Course Syllabus

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Digital Literacy Syllabus

Instructor: Ms. Cotta

Technology Supervisor: Mr. Painter

Digital Literacy Overview

The purpose of this Digital Literacy course is to empower students to become responsible 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 PCSD students take this course in-person during one 8th grade quarter.  You are being asked to complete this course outside your school day, so the course is condensed. Therefore, it's important to take your learning seriously and complete your work on time.

 

Course Description

This is a survey course that introduces students to important topics and issues surrounding the use of digital media. 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. 

 

Outline of Units Studied During the Quarter

  • Media and My Life: What's the Balance?
  • Digital Wellness: How to Stay Healthy Using Media
  • Citizenship: Ethics, Values, and Etiquette
  • Cyberbullying: Dealing with Bullies, Haters, and Trolls
  • Over-exposed: How to handle sexting pressures and other risky relationship issues
  • Intellectual Property: Copyright, Fair Use, & Citing Sources (this may be done in English or other core classes)
  • Internet Safety & Security: How to protect your Personally Identifiable Information from Hacks and Scams.

 

Essential Functions: Your Responsibilities In This Class

  1. Be polite and respectful in all your communications.
  2. Meet the course end deadline given to you by Mr. Painter (approximately 1 month from the start, or by the end of the quarter at the latest).
  3. Work on this course consistently each week. You have approximately 16 assignments to complete.  Some are quite brief and others are more in-depth. At the minimum, you should complete 4 assignments a week to be done within the month.
  4. Make back-up copies of your writing in Google docs before submitting in CANVAS (it's possible to lose your work otherwise in the submission box).
  5. Be honest. Copying and pasting answers without correct citation is plagiarism and will result in a “zero.”
  6. Ask for help from Ms. Cotta if you need it, and have a good attitude to make the most of your own learning! 

 

Grade Evaluation 

    1. Individual assignments are graded by points, and you will be given instructions, as well as expectations, for a passing score on each.
    2. You will gain value from the course if you fully engage with each assignment and the accompanying resources fully.  You will be expected to prove your learning and complete assignments well to receive a passing score.
    3. Please read carefully each assigned article and fully develop your responses in short answers or paragraph form, unless directed otherwise.  
    4. Specific responses must prove your learning and should NOT be vague or general answers (this does not give evidence of your learning from the text). 
    5. 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.  
    6. Tip: do it well the first time, so you don't have to do it twice.

 

For Parents

Please visit Digital Literacy Resources for Parents found on my website (link can be found on the high school site, too):  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. Technology policy questions can be directed to Mr. Painter at jpainter@pcsd.us

Students should visit Ms. Cotta before or after school to get help.

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due