

CONTINUOUS SCHOOL PROGRESS: AFNORTH International Middle/High School’s CSP (Continuous School Progress) goal is, All students will improve their written communication skills across the curriculum.” The 6  Traits + 1 is the model selected to improve school-wide writing in all subject areas. The 6 Traits + 1 writing framework is a powerful way to learn and use a common language to refer to characteristics of writing as well as establish a common vision of what “strong” writing looks like. Teachers and students will use the 6+1 Trait model to identify areas of strength and weakness as they continue to strive towards continued writing improvement. Success of all students requires that the 6 Traits + 1 become a consistent and integral component of each course taught at AFNORTH International Middle/High School.

 

AFNORTH International Middle/High School’s CSP (Continuous School Progress) goal is, “All students will improve their written communication skills across the curriculum.”

The 6+1 trait is the model selected to improve school-wide writing in all subject areas.  The 6+1 trait framework is a way to learn and use a common language to refer to characteristics of writing as well as establish a common vision of what “strong” writing looks like.  Teachers and students will use the 6+1 trait model to identify areas of strength and weakness as they continue to strive towards continued writing improvement.

With regards with this course written work will be in the form of reports, certain assignments, as well as short essays.  Students should strive to be precise and concise.

 

COURSE GRADING/ASSESSMENT:

 Term Work 70%

 

Knowledge Tests/Assignments

 

Software checklists/labs

 

Mini-Projects

 

Culminating Activities 30%

 

            Portfolio 10%

 

Examination/Final Project 20%

 

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS/CONSEQUENCES:

Students are expected to be respectful of themselves and others at all time.

TEXTBOOKS: none

HOMEWORK POLICY:

Learning Skills

Five areas have been identified as learning skills and are being evaluated separately from academic achievement:  work habits/homework, organization, initiative, teamwork and “works independently”.   These are very important skills for you to learn at school and at home, and they are crucial in determining how successful you will be in your future employment or post-secondary schooling.  Both parents and students need to pay close attention to this section of the report card, and to understand the impact that these skills have on their learning, despite the fact that they are not directly factored into their academic mark.

MAKE-UP WORK POLICY: Late Work

Because punctuality is a “learning skill” academic marks will not be deducted from work that is handed in late.  However, there will be other non-academic consequences.  Work which has been returned to the class marked can not be handed in for marks.