COM 703 - Communication Skills in Trade & Industry

What can I expect in my Com 703 class? 

Since Com 703 is a dual-credit course through DMACC, the below course description, found on DMACC's Course Description page, explains the purpose and focus of the course:

COM 703 / Communication Skills - 3 credits

Com 703 introduces students to reading, writing, speaking and listening methods of exploring and evaluating technological advances in trades and industry. Adapting communication for different audiences, evaluating industry-related literature and basic business writing are emphasized.

In addition to the above, Com 703 incorporates reading, writing, and communication (speaking & listening) texts and tasks that are specific to and typical of various trades and industry, as well as presentations by local trades and industry leaders in the community. These are presented and practiced in a manner that will improve students' overall communication and literacy skills in order to enable students to both strengthen the literacy skills necessary for career success as well as those skills necessary to be more productive and effective citizens of this world. 

Typical Weekly Schedule

Monday - Read and view about highlighted trade or industry

Tuesday - Introduce and discuss skills associated with literacy & communication tasks typical in the highlighted trade or industry

Wednesday - Thursday - Practice skills associated with literacy & communication tasks typical in the highlighted trade or industry

Friday - Interact in Q&A with Presenter/Expert from highlighted trade or industry

What are Mrs. Hartwig's classroom expectations?

There are three basic expectations that guide everyone and everything in this class:  

1)  Be respectful...no matter what. Each of us wants respect, and therefore, each of us will give it.

2)  Be here in both heart and mind.  You can't learn if you aren't here or don't care.  

3)  Be the best learner you can be (that's your job) who thinks, exercises his/her brain, takes responsibility for his/her learning, and contributes to the learning environment of the entire class.

Behavior inconsistent with the above expectations will be handled according to Mrs. Hartwig's Classroom Discipline Routine, which is intended to minimize classroom disruptions by handling behavior issues quickly and quietly.  If classroom misbehavior results in a parent/guardian having to wait to pick up the student or a student missing the bus or after-school activities, it is my hope that family members will hold the learner accountable so that this natural consequence will hopefully encourage respectful, productive behavior as a learner.  If parents/guardians have concerns about this policy, I sincerely welcome conversations on how we (myself, our school, and our families) can team together to best help our students succeed.

What are Mrs. Hartwig's academic expectations?

Mrs. Hartwig firmly believes in the great potential of each one of her students. She also understands that we are all human and, therefore, oftentimes don't live each day showing that great potential. But in this literacy classroom, we will work hard to meet our potential as high school learners.  The following academic expectations will help learners do that:

1) Always engage in active listening and speaking, using discussion connectors to help any class discussions develop as thoroughly as possible.

2) Always actively read (including reading along in whatever your class, group, or partner may be reading), remembering to carry on a conversation with the text by using strong reading strategies.

3) Always practice your best writing skills, remembering to use complete sentences, scholarly language, proper punctuation/capitalization/spelling, your most legible handwriting, and always proofing all your work before completing and submitting.

5) Always use class time productively to complete all assigned work in class, remembering to timely complete assigned work that may occasionally require out-of-class time.

As a reward for being responsible learners and as extra practice in responsibility, a classroom manager will be chosen for each week of class. This student will get the privilege of providing the entry music for each day of class that particular week. 

What is the grading policy?

Standards-Based Grading - Mrs. Hartwig works hard to consistently keep Infinite Campus current and accurate. Part of her accuracy includes the desire to help grades reflect a student's true skill level in literacy. Therefore, she is working toward fully implementing Standards-Based Grading, based on the 4-point proficiency scale shown below. This form of grading is based on the proficiency level practiced and demonstrated by each student in the eight (8) group writing and reading standards/skills taught to meet DMACC course competencies:

Late Work Policy - Work completion is the only way students will truly grow in the skills taught, practiced, and demonstrated in this class. Work completion and performance are also the only way Mrs. Hartwig can accurately assess your proficiency in any skill. Therefore, the following policy will be followed for all late work:  

• Due Date - It is Mrs. Hartwig's intention to mark assignments "turned in" or "missing" on or within a day of the original due date. 

• Missing Assignment Date - Assignments will remain marked as "missing" for two weeks past the original due date if not turned in to Mrs. Hartwig. When students turn in their late work, they should email Mrs. Hartwig to advise her so she knows to revisit their assignment for grading and feedback.

• Zero Date - Students who choose not to complete assignments within two weeks of the original due date have chosen to earn a zero for the standard(s) associated with that assignment since they have not provided data/evidence with which to properly assess their proficiency. If Students later decide they would like to complete the work, they should email Mrs. Hartwig and visit with her about the assignment parameters.

What is the class electronic device policy?

Electronic devices are a part of our everyday lives in the 21st Century and part of our everyday classrooms here at AC/GC, thanks to our 1-1 laptop program and our status as a Google School.  These devices can be fantastic tools for both receptive and expressive communication, and thus we may utilize many forms of electronic devices and communication during class. Logically, however, this use will be teacher directed since surfing, gaming, texting, tweeting, Snapchatting, Instagramming, or any other online or cell phone app activity during class which is not teacher directed clearly indicates your brain and attention are not on the academic content of our class. Therefore, please strictly note the following:

Cell Phones - Students will place their cell phones in the classroom cell phone storage upon entering, retrieving it when they leave.

Laptops - Laptops are a privilege and are intended for academic purposes during school hours. Therefore, if students are not using the laptops for academic purposes during class, Mrs. Hartwig will take the laptop for the class period and require the student to complete the assignment in writing. Additionally, once students are done with any work on the laptops, students are to close their laptops and pick up a book to read.  No gaming, surfing, movie-watching, or any other online activity is to occur during class time.  

Students who misuse electronic devices (laptops, phones, iPods, MP3s, or computers) will be handled according to the electronic device policy of ACGC High School.  If you have difficulty controlling your digital life during class time, simply choose to keep your electronic device in your locker during school.

COPYRIGHT WARNING:  Students are not allowed to re-use any resources posted on this website outside the scope of each class.