Dear Students and Parents,
We look forward to the opportunities that we will have in the upcoming months to get to know each other! Our main goal is to see each of our students find success as they continue the lifelong journey of education. We believe that one of the best ways that we can help students is by knowing them well. If we are aware of their interests, families, learning styles, likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses, then we can better meet their educational needs. An excellent resource for knowing students is their parents and/or guardians. Please take a few moments to reflect, and in the space below, tell us anything that you feel is important for us to know as we begin this new school year together. Feel free to include any information you believe will be helpful (strategies that have worked in the past at home or at school, favorite subjects, concerns, questions, goals and hopes for the coming year, etc.).
Thank you very much for your time; we know that the beginning of the school year is very hectic. We are very excited to engage your student in challenging and exciting curriculum this year. We’re certain your student will stretch him/herself and discover new skills and abilities. It is our pleasure and honor to be a part of your student’s life.
Sincerely,
Jo Barendse, Jocelin Rademacher, and Ryan Windle
The Fowler EdTech Department
We look forward to the opportunities that we will have in the upcoming months to get to know each other! Our main goal is to see each of our students find success as they continue the lifelong journey of education. We believe that one of the best ways that we can help students is by knowing them well. If we are aware of their interests, families, learning styles, likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses, then we can better meet their educational needs. An excellent resource for knowing students is their parents and/or guardians. Please take a few moments to reflect, and in the space below, tell us anything that you feel is important for us to know as we begin this new school year together. Feel free to include any information you believe will be helpful (strategies that have worked in the past at home or at school, favorite subjects, concerns, questions, goals and hopes for the coming year, etc.).
Thank you very much for your time; we know that the beginning of the school year is very hectic. We are very excited to engage your student in challenging and exciting curriculum this year. We’re certain your student will stretch him/herself and discover new skills and abilities. It is our pleasure and honor to be a part of your student’s life.
Sincerely,
Jo Barendse, Jocelin Rademacher, and Ryan Windle
The Fowler EdTech Department
Syllabus for EdTech I and II:
Course Information: In today’s world, computer skills are some of the most important skills that colleges and employers require. Therefore, we offer a year and a half of required computer classes at Fowler. In these classes students will learn how to work efficiently and cooperatively in the digital world.
EdTech I--Year-long: Curriculum for this class will include, but is not limited to, units on Digital Citizenship, Computer Hardware, Google Apps for Education, and Keyboarding/Typing skills.
EdTech II--One Semester: Curriculum for this class will build upon the skills used and learned in EdTech 1 as well as additional units for educational productivity, creativity, and efficiency.
Required Materials: Almost all of our assignments will be done entirely on the computer. Therefore, it is rare that you will need to bring materials each day. In fact, we would prefer that you do not bring materials, unless they are necessary. If you have your own ear buds or headphones, please bring those to class every day.
Assessments: (Things like Projects, Tests and Quizzes): Performance-based assessments, such as tests and quizzes, will be comprehensive; students will be assessed on current and previous standards. Although some preparation will be done in class, students are expected to study outside of class for assessments.
Practice: (Things like Class work, Daily Practice): Assignments that are aimed at the practicing of concepts will be assigned on a daily basis. Class work should be completed in class and then turned in electronically, according to the directions given in class.
Late Work: Get your work done in class! There will be enough time provided for all assignments to be completed in class. If you are there, you should get it done. If you are absent, you need to catch up as quickly as possible. You may have to do some work at home.
Attendance: Most class time will be spent exploring, discussing, collaborating with others, and solidifying concepts through direct teacher instruction and online learning, therefore good attendance is crucial! For excused absences, work should be completed as soon as possible to allow moving forward with no gaps in knowledge or understanding. Parents may excuse student absences at any time of day by calling the attendance office, Mrs. Coburn, at 503-431-5021 to notify the school of the reason for your absence.
Classroom Expectations: Students are expected to be respectful, responsible, and safe in the classroom and at school in general. This means that students are to come to class on time each day, participate fully and appropriately during class activities, and respect the rights of others to participate in class. If a student interferes with another student’s right to learn or with my right to teach, the student may receive a behavior reflection form, be removed from the class, be assigned detention, and/or receive a school referral. Any of these consequences may result in the loss of your student I.D. card and/or your sticker privileges.
Academic Integrity: Students are expected to work together on some class work assignments. However, giving or receiving answers on individual assignments, tests and quizzes constitutes cheating and is unacceptable! Students involved in cheating will receive a score of zero on the assignment or exam, a school referral, and must make a phone call to their parents informing them of the cheating.
TAG Students: Oregon law provides special opportunities for students who have been officially designated as Talented and Gifted (TAG). To ensure that students designated as TAG receive academic instruction that is appropriate to their rate and level of learning, the curriculum and instruction of this course may be differentiated to include specialized groupings, compacting of curriculum, accelerated pacing, and providing of extension activities. If you are a student designated as TAG and feel that this class is not meeting your educational needs, please see me.
Getting Help: There are several avenues for students to obtain help with concepts or assignments. If you need to use a computer, you are welcome to use the computers in the media center before or after school. Please schedule that time with Mrs. Schmidt. If you would like to come work in our labs, talk to your teacher to setup a time.
Some class work will be done in teams. Students should work with members of their teams to make sure each person understands the material.
Students are encouraged to work with one another outside the classroom. It is beneficial for students to find one or more study partners in the class that they can work with outside of class. Students can also use their study partners as resources during school absences.
Permissions: The nature of our course dictates that we use various technologies and websites that expect parent permission for students under the age of 14 if they have to login in order to use them. By submitting this form, you give your student permission to use the following programs and sites in our class. All the sites we use have been vetted by educators around the world. We are confident in their ability to protect students' information and identities.
Code.org-students learn to code using Blockly and JavaScript
DonorsChoose.org-our team applies for grants from Donors Choose and they often require pictures of the students using the equipment granted as a "Thank you" to donors. If you do not want your student's picture taken, please let us know.
Google Ninja Program-proficiency based Google apps for Education site we use to teach skills necessary for learning and managing their apps in school.
Google SketchUp/TinkerCAD-drafting, design and rendering software.
Swyft Playgrounds/Scratch-code language sites
Quizlet-Vocabulary cards and games
Everfi-Digital Citizenship and other EdTech curriculum.
Discipline Plan: Please click this link for more information on behavior expectations, classroom management, and discipline plans at FMS.
EdTech I--Year-long: Curriculum for this class will include, but is not limited to, units on Digital Citizenship, Computer Hardware, Google Apps for Education, and Keyboarding/Typing skills.
EdTech II--One Semester: Curriculum for this class will build upon the skills used and learned in EdTech 1 as well as additional units for educational productivity, creativity, and efficiency.
Required Materials: Almost all of our assignments will be done entirely on the computer. Therefore, it is rare that you will need to bring materials each day. In fact, we would prefer that you do not bring materials, unless they are necessary. If you have your own ear buds or headphones, please bring those to class every day.
Assessments: (Things like Projects, Tests and Quizzes): Performance-based assessments, such as tests and quizzes, will be comprehensive; students will be assessed on current and previous standards. Although some preparation will be done in class, students are expected to study outside of class for assessments.
Practice: (Things like Class work, Daily Practice): Assignments that are aimed at the practicing of concepts will be assigned on a daily basis. Class work should be completed in class and then turned in electronically, according to the directions given in class.
Late Work: Get your work done in class! There will be enough time provided for all assignments to be completed in class. If you are there, you should get it done. If you are absent, you need to catch up as quickly as possible. You may have to do some work at home.
Attendance: Most class time will be spent exploring, discussing, collaborating with others, and solidifying concepts through direct teacher instruction and online learning, therefore good attendance is crucial! For excused absences, work should be completed as soon as possible to allow moving forward with no gaps in knowledge or understanding. Parents may excuse student absences at any time of day by calling the attendance office, Mrs. Coburn, at 503-431-5021 to notify the school of the reason for your absence.
Classroom Expectations: Students are expected to be respectful, responsible, and safe in the classroom and at school in general. This means that students are to come to class on time each day, participate fully and appropriately during class activities, and respect the rights of others to participate in class. If a student interferes with another student’s right to learn or with my right to teach, the student may receive a behavior reflection form, be removed from the class, be assigned detention, and/or receive a school referral. Any of these consequences may result in the loss of your student I.D. card and/or your sticker privileges.
Academic Integrity: Students are expected to work together on some class work assignments. However, giving or receiving answers on individual assignments, tests and quizzes constitutes cheating and is unacceptable! Students involved in cheating will receive a score of zero on the assignment or exam, a school referral, and must make a phone call to their parents informing them of the cheating.
TAG Students: Oregon law provides special opportunities for students who have been officially designated as Talented and Gifted (TAG). To ensure that students designated as TAG receive academic instruction that is appropriate to their rate and level of learning, the curriculum and instruction of this course may be differentiated to include specialized groupings, compacting of curriculum, accelerated pacing, and providing of extension activities. If you are a student designated as TAG and feel that this class is not meeting your educational needs, please see me.
Getting Help: There are several avenues for students to obtain help with concepts or assignments. If you need to use a computer, you are welcome to use the computers in the media center before or after school. Please schedule that time with Mrs. Schmidt. If you would like to come work in our labs, talk to your teacher to setup a time.
Some class work will be done in teams. Students should work with members of their teams to make sure each person understands the material.
Students are encouraged to work with one another outside the classroom. It is beneficial for students to find one or more study partners in the class that they can work with outside of class. Students can also use their study partners as resources during school absences.
Permissions: The nature of our course dictates that we use various technologies and websites that expect parent permission for students under the age of 14 if they have to login in order to use them. By submitting this form, you give your student permission to use the following programs and sites in our class. All the sites we use have been vetted by educators around the world. We are confident in their ability to protect students' information and identities.
Code.org-students learn to code using Blockly and JavaScript
DonorsChoose.org-our team applies for grants from Donors Choose and they often require pictures of the students using the equipment granted as a "Thank you" to donors. If you do not want your student's picture taken, please let us know.
Google Ninja Program-proficiency based Google apps for Education site we use to teach skills necessary for learning and managing their apps in school.
Google SketchUp/TinkerCAD-drafting, design and rendering software.
Swyft Playgrounds/Scratch-code language sites
Quizlet-Vocabulary cards and games
Everfi-Digital Citizenship and other EdTech curriculum.
Discipline Plan: Please click this link for more information on behavior expectations, classroom management, and discipline plans at FMS.
Banner image courtesy of: Brian PDX @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/brianpdx/