Course Outline TIJ1O
Exploring Technology
Course Code: TIJ1O
Credit Value: 1
Department: Technology
Prerequisite: none
Level:Open
Teacher: Ms. Salvo
Course Description
Welcome to the grade 9 Exploring Technologies class. Here you will have the chance to Design and build products using some of the most powerful and advanced software and hardware used in the industry. The grade 9 program is an exploration to technologies in general.
The projects created in this class will be yours to keep for years to come.
How This Course Supports the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations: The role of Technological Education in the Catholic faith community is to enable students to develop and utilize their gifts and talents while creating products and working on projects that benefit others in a way that models Gospel values. The focus of the curriculum is to enable students to become critical and innovative problem solvers who question the use of resources and understand the implications of technological innovations. An emphasis on process as well as results ensures that students design, create, and provide products and services that recognize our God-given responsibility to respect the dignity and value of the individual and the community. Students also become aware of ethical issues and how they may be resolved using Christian values.
Expectations
1. Expectations for Student Learning
Throughout this course, students will be expected to demonstrate aptitude in the following categories of achievement:
Knowledge/Understanding
• Demonstrates knowledge of facts, technical
terminology, procedure and industry standards
• Demonstrates understanding of concepts
• Demonstrates understanding of relationship
between concepts
Thinking \ Inquiry
• Thinks reflectively and creatively to evaluate
situations and solve problems
• Uses thinking skills effectively
• Applies all of the skills involved in an
inquiry/design process
• Considers Social Implications and applications
Communication
• Communicates information clearly and
confidently
• Uses language, symbols and visuals
effectively
• Uses materials appropriately
• Demonstrates thorough research skills
Application
• Demonstrates and promotes the safe and correct
use of equipment
• Make effective connections between technology
and society
• Applies ideas and skills effectively
• Uses language, symbols and visuals effectively
Categories of Knowledge and Skills
The categories, defined by clear criteria, represent four broad areas of knowledge and skills within which the subject expectations for any given course are organized. The four categories should be considered as interrelated, reflecting the wholeness of learning. The categories of knowledge and skills are described as follows:
Knowledge and Understanding.
Subject-specific content acquired in each course (knowledge), and the comprehension of its meaning and significance (understanding).
Thinking.
The use of critical and creative thinking skills and/or processes, as follows: planning skills (e.g., identifying the problem, selecting strategies and resources, scheduling) processing skills (e.g., analysing and interpreting information, reasoning, generating and evaluating solutions, forming conclusions) critical/creative thinking processes (e.g., problem-solving, design, and decision making processes)
Communication.
The conveying of meaning through various forms, as follows: oral (e.g., role play, discussion, presentation) written (e.g., design briefs, work orders, technical reports) visual (e.g., technical drawings, flow charts, graphics)
Application.
The use of knowledge and skills to make connections within and between various contexts.
2. Work Ethic and Learning Skills/Attitude
It is expected that students will also demonstrate the following:
• Respect for teacher and fellow classmates
• Respect own work and work of others
• Use talents with responsibility and care for others
• Use time wisely and effectively
• Accept suggestions
• Shares ideas and opinions with others
• Take responsibility for completion of work and care for the work environment
3. Key Dates, Special Events and Additional Consideration
Specific dates concerning tests, projects/assignment submission and special events will be discussed at the start of the course and the start of each unit. Late policy will be in affect and discussed prior to assignments and will be in accordance with department policy and objectives.
4. How This Course Supports the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
The role of Technological Education in the Catholic faith community is to enable students to develop and utilize their gifts and talents while creating products that benefit others in a way that models gospel values. The focus of the curriculum is to enable students to become critical and innovative problem-solvers who question the use of resources and understand the implications of technological innovations. An emphasis on process as well as results ensures that students create products and provide services that recognize our God-given responsibility to respect the dignity and value of the individual and the community.
Assessment and Evaluation
In order to ensure that assessment and evaluation are valid and reliable, and lead to improvement of student learning, a variety of strategies are used - outlined below, these strategies are used to asses student learning and to provide them with feedback.
Some of these strategies are also used for evaluation. However, evaluation is the responsibility of the teacher and is based on individual accountability for learning and demonstration of course expectations through work submitted.
A final mark will be calculated from observations, communication and final product.
EVALUATION CATEGORIES
70 % Formative Evaluation (class work)
10% Knowledge and Understanding
12.5% Thinking
12,55% Communication
35% Application
Exam (practical) -30
WORK ETHIC AND LEARNING SKILLS
Will be reported separately on the report card using a four point rating scale as :
(E) Excellent (G) Good
(S) Satisfactory (N) Needs improvement
back to top
EVALUATION ACTIVITIES
• tests, quizzes, homework
• conference\communication, reflection
• assignments, class discussion
• assignments
• conferences, reflection
• independent research
• homework, journals, forums
• assignments
• class discussion, conferences, presentations
• weekly classroom exercises
• major projects
• performance assessment, observation
• this activity will incorporate all categories
WORK ETHIC AND LEARNING SKILLS
Will be reported separately on the report card using a four point rating scale as :
(E) Excellent (G) Good
(S) Satisfactory (N) Needs improvement
Assignments and Due dates
All the course assignments and materials are on this website.. The assignments are project based so the student can create the assignments using both independent time and class time.
It will take some time, care, and effort to display your work effectively for this course. Make sure you label and keep your work organised in folders as you create\develop work for all of your assignments!
Please don't jump into an assignment until you have read all the lessons and taken a look at the examples and rubrics pertaining to that assignment.
You will need adobe reader for many of the readings for this course. You can download this program from the following link.
http://get.adobe.com/reader/
What you will be marked on for this course: For each of these blocks you must complete the following by the due dates outlined:
Submitting Assignments1. Before completing\shooting than submitting an assignment it is critical that you read each lesson and any other associated resources for that topic. Any preparatory activities will also be considered for evaluation.
2. Once complete: remember to display your assignments in a neat and organised submission. It is very important to label the assignment and student name,. i.e, Lastname_Firstname_Assignment.Ext
*3. Using aquinas.me your assignment submission must be shared or emailed to: [email protected]
4. Every access and upload date and time are stamped and recorded - the instructor can access that data and communicate with individual students - regularly.
Assessment and Evaluation_Admin Procedures 2014-2015
Late and Missing Assignments
At St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary, our expectation is that all assignments should be submitted on time and complete. When assignments are not submitted on time, the following steps will be put into place:
a) Teacher and student will establish a contract. In order to accommodate for the advantage of extra time, the assignment’s expectations may be changed, and additional work may be assigned.
b) The late contract will be signed by the parent, teacher, and student.
c) If the contract is not fulfilled, a mark of zero will be issued.
Missed Tests/Presentations/Labs
At St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary, our expectation is that students are present, prepared and on time for tests, labs and presentations. If a student misses a test, presentation, or lab, the following will be put into place:
a) Teacher will establish the new date for the missed assessment. If the student does not meet the new deadline, a mark of zero will be issued.
b) Students who are truant are to be sent to the vice-principal, where additional consequences will be implemented.
Academic Dishonesty
At St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary, our expectation is that all work submitted by students is original, or researched and cited properly, and that students do not use any inappropriate materials during tests. Academic dishonesty includes: submission of work that is not the student’s own, work that is plagiarized from any outside source (including books, internet, media, and other persons), and use of inappropriate materials (notes, cell phone, etc.) during a test/examination. If a student submits work which is plagiarized or uses inappropriate materials during a test:
a) A consequence will be issued to the student in consultation with the department head and/or school administration;
b) A penalty will be applied; and a zero may be issued.
General Lab Rules
Lab Etiquette
Please be guided by the rules of Common Sense and Reasonable Conduct
Intentional violation of these rules may result in the suspension or removal of a student's computer privileges.
Maintaining your computer privileges is essential to completing this course.
HCDSB Acceptable Use of Computers Rules
Rules of Common Sense
File Management RulesYour File Management and the Server System while working at St Thomas aquinas, allows you to store files in several locations:
Any way you store them - it's critical that you learn and practice keeping your files organized so that you can find them when you need them. Here are some basic rules you need to follow:
RULE #1: Keep your work in LOGICAL, NAMED FOLDERS - ieYou can easily create a NEW FOLDER using a right mouseclick. Name and Use folders to logically organize your work by class and topic.
Putting a NUMBER at the start of the folder name allows you to SORT the folders in any way you want
RULE #2: Always name your files appropriately, especially for submission for marks; Lastname_Firstname_Description.Ext
(ie. Smith_John_Logodesign.psd)
These are File Naming Rules or "Naming Conventions"
FOLDERS: If your work is made up of multiple files, store them in a FOLDER that uses the naming convention: Lastname_Firstname_Description
(ie. Smith_John_Summative)
RULE #3: Never use forbidden characters in your file namesCharacters like !@#$%^&*(). They can be confused by the operating system and cause errors with your files.
RULE #4: Save all your work in the "student drive" (the "h: Drive") BEFORE handing it in. The student drive is your workspace on our school's server system - it's the easiest place where you'll store your work when you log on to the school computers.
The student drive gives you additional areas to store or retrieve files from:
About your Server Space:
RULE# 5: GET files from the appropriate HANDOUTS folder. The HANDOUTS Folder Resource files and applications can be found in appropriate TEACHERS handouts folders - ie. Look in X:\drive>CommTech>Handouts>GR11_CommTech
Care & Feeding of Your Files as they are a critical source for your ongoing evaluation, part of your evaluation and responsibilities in this course is to effectively manage and protect your files:
EXERCISE #1: Folder Management
Exploring Technology
Course Code: TIJ1O
Credit Value: 1
Department: Technology
Prerequisite: none
Level:Open
Teacher: Ms. Salvo
Course Description
Welcome to the grade 9 Exploring Technologies class. Here you will have the chance to Design and build products using some of the most powerful and advanced software and hardware used in the industry. The grade 9 program is an exploration to technologies in general.
The projects created in this class will be yours to keep for years to come.
How This Course Supports the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations: The role of Technological Education in the Catholic faith community is to enable students to develop and utilize their gifts and talents while creating products and working on projects that benefit others in a way that models Gospel values. The focus of the curriculum is to enable students to become critical and innovative problem solvers who question the use of resources and understand the implications of technological innovations. An emphasis on process as well as results ensures that students design, create, and provide products and services that recognize our God-given responsibility to respect the dignity and value of the individual and the community. Students also become aware of ethical issues and how they may be resolved using Christian values.
Expectations
1. Expectations for Student Learning
Throughout this course, students will be expected to demonstrate aptitude in the following categories of achievement:
Knowledge/Understanding
• Demonstrates knowledge of facts, technical
terminology, procedure and industry standards
• Demonstrates understanding of concepts
• Demonstrates understanding of relationship
between concepts
Thinking \ Inquiry
• Thinks reflectively and creatively to evaluate
situations and solve problems
• Uses thinking skills effectively
• Applies all of the skills involved in an
inquiry/design process
• Considers Social Implications and applications
Communication
• Communicates information clearly and
confidently
• Uses language, symbols and visuals
effectively
• Uses materials appropriately
• Demonstrates thorough research skills
Application
• Demonstrates and promotes the safe and correct
use of equipment
• Make effective connections between technology
and society
• Applies ideas and skills effectively
• Uses language, symbols and visuals effectively
Categories of Knowledge and Skills
The categories, defined by clear criteria, represent four broad areas of knowledge and skills within which the subject expectations for any given course are organized. The four categories should be considered as interrelated, reflecting the wholeness of learning. The categories of knowledge and skills are described as follows:
Knowledge and Understanding.
Subject-specific content acquired in each course (knowledge), and the comprehension of its meaning and significance (understanding).
Thinking.
The use of critical and creative thinking skills and/or processes, as follows: planning skills (e.g., identifying the problem, selecting strategies and resources, scheduling) processing skills (e.g., analysing and interpreting information, reasoning, generating and evaluating solutions, forming conclusions) critical/creative thinking processes (e.g., problem-solving, design, and decision making processes)
Communication.
The conveying of meaning through various forms, as follows: oral (e.g., role play, discussion, presentation) written (e.g., design briefs, work orders, technical reports) visual (e.g., technical drawings, flow charts, graphics)
Application.
The use of knowledge and skills to make connections within and between various contexts.
2. Work Ethic and Learning Skills/Attitude
It is expected that students will also demonstrate the following:
• Respect for teacher and fellow classmates
• Respect own work and work of others
• Use talents with responsibility and care for others
• Use time wisely and effectively
• Accept suggestions
• Shares ideas and opinions with others
• Take responsibility for completion of work and care for the work environment
3. Key Dates, Special Events and Additional Consideration
Specific dates concerning tests, projects/assignment submission and special events will be discussed at the start of the course and the start of each unit. Late policy will be in affect and discussed prior to assignments and will be in accordance with department policy and objectives.
4. How This Course Supports the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
The role of Technological Education in the Catholic faith community is to enable students to develop and utilize their gifts and talents while creating products that benefit others in a way that models gospel values. The focus of the curriculum is to enable students to become critical and innovative problem-solvers who question the use of resources and understand the implications of technological innovations. An emphasis on process as well as results ensures that students create products and provide services that recognize our God-given responsibility to respect the dignity and value of the individual and the community.
Assessment and Evaluation
In order to ensure that assessment and evaluation are valid and reliable, and lead to improvement of student learning, a variety of strategies are used - outlined below, these strategies are used to asses student learning and to provide them with feedback.
Some of these strategies are also used for evaluation. However, evaluation is the responsibility of the teacher and is based on individual accountability for learning and demonstration of course expectations through work submitted.
A final mark will be calculated from observations, communication and final product.
EVALUATION CATEGORIES
70 % Formative Evaluation (class work)
10% Knowledge and Understanding
12.5% Thinking
12,55% Communication
35% Application
Exam (practical) -30
WORK ETHIC AND LEARNING SKILLS
Will be reported separately on the report card using a four point rating scale as :
(E) Excellent (G) Good
(S) Satisfactory (N) Needs improvement
back to top
EVALUATION ACTIVITIES
• tests, quizzes, homework
• conference\communication, reflection
• assignments, class discussion
• assignments
• conferences, reflection
• independent research
• homework, journals, forums
• assignments
• class discussion, conferences, presentations
• weekly classroom exercises
• major projects
• performance assessment, observation
• this activity will incorporate all categories
WORK ETHIC AND LEARNING SKILLS
Will be reported separately on the report card using a four point rating scale as :
(E) Excellent (G) Good
(S) Satisfactory (N) Needs improvement
Assignments and Due dates
All the course assignments and materials are on this website.. The assignments are project based so the student can create the assignments using both independent time and class time.
It will take some time, care, and effort to display your work effectively for this course. Make sure you label and keep your work organised in folders as you create\develop work for all of your assignments!
Please don't jump into an assignment until you have read all the lessons and taken a look at the examples and rubrics pertaining to that assignment.
You will need adobe reader for many of the readings for this course. You can download this program from the following link.
http://get.adobe.com/reader/
What you will be marked on for this course: For each of these blocks you must complete the following by the due dates outlined:
- Submit the assignment\activities for each unit
- Complete the “Check your knowledge” (QUIZ) for each lesson. (when available)
- Any assignment that has multiple submission of photos\images\graphics, and you choose to create a power point\Google doc\presentation - it is critical that you name the file accordingly. This utility records the date and time each student uploads a file.
Submitting Assignments1. Before completing\shooting than submitting an assignment it is critical that you read each lesson and any other associated resources for that topic. Any preparatory activities will also be considered for evaluation.
2. Once complete: remember to display your assignments in a neat and organised submission. It is very important to label the assignment and student name,. i.e, Lastname_Firstname_Assignment.Ext
*3. Using aquinas.me your assignment submission must be shared or emailed to: [email protected]
4. Every access and upload date and time are stamped and recorded - the instructor can access that data and communicate with individual students - regularly.
Assessment and Evaluation_Admin Procedures 2014-2015
Late and Missing Assignments
At St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary, our expectation is that all assignments should be submitted on time and complete. When assignments are not submitted on time, the following steps will be put into place:
a) Teacher and student will establish a contract. In order to accommodate for the advantage of extra time, the assignment’s expectations may be changed, and additional work may be assigned.
b) The late contract will be signed by the parent, teacher, and student.
c) If the contract is not fulfilled, a mark of zero will be issued.
Missed Tests/Presentations/Labs
At St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary, our expectation is that students are present, prepared and on time for tests, labs and presentations. If a student misses a test, presentation, or lab, the following will be put into place:
a) Teacher will establish the new date for the missed assessment. If the student does not meet the new deadline, a mark of zero will be issued.
b) Students who are truant are to be sent to the vice-principal, where additional consequences will be implemented.
Academic Dishonesty
At St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary, our expectation is that all work submitted by students is original, or researched and cited properly, and that students do not use any inappropriate materials during tests. Academic dishonesty includes: submission of work that is not the student’s own, work that is plagiarized from any outside source (including books, internet, media, and other persons), and use of inappropriate materials (notes, cell phone, etc.) during a test/examination. If a student submits work which is plagiarized or uses inappropriate materials during a test:
a) A consequence will be issued to the student in consultation with the department head and/or school administration;
b) A penalty will be applied; and a zero may be issued.
General Lab Rules
Lab Etiquette
Please be guided by the rules of Common Sense and Reasonable Conduct
- No recreational Cellphone use in class
- No Video games in the class
- No Food or Drinks in the computer labs
- Help care for the machines
Do not do anything that will mar or compromise use of the computers...ever!- Be patient with computers that crash or freeze - it WILL happen often due to the demanding software we use in the course. It's your responsibility to anticipate and prevent data loss
- Do not overtax the network: Do not use the computer as a music player - either by playing a music CD or by streaming media through the network; it puts unnecessary wear and tear on the hardware and on the school's bandwidth
- Do not modify the hardware or software
- Leave all cables as you find them
- Do not modify desktop wallpaper or screen display unnecessarily
- Never install or run non-academic software, including games or instant messaging utilities.
- Respect your classmates
- If you see another student has accidentally left their user account open, close it for them - they'll do the same for you.
- Use earbuds to audit sound in your projects
- NEVER do anything that might cause a student to lose their work
Intentional violation of these rules may result in the suspension or removal of a student's computer privileges.
Maintaining your computer privileges is essential to completing this course.
HCDSB Acceptable Use of Computers Rules
- Read the AUP
Before you are allowed to use the school's computer network, you should be familiar with the AUP - Acceptable Use of Computers Policies and Procedures can be found under these links. Pay particular attention to Procedures 4.1 and 4.4 beyond!
Rules of Common Sense
- Attendance
- If you know you are going to miss an upcoming class - it is your responsibility to:
- Inform the instructor in advance
- Have a classmate take notes for you on the day you miss class
- Catch up on the missed work on your own time - Check this site for ongoing class notes
- You can NOT expect to catch up DURING upcoming classes - you'll always remain a step behind. The solution is for you to GET CAUGHT UP on your OWN time, and be ready for new instruction!
- If you know you are going to miss an upcoming class - it is your responsibility to:
- Assignments
- Projects will be deadline driven. If a student is unable to complete a project by the prescribed deadline, they must make arrangements with the instructor to establish a reasonable alternative, and to make extra efforts to catch up to the rest of the class.
File Management RulesYour File Management and the Server System while working at St Thomas aquinas, allows you to store files in several locations:
- Your student drive folder (The network's h: Drive)
- Your GOOGLE DRIVE account on the Internet ("the cloud")
- The internal HARD DRIVE of whatever computer you happen to be sitting at (the D: drive)
- A USB THUMB DRIVE that you keep with you
Any way you store them - it's critical that you learn and practice keeping your files organized so that you can find them when you need them. Here are some basic rules you need to follow:
RULE #1: Keep your work in LOGICAL, NAMED FOLDERS - ieYou can easily create a NEW FOLDER using a right mouseclick. Name and Use folders to logically organize your work by class and topic.
Putting a NUMBER at the start of the folder name allows you to SORT the folders in any way you want
RULE #2: Always name your files appropriately, especially for submission for marks; Lastname_Firstname_Description.Ext
(ie. Smith_John_Logodesign.psd)
These are File Naming Rules or "Naming Conventions"
- Your Lastname should be at the start of every file you plan to hand in - that way, your instructor can find it very easily. It's as important as putting your name at the top of an assignment or test.
- The "Ext" stands for "Extension" - the last three letters of the filename USUALLY provided by the program that makes the file. There's a specific extension for every application used in the course:
- DOC for MS Office
- HTM for webpages
- JPG, GIF or PNG for web-based graphic files
WARNING - Be sure NOT to alter the "file extension" - it will conceal the original program used, and disable it from being opened again.
FOLDERS: If your work is made up of multiple files, store them in a FOLDER that uses the naming convention: Lastname_Firstname_Description
(ie. Smith_John_Summative)
RULE #3: Never use forbidden characters in your file namesCharacters like !@#$%^&*(). They can be confused by the operating system and cause errors with your files.
- Stick to "ALPHANUMERIC" characters - A-Z and 0-9 only
- Avoid using a "space" to separate words - use an "underscore" instead. ie. "My Files.doc" is bad, but "My_Files.doc" is good
RULE #4: Save all your work in the "student drive" (the "h: Drive") BEFORE handing it in. The student drive is your workspace on our school's server system - it's the easiest place where you'll store your work when you log on to the school computers.
The student drive gives you additional areas to store or retrieve files from:
- You WILL use the Local Disk (D:) when you create video projects
- DATA1 (X:) lets you get to our HANDINS and HANDOUTS folders the long way - but we'll set up some shortcuts to make this easier
- Your STUDENT FILES server likely has your OEN and the start of your last NAME labelling it.
We'll sometimes refer to this as YOUR STUDENT SERVER SPACE (h:Drive)
About your Server Space:
- You have about 1GB of individual academic storage space on the school's server. If you use up your limit, you will receive an error message.
- BACK UP your work
- NEVER "share" accounts with other students.
Your USERID and PASSWORD is confidential - Keep this information to yourself - you are responsible for any use (or misuse) of your account. - Your server space is for ACADEMIC purposes only - it is NOT private, and can be accessed (read-only) by any teacher or administrator.
RULE# 5: GET files from the appropriate HANDOUTS folder. The HANDOUTS Folder Resource files and applications can be found in appropriate TEACHERS handouts folders - ie. Look in X:\drive>CommTech>Handouts>GR11_CommTech
- You CAN drag files from the HANDOUTS back to your h: drive
- You can NOT save, rename or delete any files in the X;\drive
Care & Feeding of Your Files as they are a critical source for your ongoing evaluation, part of your evaluation and responsibilities in this course is to effectively manage and protect your files:
- Save Your Files Often - Whenever you've made an accomplishment, SAVE!
Save your work every 10 minutes, and you're guaranteed that all you've lost if your computer ever crashes is 10 minutes of work. - Back Up Your Files by using SAVE AS - number your progress sequentially (ie. Logo01.psd, Logo02.psd etc) on a daily basis.
If for some reason, a file becomes corrupt, you can always "revert" back to the previous working version. Delete older backups as they become unecessary.
EXERCISE #1: Folder Management
- Create Folders on your student server (h: Drive) for EACH of your classes this semester
- Locate the "About Me" file in Handouts and be sure you've downloaded a copy to your h: drive
- Open and complete the file by using it to describe yourself
- Save and rename your file APPROPRIATELY