2010 - 2011 Course Outline Mrs.

Lynn Gerrish
Penquis Valley High School mrsgerrish@gmail.com
207-943-7346 ext 137

Computer Applications
Course Outline
Mrs. Gerrish

Computer Applications is a required course at Penquis Valley. You must pass this
course to graduate. This course is divided into four units: Keyboarding, Social
Networking and ePortfolios, Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Presentations.

• Unit 1
Keyboarding – You should be able to meet the basic requirement of keyboarding by the end of
the first unit. You will be tested as noted on the lesson outline regularly. Technique is MOST
IMPORTANT. Learning to keyboard is extremely important in all your classes. Practicing now,
breaking bad habits and learning the keyboard is the key to success. This will help you complete
your other typed assignments with ease. This unit will emphasize alphabetic, numeric, and
symbolic formats, capitalization, punctuation, number usage in sentences, and grammar
applications.

GRADING
SPEED 25% D: 15 – 20 wpm; C: 21 – 25 wpm;
B: 26 – 30 wpm; A: 31 – 35 wpm;
(All of the above with 100% accuracy on best timing)

TECHNIQUE 30% A (Excellent) B (Good) C (Average) D (Acceptable)

F (Does not strike keys with proper fingers, with eyes on material)
Technique Checklist
• Sits in a comfortable, relaxed position directly in front of keyboard
• Keeps feet on floor for proper body balance
• Keeps elbows in relaxed, natural position at sides of body
• Keeps wrists low and relaxed but off the frame of the keyboard
• Keeps fingers well curved and upright over the home keys
• Strikes each key with proper finger
• Makes quick-snap keystrokes with immediate key release
• Keeps right thumb curved and close to the space bar
• Does not pause before or after pressing the space bar
• Returns quickly wherever a hard return is required
• Strikes the enter key with right little finger, then returns finger to the home key
• Keeps eyes on source copy during the following return

PARTICIPATION 20% attendance/participation – minus one point for each

absence

TESTS 25%
2010 - 2011 Course Outline Mrs. Lynn Gerrish
Penquis Valley High School mrsgerrish@gmail.com
207-943-7346 ext 137

Unit 2

Social Networking –

Students learn they can converse and share ideas and opinions with others in cyberspace. They
adopt a critical thinking process that empowers them to protect themselves and their families as
they visit sites requesting private identity information.

Students explore the consequences of unintended audiences viewing their social network
profiles. They consider four key characteristics of social network sites and how they might affect
teens as they try out new identities. Then students collaborate to write a letter to parents
demonstrating their understanding of issues related to unintended online audiences.

Objectives
• Give examples of the kinds of information Web sites request before allowing visitors to
participate in an online activity.
• Define identity theft.
• Distinguish between private identity information and personal information.
• Recall that private identity information should not be communicated in cyberspace
without permission of a teacher, parent, or guardian.
• Analyze situations in which teens' social networking profiles are viewed by authority
figures.
• Describe four characteristics of social networking sites that cause them to be very public
spaces.
• Use creative thinking to find ways to deal with unintended online audiences.

ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Students © 2007

Source: International Society for Technology in Education
1. Creativity and Innovation
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
4. Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making
d. use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.
5. Digital Citizenship
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.
d. exhibit leadership for digital citizenship.
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
a. understand and use technology systems.
2010 - 2011 Course Outline Mrs. Lynn Gerrish
Penquis Valley High School mrsgerrish@gmail.com
207-943-7346 ext 137

ePortfolios

An e-portfolio is a learner-driven collection of digital objects demonstrating experiences,

achievements and evidence of learning. E-portfolios provide learners with a structured way of
recording their learning experiences and work history. E-portfolios can be developed quickly and
easily in the workplace to capture live evidence through the use of point-of-view devices, and
can include a range of digital evidence such as audio, video, photographs and blogs, academic
work and certificates.

You will start your ePortfolio (Penquis Exit Project) in this class. Guidelines will be discussed
while formatting your ePortfolio site with the required materials for your Freshman year. You
will continue to add work to your ePortfolio through your high school years.

PRODUCTION 60% A (Excellent) B (Good) C (Average) D (Acceptable)

F (Does not complete assignments and refuses to work)

PARTICIPATION 20% attendance/participation – minus one point for each

absence
This is a hands-on course and participation in every class
period is a must.

QUIZZES/TEST 20%
2010 - 2011 Course Outline Mrs. Lynn Gerrish
Penquis Valley High School mrsgerrish@gmail.com
207-943-7346 ext 137

Unit 3
Word Processing – You are now into the second unit. You will be working on an independent
basis, with instruction and assessment given frequently. Technique is still MOST
IMPORTANT, but formatting/production will be equal to technique. The first half of the unit
will emphasize business letter formats, reports, memos, and tables. Students will learn how to
use word processing applications to its fullest. The second half of the unit will be project based,
showing the skills you learned. A final exam will be given and averaged into your unit
production grade.

You will continue to communicate through our class Google site, uploading your assignments
and working on your ePortfolio.

GRADING

TECHNIQUE 25%

PRODUCTION 35% A (Excellent) B (Good) C (Average) D (Acceptable)

F (Does not complete assignments and refuses to work)

PARTICIPATION 20% attendance/participation – minus one point for each

absence
This is a hands-on course and participation in every class
period is a must.

QUIZZES/TEST 20%

Unit 4
Spreadsheets – This unit will teach you about spreadsheets and databases. You will be allowed
to move ahead, but will have fuller classroom instruction. You will be working on an
independent basis when it comes time to work on your projects. The knowledge of the program
will be the focus of this unit. The first half of the unit will emphasize spreadsheets. You will be
using Microsoft Excel and Google Docs to learn the purpose of spreadsheets and how they can
make your life easier.

Presentations– Now comes some fun stuff!! During this unit you will learn PowerPoint and
Google presentations. This unit you will be allowed to move ahead, but will have fuller
classroom instruction. You will be working on an independent basis when it comes time to work
on your projects. The knowledge of the program will be the focus of this unit. You will develop
a slide show with animation, music, and photos. Final project will consist of developing a
personal PowerPoint presentation using lessons learned this year.

A small amount of homework will be given in this unit.

2010 - 2011 Course Outline Mrs. Lynn Gerrish
Penquis Valley High School mrsgerrish@gmail.com
207-943-7346 ext 137

You will continue to communicate through our class Google site, uploading your assignments
and working on your ePortfolio.

GRADING
PRODUCTION 40% A (Excellent) B (Good) C (Average) D (Acceptable)
F (Does not complete assignments and refuses to work)
TECHNIQUE 25%

PARTICIPATION 20% Attendance/Participation – minus one point for each

absence

This is a hands-on course and participation in every class

period is a must.
QUIZZES/TEST 15%

HOMEWORK/DEADLINES: Homework is not given until the last month. The student in
school must complete all assignments. If you cannot finish in the class time allotted, you must
plan on staying after school or come in during study hall. The first 12 lessons outlined in class
MUST BE completed by Progress Report time. If you cannot meet this deadline by attending
class during your regularly scheduled class time, you must plan on staying after school or come
in during a study hall. Get a pass from me. Students must stay on task all period.

CHEATING:
• DO NOT RUN COPIES FOR SOMEONE ELSE – YOU BOTH WILL FAIL THE
ASSIGNMENT
• IF YOU ARE CAUGHT CHEATING, YOU WILL REDO THE ASSIGNMENT
WITH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND A GRADE OF 65.
• IF CAUGHT CHEATING AGAIN, YOU WILL EARN A ZERO AND YOUR
PARENTS WILL BE CONTACTED.
(Further consequences are listed in the Parent, Student, Staff Handbook)

Maine Learning Results Addressed

A. Preparing for the Future

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the changing nature of work
and educational requirements.
C. Integrated and Applied Learning
3. Demonstrate an understanding of how humans change and adapt technology to their
benefit.