Course Outline

Unit 1 - Basic Computer Operations

Essential Questions

• What are the basics of a computer?
• How should I organize my files so that they are safe and easy to access.
• How do I choose which software applications to use and when it is appropriate to use them?
• How can having the knowledge of basic computer skills make one more employable?

Objectives

1. Demonstrate proper network user procedures
2. Navigate network and printer systems
3. Organize electronic documents and files
4. Differentiate between basic hardware/software systems and their components
5. Classify and use appropriate software applications for tasks

Unit 2 - Computer Ethics & Social Media Behavior

Essential Questions

• How can businesses use social media for their benefit?
• How are discussion boards and blogs forms of social media and communication?
• How can social networking help or hurt a person’s reputation?
• Why is e-mail etiquette important when writing or responding to an e-mail?
• Why is it important to be careful what you say in a text or instant message?

Objectives

1. Comply with the district’s acceptable use policy and other legal guidelines
2. Learn about and support the importance of privacy and security issues related to responsible use of technology
3. Explore copyright principles
4. Learn proper ethics and netiquette rules and infer cause/effect of choices

Unit 3 - Keyboarding

Essential Questions

• Can I properly demonstrate which fingers control each key on a keyboard?
• Can I effectively use correct keyboarding posture, position, and technique?
• Can I gradually increase speed and accuracy by not looking at the keyboard?

Objectives

1. Demonstrate proper keyboarding posture and position
2. Demonstrate proper keyboarding technique
3. Operate alphabetic, numeric/symbol keys and numeric keypad
4. Demonstrate improvement in speed and accuracy of keyboarding

Unit 4 - Word Processing

Essential Questions

• What is word processing?
• Why is it important to understand the basics of creating a word processing document?
• What is a template and how can I use it to save time?
• What is the difference between portrait and landscape orientation?
• Why should bullets/numbering be used?

Objectives

1. Demonstrate correct use of word processing terminology
2. Create documents using a template
3. Demonstrate use of enhancement features
4. Create/format tables to organize data
5. Format headers and footers

Unit 5 - Presentations

Essential Questions

• What are the differences between effective and ineffective presentations?
• What basic design guidelines should I use to make an effective presentation?
• What can be added to a presentation to enhance appearance?
• What is so important about how you deliver a presentation?
• How will learning presentation software affect my future?

Objectives

1. Demonstrate correct use of presentation software terminology
2. Create presentations using a template incorporating text and graphics
3. Enhance presentations using transitions, sound and animation
4. Apply design and layout principles to presentations
5. Develop and deliver a presentation

Unit 6 - Desktop Publishing

Essential Questions

• What is the difference between desktop publishing and word processing?
• Why is it important to know how to use desktop publishing software?
• What basic design concepts should I use to layout and edit professional business and personal documents?
• How will learning desktop publishing skills help me be successful in the future?

Objectives

1. Demonstrate correct use of desktop publishing terminology
2. Demonstrate correct use of desktop publishing terminology
3. Create/edit page layouts using design and layout principles of publications
4. Create/manipulate graphics
5. Demonstrate use of drawing tools

Unit 7 - Spreadsheets

Essential Questions

• What is a spreadsheet, and why are spreadsheets used?
• What are the different parts of a spreadsheet?
• What can be added to a spreadsheet to enhance appearance or make it more effective?
• Why are formulas used, and how is a formula entered in a spreadsheet?
• How can learning spreadsheet software help you be successful in the future?

Objectives

1. Demonstrate correct use of spreadsheet terminology
2. Create, design and edit spreadsheets
3. Demonstrate use of enhancement features
4. Use basic formulas and functions
5. Create, format and edit charts and graphs
6. Interpret and organize spreadsheet data

Unit 8 - The Internet and Web-based Applications

Essential Questions

• Why is understanding how to use the Internet and ethical implications on the Internet important?
• How can information be effectively accessed on the web?
• What abilities and skills do I need to transfer what I've learned to new computer technology?
• How can I quickly identify and utilize core functions of new technology?
• What online tools will help me be more productive?

Objectives

1. Demonstrate correct use of Internet terminology
2. Demonstrate principal uses of the Internet
3. Use browser tools (e.g. toolbars, favorites, shortcuts, homepage, cookies, history)
4. Utilize the district’s solution for online communication and collaboration
5. Evaluate web applications available for tasks and utilize online productivity tools (e.g. cloud computing, Web 2.0, note taking, calendar, bookmarks, collaboration, citations, task management, image editing)