Master Calendar - Computer Applications
Planner and writing utensil
Small inexpensive earbuds/headphones
Log-in/Username
This recommendation is waived for the 2020 school year. Jump drive that you can keep in your pencil bag. (Optional)
In this course you will learn new skills and strengthen existing skills to help you be successful in school and beyond. You will have an opportunity to experience a variety of technology related activities that will help you decide which computer courses you would like to take in the future. Your learning in this class is relevant! It's the only time in your school career that you will have the opportunity to learn some of the content. Enjoy the adventure and appreciate the time-saving tips you'll learn that will free up time for you to focus on other work and hobbies! You might just discover you have a new computer hobby!
Planning for Success. In this introductory unit, you will become acquainted with tools and strategies for safety and success. Two indicators of success include: 1) You feel that you are equipped to succeed, and that understand that you are accepted and valued just as you are, and 2) You understand that you have a role as a member of the Tech Team to help others use technology in ways that are beneficial to their learning and their life.
Welcome, Learning Culture, Best Practices for Success (Best Practices Check-in)
Communication Tools - Google Classroom, E-mail/Office 365, Skyward, Learning Lab Web Pages, Email tips at GFC
Tech Tips - Technology Smart Start, Computer Use (Create, HB, Quiz, PAUSE strategy, video, form/quiz)
Baseline skill assessments at Typing.com (it will synch with Google Classroom) with SMART goals (tables). Demonstrate "explore and experiment" to accomplish given tasks in word processing.
Tech Team Purpose - Explore G Suite/Tech Toybox /DIY Time
Online Safety & Etiquette. Develop your skills to make safe, respectful and responsible choices online and in life.
Online Safety Unit - Identify online risks/Scary Story Day, NetSmartz - Parent Partners, develop a Family Media Plan, acknowledge understanding of Computer Use/Access, educate elementary kids about staying safe online.
Understanding Computers. Understand terms related to computers, summarize how computers work using binary code, and become aware of other computer-related concepts related to cybersecurity, networks and the Internet. Demonstrate your ability to "learn how to learn" word processing by applying a system of thinking. (See Learning Lab Home Page)
Buy A Computer - Consider your dream computer, shop for your ideal computer, and prepare a professional looking report summarizing your choice. Advance your word processing skills and learn how to apply various page layout strategies and formatting techniques. (Margins, tables, tabs, wrap, headers, footers, page numbers, spell check, collaboration, etc)
Investigate how a computer works through demonstrations and these videos at Khan Academy: How Computers Work. Study Guide: How a Computer Works (Quizlet for Page 3 of Study Guide), Skyward Test.
Binary Code (Binary Code Worksheet & ASCII pdf & ASCII doc)
Multimedia Presentations - Networks & The Internet Collaborative Slideshow. Demonstrate excellent communication skills with a high-quality slideshow presentation, following guidelines for quality slides, speaking, and collaboration.
Word Processing enrichment: Word Processing Intro, Shortcut Keys , Friends Newsletter
Keyboarding Checkup - SMART goals.
Spreadsheet - Learning how to learn and contrasting options. (Animal Counts, Candy Sales or other relevant topics such as "What are the four most important traits of a leader?")
Programming - Best Coding Tools for Middle Schoolers from Common Sense Media; Code.org Express Course. Movie: What Most Schools Don’t Teach - 9:33 (or shorter version - 5:43)
Capstone Project - Technology: Friend or Foe (Web evaluation, creative and critical thinking, ethics, thinking deeply, technology for good/Kiva) - Fact or Fiction Challenge, Advanced Search and Evaluating Sites.
Database - Optional: EdPuzzle vocab and more
Animation (2-3 weeks) - Adobe Animate Optional - Introduce Adobe Education site and the suite. Animate using Code.org.
Other: Jamboard, Drawing, Meet, Computer-Aided Design (Optional) - Google Sketchup, Google Earth
Revised Ed Tech Standards - 2020
SD Content Standards for Educational Technology
Standards - 7th Grade Computer Applications
Adobe Animate User's Guide - Workspace & Workflow - Working with Timelines
Article: Deepfake Videos (Common Sense)
Typing Club . To track progress, when you sign in use: (Use your 5 & 3, 3-digit pw)
First Name: First Name
Last Name: LAST INITIAL ONLY!
Username: (DO NOT GIVE EMAIL) First Name Last Initial and 3-digit student number (ex: GenaM1.31)
Password: 3-digit student number (include decimal)
Take the placement test
Typing.com - It's a good skill builder. Sign in with Google
Skychase. Sky Chase is a multiplayer typing game that allows students from anywhere in the world to race against each other while practicing typing and keyboard skills!
Typing Club - Skip this one (you will do it later.) Instead, do 14 or 24.
Alphattack - Fun and worked on my skills, Decent skill building and fun, but hard
Dance Mat Typing - Fun and medium difficulty - easy/hard. Alright.
Typing Test Practice - It works,
TyperShark - blocked
Word Games - blocked
Baracuda - It's fun but may not be a great skill builder. It works.
Cup Stacking - blocked
Number Pad Tutorial - Helpful but repetitive, easy but doesn't really challenge you. It is words. Boring, but works. (obsolete)
Brown Bear Typing - Good but kind of easy. Slow but might help. (Obsolete?)
Typing Rocket - Elementary, not fun, super easy. It kept making me fast.
Z Type - Blocked
Power Typing - Playing, not so much skill based, doesn't help a lot and kind of boring.
Alphabetic Rain. Not great.
See Don't (Power Typing) Boring, more for beginners.
Nitro Type - blocked?
Learn 2 Type - okay, decent on skill building. Help skills but not most fun. (Obsolete)
Outerspace Fleet Commander - More for beginners.
Timed Typing Test - Builds speed but boring.
Shepperds software - World Geography Map and many other games
Typingpal.com - Good to go to when things get difficult or frustrating
Grammarbank - see menus at left
Starfall.com - vocab, reading, sounds, letters
Form to submit recommendation for other sites.
Keyboarding:
Student Recommendations:
Best Educational Value:
14. Typing Attack
26. GFC
9. Typing of the Ghost Game
20. Alphatical Rain
8. Free typing games
2. Typing.com
25. Timed Typing Test
Worst Educational Value: 10, 5, 23, 16, 15
Most Fun
12. Barracuda
22. Nitrotype
7. Dance Mat Typing
14. Typing Attack
Mr. Wilhelmi's Page includes supply lists, Computer Use Agreements, and more.
Mr. Wilhelmi's Weekly Lesson Plans. This page also includes resources for the following modules:
File Management
Computer Introduction
Copyright & Ethics
Internet Safety
Computer Parts
Word Processing, Power Point, Spreadsheet, Database
Tangrams
Typing Games
Flash
Publisher
Google Earth
Google Sketchup
Programming
District Guidance:
Digital citizenship and literacy, web validity, keyboarding (speed and accuracy), computer components (hard-drive, software, optical devices, RAM, etc.), coding basics, saving and file formats, file management, operating systems, and Microsoft applications.