INFORMATION

Dr. paul caron

chair, Technology department

Office Location/Phone Number: 

·                     AA room # 0-5, ext. 305,

·                     AAG Room # X café, ext 105

 ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AT THE ACADEMIES

 PREFACE

  The use of computers and other advanced technologies to promote technological literacy, enhance instruction, increase productivity, and improve communication will benefit the entire school community.  While our technology literacy goals will be constantly evolving, the enclosed vision and mission will remain as a basis for ongoing assessment, improvement and recognition of a strong technology foundation with focused standards in all areas of the curriculum.

 VISION 

 To facilitate learning and communication by enabling our community to become proficient critical thinkers who can access, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information using a variety of technological tools.

 MISSION

 The Academies is committed to the use of technology in the academic program as a tool to expand learning opportunities and to conduct scholarly research.  

 In other words, in its simplest form, students must know what technology is, how it works, what purposes it can serve, and how it can be used efficiently and effectively to achieve specific goals, and spark interest that leads to inquiry and creativity.

 So The Academies technology plan is designed to play a vital and measurable role in creating…

·                     A place where all children master rigorous core academic subjects. 

·                     A place where teaching and learning are relevant to life outside of school.

·                     A place where all children understand and use the learning skills— information and communication skills, thinking and problem-solving skills, and interpersonal and self- directional skills—that leads to high performance in school and in life.

·                     A place where vital new academic content is part of the common core curriculum.

·                     A place where professional development and teaching strategies enable educators to help students gain the knowledge and skills they need.

·                     A place where every student, teacher and administrator has on-demand access to 21st century tools and technologies and uses them to work productively.

·                     A place where 21st century tools and context are embedded in core subjects and assessments.

Additionally, The Academies will provide network access to students, faculty, staff and administration.  Our goal is to promote educational excellence by facilitating research, resource sharing, communication and innovation.   All network access is expected to support education and research and to be consistent with the educational goals of The Academies.   The technology plan will also contribute to the development of 21^st century leaders.

COURSE OUTLINE:

 Course Title:  Essential Technologies

 Prerequisite: None

 Semester: 2007-2008

 Instructor: Dr. Paul Caron

 Office Hours:  By Appointment

 Office Location/Phone Number:  AA room # 0-5, ext. 105

 This course provides an introduction to the use of computers, applications software, systems software, software evaluation, and computer ethics.  Laboratory sessions include extensive hands-on experience using word processing, PowerPoint, PageMaker, podcasting, blogs, web page design, and other software used in various fields of study.  Laboratory work required.

 COURSE GOALS:

 To provide students with the skills to:

1. Understand the frequently used computer jargon.

2. Have facility in using some of the widely used computer software that is available for microcomputers.

3. Know some sources of information about new software and the relative merits of different software.

4. Know what kinds of applications the different types of software packages can be used for.

5. Feel sufficiently confident about using computers to tackle the job of learning a new piece of software for a computer at school, home or work.

UNIT OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to exhibit competencies in the following five areas:

1. Introduction to computers, Windows and Microsoft Office – Students will be able to define commonly used computing terminology, identify the components of a computer, identify and select appropriate software to match the application to be performed, know the purpose of the operating system and execute basic commands.

2. Word Processing (Microsoft Word) – Students will be able to create, format, and modify documents and utilize a variety of additional Word features, as well as create Web pages.

3. Introduction to Presentation Software (Microsoft PowerPoint) – Students will be able to design and build a slide presentation using a variety of layouts and features.

4. Pod casting and Blogs – Students will be asked to integrate these specific technologies into course content.

5. Computer Ethics/Social and Legal Issues – Students will be able to identify types of computer crime, and exercise ethical practices in the use of computers.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY:

1. Class attendance is compulsory in compliance with the policy of The Academies.

2. Students absent or late for tests will not be given the opportunity for make-up.

3. All assignments must be turned in on the due dates.  Late assignments will not be accepted.

4. Students will be expected to adhere to the Technology Department’s plagiarism policy.  Any student found guilty of cheating is subject to disciplinary action, and may result in a grade of “F” for the semester.

5. The chief goal of the course will be to develop familiarity with different software programs used on microcomputers, and the class activity to achieve it will include some lectures and a lot of time in the lab.  Students will be expected to spend additional time in the lab, perfecting their skills on their own.  In addition to this regular class work, each student will choose individual projects that use the software packages studied.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

Instruction will consist of class lectures and in-class laboratory experiences.

1. Term Projects:  Three software projects from selected area.

2. Hourly Exams:  Five scheduled one-hour tests.

3. Lab Assignments:  Weekly assignments.

4. Final Exam:  Comprehensive.

EVALUATION:

The final grade will be obtained from the following:

25%     Term Projects

20%     Home and Lab Assignments                

35%     Hourly Tests

20%     Final Exam

The letter grade will be assigned as follows:

GRADES                     POINTS

A                                 90 - 100

B                                  80 - 89

C                                  70 - 79

D                                  60 - 69

F                                    0 - 59

PLAGIARISM POLICY:

We believe in the free exchange of ideas.  However, the transfer of ideas in written or machine format is the sole responsibility of the student submitting the work for grading.  Therefore students are not to take credit for someone else’s idea (where no mutual exchange occurred) nor are they to take credit for someone else’s written work.  Any violation of this is considered a breech of profession computer science ethics.  All parties collaborating in the plagiarism process are equally liable.  Students found liable for professional misconduct will be required to appear before the computer science faculty.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Attendance at all classes and other activities (lecture periods, laboratory sessions, tests, examinations, or other schedule meeting) is required of every student at AA/AAG. 

COURSE SYLLABUS:

LABORATORY PROJECTS:

Course Outline: Computer Six

Millennials and the Workings of the Laptop: please go to www.eboard.com to log into course communication.

NARRATIVE BIOGRAPHY

Education and Professional Certifications

Paul earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego and his Master of Science in Speech from SUNY at Cortland.  Paul also holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Education Administration from the University of New Hampshire.  Paul earned his Doctor of Arts in June of 2002 from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.

Most recently, Paul has completed two years of consulting with Apple Computer where he facilitated the 1 to 1 Laptop Initiative in the states of Kansas, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Business and Special Events

From 1993-1996 Paul served as the executive director of the Greater Oswego (New York) Chamber of Commerce.  In addition to business development, he designed and directed a city-wide "Pride Campaign," an international ice hockey tournament that included participants from the Russian Red Army Team, "Project Bloom," a community-based beautification project, and an array of civic and business programs.

He concluded his tenure in Oswego planning and executing a six-month "Oswego First Campaign," by bicycling solo across the country in 43 days, 2,982 miles in order to raise community awareness, credibility, and $28,000 for local non-profit organizations.

Sport

Paul continues to enjoy an illustrious career in the greater ice hockey community. He co–captained the Marblehead (MA) Maroons to a National USA Midget Championship and later received honors from the Lake Placid Junior Olympic Committee and the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

After his playing career, Paul directed a National Hockey League minor league affiliate, officiated and coached in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference, and conducted university–level coaching seminars for minor league and college coaches. Most recently Paul has owned and directed a premier ice hockey academy in Massachusetts.   Paul also scouted in the National Hockey League and continues to consult with the Russian Ice Hockey Federation on cultural exchange programs.