Ms. Davis’ Computer Courses Syllabus

Jefferson Academy High School
11251 Reed Way
Broomfield , CO 80020
(720) 887-1992

 

Instructor and Contact Information

Ms. Davis
Email: jdavis@jacomputers.org or jdavis@jajags.com
Web site: www.jacomputers.org

On Campus Times: Mondays-Thursdays: 7am - 4pm; Fridays: 7am - 3:15pm
As I am often working on technology in other areas of the building and not in my room, please let me know if you need to see me.
Drop In Times: Tuesday-Thursday 3:00-3:20pm
Appointment Times: Daily 7:00-8:00am; Monday-Thursday-during HS Lunch; Tuesday-Thursday 3:20-4:00pm

Course Description:

Office 1 - provides you with the proper knowledge, skills and procedures to create documents, workbooks, and presentations using Office 2016 (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint). Office 1 is required for all other computer classes.
Office 2 - offers a deeper study of the Microsoft Office 2016 suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The knowledge gained from Office 1 will be expanded as you learn more functions available in each application. (prerequisite Office 1)
HTML5 & CSS - master the HTML5 and CSS3 skills you need to create exceptional web designs. This class covers basic to advanced concepts and skills for developing web pages and websites using the most current versions of HTML5 and CSS3. You will learn to create dynamic websites that incorporate forms, videos, JavaScript, cutting-edge CSS3, and more. (prerequisite Office 1)
Dreamweaver - allows you to quickly create Web pages without writing the code in HTML. In this class you learn about the Dreamweaver workspace, how to develop a Web Page, and work with text, graphics, links, tables, and forms. If time permits, you will use style sheets, create layers, and add multimedia elements. (prerequisite Office 1)
Adobe Animate - offers a fun learning experience because it allows you to create animations, transformations, creative typography, and Internet applications. You will learn the basics of Animate which include learning the Animate environment, drawing objects, working with symbols and interactivity, creating animations, and creating special effects. You will prepare and publish movies and complex animations that run seamlessly across desktops, smart phone and tablets (prerequisite Office 1)
Adobe InDesign - learn how to create engaging page layouts, flow and edit text, create and use styles, incorporate graphics and tables, and create PDF forms and ebooks. (prerequisite Office 1)
Pre-Architecture - This course provides resources for an introductory course in architectural design. Considerably easier to use than other 3D software, SketchUp has found a niche in architecture, landscape design, real estate development, furniture building, and other design professions. This classes assumes no previous 3D modeling experience and explains the basic concepts involved in 3D modeling. You will learn how to build a 3D model, print it, share it, export it to another professional design package, export it to Google Earth, and create a 3D animated tour. (Prerequisite Office 1)
Pre-Civil Engineering - This course illustrates a holistic approach to SketchUp: how it works and more importantly, what to do with it. You will learn how to approach modeling site plans, buildings and site elements: from modeling each of these exterior environment elements to piecing them together to generate a singular and expressive model. (Prerequisite Office 1)
App Development -  Never coded but want to learn how to build apps? Then you've come to the right place. This course targets beginners of all ages and starts at the very beginning--setting up App Inventor. With video and text-based lessons, this online class will step you through building progressively more complex apps. You'll learn how to build many types of apps and you'll learn programming concepts and terminology.(prerequisite Office 1)
Python Programming - This course will provide a gentle, yet intense, introduction to programming using Python for highly motivated students with little or no prior experience in programming. The course will focus on planning and organizing programs, as well as the grammar of the Python programming language.(prerequisite Office 1)
Python Game Programming - Once you have an understanding of the basics of Python programming, you can now expand your abilities using the Pygame library to make games with graphics, animation, and sound. (prerequisite Python Programming)
Alice 3.0 – Alice is an innovative 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create an animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game, or a video to share on the web. Alice is a teaching tool for introductory computer science. It allows students to learn fundamental programming concepts in the context of creating animated movies and simple video games. In Alice, 3-D objects (e.g., people, animals, and vehicles) populate a virtual world and students create a program to animate the objects. In Alice's interactive interface, students drag and drop graphic tiles to create a program, where the instructions correspond to standard statements in a production oriented programming language, such as Java, C++, and C#. Alice allows students to immediately see how their animation programs run, enabling them to easily understand the relationship between the programming statements and the behavior of objects in their animation. (prerequisite Office 1)
Beginning Java Programming– An introduction to Java using a project-oriented approach to learning, presenting difficult Java programming concepts in a straightforward and exciting way! The real-world examples provided reinforce concepts and empower student to apply the knowledge acquired. This course maps the Computer Science AP examination. (prerequisite Alice 3.0 or permission of instructor)
Java Game Programming – This hands-on class for beginners allows you to increase your skill level along the way as you create a game full of cool artwork and intricate details. The class serves as an introduction to the field of game programming using Java. From the basics of creating simple Java programs and writing graphics code to utilizing Java's advanced 2D library and adding sound effects and music, this class will help you acquire all the skills you need to create a professional-quality, sprite-based game.(prerequisite Beginning Java Programming)
AP Computer Science A - AP® Computer Science A is both a college-prep course for potential computer science majors and a foundation course for students planning to study in other technical fields such as engineering, physics, chemistry, and geology. The course emphasizes programming methodology, procedural abstraction, and in-depth study of algorithms, data structures, and data abstractions, as well as a detailed examination of a large case study program. Instruction includes preparation for the AP Computer Science A Exam. Click here for additional info on AP Computer Science (prerequisite Beginning Java Programming and Permission of Instructor) The AP Exam is Tuesday May, 2nd in the morning.
Exploring Computer Science - Exploring Computer Science (ECS) is designed to introduce students to the breadth of the field of computer science through an exploration of engaging and accessible topics. Rather than focusing the entire course on learning particular software tools or programming languages, the course is designed to focus on the conceptual ideas of computing and help students understand why certain tools or languages might be utilized to solve particular problems. The goal of ECS is to develop in students the computational practices of algorithm development, problem solving and programming within the context of problems that are relevant to the lives of today’s students. Students will also be introduced to topics such as interface design, limits of computers, and societal and ethical issues. (prerequisite Office 1)
AP Computer Science Principles - This course is a rigorous, entry-level computer science course that introduces high school students to the foundations of modern computing. The course covers a broad range of foundational topics such as programming, algorithms, the Internet, big data, digital privacy and security, and the societal impacts of computing. (prerequisite Exploring Computer Science and Permission of Instructor) Note: the performance task submission deadline is the end of April, and the written AP Exam is May 5, 2017 in the afternoon.
C# Programming - This course gives students who are new to programming an introduction to programming principles and concepts and hands-on coding skills by incorporating engaging new examples to introduce a variety of fundamental programming concepts, from data types and expressions to arrays and collections, all using the latest version of today’s popular C# language. (prerequisite Office 1)
Unity Game Development - This course teaches you how to write and deploy games. You'll master the Unity toolset from the ground up, adding the skills you need to go from application coder to game developer. You will use the powerful C# language, Unity's intuitive workflow tools, and a state-of-the-art rendering engine to build and deploy mobile, desktop, and console games. Unity's single codebase approach minimizes inefficient switching among development tools and concentrates your attention on making great interactive experiences. (prerequisite C# Programming)
Game Development with Unreal Engine and Blender - This course will teach you to build an amazing high-level game environment with UE4 and will show students how to use the power of Blender 3D to create stunning animations and 3D effects for your game. This course will start with creating levels, 3D assets for the game, game progression, light and environment control, animation, and so on. Then it will teach you to add amazing visual effects to your game by applying rendering, lighting, rigging, and compositing techniques in Blender.(prerequisite C# Programming)

Homework:

Homework will be assigned as needed. If you do not complete your work in class, I expect the work to be completed outside of class time. Time management is a big part of the class. You are expected to complete all assignments either in class or outside of class and manage your time and effort accordingly. If you complete work on time in class, homework will not be assigned.

Materials:

Pen or Pencil

Deadlines

Just as an employer expects efficiency out of an employee, so do I. You are expected to complete the required assignments of the course. If you fall behind, you are expected to make up assignments outside of class time and by increasing your focus in class. You are expected to set intermediate goals for completing your work and to keep track of your time. I do accept work after the first and second deadlines for up to full credit but the third deadline is a final deadline to allow for grading time. Plan accordingly to make sure you finish everything before the third and final deadline. You will be graded on meeting the following deadlines:

Common Assignments

First deadline

Second deadline

Third deadline (Final deadline)

Due

Due by March 22

for all Classes

 

April 14

May 3

May 19

Office 1 (PA each Section) SEE BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL CHECKPOINTS

Word 1-3, WPAs

Excel 1-3, EPA

Powerpoint 1-3, PPA

Office 2 (PA each Section)

Word 4, 6,7, WPAs

Excel 4-6, EPAs

PowerPoint 4-6, PPA

Dreamweaver (PA each chapter)

Chapters 1-5

Chapters 6-9

Chapters 10-13

HTML5 & CSS3 (PA each chapter)

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-8 & PA finalized

Animate (PA each chapter)

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-8 & PA finalized

InDesign (PA each chapter)

Chapters 1-6

Chapters 7-11

Chapters 12-16

Pre-Architecture(PA Final)

Units 1-4

Units 5-7

Units 8-10, PA

Pre-Civil Engineering (PA Final)

Units 1-7

Units 8-12

Units 13-15 & PA

App Development

Modules 1-2

Modules 3-5

Modules 6-7 & PA

Python Programming

Chapter 1-4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-12

Python Game Programming

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-12 & PA

Alice 3.0(PA final)

Chapters 1-2

Chapters 3-4

Chapters 5-6 & PA

Java Programming (PA Final)

Chapters 1 -2

Chapters 3-4

Chapters 5-6

Java Game Programming(End Project)

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-10 and project

AP Computer Science A

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-12

Exploring Computer Science

Chapters 1-5

Chapters 6-12

Chapters 13-17

AP Computer Science Principles

Units 1-2

Units 3-4

Units 5-6

C# Programming

Chapter 1-2

Chapters 3-4

Chapters 5-6

Unity Game Development(PA Final)

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-8 & PA

Unreal Engine & Blender

Chapter 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapter 7-9

OFFICE 1 CHECKPOINTS: See Office 1 Notes Page

Learning Needs

·        By making the course self-paced, this allows you to progress at your own speed. However, make your time count. This does not mean you slack off during class. In fact, the amount of material is about what a student can do if 100% of the time is spent on the assignments. If you are absent for any reason, spend a lot of time talking or on breaks, or need extra time to finish assignments, you'll probably have a lot of work to do outside of class hours or you may not pass the class.

·        This will meet the needs of both fast and slow students. However, students are expected to focus on their work for the entire period every day and do their best job. The grade will be a direct reflection on how much a student is on-task and completing assignments correctly.   

 

Preparation for the Work World (minutes points)

·        Employers want a job done well. Therefore, credit will only be given for documents that complete the objectives of the assignment, look professional, and have a minimum of mistakes. Since the spell-check feature is a tool of the computer, this includes correct spelling on all documents. Examples of completed documents are in the book and/or on the Web site. You are expected to check your work against these examples. If an assignment does not meet these guidelines, I will give feedback and may give you the opportunity to make corrections. Chapter assignments that are completed correctly the first time with no errors will receive a 100.

·        An employer expects employees to use the resources available to them for solving problems. If you run across problems when creating a document (with either the software or hardware), you are expected to try trouble-shooting yourself, use books and on-line help resources, and your co-workers. Use the instructor as a last resort because she will not be available when you leave the class.

·        All employers want employees who arrive to work on-time and are productive throughout the day. Therefore, a minutes grade(90 minutes or points per day) is given based on the number of minutes worked out of the expected 3600 minutes in class (90 minutes points per day for 40 class days) based on the following:

·        You are allowed two 5 minute breaks without penalty per day to stretch, stand up, look at something besides the screen, or use the restroom as long as you do not disrupt other people in the classroom. If you fall behind in assignments, this break privilege may be revoked until you have caught up on your assignments. You may also lose this privilege if you disrupt anyone else's work or break any school rules. You must sign out when you leave the classroom. Only one student may be out of the room at a time. You may only leave the room once per day. Break Procedure

·        You are expected to be working on your assignments every class period. If you are going to Web sites, playing games, getting out of your chair, talking about things not related to the class and not getting your work done, the teacher may deduct time from your minutes grade and move you to a different location away from distractions.

·        Unexcused absences, tardies, or suspensions count for twice the actual amount of time missed. For example, if you are absent one day without an excuse(skipping), you are docked 180 minutes (2 class periods) toward your productivity grade. If you are late 5 minutes one day to class without an excuse, you are docked 10 minutes on your minutes grade.

·      If a student misses half a class or more (unexcused) it counts as an absence not a tardy. Therefore, in this situation, you will have 180 minutes deducted from your productivity grade. Every unexcused tardy after two will also count as 90 minutes deducted from your minutes grade.

·        Suspended students will lose all productivity minutes for any time missed and may make up time at the teacher’s discretion.

·        At the discretion and convenience of the teacher, you may make up missed time before or after school, at lunch, or during another class. The teacher may add this time to your productivity grade. This only applies to unexcused time out of class. If you are absent excused, you are not required to make up time but may need to come in to get caught up on work.

 

Assignments

Assignments are listed on Ms. Davis’ Web site (www.jacomputers.org). The student is responsible for checking this location periodically to see if there are any changes to assignments or notes for their completion.

Assignments are graded for completeness and for quality. Generally, here is how the documents will be graded:

·        2-5 points off if files are saved incorrectly.

·        2-5 points off for an error in doing a procedure or a missing step.

·        1-2 points off for general typos in a document.

·        1-5 points off if words are spelled incorrectly. One point per word, up to five points. Always do a spell check!

 

Quizzes and Tests

·        Below is a schedule of all quizzes and tests for this class.

March 22nd  :

Syllabus and Procedures Quiz

April 14th :

Quiz over material from Deadline 1 (see above)

May 3rd :

Quiz over material from Deadline 2 (see above)

May 19th :

Quiz over material from Deadline 3 (see above)

May 22nd & 23rd   :

Performance Based Project Test

May 24th or 25th :

Final Written Exam

Grading System Weights

All Classes (Classes without a Personal Assignment will be 10% for whiteboards and 10% for common assignments)

Whiteboards: 5%
Minutes Points: 20%
Common Assignments: 5%
Deadline 1 Assignments: 10%
Deadline 2 Assignments: 10%
Deadline 3 Assignments: 10%
Personal Assignments: 10%
Quizzes: 10%
Performance Based Test: 10%
Final Exam: 10%

 

·        The Final Written Exam in all classes will account for 10% of your score. At the discretion of the teacher, if you have not been disruptive during class and have successfully completed all work with a 95% or above grade, you do not have to complete the final written exam (everyone takes the Performance Based Project Final).

 

Grading Scale

What Each Grade Means:

A: 90-100%

If you earn an A in this course it means that you put forth maximum effort on each and every task assigned, activity in class, project given, and overall had a positive attitude in class. Very high level of self advocacy.

B: 80%-89%

If you earn a B in this course it means that you put forth good effort on each and every task assigned, activity in class, project given, and had a good attitude the majority of the time in class. Self advocacy is a priority for the student.

C: 70%-79%

If you earn a C in this course it means that you put forth average effort on each task assigned, activity, project, and had a mostly positive attitude in class. Some attempt made to get extra help. Average level of self advocacy.

D: 60%-69%

If you earn a D in this course it means that you put forth very little effort on each task assigned, activity, project, and had a somewhat negative attitude in class. Little effort put into getting extra help.

F: Below 59%

If you earn an F in this course it means that you put forth no effort on each task assigned, activity, project, and had a negative attitude in class. No effort to receive extra help.

·        Grades are available on-line through the school website by clicking on the Infinite Campus link. Grades are updated at least weekly.

Discipline Policy

The discipline policy for this class is a simple process. The objective is to change behavior, not punishment. If you violate the class rules, you will be given verbal and written warnings. Further problems will result in detention, notification of parents, and consequences which may include removal from the classroom.

Discipline Consequences: Procedural Steps

  1. Verbal warning
  2. High School Lunch Detention with Ms. Davis
  3. Friday School, notification of parents
  4. Office Referral

Classroom Rules

  • Respect all people by talking and listening appropriately.
  • Participate and behave appropriately in group situations.
  • Be at your desk and working when the bell rings. See minutes points for tardy consequences.
  • Each individual is responsible for maintaining the equipment in the classroom and to pickup trash. Avoid spills. In the computer lab, drinks must be in containers with lids. Food is allowed but must be consumed during a break away from the computers.
  • Because of viruses, spyware, and other problems, no downloads or changes in settings will be allowed unless approved by the teacher. On your own login you may change desktop or screen saver settings. However, if you are using a guest or group login, you cannot make any changes to the settings.
  • The default in this class is that ALL work will be accomplished individually, UNLESS my permission is given in advance of an assignment/quiz/exam/take-home exam/final. If you are in doubt, please ask.
  • Electronics
    • In general, students are not allowed to use any personal electronic device in the classroom. However, since most of the work is independent and some students’ productivity is enhanced with music, music players are allowed during independent work and not during lectures as long as they do not disrupt anyone's learning. Cell phones should be set to silent and only used for music during class. Students must have headphones in order to listen to music.
    • If a student chooses to inappropriately use an electronic device in class, the following measures will be implemented:
      • First offense: The teacher will confiscate the device and take it to the office. A student can retrieve the device between 3:00 and 3:30 that day.
      • Second offense: The teacher will confiscate the device and take it to the office. Only a parent can retrieve the device between 3:00 and 3:30 that day or any day after. The office will not call the parent. It is the responsibility of the student to let the parent know.
      • Third offense: The teacher will confiscate the device and take it to the office. A parent conference with administration will be required before the device will be returned. The student will not be allowed to use their device for music in the classroom.
  • We will also follow all rules outlined in the JA student handbook and Jeffco Conduct Code.

 

Plagiarism Policy

Turning in any work that is not your own without citation is considered plagarism. The default in this class is that ALL work will be accomplished individually, UNLESS my permission is given in advance of an assignment/quiz/exam/take-home exam/final. If you are in doubt, please ask. Your own words, ideas, and work are the constant expectation. Students will receive no credit for work determined to be plagiarized and will face appropriate consequences determined by the administration.

 

Course Requirements

  • Attendance: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to determine and make up missed assignments. Since most of the work is done in the lab or on the lab computers, or with textbooks that are only available in the classroom, you may need to schedule a time before or after school or at lunch to complete the work.
  • You are expected to make up time for unexcused tardies or absences. Unexcused time requires twice the time to makup the points.
  • You are expected to be at every class, on time, and working when the bell rings and ready for instruction whenever the instructor starts.
  • You will be expected to participate in class activities: discussions, workshops, and small group opportunities.
  • You will be responsible to create and store assignments on the network, personal computer, flash drive, and may be required to prepare some hard copies.
  • You should support other students and not disrupt their learning.
  • If you need help, you are expected to consult the tools you will always have first: the book, on-line help, and a peer. If you still need help, ask the instructor.

Class and Office Times

Official Office Hours
(If you need other times, make sure you ask in advance so I can try to be here)

Lunch
Every day but Fridays

Appointments Available
Daily
7:00-7:55am

A

Daily(Planning)

8:00 - 9:30

B

Daily

9:35 - 11:05

C

Daily

11:50 - 1:20

D

Daily

1:25 - 2:55

Official Office Hours
(If you need other times, make sure you ask in advance so I can try to be here)

Tuesday-Thursday
3:00-3:20pm

Appointments Available
Tuesday-Thursday
3:20-4:00pm

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