Introduction to Computer Programming
Classroom Expectations & Computer Lab Guidelines
Teacher: Mrs. Boettcher
Email:
[email protected]
Welcome to Introduction to Programming
This is more than just a programming course! This semester we will focus on problem solving, programming methodology, algorithms, documentation, project management, and communications. Throughout this course, we will be working on projects that involve both group and individual work. Students will also explore the many career opportunities available in the field of Information
Technology.
For your first class assignment, please review the Course Information, Classroom Expectations, and Computer Lab Guidelines, and then sign and return the Course Acknowledgement form. The Course Acknowledgement form is worth 10 points and is due on Monday August 26th. Thank you for your
cooperation and we look forward to a successful semester.
Introduction to Computer Programming Course Information
Course Overview:This course is for the beginning programmer. Using computer animation, students will learn the fundamentals of computer program design, development, and implementation via the Scratch Program developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Alice program developed by Carnegie Mellon University. Students will also learn the ISTE’s (International Society for Technology in Education) skills for 21st Century learning including:
Creativity and Innovation
Communication and Collaboration Research and Information Fluency
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making Digital Citizenship
Technology Operations and Concepts Project Lab Environment:
Introduction to Computer Programming is a computer lab and project based course. Students will work on the majority of assignment and projects during class. What a student does or does NOT do during class WILL affect his/her grade. Assignments include but are not limited to:
Programming Projects Programming Labs
Classroom Assignments (technology articles, online research, definitions, binder checks, text book reading and activities, and warm up exercises)
Journal
Classroom Expectations:
Students are be expected to adhere to the following classroom expectations:
Respect: Be respectful of your peers, teachers, and classroom.
Collaboration: Work cooperatively and constructively with your classmates on projects,
assignments, and activities to maintain a positive computer lab.
Responsibility: Take ownership of your assignments and projects. Be a responsible
digital citizen; follow safe computer usage guidelines and complete your assignments
with integrity and honesty.
Effort: Put forth your best effort to complete assignments on time, per directions, and
to the best of your ability.
Initiative: Information technology is ever changing; take the time in this class to ask
questions, do research, and learn new features of the computer software we are using
in class
Computer Lab Guidelines for A-204:
Students are expected to adhere to the following Computer Lab Guidelines:
Work Space: students will be assigned a computer workstation. Students MUST work
at their assigned workstation.
Internet Usage/Games: Class time should be spent on class assignments and projects.
NO surfing the internet or playing computer games unless part of assigned classwork.
Academic Integrity: This is a project based class where students need to do their OWN
ORIGINAL work and provide documentation when required.
Textbooks: We have a classroom set of text books. Students need to use their assigned
textbook.
Cell Phones: There will be times when we use cell phones for class projects, you may
use your cell phone during these class activities and projects. For academic purposes.
Otherwise, please follow school policy for cell phones.
NO food or drink in the computer lab: Need to keep computer equipment in working
order. We are fortunate to have a new lab with current technology; let’s keep it that
way!
Consequences:
When students who do NOT follow the Computer Lab Guidelines and Classroom Expectations, the following steps will take place:
1st Offense- verbal warning and brief discussion between teacher and student.
2nd Offense- Student-teacher conference and note home for students parent to sign and return
to school. Email sent to House Principal and/or Administrator outlining the problem and actions taken to date.
3rd Offense- Parent contact and possible detention. Email sent to House Principal and/or
Administrator outlining the problem and actions taken to date and recommended follow up per Lakewood High School Student Handbook.
Follow any additional guidelines in the Lakewood High School Student Handbook.
Integration of Technology Tools with Classroom Learning and Activities:
Students will be using a variety of technology tools during this course to do research, work on projects, and collaborate with other students. Technology tools include but are not limited to: email, learning management systems, online surveys, cell phones, videos, tech forums, blogs, along with other web based tools to develop the students’ technology and communication skills.
In addition to the Course Acknowledgement form students MUST turn in their Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) form per Lakewood City Schools’ policy to participate in class. Students will NOT be allowed to use the computer and other technology tools to participate in class if these forms have NOT been turned in by the established deadlines. This requirement is to protect the students while they use these
powerful technology tools. Thank you for your cooperation.
Textbooks:
We will use a classroom set of text books during class to work on lab assignments. Each student will be assigned a book number. Students should use their assigned text during assignments. The texts are:
o Scratch Programming for Teens by Jerry Lee Ford
o Learning to Program with Alice by Cooper, Dann, and Pausch
Grading:
This is a project base class.
Most of the work will be done in class; the work a student does or does NOT do to complete assignments during class WILL affect his/her grade.
Binders:
Documentation and organization are important parts of computer programming.
To help develop these skills students will be given a binder that is to be kept in the classroom that they can use to store their class materials and information.
It is the student’s responsibility to follow the format outlined for the binder and to maintain an organized binder with materials. Binders will be checked periodically.
Students who have an organized binder, with the required assignments included at the time of the check will receive 10 points for each binder check.
Warm-up Exercises:
Each day there will be warm-up exercises for the students to work on when they enter class. Warm up exercises will be written on the board.
Exercises include but are not limited to: journal assignments, definitions, quick hits searches, and other activities. Warm-up exercises should be placed in the student’s binders and will be included in grading.
Progress Book & Teacher Web Page:
Please check online for assignment and class information
Assignments and projects for each student will be posted on Progress Book
Class information is posted on my teacher web page at www.lakewoodcityschools.org under Lakewood High School or West Shore Career-Technical District. Select the Teacher Website option under the Quick Links tool bar. The online classroom page is under B and Boettcher, Lisa
Syllabus:
We will be working with a 2 or 3 week syllabus during the semester Students will receive a syllabus in class
Each syllabus will be posted on the online classroom web page
Late Assignments:
1 day late, 50% of points 2 days late, 25% of points
After 3 days no credit
Makeup Work & Missed Assignments:
Student’s responsibility Check Progress Book and class syllabus
Copy missed notes from classmates
Check you classroom basket for any handouts or materials
Student absence- completed per LHS Student Handbook; within the number of days student was absent plus one. Miss 2 days make up work needs to be done within 3 school days
Assignments turned in after the makeup period will receive partial credit—1 day = 50% 2 days = 25%, and after 3 days = 0 points
To the Parents/Guardians:
Please email me with any questions or concerns you might have about your student this semester. I can be reached via email at [email protected]. Student progress and assignments can be found in Progress Book and my online classroom web page at www.lakewoodcityschools.org under Lakewood High School, Teacher Websites.
After you have reviewed the Introduction to Computer Programming Class Expectations & Computer Lab Guidelines with your student, please sign below and have your student return the signed form to class by
Monday August 29th. Students will receive 10 points for this assignment.
Introduction to Programming should be a terrific experience for your student. This is the first time Lakewood High School and the West Shore Career-Technical District have offered a computer programming class. I look forward to working with your student to help him/her understand the programming concepts and learn of the many opportunities available in the field of Information Technology.
Sincerely, Mrs. Boettcher
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Introduction to Computer Programming Classroom Expectations and Computer
Lab Guidelines Acknowledgement Form
Please sign below to acknowledge that you have reviewed and understand the Classroom Expectations, Computer Lab Guidelines and other course information for Introduction to Computer Programming. Student Name: ___________________________________________________
Course: Introduction to Programming__________________________________
Period: __________________________________________________________
_________________________________ ___________________
Student Signature Date
_________________________________ ___________________