This syllabus is subject to change over the course of the year.

Focus Skill

Persist in achieving quality.

In other words, many students already know how to use many aspects of a computer, but we will be going in depth to learn how to masterfully use certain aspects of a computer to achieve a higher quality result.

Course Description

Over the course of this computer lab we will be learning to better use computer tools that will be valuable assets over the coming years. We will be covering several aspects of computers this quarter, including keyboarding, computer safety, Microsoft Office with a focus on PowerPoint and possibly HTML.

Grading Policy

Grades will be a combination of class participation, behavior, assignments, and projects. Each will be weighted differently and be added together in one lump sum to make up the final grade. Unexcused tardiness and absences will affect class participation grades.

35% - Class participation, behavior, appropriate use of computers
35% - Class work, assignments, homework
30% - Projects

School Computer Policy

In order to participate in this class, students must agree to the school's computer usage policy.

* Students will use only the equipment and resources that they are specifically authorized to use, and only for the purpose designated.

* Respecting privacy and intellectual property of others means never:

* Using another user's login name or password
* Entering any personal folders or reading anyone's private files
* Moving, renaming, changing, deleting, or copying any document or file that does not belong to you
* Copying or transferring any copyrighted materials to computers, documents, or presentations without proper citation

* Students may not tamper with configurations of equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, interfering with:

* Software such as computer settings, application configurations, network protocols and e-mail accounts
* Hardware such as cables, wires, computers, servers, printers, projectors, DVD and VCR players

* Students will not use The New School's Internet access inappropriately. This includes, but is not limited to:

* Accessing or processing inappropriate pictures, inappropriate written material, or files that could be dangerous to our local area network
* Accessing sites for any purpose without educational value, such as game sites, chat rooms, instant messaging or movies (myspcae, youtube, anything fun)
* Downloading any games or software

* Students will remember that when using a school computer to communicate with the outside world that they are representative of the school, and will speak and act accordingly. This includes using] appropriate language that is not obscene, abusive, insulting or threatening.

* Students will not eat, drink or be physically disrespectful around any of the computers, cameras, DVD, VCR players, etc.

* Students understand that teachers and faculty might create and enforce additional guidelines for technology use within their classrooms, and agree to respect those guidelines.