North Putnam High School
Digital Communication Tools Syllabus
2009-2010
New Technology Assignment Information
Course Description
This class is a skill course that will enable students to develop touch typing with emphasis on entering alphabetic, numeric, and symbolic information. Students will strive to develop an efficient method that improves their speed and accuracy. Writing pads and speech recognition software are introduced. PDA's, Table PC’s, and note-taking software will be explored.
Communication skills are developed and enhanced through preparing and formatting documents in an information-processing context. Ethical issues related to the use of computers and software will also be addressed. Instructional strategies may include drill and practice using computer/technology applications as well as teacher demonstrations, projects, and mini-simulations.
History and careers related to technology
Internet Searching techniques: Introduce assignment, demonstrate and assign 1 article
Pens/tablet introduction: Mouse use, Msoft speech toolbar demo, cursive and print to text demo
Write Favorites assign in cursive
Demonstrate Article summary and require handwriting for each; allow time to summarize and show me one article/summary so I can give feedback
Homework: Keeping Up With Technology Assignment (10 articles and 1 paragraph summary)
Lessons 1-16
Demo KCA with lesson 1, explain book and page references in KCA, Assign 1 and 2
Assign 2 and 3
Assign 3 and 4
Assign Rerun 4 and article time for those done early
Evaluate technique and lesson 1-4 production
Remind students that they have 1 week to makeup 1-4 in SRT
Assign 5 and 6
Assign 6 and 7
Assign 7 and 8
Assign Rerun 8 and article time for those done early
Evaluate technique and lesson 5-8 production
Remind students that they have 1 week to makeup 5-8 in SRT
Assign 9 and 10
Assign 10and 11
Assign 11 and 12
Assign Rerun 12 and article time for those done
Evaluate technique and lesson 9-12 production
Remind students that they have 1 week to makeup 9-12 in SRT
Assign 13 and 14
Assign 14 and 15
Assign 15 and 16
Assign Rerun 16 and article time for those done
Evaluate technique and lesson 13-16 production
Remind students that they have 1 week to makeup 13-16 in SRT
Skillbuilding:
Increase Speed and Accuracy of All Keys Learned
In the Keyboarding portion of the class, students will learn proper keystrokes for:
A through Z Keys
Space Bar, Right & Left Shift, Tab, Caps Lock
Semicolon, Period, Comma, Slash, Apostrophe, Quotes, Colon, Question Mark,
Hyphen, Underline
Number and Symbol Keys
Special Symbols Keys
Numeric Keypad
Skillbuilding: Increase Speed and Accuracy of All Keys Learned
Speech-Dragon Naturally Speaking
After Dragon is introduced (2-3 days), Lesson 45 in KCA Book-Miscellaneous Typing
No keyboards are to be used on this assignment.
Put headphones away, but students may use headphones for lessons and check out and return as necessary)
Orientation to Word Processing:
Learn proper document formatting for MLA Reports
Use Pen and Speech to create own MLA Report
Learn proper document formatting for Business Reports
Learn proper document formatting for Personal Business Letters and Business Letters
Resume and Application Letters/Letterheads
Learn proper document formatting for Tables
Skillbuilding: Review All Documents Learned
Exam
Assessment
Daily--Keyboarding Technique and Production
First 9 weeks--New Technology Assign
Second 9 weeks--1’ Timed Writings, Production Work
Classroom Management
Attendance
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of the period.
You will be counted tardy if you are NOT at your assigned workstation when the bell rings.
Make Up Work
Make up work is YOUR responsibility. You have one week following your absence to complete make up work. Make use of SRT! Make up and regular homework that is handed in late will be given NO CREDIT.
SRT passes to a computer lab to complete make-up work should be obtained at least one day in advance.
Make up work may also be completed before or after school by appointment--one day advance notice is necessary.
You will be allowed two passes per nine-week grading period. You MUST have student handbook for signature. No handbook, no pass.
Classroom Rules
RULE #1:
Be quiet and at your assigned workstation when the bell rings. Remain quiet for instruction and during class practice so that you and others may concentrate while working.
RULE #2:Remain at your workstation unless otherwise instructed by the teacher. No switching or rolling on chairs to visit, get print-outs, etc.
RULE #3:
Absolutely NO food, candy, or beverages other than water in the classroom.
RULE #4:
You are to use the computer only as instructed. You will not login, print, change computer settings, play games, listen to music, watch video, email or be on the Internet, unless you are given permission or specifically instructed to do so.
1st OFFENSE: Warning--classroom rule review is the warning
2nd OFFENSE: Detention or alternate assignment
3rd OFFENSE: Detention and parent contact
ANY SEVERE DISRUPTION:
Student sent immediately to office.
If you are suspended from computer use for any reason, you will stay in class
for necessary instruction, but will be sent to ISS for any portion of the class
that uses the computer.
The importance of basic business skills in the workplace is well known.
In fact, lack of such skills in many entry-level employees is well
publicized as a current problem for many businesses. The global
marketplace makes it more and more imperative that our country's
businesses compete successfully--and, ultimately, successful competition
is the result of each individual employee's contribution.
Employer's also find that too many entry-level employees lack
"employability" skills such as making decisions, being on time, being
self-directed, and so on. Basic analytical abilities are often needed,
too, so that employees can do such things as evaluate information or
interpret different points of view.
In addition to enhancing the students’ typing and document formatting
skills, this course also emphasizes the development of students' business
skills in the following areas:
Employability: problem solving, making informed judgments, and
understanding and demonstrating ethical behavior.
Analysis: inferring, recognizing cause and effect, and distinguishing
between relevant and irrelevant information.
Communication: developing listening skills, locating and verifying
information, identifying main and subordinate ideas, and choosing
appropriate forms of business communication.