COURSE SYLLABUS Introduction to Digital Technology Alexander High School School Phone: 770 651-6055 Stephanie Pendley E-Mail: Stephanie.pendley@douglas.k12.ga.us Course Description Introduction to Digital Technology is the foundational course for Web & Digital Communications, Programming, Advanced Programming, Information Support & Services, and Network Systems pathways. This course is designed for high school students to understand, communicate, and adapt to a digital world as it impacts their personal life, society, and the business world. Exposure to foundational knowledge in hardware, software, programming, web design, IT support, and networks are all taught in a computer lab with hands-on activities and project-focused tasks. Students will not only understand the concepts, but apply their knowledge to situations and defend their actions/decisions/choices through the knowledge and skills acquired in this course. Employability skills are integrated into activities, tasks, and projects throughout the course standards to demonstrate the skills required by business and industry. Competencies in the co-curricular student organization, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), are integral components of both the employability skills standards and content standards for this course. Various forms of technologies will be highlighted to expose students to the emerging technologies impacting the digital world. Professional communication skills and practices, problem-solving, ethical and legal issues, and the impact of effective presentation skills are taught in this course as a foundational knowledge to prepare students to be college and career ready. The knowledge and skills taught in this course build upon each other to form a comprehensive introduction to digital world. Prerequisites: Introduction to Digital Technology is a course that is appropriate for all high school students. The pre-requisite for this course is advisor approval. Careers related to this course of study include but are not limited to: a. Web Design b. Computer Service Technician c. Network Engineer d. Network Analyst e. Internet Specialist f. Help Desk Support g. Software Trainer Syllabus, Introduction to Digital Technology Page 1 of 5
Course Standards IT-IDT 1 Demonstrate employability skills required by business and industry IT-IDT - 2 Explore, research, and present findings on positions and career paths in technology and the impact of technology on chosen career area. IT-IDT-3 Demonstrate effective professional communication skills (oral, written, and digital) and practices that enable positive customer relationships. IT-IDT-4 Identify, describe, evaluate, select and use appropriate technology. IT-IDT-5 Understand, communicate, and adapt to a digital world. IT-IDT-6 Explore and explain the basic components of computer networks. IT-IDT-7 Use computational thinking procedures to analyze and solve problems. IT-IDT-8 Create and organize WebPages through the use of a variety of web programming design tools. IT-IDT-9 Design, develop, test and implement programs using visual programming. IT-IDT-10 Describe, analyze, develop and follow policies for managing ethical and legal issues in the business world and in a technology-based society. IT-IDT-11 Explore how related student organizations are integral parts of career and technology education courses through leadership development, school and community service projects, entrepreneurship development, and competitive events Anticipated Classroom Format: The classroom is a combination classroom and lab environment with instructional time divided between the two. Most assignments will be administered through the use of Schoology online learning environment. Students may access this website from home or at school at any time. There is also an app. If students know they will be out and have access to the Internet at home, I suggest they be proactive. Parents- please contact me to receive a parent code to access your student s work. Required Readings/Instructional Materials: Textbook: None at this time Software: Adobe CS5, Scratch, Microsoft Office 2010, Web 2.0, and others Supplemental: Internet, teacher-created handouts, projects, etc. Academic Honesty: Cheating is stealing. It is wrong to copy someone else s work and it is wrong to allow someone to copy your work. The person who copies is cheating himself or herself by not learning from the assignment. The person who allows his or her work to be copies is cheating the other person out of a meaningful learning experience. Both people will receive a grade of 0 on the assignment. If this occurs a second time, a phone call will be made and discipline note will be sent to the office. Assessment/Evaluation/Required Student Products: Unit tests/cdas Syllabus, Introduction to Digital Technology Page 2 of 5
Final Exam/SLO Class assignments Quizzes Hands on labs Student Projects Grading Plan: Classwork/Daily 30% Tests/Quizzes/Projects/CDA 50% Final Exam/SLO 20% Grades are recorded in Infinite campus. Please contact the main office or the AHS website for login information. Students and parents should have a login. Grade reports will not be printed regularly. Required Readings: Texts, handouts, articles and curriculum information will be provided by the Instructor in this course. There is no on basic course textbook. Supplies Needed Pen/pencil Notebook paper Flashdrive (optional) Headphones (optional) Strategies for Student Learning: Instructional matching Individual instructional modifications Step-by-Step Strategies Modeling & Demonstration Performance Feedback Student 'Talk-Through' Activities Periodic Review Progress Monitoring CLASS RULES (including Internet Use Policy): Students are expected to follow all school rules and house rules. Students are responsible for the safe handling of the computer station they are assigned. Unplugging ports or wires are not allowed. In no way should you tamper with another students computer this includes turning it off without permission. Reconfiguration of the software or hardware is not allowed (this includes changing the desktop image or attempting to use an alternate web browser to get around school network restrictions). Syllabus, Introduction to Digital Technology Page 3 of 5
Destruction of the CPU, keyboard, mouse, wires, and/or data media will not be tolerated and will be considered a serious offense. No students should be logged into the computer under another student s user name. The school has a limited amount of internet bandwidth therefore students are not allowed to download music or videos. This includes streaming music and videos. No food or drinks will be allowed in the lab. Students must show respect for themselves, respect for other students, and respect for the teacher or other adults in the classroom. Computer games are not allowed unless they are a specific part of the curriculum assignment for the day and are tied to the current standard being taught. Students should have pencil and paper with them daily. Assignments will be a mixture of hand written and computerized. Other Information Expectations for Academic Success 1. Complete daily classwork assignments. 2. Participate in class discussions and ask questions. 3. Participate constructively as a team member. 4. Problem solve and accept challenges. 5. Challenge yourself to continuously improve. Additional Requirements/Resources Acceptable Computer Use Policy Tutoring Available upon request. Lost Book Policy: Board Policy Descriptive Code: IFAD The student will be charged full replacement cost for any textbook lost, regardless of condition.. Articulation Information: This course is currently not articulated with West Georgia Technical College. In some courses, students who successfully complete a course, with a minimum of 85 percent as specified in the Tech Prep agreement, may exempt classes at West Georgia Technical College after the validation process has been completed. The student must complete a two-year program of study in the secondary plan and must enter the postsecondary technical college within 18 months of high school graduation. This course currently does not have an articulation agreement in place. End of Pathway Assessments: This course is part of the Web and Digital Design, Information Support and Services, Programming, Networking, or Computer Science pathway. During the third course in each of the pathways the End Of Pathway Assessment (EOPA) will be given to students who have taken all three courses. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Syllabus, Introduction to Digital Technology Page 4 of 5
All students at AHS who are interested in business and information technology are encouraged to join FBLA. This is a non-profit student organization that prepares students for careers in business and business technology. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. Mrs. Chapman in Room 8 has more information. Non-Discrimination Policy: The Douglas County Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, or age in educational programs or activities, or employment practices. Disclaimer: The syllabus may be updated as needed throughout the year at the discretion of the instructor. Syllabus, Introduction to Digital Technology Page 5 of 5