KRMS 7th Grade Computer Class
Seventh Grade Computer Course-Kingswood Regional Middle School
Mr. Davidson
Course Description: We are living in a technological world. Technology is changing the way we do just about everything. It is certainly changing the way we learn and the way we think. It is changing the way we research and the way we communicate. It is extremely important for students to develop the skills necessary to make use of all of the ever-changing tools that are now available to them. Using a networked computer lab, this course will help students to learn to use the Windows 98 operating system. It will also help students work effectively with file management, word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, basic layout design, basic web page construction, digital photography, multimedia, Internet, and graphics. Since computers are becoming part of every school curriculum, student’s computer use will use concepts that apply to math, history, science, grammar and spelling. Students will learn the principles and vocabulary of computing. Emphasis will be placed on how computers can help the students in their day-to-day lives. In class projects will stress the importance of problem solving and all aspects of computing in the creative process of publishing on the computer. Students will also be encouraged to evaluate their work themselves. They will also be expected to improve what they have already done and to repeat their work until a quality product has been created. The concept of quality work will be stressed.
In fairness to students who do not have access to computers outside of the school environment, homework assignments will not include computer work. However, non-computing assignments may be an on going part of in-class computing projects. Classroom projects will count very heavily in the grading process. This class will be a “hands on course.” The students will be regularly working on projects in the computer lab. Many may find that they will need to spend extra time in the computer lab. There will be on going quizzes on covered materials and concepts. Some quizzes will be announced. Some will not.
Rational: Students today need to understand how to work with computers. Computers have become necessary tools in every walk of life. The ability to use a computer has become as important as the ability to use a pen or a pencil. Students with well-developed computing skills will experience more success both in school and in later life. The computer is much more than a typewriter. The computer encourages the acquisition of data, the assessment of that data, and the assessment of the presentation (output). Total computing encourages the composer to use many different applications to evoke the desired response in his or her publication. Indeed the type written page is no longer the standard of a good presentation. Today we may easily incorporate, drawings, photographs, charts, graphs, maps, video, and music into our publications. Publication on the computer has become synonymous with performance. The assessment and problem solving process that accompanies the desire to perform well is desirable, creative and educationally productive. It is also important that students realize that the computer can be a great tool for helping them complete quality work.
Guiding Principles: Each student should begin to develop his or her ability to work on various aspects of computing. They should also learn how to begin to intuit the functions that are common to all applications within a given operating system. According to state guidelines, each student must show proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets and simple database. It is also important that students be exposed to, not only these skills, but also the wide variety of applications that are available to them. Students should be encouraged to use all aspects of computing in the process of learning to publish on the computer. The process will involve research, assessment, and publication. The student’s will be encouraged to evoke a desired response from their audience. The creative use of the computer can increase skills in all areas, including math, science, grammar, spelling, writing, reading and overall creativity. The ability to save and improve upon work is an important aspect of creating a quality product.
Outcomes: Students will demonstrate an ability to work on the computer. They will display an ability to work with operating systems and file management. Students will show competencies in various computer applications. They will also demonstrate an understanding of basic computer theory and vocabulary. Working with computers will become a lifetime endeavor. Students will have built a foundation on which they can build in the future. The greatest outcome will be reflected in the students ability to creatively problem solve and effectively choose, use and combine the tools that will assist him or her in publishing his our her best work.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on the quality and creativity of completed projects. Tests and quizzes will count, but the goal of this course is to encourage students to understand the value of the computer as a tool that can be used creatively in just about every area of their academic and non-academic lives. The student’s willingness to participate in projects will be taken into consideration. Class participation will count very heavily (see-weighted grades). Grades will also be dependent on the student’s willingness and ability to improve upon work that has already been done. Students should be able to continue to rework their projects until their best quality work has been created.
Required materials: Each student will maintain a folder containing in class notes, projects, handouts, test, quizzes, and grade receipts. Students will be allowed to use all materials in their folders on tests, quizzes and on going projects. Copies of other student’s materials are not allowed.
Grade Rubric: Every project will be presented to the instructor with a grade rubric. Students and the instructor will establish criteria for quality for each project. Once these guidelines have been established, a specific rubric will be created and used to evaluate whether the students have achieved their self-initiated goals.
Parents signature…………………………………………………………………………