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The
Adams Memorial Middle School Computer Curriculum
Introduction
Assessment-Evaluation
Techniques
Computer
Instruction Goals:
Computer
Course - Class Outline
Introductory
Material
Word
Processing Module
Initial
Writing Assessments
Computer
History Module
Internet
Module
Computer
Hardware Module
Spreadsheet
Module
Database
Module
Final
Writing Assignment
Final
Assessment
Resources/Materials
The Adams Memorial Middle School Computer Curriculum
The computer curriculum has many facets. This curriculum overview outlines the basic components. However, with the field of computers being an ever-changing one, I add components to the curriculum. This was the case with the Year 2000 issue. I will continually keep students up-to-date with computer trends and new advancements.
Assessment-Evaluation Techniques
The main method of evaluation in the computer class is the effort made by each of the students. In many situations, it is difficult to solely base grades on the amount of work produced. Many students in the class are at various ability levels for keyboarding. I therefore, take this into consideration for students who are at a lower ability level. I do compensate for this by allowing reasonable time for an assignment to be completed.
The students’ reading and keyboarding abilities are evaluated during the first two weeks of class through two writing projects. The first assignment is a letter to the teacher which tells about the student - their likes, dislikes, interests, and experiences with computers. A second assignment deals with five paragraphs describing a microprocessor. I record the amount of time for each student to complete the assignment, in addition to the accuracy of the writing. I then use this information as a baseline to predict the time needed for completion of future assignments.
Students have an on-going assignment of their choice, which may be a story, journal, poems, letters, or homework to be typed when classroom assignments are complete. This allows me to have all students working at the same time. Those students who are working slower than others do not feel rushed or frustrated when others have finished before them, as all students are still typing some sort of work.
I look mainly for completion of assignments in my grading. Some assignments are quite easy, whereas others are more difficult. I look for a quality job regardless of the ease of the assignment. Word processing, spreadsheet, and database assignments are designed to allow students to reproduce a pre-made form. These forms provide a project that can be easily reproduced for the most part, where specific skills such as layouts or formulas must be thought out.
I have discussions and study sheets to accompany any video or classroom presentation. Study sheets allow all students to take notes regardless of their normal note-taking ability. Classroom discussions and student participation are an important part of student assessment.
In Computer Class, the students will:
Goal 1:
Students will know the layout of the standard
keyboard and proper keyboarding technique.
Students will:
a. become familiar with the keyboard,
enabling them to use the computer more efficiently.
b. recognize how proper keyboarding
skills will improve their performance.
c. work with the Mavis Beacon typing
program.
Goal 2:
Students will demonstrate a knowledge
of the evolution of computers.
Students will:
a. view, take notes, and discuss
the video “Modern Marvels - Computer.”
b. view, take notes, and discuss
the video “Miniature Marvel - Microchip.”
c. complete a study sheet for the
Microchip video.
d. complete a quiz on the Microchip
study sheet.
e. explore a PowerPoint slide show
based on a timeline of computer history.
f. complete a crossword puzzle on
the history of computers.
Goal 3:
Students will utilize a word processing
program as an effective writing tool.
Students will:
a. use the word processor to enter
and modify text.
b. print a word processed document.
c. utilize different formatting
options such as margins, alignment, spacing, text styling, etc.
d. apply the built-in commands of
the word processor to improve efficiency, such as the spelling checker,
thesaurus and Find and Replace.
e. save and recall a document from
disk
Goal 4:
Students will demonstrate a knowledge
of computer hardware and components.
Students will:
a. view, take notes, and discuss
the video “The Walk-Through Computer.”
b. view, take notes, and discuss
the video “nibbles.”
c. view, take notes, and discuss
a PowerPoint slide show showing the parts of a computer.
d. examine, hands-on, various internal
parts of a computer.
e. complete the computer hardware
worksheet.
f. learn methods of care and maintenance
for computer hardware.
Goal 5:
Students will use a spreadsheet to store,
organize and perform calculations on numerical data.
Students will:
a. define a spreadsheet and its vocabulary.
b. plan, create, and enter data
into a spreadsheet on the computer.
c. perform calculations using formulas
and functions.
d. copy and paste labels, values
and formulas within a spreadsheet.
e. utilize the Sort command.
f. insert and delete rows and columns.
g. create charts and graphs of spreadsheet
data.
h. merge a spreadsheet and graph
into a word processor document.
Goal 6:
Students will use a data base to store,
organize, analyze, and report information.
Objectives:
a. define a data base and its elements
and common operations.
b. discuss the benefits of a computerized
data base.
c. plan and design a form for a
data base.
d. create and modify a data base
form.
e. enter data into a data base.
f. locate specific information using
data base commands.
g. query the data base for specific
information using filters.
h. change the data stored in a record
or field.
i. add records to and delete records
from the data base.
j. utilize the sorting command to
change the order in which records are stored.
k. create a data base of some sort
for their own personal use, i.e. address book, sport card collection,
music collection, etc.
Goal 7:
Students will integrate the word processor,
data base, and spreadsheet.
Students will:
a. open multiple files and switch
between them.
b. transfer data between files.
c. integrate spreadsheet data with
a word processed document.
Goal 8:
Students will use the paint program as
a drawing tool to enhance other documents.
Students will:
a. describe and use each of the drawing
tools to produce drawings.
b. illustrate a word processed document
using graphics.
Goal 9:
Students will learn about the evolution
of the Internet and the World Wide Web, perform successful searches, and
copy and paste from a browser.
Students will:
a. recognize significant events in
the evolution of the Internet.
b. understand the difference between
the Internet and the World Wide Web.
c. explore the AMMS web page and
understand its components and uses.
d. learn proper search techniques
and produce effective searches.
e. examine many web-based resources
for the computer user.
f. copy text from a website and
paste it into a word processor file.
g. save graphics and images to disk.
Goal 10:
Students will discuss the future of technology
and its ethical implications.
Students will:
a. define telecommunications and
describe its uses.
b. identify different careers in
computer technology and their educational requirements.
c. discuss the ethical responsibilities
of computer use and programming.
d. analyze the impact of computers
on today's society, and explore needs in future computing.
Goal 11:
Students will explore CD-ROMs and use
them in class projects.
Students will:
a. use a CD-ROM encyclopedia to explore
the functions of a CD-ROM encyclopedia.
b. utilize the CD-ROM for research
on various topics.
Goal 12:
Students will use word processing, editing,
and Internet skills to create a web page.
Students will:
a. create a layout design for a personal
webpage.
b. save webpage images to disk.
c. combine text, graphics, animations,
sound, and hypertext links to create a webpage.
d. save and retrieve the webpage
from disk.
e. create and link multiple pages
f. utilize both text and graphics
for links
Computer
Course - Class Outline
Introductory Material
- Class Outline
- Introductions and Rules
- Class Overview
- Continual Project Discussion
- Seating Chart
- Student Survey
- Introduction to WIN 95 and MS
Works
Word
Processing Module
Initial Writing Assessments
- A Letter About Me
- Typing assignment - (Typing and
Block Spacing )
- Typing assignment - (Centering
Text)
- Typing assignment - (Copy and
Paste)
- Typing assignment - (Conversation/Punctuation
& Copy and Paste)
- Typing assignment - (Indenting
& Copy and Paste)
- Typing assignment - (Centering
& Indenting)
- Computer History
- Modern Marvels - Computer (Video
and Study Sheet)
- Modern Marvels (Word Splash)
- Computer History Timeline PowerPoint
presentation.
- Timeline crossword puzzle.
- “Miniature Miracle: Computer Chip”
(Video and Study Sheet)
- Follow-up Video - Robotic Advancements
- Review
- On-line Quiz
- Internet Study
- AMMS Web Page
- Search Engines
- Advanced Search Techniques and
Boolean Operators
- Web Site Assignment
- Computer Hardware Video “Walk Through
Computer” and “Nibbles”
- Computer Hardware PowerPoint presentation.
- "Hands-On" Hardware Exploration
- Computer Hardware Worksheet
- Discuss the future of technology
in our lives
- Spreadsheet Introduction
- Checkbook
- Gradebook
- Sales Spreadsheet
- Creating Charts and Graphs
- Merging Spreadsheets and
Graphs into the Word Processor
- Database Introduction
- Fill out Database Sheets
- Build Database and Data Entry
- Database Manipulation
- Form Letter Assignment
- Database Mail Merge into Word
Processor
Final
Writing Assignment
- Reflections on Computer Class
- Review of Initial Survey Information
Final Assessment
- On-line Final Exam
Video - The Miniature Miracle, The Microchip
Video - The Walk Through Computer
Video - Nibbles
Video - CNN The Millennium Bug
Video - Modern Marvels - The Computer
PowerPoint - Computer History Timeline
PowerPoint - What's Inside a Computer?
Overhead Transparencies - Computer Hardware
Software - Microsoft Works
Software - Netscape Communicator
Software - Insight, PC Insight for Computers
(Animations)
Hardware - Various pieces of computer hardware
Posters - Computer posters, Terminology, Keyboarding
Internet - AMMS Web Page, C/Net, Information Please, search engines
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