Teachers:
Joel Beesley, Room 208, jbeesley@illinois.edu
Tom Kiesel, Room 304, tkiesel@illinois.edu
DoMonique Arnold, Library, darnold2@illinois.edu
Course Description:
Now more than ever in the history of our school, not to mention our world, the effective use and understanding of digital technology is essential to success. We hope that we will be able to help you as you continue on in your journey in exploring and creating with digital technology.
This course is a broad introduction to the use of computers as tools for creativity, communications and organizing information. In addition to learning the technical fundamentals of computer operations and networking, we hope to help you build your skills in researching information, making appropriate ethical choices about the use of computers, and using technology to help you learn on your own and pass your new skills on to others.
The role of the computer as a communications tool will be central to this course. We expect that much of the interaction between students and teachers will be conducted through electronic mail and other network communications technologies, and especially that we can help you communicate effectively with your classmates and other teachers in the current environment. All students have been given computer accounts on the University of Illinois’ multi-user computers, as well as some space to edit and organize your electronic communications. We will also emphasize the use of the Internet as a tool for finding information and communicating with your peers worldwide, and word processing, presentation software, photography, image editing and video production to organize and communicate your ideas.
Much of your grade will depend on how well you work together and interact with the teachers and other students in this course. Those who already have some computer skills at the beginning of the year are expected to help the teachers by passing on their knowledge to the other students. There’s nothing like having to teach a subject to someone else to help you learn it yourself! We want every student to work on developing the ability to teach each other and cooperate in the kind of team environment that is necessary in all real-world technology projects.
Subject Overview
During this semester, we will cover the following major topic areas:
- Practical use of information technology to assist you in other coursework
- Using the Internet for communications, research, creativity and entertainment
- Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint as tools for writing, analyzing and presenting information
- Traditional and nontraditional ways to find and share information
- Computer programming with Python
- Arduino Programming
- Cybersecurity
- Creating, editing and sharing pictures and video
- Creating online and paper publications and graphics using computers
- Ethical and responsible use of computer technology
If there is a particular area of computing you wish to explore that is not included in this summary, you may work with us to help prepare a unit to present to the class
Laboratory Facilities
Room 314 contains 18 Apple Macintosh computers that can also run Microsoft Windows, plus two Windows compatible personal computers. This room is scheduled for regular classes during about half of the periods each day. At other times, the lab is available for students to use. Rules for the use of the lab are posted on the bulletin board. You are responsible for following them, as well as the terms of the Uni High Computer Usage Agreement.
Because of the size of the computer lab, we will often divide the class into two groups. Half the students will meet in room 314 and half in room 218. The entire class will meet together in room 218 for lecture-discussion sessions.
We will be using our Canvas course site to keep you updated on the schedule as well as post other important information about the class.
Textbooks
There is no required text for this course.
Administration
All students must have a University Laboratory High School Computer Usage Agreement signed and filed in the main office before they can be issued computer accounts for this course.
Your grade will be based on a combination of homework, project and class participation. The course final will be multiple-choice, “fill in the blank” and short- answer questions. The final exam will consist of essay questions covering larger issues.
Time will be allocated in class to complete most of the projects required for this course. You may occasionally have to take some work home, or use the Uni High computer labs during your free time. We expect that most students will have a Windows or MacOS compatible computer and Internet access at home, and may sometimes give homework assignments that require them. If you don’t have Internet access at home, we will make other arrangements for the assignments that require it. Please talk to one of the teachers if necessary.
You may receive some reading assignments and quizzes via electronic mail. You are expected to check your e-mail daily for class announcements. If your e-mail doesn’t work for some reason, it is your responsibility to contact one of your teachers immediately so we can correct the problem.
The teachers are all available to help with any kind of problems you may be having with this course. Please don’t hesitate to make an appointment or drop by our offices whenever you feel you need some assistance. We’re all here to learn together, and want to stay in touch with you and find out how you’re doing.