•         Keyboarding (18 week course) Syllabus

                                   

    Course Description: 

    This course is designed to introduce middle school students to the basics of computers, keyboarding skills, and potential careers. Students will develop and enhance touch skills for entering information using a keyboard to compose and produce personal, educational, and professional documents.

     

    Instructional Philosophy:

    In this course, students will learn how to type and create documents.. Each day, students will be presented with an essential question, which is the question that they should be able to answer at the end of the lesson. They will use their active thinking skills to make a connection with the content and to see how the material pertains to the outside world. Students will also participate in project-based learning projects. 

     

    Major Course Goals

    Students will master the following competences by the end of this course: understanding computer basics, developing keyboarding skills, investigating careers and workforce readiness skills.

     

    Major Course Projects & Instructional Activities:

    Students will complete one project-based learning project for each of the following areas: understanding computer basics and investigating careers. Students will utilize the Typesy program to build their keyboarding skills.

     

    Course Assessment Plan:

    At the beginning of each unit, students will take a pre-test. The pre-test is an assessment that allows the teacher to determine what students already know before the unit is taught. At the conclusion of each unit, students will take a summative assessment. Students will also take typing tests to assess their progress.

     

    Classroom Expectations:

    In order to ensure a classroom environment conducive to learning, the following policies and expectations are to be followed by all students. The policies and procedures contained in the IW Taylor Virtual Academy handbook are to be followed by students at all times. The following information consists of additional rules and policies for this class, with many being similar to or the same as overall school policies.

     

    Conduct:

    • Students must address the teacher by using the appropriate title and last name. Do not call the teacher by their last name.

    • Students should refrain from using cell phones or other devices during class.

    • Interrupting the teacher or fellow student while they are speaking will not be tolerated.

    • Inappropriate language, comments, or gestures will not be tolerated.

    • Cheating will not be tolerated. A zero will be given for any work that was copied from another student. Students will also receive a zero if they plagiarized their work.

    • Students should remain in the Google Meets until dismissed.

    • Students should participate during class. During this class, students will participate in class discussions, complete interactive lesson modules and play virtual games. Students must remain focused on their computers and respond to the teacher's verbal or written requests. Students should make the teacher aware if they need to leave their computers. Students who do not respond to verbal/written instructions and do not complete assignments as instructed may be removed from the Google Meet. The teacher will assume that the student is no longer present in class.

    • Students must use an email address and profile picture that is appropriate for an educational environment. Profile pictures should not be offensive or inappropriate in any manner. The teacher reserves the right to determine if a student email address and/or profile picture is inappropriate. Students using an inappropriate email address and/or profile picture will be required to update their user profiles.

    • If the teacher is absent, you will receive a message through Canvas regarding the assignments for the day. Please complete the assignments during the normal class time.

     

    Supplies and Materials Needed:

    Students will  need the following materials daily for class: a charged Chromebook, one subject notebook, pencil or pen.

     

    DPS Homework Policy:

    Homework provides an essential communication link between the school and the home. One measure of a program or course is the quality of the work done at home by the student. A strong home-school partnership, with many lasting benefits for the individual student and the student’s family, can be greatly enhanced by a sound program of homework. In addition, homework should be an important tool in developing independent thought, self-direction, and self-discipline. It assists the student in developing good work habits and in the wise use of time.

     

    Guidelines for homework include:

    • Homework should be assigned after an introduction and thorough explanation of the skills necessary to successfully complete the assignment.

    • Homework should be assigned in such a manner that it will be clearly understood by all students.

    • Homework should serve a valid purpose and be closely related to classroom activities.

    • A student's access to resource materials should be considered when making assignments.

    • Homework should be evaluated promptly and returned to the student. Appropriate rewards should be given to those students who successfully complete assigned work. - Effort and competency should be recognized and rewarded.

    • Teachers should seek to determine the cause if a student regularly fails to complete assigned work. Teachers should not avoid giving homework because they believe students will not do the work.

    • Excessive homework, like the absence of homework, should be avoided.

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    Extra Help: 

     

    Contact Information:

     

    If at any time, you would like to discuss your child’s performance, or if they have any problems in the classroom, you can call me at the school (434) 773-8134. Please leave a message with your name, child’s name and contact information. You can also email me at jbreakley@mail.dps.k12.va.us. I will respond within 36 hours, typically between 6:50am - 7:10am or 2:25pm to 2:50pm.