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Mrs. Johnson
Computer Essentials
Course Overview
Computers are showing up everywhere you look and even in places you can't see. Computers check out your groceries, pump your gas, dispense money at the ATM, turn the heat on and off, control the way your car runs. They are everywhere!
In fact, the computer is rapidly becomoing, if it isn't already there, as tightly woven into the fabric of our lives as the automobile. This dependence on technology can be very intimidating unless one is armed with the skills to successfully use it properly and effectively.
Computer Essentials is the "Beginning Driver's Ed" for the computer. What might be covered in a Driver's Education course? How the engine works. Parts of the car. How to turn it on. How to shift gears. Rules of the road. Laws. Proper signaling. Lane changing. Basic maintenance. Changing a flat. Filling up with gas. Some clues on when "You'd better stop the car now!"
The topics covered will introduce you to a similar set of topics about computers. When you finish Computer Essentials, you will have a solid grasp on how to use a computer as an educational tool.
Course Content:
Accessing and understanding school network & server.
Using Microsoft Operating Systems (OS) Windows XP.
File Management.
Keyboarding techniques using Microsoft WORD.
Alphabetic keyboarding (touch)
Numeric keypad (touch)
Formatting business documents
Speed development
Using a Web browser.
Using multiple Web search engines.
Using the Internet as a research tool including proper citing research.
Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design.
Career Awareness/Intro to Pathways.
Introduction to
WORD (word processing software)
EXCEL (spreadsheet software)
POWERPOINT (presentation software)
Grading Criteria
Keyboarding Speed (10%)
Speed grades are determined by the student's average on (their top three) one-minute timed writings. Acceptable timings must not have more than two errors.
A - 40+ C - 27 - 34
B - 35 - 39 D - 19 - 26
Technique Evaluation (10%)
The student will be observed by the instructor and evaluated on the basis of proper keyboarding technique (posture, eyes on copy, hand placement, and reach movement).
Tests and Production (80%)
Graded drills and problems will constitute the majority of the class. Points will be totaled at the end of the grading period and a letter grade will be assigned accordingly. The following is the production/test grading scale:
A 94+ C+ 77 - 79
A- 90 - 93 C 74 - 76
B+ 87 - 89 C- 70 - 73
B 84 - 86 D+ 67 - 69
B- 80 - 83 D 60 - 66
F Below 60
Students enrolled in Computer Essentials are offered a choice of grading options. Students may elected the Satisfactory/Fail option in place of the Standard Grading of A, B, C, D, F. If a student chooses the Satisfactory/Fail option, they must earn a C or above to receive a Satisfactory or Pass grade.
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