SYLLABUS

Welcome to Digital Literacy!

Overview

The purpose of this Digital Literacy course is to empower students to become effective users, producers, and communicators in a digital environment. Becoming life-long learners and well-rounded individuals is an important goal for students and teachers to work towards.

Digital Literacy is an independent, online course developed to help students prepare for 21st century learning. It is a district requirement for all secondary students to take the Digital Literacy course. Most students get this course in 8th grade with a full nine weeks session. You are being asked to complete this course outside your school day, so the course is condensed. It's important to take your learning seriously.

Course Description

Students will study concepts related to citizenship and online ethics, safe practices, and using online tools responsibly. They will apply technology skills in a responsible, effective, and ethical manner. As students master the tools learned, students will be asked to apply digital tools to investigate and respond to real-world issues.

Outline of Units Studied During the Quarter

Media and My Life: What's the Balance?
How to Stay Healthy using Digital Media
Digital Citizenship and Online Ethics
Dealing with Haters, Cyber Bullies, and Trolls
Over-exposed: Sexting & Relationships
Intellectual Property: Copyright, Fair Use & Creative Commons
Internet and Digital Safety

Essential Functions: Your Responsibilities In This Class

Be polite and respectful in all your communications.
Meet the course end deadline given to you by Mr. Painter (end of September)
Work on this course consistently each week. At the minimum, you should complete 4 assignments a week.
Make back-up copies of your writing in Google docs before submitting in CANVAS (it's possible to lose your work otherwise).
Be honest. Copying and pasting answers without correct citation is plagiarism and will result in a “zero.”
Ask for help if you need it, and have a good attitude to make the most of your own learning!

Grade Evaluation

Individual assignments are P/F and you will be given instructions, as well as expectations, for a passing score on each.
Although the course is pass/fail, you will gain value from the course if you fully engage with each assignment and the accompanying resources fully.
Please read carefully each assigned article and fully develop your responses in short answers or paragraph form, unless directed otherwise.
Specific responses must prove your learning and NOT be vague or general answers (this does not give evidence of your learning from the text).
You will be asked to re-do work if it is not completed at a sufficient level, meaning you must show your connection to the topic as well as an understanding of the required readings. Tip: do it well the first time, so you don't have to do it twice.

Required Materials
You will need the following supplies for class each day:

1. Your laptop computer and power cord (don’t forget to handle

carefully and plug in when class is over)

2. Pen & pencil

For Parents

Please visit Digital Literacy Resources for Parents found on my website! https://sites.google.com/a/pcsd.us/phs-library/digital-literacy.

Contact Me

Please feel free to call or email me if you have questions or suggestions. If you leave a message with the school secretary, I will return your call as soon as possible. Both parents and students may email me at ccotta@pcsd.us. Students should visit me before or after school to get help.