computerclassinfo

=Computers: Fall, 2008, S. Woodward, Instructor=

Course Information

 * Contact: swoodward@rbusd.org** (please try to **//avoid// voice mail**, email is much preferred)


 * Bring -** Each student is required to bring (every day):
 * Notebook; see below
 * Pencil and pen
 * Planner book for writing assignments

Class wiki, projects, & notes Each student is responsible for projects and documenting progress. Students will be expected to produce meaningful goals and directions for successful learning.
 * Grades**:


 * Class Wiki** Students are responsible for recording their daily learning at their wiki site. Their wiki will be used as their primary measure of learning. The progress of any project worked on, should be recorded at the wiki.


 * Backup:** Students should backup their work to their wiki, a flash drive, or both. Reminder, save frequently; “the computer ate my work” will not be accepted as an excuse.

http://computerclassnotes.wikispaces.com
 * Homework** Students are encouraged to practice concepts and work on assignments at home. There will be very little assigned homework, as students are expected to make best use of class time. Class notes will be posted at the end of the week at the computer class notes wiki:


 * Notebook**: Notes are used frequently in this class since there is no textbook. Students must learn to take good notes, keep them in the properly in their notebooks, and write the homework in their planner books. All students are required to maintain a 3-ring notebook with the following items:
 * A computer section marked with a tab specifically for this class only
 * All handouts including assignments and completed projects
 * Papers //in order//in order and //on the rings//on the rings; not in flaps or pockets
 * Unused paper for assignments and notes

Students may provide their own earphones if they would like to use audio on certain projects. Assignments should be turned in on time. Assignments cannot be re-graded after deadlines. Absent students are responsible for finding out what they missed and turning in the make up work within three days of returning. Students who don’t find out what they missed could lose points.
 * Other:**


 * Rules for helping:**
 * No touching another student’s mouse or keyboard. We remember things better when we do it ourselves.
 * Whisper or speak very quietly. //If you distract others, you are not helping.//If you distract others, you are not helping.
 * Stay at your row unless given permission to help around the class. No walking around the class without permission.

Students are expected to be in class **on time**. Being late causes one to miss important instructions at the beginning of class and distracts others from learning. Three tardies may result in detention/Saturday school.

Students going to the **restroom** lose instructional time and distract others. Students should go to the restroom //between// classes. Any time there is an emergency, students may go, but are required to make-up the time after school. Students who must leave class on “stacked” days will be expected to make up the time after school. On block days, students //are// allowed to use the restroom during class time (with no make-up), but //not the first ½ hour or last 10 minutes// (this is critical instruction time).

Because computers are expensive, powerful tools, students need to use good judgment and act responsibly at all times. Some of the rules specific to computer lab are: Do not
 * play with power buttons or controls.
 * Unplugging any cables will take //all//all students off the computers immediately
 * No food or drinks in the lab
 * Never change any of the settings on the computer or monitors
 * Students will work only at their station; stay at your seat
 * No "horseplay", running, etc.
 * Don’t tip the chairs
 * Always ask before printing
 * Be careful with all equipment
 * Never move or change equipment
 * Do not download any files from the Internet without permission
 * No offensive or obscene material
 * Keep hands clean
 * Never tamper with any security

Privacy Policy: Your email address will only be used if it is convenient to contact you this way. Your email address will not be disclosed to anyone else or be used for any purpose other than to contact you if an issue arises related to your child’s learning.
 * All School Rules will apply; (see Adams Discipline Matrix & RBSD Acceptable Use Policy)**


 * Daily Routine/Procedures**

Checkers will check the computers Students enter **quietly** and begin by taking notes from the board. When finished, students may quietly draw a picture.

Printing: We will not use the printer very often. Please avoid wasting paper.

When doing group work, //you// are responsible for:
 * Your share of the work
 * Asking teammates for help when needed
 * Being willing to help
 * Asking the teacher if group still needs help

End of day: clean your areas (floor too), stack all chairs (both sides of room), wait for dismissal (not bell)
 * Going to computers:** clean area (floor too), notes into proper section of notebook, notebooks away, zip up, put backpack on desks, and push in chairs
 * Leaving computers:** Make sure your area is clean (floor too), you have your belongings, log out, check whole row, chairs stacked or in.


 * Recycle:** (whole) flat paper, clean bottles & cans, cardboard, clean plastic with recycle symbol
 * Trash:** tiny paper pieces, food wrappers, chip bags, used tissue, food, pencils, pens, etc.

You may sharpen pencils quietly, when it is not a distraction You may get water or wash hands at the sink quietly without distracting, one at a time If you have a question, raise your hand quietly and wait patiently to be called. Don’t interrupt the teacher or other students who are speaking If you come without supplies, you should quietly try to borrow from other students (before class) Students are expected to be on best behavior when going on errands or to the restroom. Do not take detours or distract other students. Because the Internet is highly visible, use your best language skills and be courteous. Do your best writing (communicating) in all of your classes. When correcting others’ work, be responsible and do your best. Be truthful. Take responsibility for your own learning.

This class is an introduction to most of these topics:
 * Further Information for Parents and Students**
 * Keyboarding
 * Computer Terms and Procedures
 * Web 2.0
 * Word Processing
 * Windows Operating System
 * Programming with LOGO
 * Databases
 * Paint & Draw Graphics
 * Computer Animation
 * Spreadsheets
 * Web page Creation
 * Presentation Software
 * Internet Research
 * Outlining
 * Other New Technologies

Students should learn to use //computers as a tool// for learning. We will use computers to practice important aspects of learning such as research, organization, communication, and imagination. Students should have curiosity, initiative, and ownership of learning.


 * Hint**: Mistakes are an important part of learning with computers. We often learn by **trial and error**. Learn to protect yourself from serious errors by **saving frequently** and creating back-ups, //but// don’t be afraid to **try commands** and **explore menu** items to find what you want. Get used to the **help** feature (usually F1 key), to learn new tricks.

Good learning starts with healthy bodies and minds. The following is general information for parents:

Make sure your child gets a good breakfast and lunch. Foods with a lot of fats and sugars slow kids down. Healthy kids do better! More information: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) http://www.healthyschoollunches.org No Junk Food http://www.nojunkfood.org/ Food Hygiene http://www.irishhealth.com/index.html?level=4&id=5196 Marketing poor nutrition http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11514 Thinking Outside the Lunchbox- series of articles http://www.ecoliteracy.org/programs/thinking_outside.html
 * Nutrition**

Don’t put a computer (or television) in a child’s bedroom. Always monitor your child’s internet activity and teach them to protect themselves. Tell them never give away any personal information and report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or may not seem right. More information: PBS Internet driver’s license http://pbskids.org/license/ Basic Rules from Safe Kids http://www.safekids.com/kidsrules.htm Web Wise Kids- strategies for Internet safety http://www.wiredwithwisdom.org/
 * Internet Safety and Supervision**

Monitor and minimize television watching. Dozens of studies show the adverse effects of too much television. More information: TV and attention span http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-04-05-tv-bottomstrip_x.htm Behavior and learning http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/TV.viewing.html Negative behaviors http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=40942
 * Television**