<< Back to Curriculum | Computer/Technology Skills Grade 7

Instructors: Jennifer Schwarzbach
Term Length: One Semester

Focus Areas:

Responsible and safe use of online resources
Awareness of Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines
Use of formulas in a spreadsheet
Use of search strategy with two or more criteria in a database
Increase productivity and accuracy in keyboarding
Use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, and multimedia software
Locate and retrieve information using telecommunications
Evaluation of resources and information for accuracy and usefulness
Selection and use a variety of technology tools

Competency Goal 1: The learner will understand important issues of a technology-based society and will exhibit ethical behavior in the use of computer and other technologies.

Objectives:

1.01 Identify and describe the effect technological changes have had on business, education, communications, and industry in a global society.

1.02 Use network terms and concepts related to Internet connectivity.

1.03 Use ethical, safe, and responsible behavior relating to issues (e.g., security, privacy, passwords, personal information) and recognize possible consequences of misuse.

1.04 Recognize and discuss how Copyright Laws protect ownership of intellectual property and identify and discuss consequences of misuse.

1.05 Investigate technology knowledge and skills needed for school and the workplace now and in the future.

1.06 Demonstrate knowledge of why databases are used to collect, organize, and report information in a variety of settings.

1.07 Cite sources of information used in content area databases.

1.08 Demonstrate knowledge that spreadsheets are used to process information in a variety of settings (e.g., schools, government, business, industry, mathematics, science).

1.09 Demonstrate knowledge of the advantages/disadvantages of using word processing to develop, publish, and present information to a variety of audiences.

1.10 Demonstrate knowledge and use of software terms/concepts (e.g., columns, tables, using multiple files and/or applications) to create and publish assignments/projects.

1.11 Demonstrate appropriate use of copyrighted materials in word processing documents used for content projects/assignments.

1.12 Recognize, discuss, and establish ethical guidelines for use of personal and copyrighted media (e.g., images, music, video, content, language) in multimedia projects and presentations as a class/group.

1.13 Recognize, discuss, and model correctly formatted citations for copyrighted materials and adhere to Fair Use Guidelines.

1.14 Demonstrate knowledge of responsible, safe, and ethical use of networked digital information (e.g., Internet, mobile phone, wireless, LANs).

1.15 Demonstrate knowledge of Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines by explaining selection and use of Internet resources in content projects/assignments.

Competency Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.

Objectives:

2.01 Demonstrate knowledge of strategies for identifying and solving minor hardware and software problems.

2.02 Enter/edit data and use spreadsheet features and functions to project outcomes and test simple "what if..." statements in content assignments.

2.03 Use proper keyboarding techniques to improve accuracy, speed, and general efficiency in computer operation.

2.04 Demonstrate knowledge and use of software features (e.g., columns, tables, headers/footers) to format and publish content projects/products.

2.05 Use a variety of collaborative tools to survey, collect, and communicate information for content area assignments.

Competency Goal 3: The learner will use a variety of technologies to access, analyze, interpret, synthesize, apply, and communicate information.

Objectives:

3.01 Select and use appropriate technology tools to solve problems and make decisions in content areas.

3.02 Select and use two or more criteria to organize, interpret, and display content data and explain strategies used.

3.03 Modify/edit databases to organize, analyze, and interpret data, and to create reports (e.g., documents, multimedia project, webpages).

3.04 Evaluate and use database data and reports to solve problems and make decisions in content areas.

3.05 Modify/create spreadsheets and graphs/charts to analyze and interpret data for content assignments.

3.06 Create/modify spreadsheets to test simple “what if…” statements to solve problems and make decisions in content areas.

3.07 Demonstrate use of software features/functions to design, format, layout, and publish assignments.

3.08 Plan, design, and develop a multimedia product using data (e.g., graphs, charts, database reports) to present content information in the most effective way, citing sources.

3.09 Create/modify and use rubrics to evaluate multimedia presentations for elements (e.g., organization, content, design, appropriateness for target audience, effectiveness, ethical use of resources).

3.10 Use evaluation tools to select Internet resources and information for content and usefulness in content area assignments.

Assessment:
Students will be graded using a point system for determining grades. Each assignment, project, test or homework will be worth a certain number of points toward student’s grade. Differing assignments may be worth a differing number of points. Cumulative grade will be determined measuring the total points earned divided by the total points possible.

Grading scale is as follows:

90-100	A
80-89	B
70-79	C
60-69	D
0-59	F

Make-up work:
It is the responsibility of the student to ask for make-up work after an absence. In accordance with the Student Handbook, the student will have the same number of days to ask for and complete the make-up assignment(s) as the length of the absence. If a student is absent for one day, he must ask for make-up work the next day, and it must be turned in the following day. As most work in Technology class will be performed on software on school computers, it is important that each student attend class regularly to avoid an issue with computers being unavailable for make-up work completion.

Late work:
In accordance with the Student Handbook, late work may be turned in one day late with a 30% reduction in grade. Late work turned two or more days later will be worth zero credit.

Behavior Expectations:

Students must arrive at class on time.
Students must arrive with necessary class supplies including a pencil, paper and binder with class divider
Unless otherwise instructed, students should obtain their class computer, log in and be prepared for class activity upon entering the classroom
Students must be respectful with each other and teacher at all times