Technology Literacy: The ability to responsibly use appropriate technology to communicate, solve problems, access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information to improve learning in all subject areas and to acquire lifelong knowledge and skills necessary in the 21st century.

Course Rationale

In helping students learn to effectively use computer technology in academic, professional, and personal contexts, Introduction to Computers aims to teach students to:

Evaluate the impact of computer technology in our local/global society, business, and health.
Comprehend the proper use of computers and the Internet.
Become familiar with common PC features in hardware and software.
Create professional text, spreadsheet, and presentation documents allowing them to improve their school reports as well as prepare them for the business world.
Efficiently use the Internet to retrieve reliable information.
Email: Create email, add attachments, security issues, correspondence.

This course is designed to be flexible, catering to student needs and interests as much as possible. A main focus of this class is to meet and exceed state, local, and national standards. Most importantly students who put forth an honest academic effort should leave this class with an ability to implement most of the information covered in their daily lives as well as their future.

Grade Rationale

Students will be graded on class projects, open book tests/quizzes 40%, class use (participation, technology use, and attendance) 40%, and their final 20%. ANY involvement in plagiarism (including someone using your work) results in an irreversible 0% on the assignment. Late work will lose value overtime:

Days late	Credit lost
1	10%
2	20%
3	25%
4+	Not accepted

The only exception to this is students with previously excused absences; in which case they will have days equal to their days absent to makeup work. Students should make every effort to use the Internet/email during an absence to keep up with the work.

Late tests must be made up no later than 3 school days after it was administered. The student is responsible for scheduling a day with his/her parents and Mr. Butka. After 3 days the test is graded as a 0%.

Student Supplies

Students will need the following supplies:

Storage disk (preferably a flash/USB drive)
Notebook
Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint would be helpful but not necessary if the student uses class time appropriately.
Folder (keep all work until you see that it has been properly entered in Zangle)

Extra Credit

Extra credit is only possible during class time. In order for a student to work on extra credit he/she must have all his/her work completed (including late assignments). This is an excellent opportunity for the student to improve their grade and to excel in their computer knowledge.

Classroom Procedures

Classroom policies conform to the school policies. Students are allowed to have water in class but are expected to leave their containers closed at all times and store them on the floor unless they step away from the computer and take a drink. Any inappropriate behaviors (any behavior which disrupts the learning of the class) will be dealt with in this order:

1	Verbal warning
2	Student/Teacher Meeting
3	Teacher/Parent Meeting
4	Office Referral

Classroom Help

Classroom/Study help is available for your student! I am willing to offer assistance in ANY class after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays (after school to 6p.m.). Other days may be available on request. Academic success is a matter of effort no one is born with it. I want to help all students succeed!

Students/Parents, click on the following Tiger image to access class information:

Student/Parent Access