Syllabus

**Course Title and Number: CS 400** **Computer Applications IV 1.0 credit** **Instructor: Mrs. Gallagher-Edlund** **Class Location: D100** **Email**: kagallagher@lancaster.k12.pa.us **Telephone: 717-396-6810 ext.31400** **Time available for Conference: after school**
 * SYLLABUS - **** Computer Applications IV/Senior Seminar **

**__ COURSE DESCRIPTION __** Prerequisite: Completion of Computer Applications III or approval by instructor

1. Students will learn advanced **Dreamweaver MX 2004** to create advanced websites. 2. Students will learn **Flash MX 2004** to create animations that can be embedded into their Dreamweaver websites. They will also learn how to create a **wiki** and will create a **wiki for a teacher in MIT**. Students will learn **Fireworks**, a vector-based program that allows you to create graphics and web pages for Dreamweaver.

3. Students will learn **Web 2.0 tools** that will be used in conjunction with their websites and wikis. Some of the Web 2.0 tools that they will learn are:


 * ** Glogster **
 * ** Wikispaces **
 * ** Google Calendar **
 * ** Google Docs **
 * ** Webspiration **

4. Each student will be required to keep a **portfolio** that could be used for their career search. They will create this portfolio in **Dreamweaver**.

5. Students will learn more **desktop publishing** and graphic design principles. They will learn **InDesign CS4** to create publishing projects.

**__ COURSE OBJECTIVES __** 1. Students will be able to use Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004, Flash MX 2004, Fireworks MX 2004, and Photoshop CS4 to create advanced websites. 2. Students will be able to use Wikispaces to create a wiki and will work with the teachers in MIT to create their class wikis. 3. Students will be able to use InDesign CS4 to create desktop publishing products. 4. Students will work on creating a portfolio, both online and and in hard copy form, preparing themselves for a possible career in technology. 5. Students will use Web 2.0 tools, staying current on new and innovative software that is both collaborative and free. 6. Students will be able to use various peripherals including scanners, digital cameras and microphones. They will be able to save the images and sound files and incorporate them into their projects. 7. Students will develop skills necessary to make decisive decisions about projects and how to complete them using the required computer programs. 8. Students will demonstrate self-confidence and the commitment needed to mastering the use of the computer. **__WORKS STUDIED IN COURSE__** Aho, Kirsti. Macromedia Studio MX 2004. Boston: Macromedia, Inc. 2004. Niemeyer, Kevin. __Desktop Publishing with Digital Graphics__. Houston, TX: Glencoe. 2003.

__ Introduction to Web Design Using Dreamweaver __. Houston, TX: Glencoe. 2004. __ Learn InDesign in your Classroom __.


 * __ Tentative Time Line of Study __**

September 8-9 **Voki** Students will learn how to create an avatar using the software, Voki. This avatar can be placed on their wikis or their websites as a representation of themselves.

September 10 - September 18 **Learning Wikispaces** Students will learn Wikispaces, a Web 2.0 tool and wiki, watching a webinar. Each student will be placed with a teacher from MIT and will help produce and manage their wiki for the school year.

September 21 to Oct. 30 **Firefox MX** Students will learn a bitmap editing software called Firefox. They will use the vector drawing tools to create a simple logo. The skills learned will be how to use the ruler and guides for drawing, use the History panel to save steps as commands, scale objects, and use the eyedropper tool to sample a color. They will create vector graphics, buttons, and animations that will be incorporated into their Dreamweaver website.

Oct. 5 – Jan 5 **Photoshop CS4 Learning** **graphic design and desktop publishing principles** Students will be studying principles of design that they will apply to their desktop publishing pieces. They will learn layout and color, applying this to the creation of logos, as well as other published works for their portfolio.

November 4 – December 11 **Advanced Dreamweaver MX 2004** Students will continue learning Dreamweaver. They will use templates and tables, and incorporate their graphics designed in Firefox, to create a websites.

December 14 – February 5 **InDesign CS4** Students will learn how to use InDesign CS4. They will use their knowledge of the principles of design to create desktop publishing pieces. Each student will create pieces for their portfolio, as well as work on projects for McCaskey and their teachers.

January **//Midterm Assessments//** Information to be announced.

February 1 – March 5 **Project for Computer Fair** Students will do an interdisciplinary unit for another class. This project will be submitted in the Computer Fair and will be judged. The winners will go onto the District fair.

March 8 – April 30 **Flash** Students will learn an animation software, Flash. Students will learn how to set up a stage, use the Timeline for their animations, how to work with layers, use the drawing tools, and use the Property inspector to modify an object’s properties.

May 16 – June 6 **Projects** Students will work on projects for other classes using skills learned in Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash and Photoshop Elements. They will be creating a web site for History Day, integrating work done in their Government and History classes. Each student will work on their projects for their portfolio.

September – June **Technology careers/seminars** Students will listen to guest speakers talk about their careers in technology. Students will have an opportunity to visit or shadow places where the career is centered on technology.

September – June **Learning Web 2.0 Tools** Students will learn many Web 2.0 tools that can be used for their projects. June **Final Assessments**

**__ ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS __**** : ** Assessments will be based on class activities, projects and exams. Project rubrics will be used as an assessment within the course. Midterms and finals will be given.


 * __ GRADING POLICY: __** A point system is used for Computer Applications III grading. Smaller assignments, such as homework, may be worth 10-30 points, small tests 20-50 points, and large exams and projects worth 50-100 points. Pop quizzes are possible. The quarterly grade will reflect the total points actually earned divided by the total possible points earned. Students may earn points for participating in class. This class includes a **cumulative** mid-term and final.