Back

Welcome to DigiTools — one of the most innovative Business and Information Technology courses in the country.  Communicating with others is at the heart of business, professional, and academic success.  Successful communications in our high-tech 21^st century require the use of modern digital communication tools — called DigiTools for short.  DigiTools include any software and hardware devices used for communication purposes. 

On the back of this disclosure memo, your students are asked to identify up to seven hardware DigiTools seen in their daily lives.  When this assignment is returned with your signature, your student will receive their first points for this course. In DigiTools, your student will learn:

• Input Tools: keying, 10 key, handwriting recognition (hopefully), speech recognition, scanning.
• Microsoft Office Tools: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook (if time permits).
• Internet, Intranet, and Web Tools: Internet Explorer, HTML, Web design (using Frontpage).
• Career Exploration with DigiTools: Education and Training, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Architecture and Construction, Hospitality and Tourism, Scientific Research and Engineering, Health Science, Manufacturing, Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics, Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, Communications, Retail/Wholesale Sales and Services (Includes Marketing), Human Services, Information Technology, Business and Administration, Government and Public Administration, Finance, Law and Public Safety.

Grading: The first part of the course, which covers at least three of the four digital input technologies seen in the picture below, is essentially pass/fail.  Students who work hard and do their best every single day will receive an letter grade of an A.

In later units, students will be graded on their ability to apply their newly acquired digital skills through the completion of quality digital communications, career oriented documents, and business simulation projects.  For example, students will prepare a personal employment portfolio, resume, letter of application, personal employment web page, job search database, personal employment PowerPoint show, and other critical employment projects using their DigiTool skills.  This work will be graded using a traditional grading scale: 90% and above equals an A, 80% and above equals a B, 70% and above equals a C, and anything below 70% is considered incomplete and must be made up before the end of each term.  Work submitted after a two-week grace period is subject to a 10% penalty.

In addition, students will be learning to use digital cameras and how to input digital photos into their computer. These cameras are expensive ($250-$500) and students are expected to treat the cameras carefully. If a camera is damaged by a student, the student will be expected to either replace the camera or pay for its repair.

Behaviors for Successful Learning

·         Be in your assigned seat by the time the tardy bell rings.

·         Candy, and beverages (including water) are not allowed in the computer lab.

·         Keep your password a secret. You will be held responsible for all work in your files.

·         Files will represent class assignments only. Profane and/or violent text or graphics are not allowed. Instructors, principals, and building technology staff have access to all student files)

·         Students are to keep all personal software at home.

·         Students should be familiar with, and abide by the policies of the Internet Acceptable Use Agreement.

We have much to do and look forward to a wonderful year!

Course work

Charles Platten’s (the teacher) e-mail: Charlesp@cksd.wednet.edu

Web-Site: http://ckjh.cksd.wednet.edu/staff/charlesp/index.htm