2020-21 Expectations/Grading/Standards
For the initial homework of the quarter, read this page with your parent or guardian (it's a lot), then the parent/guardian must fill out the popup form at the bottom. There is a chance, that upon submission, the form will just disappear without a confirmation. If this happens, just know that I still received the information.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
MULTIMEDIA COURSE DESCRIPTION: Multimedia USUALLY focuses on advanced applied computer related skills used in video production. Students electing this course should possess a high interest in technology, strong senses of creativity, problem solving, responsibility, and the ability to produce high quality projects.
Topics to be explored are: Production Terminology, Film Theory and Film Appreciation. The focus of the class for now will be Film Theory. Basically, for quarter 4, students will be watching a movie a week (all rated G or PG), and picking one piece of film theory to focus on for that week. There will be weekly class discussions and a weekly quiz. In the event of quarantining being a necessity, all work will be made available online.
EXPECTATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
This is where I get pretty strict. My expectations for my students are pretty high. For most of my students, I have only one quarter to try to get them ready for high school, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I expect them to be respectful, trustworthy, follow the rules, and be prepared for class daily.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES REQUIRED FOR MULTIMEDIA AND DIGITAL MEDIA: Every day students MUST BRING something to write with, their laptop with charger, AND every day students MUST BRING their Multimedia "A Game" (all of these items students keep with them).
TECHNOLOGY is provided for students during in class learning should they forget their device. If it is a regular habit, the student will need to speak with our Dean of Students as to why they don't bring their device/charger to school daily. Assignments outside of class (which are very few) will also require the use of technology that is internet accessible. Hybrid learning "home" days will have online assignments to complete.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS Student behavior should reflect respect for the learning process, other students, the instructor, and property...FOR THE ONLINE CLASS COMPONENT THIS ALSO INCLUDES THAT YOUR CAMERA IS ON AND YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION IN CLASS (and everything else that is included in following your team's and school's rules for online class expectations). The equipment that we use in class, from the cameras to the dry erase markers and chairs, are tools, not toys. Treat them as such. We always follow the "You break it, you buy it" philosophy. If you are purposely misusing your computer or filming equipment, you may have consequences that include technology limitations. STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE FOOD, CANDY, GUM, AND ANY LIQUID OTHER THAN WATER IN ANY COMPUTER LAB AT MRMS. Please also remember that it is a school rule that YOUR PERSONAL CELLULAR DEVICES MUST BE OFF OR IN AIRPLANE MODE, AND IN YOUR BACKPACK AT ALL TIMES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. In my class, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE YOUR PHONE OUT UNLESS DIRECTED BY THE TEACHER. If you have your phone out for any reason (other than allowed by school administration) the school procedures/consequences for cell phones will be followed. Class participation and positive behavior are crucial to student success, as well as the success of the class. All district and school rules concerning behavior and safety (including the constant wearing of masks) will be followed in class (i.e. no foul language, no hats, no personal electronic equipment, no interference with operation, etc.). If there is a lack of participation and/or behavior is inappropriate, the following list of consequences will be enforced:
1. Warning 2. Call or email home 3. Referral/Sent to main office
Vandalism of the computers or other class equipment, getting into other students' folders or accounts, and any other illegal behaviors, will result in an immediate removal from class, a phone call/email to parents, a meeting with administration and a possible report to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department. This information has been discussed in class.
Now, given all of that, below is my rubric for Work Habits in my class. This was created with students and seems to cover most of the behaviors that occur in my classroom (some of the items are from last year, and will be used again next year, like the flash drive ):
ASSIGNMENTS/GRADING
Assignments:
For MULTIMEDIA, students will be completing assignments in class. Students will be given assignments that are on a 4 point scale (see below). Students working from home with administration permission, or students in quarantine, will still have to complete their daily assignments. On Fridays there will most likely be a review of the week's concepts with a quiz after (consider yourself warned :).
If a student needs more time prior to an assignment due date or deadline, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the teacher in order to come up with an alternate plan. If a student misses a day of class, it is his/her responsibility to find out what material and assignments need to be made up. Any work due the day of an excused absence is due the number of days absent plus one, after the student returns to school per district policy.
Grading: HUGELY IMPORTANT!
For grades in MULTIMEDIA CONTENT KNOWLEDGE, students are graded according the work completed during the week and quizzes. If any rubrics are used, know that all rubrics were created with students and each student has the opportunity to provide feedback to improve the assignments and/or rubrics.
For ALL CLASSES AND GRADES keep in mind that the standards based grading that DCSD middle schools are required to use may not align with what parents are familiar with, and is not in direct line or correlation with the grading systems of the high schools. Scores for assignments are 4, 3, 2, 1, or 0. For your information, most students get 3's in class for Content Knowledge AND Work Habits (which is normal and expected in middle school) per the district scales below.
4 = Quality of work consistently and independently EXCEEDS class expectations 3 = Quality of work consistently meets class expectations
2 = Quality of work inconsistently meets class expectations 1 = Quality of work frequently does not meet class expectations
I = Quality of work does not meet class expectations / Insufficient evidence
In all of my classes I am very strict with WORK HABITS grading (see the rubric above in the EXPECTATIONS section). The scale is as follows.
4 = Student works consistently and independently to exceed class expectations 3 = Student works consistently to meet class expectations
2 = Student works inconsistently to meet class expectations U = Student works at an unsatisfactory level
STANDARDS
Grading and Standards... Grading of assignments will place them into one particular category for standard alignment, even though an assignment may very well fit into many of the standards. The standards for computer based curricula come from the NETS (National Educational Technology Standards) developed by ISTE (International Society for Technology Education). Details can be found here on their webpage. In a nutshell, the standards are as follows:
1. Creativity and Innovation Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression c. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues d. Identify trends and forecast possibilities
2. Communication and Collaboration Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats c. Develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures d. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems
3. Research and Information Fluency Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks d. Process data and report results
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving,and Decision Making Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.
a. Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions d. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions
5. Digital Citizenship Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning d. Exhibit leadership for digital citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
a. Understand and use technology systems b. Select and use applications effectively and productively c. Troubleshoot systems and applications d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies
We also incorporate some Language Arts standards.