Digital Communications

Mr. Christensen

Class Description:
The first quarter of this class focuses on the keyboarding skills students will need in order to excel in the job markets of today. The remainder of the year is spent exposing the students to the several computer programs that are most commonly used in the business world. Namely - Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access and possible others if time permits.

Text/Materials:
Text: Digitools: Technology Application Tools
Software: Microsoft Office Suite
Handouts: Additional handouts will be provided to supplement subjects being taught.

Techprep Credits from Big Bend Community College:
All students that earn a grade of B+ or better in this course are eligible for college credits from Big Bend Community College. There are up to 8 college credits for this course. To receive these credits the student must complete their daily assignments and demonstrate that they can keyboard at or above the rate of 36-44 words per minute.

Saving Your Work:
All assignments must be saved on your computer....if you have an assignment in question you must show me your completed assignment on your computer for full credit.

Grading:
Daily work: All assignments in this class will be given a maximum of 10 pts. Late assignments will be accepted but the maximum point value will be decreased one point for every week that it is late. These daily assignments make up the majority of your grade. We will have over 160 daily assignments throughout the year.

Quizzes/Tests: We will have very few tests and quizzes in this class but the ones we do have will equal to 3-5 daily assignments. (30-50 points)

Participation Points: There will be 5 points for every day of class and all students will receive full points unless they are: Disruptive, not working on their incomplete assignments, not following the dress code, and tardiness are all ways to lower your daily participation points.

Extra Credit Points: These are my points. Because the success in this class is weighted so heavily on your ability to key quickly, I have reserved some points for those students that come to class ready to learn and put forth a good effort consistently.

Final Grade: Your final grade is determined by the total points that have been assigned for the semester.

Class Rules/Policies:
Missed Classes: You are responsible for the activities for each class period. If you know of a conflict ahead of time, you are welcome to submit projects early or you can do make-up work at 8:00 a.m. Due to the self-paced nature of this class you are not given extra time in class to complete assignments missed because of your absences. Your grade may be reduced if you have excessive absences - School policy does state that you may fail a course if you accumulate 13 or more absences in a semester.

Assignments: There will be due dates given for all assignments. If the assignments are not in on time the point value may be reduced by one point for every week that assignment is late.

Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on exam, paper, or project; failure in course and/or expulsion from the school - refer to the student handbook. In this class it is not that difficult to cheat, but it is not that difficult to catch a cheater. If you use a thumb drive in this class, I have the right to inspect the contents of anyone's thumb drive without any warning or prearrange permission.

Need for Assistance: If you have any condition, such as a physical or learning disability for which you need extra assistance, please see me immediately. If you have already met with Special Services, please provide me with information regarding your special need as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodations can be made.

Dress Code: The dress code that is established in the student handbook will be enforced. Every student will receive a copy of the school rules and handbook on the first day of school. If you did not receive one, check with the office.

Computer Maintenance: Treat the computers with respect. They do not belong to you. Use the same computer everyday. Report any problems with your computer immediately. (Don't get blamed for someone else's damage) Do not attempt to fix the computer on your own. NO FOOD OR LIQUID next to the computers.

REMEMBER:

Save ALL work - If you cannot show me it on your computer - You never did it!!!