Mendocino High School

21st Century Technology Skills for your Future

Business Applications Class

Mendocino High School

Class Syllabus

Location: ROP Computer Lab, Mendocino High School

Department: Regional Occupations Program

Units: 5.0/Semester

Year Offered: 2007/2008

Course Meeting Days: Weekly—Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

Course Meeting Time: Monday: 8:15-9:05 am; Tuesday/Thursday: 8:15-9:47 am

Prerequisites: Freshman Technology Lab

Meets the MHS Technology Graduation requirement

Instructor: Kathy Wylie

Phone number: 707-937-2956

Email address: kathy@mcn.org

Office Location: classroom where class held (if available)

Office Hours: By appointment

Response time (unless otherwise specified) to: Telephone 24-48 hours Email: 24 hours

Course Description: General Content of the Course

Business Applications is a multi-term course designed to enhance the students’ experience in traditional courses of instruction by providing opportunities for students to be engaged in a project-based approach to problem solving. Students work independently and in teams to solve “real world” problems and perform community service projects using state of the art technology. The application of basic skills in conjunction with the ability to learn new technology needed to be successful in today’s informational era society is stressed. Students are expected to learn how to construct their own learning using resources traditionally found in the business environment such as users guides to software applications, software support services, and peer-to-peer learning. A “work like” environment is created with high expectations in the classroom in order that students will gain a better understanding of what will be expected of them in the business world. Students will work in a variety of areas including Office Automation, Computer Aided Design, Graphics & 3-D Modeling, Engineering, and Architectural Design, GIS/GPS, and College and Career Exploration (to name a few).

Students in the class will:

· Engage in academic/vocational challenges

· Participate in student initiated and self-directed learning

· Demonstrate integrated learning

· Devise, plan and execute computer-based research and/or projects

· demonstrate what they know and can do

· be engaged in class work and accelerate their learning

· Develop new skills

Students in the class will review the weekly project(s) progress with the instructor.

Teaching Methods
The instructor serves as course facilitator with students participating in discussions, classroom exercises and presentations. Students will conduct/execute projects, either in conjunction with other academic course offerings, to learn new skills, to apply for college or financial aid, or other computer-based projects that are mutually agreed upon by the student and instructor. Students will participate in classroom activities and actively engage in their own learning processes.

Academic Honesty
Mendocino High School is an academic community. All of our community members are expected to abide by ethical standards both in their conduct and in their exercise of responsibilities toward other members of the community. Students, faculty members, administrators, and staff are expected to adopt standards of behavior that place a high value on respecting the ideas of others. All intellectual accomplishments—examinations, papers, lectures, experiments, and other projects—should adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity and ethics.

The faculty, administration, and staff recognize their obligation to provide continuing guidance as to what constitutes academic honesty and to promote procedures and circumstances that will reinforce the principle of academic honor. Fundamental to the principle of independent learning is the requirement of honesty and integrity in the performance of academic assignments, both in the classroom and outside. Students should avoid academic dishonesty in all of its forms, including plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct.

The Mendocino High School staff reserves the right to determine in any given instance what action constitutes a violation of academic honesty and integrity.

Role of Students as Individuals and as Members of Teams or Groups
Students are expected to complete all individual assignments on their own. All work should reflect only the efforts of the individual, unless working on a group assignment or presentation.

Student Learning Outcomes from Course
By the end of this course, students will have an understanding of the following:

· Written, Visual & Verbal Communication Skills

· Keyboarding & Document Processing

· Desktop Publishing, Graphics & Design

· Financial Management skills

· Presentation Skills

· Work & Computer Ethics

· Internet Research & Critical Thinking Skills

· Organizing & Analyzing Information Skills

Class Policies

Homework: Students must complete assigned readings and homework prior to class when due. Assignments that are due between class sessions must be submitted via email to the instructor’s account, by the due date. Assignments must be turned in on time. Any exception is the prerogative of the instructor. All written assignments must be grammar and proofing error free and will be graded on correctness.

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes. If a student must miss class, they must contact the instructor prior to the absence. Students are responsible to make up missed homework assignments. Attendance and promptness (tardiness is also monitored) is mandatory and monitored. Missing a class will result in a reduction of participation points. Planned absences should be communicated to the instructor as soon as possible, and may still result in the loss of participation points.

Students arriving more than five minutes late will be marked tardy. 3 tardies=1 unexcused absence. Students missing more than 15 minutes of class (cumulative anytime during class) without instructor's permission will be marked absent. Five unexcused absences from class may result in a drop from the computer lab class and a Failing Grade.

Cell Phones, iPods and other electronic devices: All electronic devices must be turned off during class sessions.

Class Participation: Students are expected to actively participate in class discussion by asking questions, answering questions and conversing in group dialog, and completing classroom computer and internet-based assignments. Class participation is vital and includes coming to class on time, participating in small groups, participating in the large group and participating in classroom activities. Students who do not come to class, are late, or do not actively engage in project work will lose participation points. Students who continue to abuse computer privileges will have those privileges suspended.

Plagiarism/Cheating: Immediate failure of the assignment, project or exam, and possible expulsion from the course, will occur if a student plagiarizes or cheats on the assignment or project

Assessment of Goals and Objectives/Assignments:

15% Assignments

30% Class Participation

55% Projects

Grading Policies and Practices: Class Expectations, Course Grading Levels and Policy, Class Participation, Attendance Policy

Class Expectations: All students are expected to show respect for the instructor and their fellow students. An honest and open reflection of opinion is encouraged. Three tardies will result in one (1) unexcused absence.

Course Grading Levels and Policy:
This is a Credit/No-Credit Class.

Three (3) unexcused absences will result in a no-credit grade.

Late or Missed Assignments: Policy for Late Assignments and Missed Quiz/Exams, Makeup Policy

Policy for Late Assignments and Missed Quiz/Exams: Late assignments are automatically dropped two grade levels for each week they are late.

Makeup Policy: Students knowing they may miss a due date are required to meet with the instructor to seek approval PRIOR to missing class for completing the assignments/projects at an arranged date.

Returning Assignments: Time Frame for Return of Assignments, Opportunity to Redo Assignments for Better Grade or Extra Credit

Time frame for Return of Assignments: Assignments are returned to students as soon as possible, usually by the next class session. If there is a delay, the instructor will notify students.

Assignment Redo or Extra Credit: Students can meet with the instructor to discuss the possibility of redoing an assignment for a better grade or extra credit.

Kathy Wylie, Instructor