Welcome to Exploring Computer Science With Mrs. Denyer

NOT ROP Regional Occupational Program CTE Career Technical Education ENGINEERING AND DESIGN INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY COMPUTER SOFTWARE

The Career Technical Education programs at River Valley High School can provide you with –the knowledge and skills –necessary for career and postsecondary training 

While these courses are interesting and fun, –they also have high academic standards to provide you with –the essential knowledge and transferable skills –to match rapidly shifting workplace requirements 

The types of careers linked to these courses range anywhere – from jobs right out of high school, –through careers requiring post-graduate degrees 

This is a STEM course

Look At the Syllabus

ECS Course The Exploring Computer Science (ECS) program provides entry-level, upgrading of skills training, and advanced training in computational thinking –Introduce you to the breadth of the field of computer science –Through an exploration of engaging and accessible topics

Course Goals The goal of ECS is to help you develop the computational practices of –algorithm development, –Problem solving –Programming Within the context of problems –Relevant to today’s world

Course Goals cont’d Also: –Introduce you to topics such as: Interface design Limits of computers Societal and ethical issues

Course Content This course will familiarize you with a variety of material Look at the Syllabus 

Unifying Themes Three unifying themes for this course –The creative nature of computing –Technology as a tool for solving problems –Relevance of computer science And its impact on society

Computational Practices Analyze effects of developments in computing Design and implement creative solutions and artifacts Apply abstractions and models Analyze your individual computational work –And the work of others

Computational Practices cont’d Communicate computational –thought processes –Procedures –Results To others

Computational Practices cont’d Collaborate with peers on computing activities

Units of Study Computers and the Internet Models of Intelligent Behavior Algorithms and Abstractions Connections Between Mathematics and Computer Science Creating Computational Artifacts Data and Information Societal Impacts of Computing

Assessment Assessment of your performance will include but will not be limited to: –Classroom participation, punctuality, citizenship and attendance –Completion of required assignments/portfolio –Individual and group projects –Tests and quizzes –Evaluations are based upon the California Department of Education's Curriculum Frameworks and the California Technology Education Standards 

COUNT ON IT! You: –WILL work hard in this class if you want to succeed –Will gain valuable skills –Will have fun –Will realize that “Elective” doesn’t mean easy – it means opportunity! –MUST put in the work to be successful!

College Level Course Successful completion of this course –Results in College Credit, through Butte College –For free. This IS a college level course! Your transcripts can transfer to the CSU system. –If you put forth the work and effort –And are successful in the class.

Class Rules And Preliminary Paperwork

CLASS RULES ALL SCHOOL RULES APPLY! RESPECT IS MANDATORY! SAFETY IS ESSENTIAL! ON TIME, ON TASK! DISALLOWED ITEMS IN CLASS INCLUDE: Food, Gum, Hats, Cell Phones, Music Devices, Personal Grooming PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT! BUSINESS LANGUAGE IS MANDATORY (curriculum) TIMELY SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS! RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN GRADE! 

Preliminary Forms Class Rules – signatures Grading Policy – FYI Digital Resource Use – signatures DUE YOUR 3 RD DAY OF CLASS –Or you cannot use the equipment until it is returned –Worth 150 extra credit points 

The Class Assignments to Expect

Daily Course Work Hands-On applications Class page assignments Reading Research projects Work presentations Portfolio 

Portfolio You are expected to develop a Personal Portfolio The Portfolio will count as a major portion of your final Your Portfolio will consist of: –Digital Portfolio (on line) –Printed Hard Copy Portfolio –Presentation of your Portfolio This is a mandatory and high point value assignment 

What You MUST Provide Three-ring binder in like-new condition –Labeled with your name and class period –About 1 ½” thick Six dividers – to be labeled at a later date Daily bring pencil and paper 

Highly Recommended! Personal portable digital storage device –thumb drive, flash drive, etc. –At least 4 gig of storage –A Very Important backup device!!! 

Textbooks You will be using on-line materials You will not be assigned a textbook 

Optional Self-Assignments We all need to develop creative independence. You are encouraged to propose individual assignments in addition to the listed ones. Individual student assignments should involve as much preparation and research as the regular assignments. Such projects must be proposed and pre-approved by the teacher before doing them. It is recommended that you jot down ideas for possible projects. You are invited to discuss possibilities at any point. Before doing the assignment, it is important to define what might be learned as well as what other outcomes might be expected 

Hang in there Murphy's Law was written for all types of creative work and technology. It's so simple to ruin a project through no fault, or by a moment of carelessness. Avoid despair. Just do it over or make the needed changes. There's no penalty to your grade so long as you prearrange a deadline extension (no extensions past the end of the term). Grieve but avoid despair; it happens to your teacher and everyone else too. Mistakes are great teaching tools when we are open to learn and improve from them 

ENJOY AND LEARN!