Computer Essentials is designed to enable students to develop the touch method in operating keyboards, such as electronic typewriters, data entry terminal, and microcomputers.  Emphasis is also placed on formatting skills for producing letters, manuscripts, reports, tables, itineraries, and outlines.

I.  Instructor

  Mrs. Teresa Armstrong

II.  Fees

A $40.00 supply/equipment fee for the year is payable by the end of this semesters.  (Before Christmas Holiday)

III.  Textbook

Microcomputer Keyboarding & Document Processing, Johnson and Stanley 1997

VI.

Supplies Needed

A.  Pen or pencil (for note taking)

B.  For note taking:  loose leaf paper in a 2" - 3-ring binder with 6 dividers.  Each divider should be labeled in this order:

• Notes

• Daily Work

• Timed Writings

• Homework

• Pop Quiz

• Test

Nine Weeks' Grade                                                                                                  PHS Grading Scale

A.  10%   Employability Skills                                                                                     A = 90-100

B.  10%   Timed Writings                                                                                           B = 80-89

C.  30%   Daily Work                                                                                               C = 70-79       

D.  10%   Pop quiz                                                                                                    D = 60-65

E.  40%   Tests                                                                                                          F = 64 and below

    100%  Total

On the job, it is so important for you to be organized, to be able to follow directions, to be at work on time, to have good attendance, to keep neat work areas, and to maintain professional behavior.  In an effort to help build these characteristics in each business student, part of every nine weeks' grade will be "Employability Skills."  Everyone begins each nine weeks with a grade of 100 for Employability Skills."  It is so easy to keep the 100 and let this portion of your grade help your average; or, you can loose points from this part of your grade and hurt your average for the following reasons:

1.  Failure to clean up your work area and leave it neat = -2 points per violation.

2.  Failure to put your diskette up in the proper place = -2 points per violation.

3.  Coming to class without proper supplies = 2- points per violation.

4.  Eyes on copy (not on your fingers!), good posture, and both feet placed flat on the floor are important for effective

    computer essentials.  Failure to follow these rules = -2 points per violation.

5.  Failure to turn off your computer equipment at the end of class = -2 points per violation.  (For 7th period students

    only)!

B.  10% Timed Writings

Building speed and accuracy is very important in Computer Essentials.  We will have several timed writings each 9 weeks to give you adequate opportunities to improve your timed writing grade. 

First Semester                                                                                      

   First 9 Weeks

(1-Minuet TWs)

A = 25 + nwpm (net words/minute)

B = 20-24 nwpm

C = 15-19 nwpm

D = 10-14 nwpm

F = 9 & below

  Second 9 - Weeks

(2-Minute TWs)

A = 30 +

B = 25-29

C = 20-24

D = 19-16

F = 15 & below

Second Semester

     Third 9 Weeks

     (3-Minute TWs)

A = 35 +

B = 30-34

C = 25-29

D = 20-24

F = 19 & below

  Fourth - 9 - Weeks

     (3-Minute TWs)

A = 40 +

B = 35-39

C = 30-34

D = 25-29

F = 24 & below

We will cover approximately 150 lessons in this course.  Some lessons will only be checked for participation and for format; others will be randomly checked word for word for accuracy.  Points will be deducted for uncorrected typographical errors and formatting error, etc.  Lessons missed due to excused absence from school may be typed in your spare time within 3 days. 

Pop Quiz's will be counted 10% of your grade.  It is very important that you pay attention in class and take very good notes.  Study your notes daily so you could make a good score.  Pop quiz's can not be made up if you are absent and they will not count against you.

Tests can be either in written (questions) form or in production (typing) form.  Occasionally, a computer essentials lesson may be typed as a production "pop test".  It is your responsibility to schedule make-up tests that you miss.  Tests must be made up within three days of the excused absence. 

Students are expected to exemplify honesty at all times.  Examples include but are not limited to, questioning by teachers or administrators, homework, and tests.  Cheating will not be tolerated at Phillips High School.  Any student caught cheating will be given a zero on that test or assignment.