The class is divided into four four-week sections. The first eight weeks will consist of keyboard skill building and an introduction to word processing using Microsoft Word. The mid term grade will be based on the students speed and accuracy on a five-minute timed writing test, their correct use of touch typing techniques, and their proficiency in producing and editing basic documents such as letters, memos, manuscripts, and tables using Microsoft Word. Proper care and use of equipment is also an essential part of this class, since qualifying students will have privileged access to our school-wide network.
The following competencies will be expected:
- Demonstrate correct posture at workstation
- Demonstrate proper key-stroking and mouse techniques
- Knowledge of basic computer, disk and word-processing procedures
- Ability to start, enter, move forward and backward in, save, print, and exit program
- Ability to proofread text on screen and hard copy for typos, spelling, punctuation and accuracy of replication of source text
- Knowledge of word processor hidden codes
- Ability to set line spacing, block text, bold, italicize, and underline
- Ability to center vertically, horizontally, and block center
- Ability to insert page break, spell check insert date code, and view the document
- Ability to set margins justification, tabs and indentations
- Ability to delete, move and copy
- Ability to prepare business letters and personal business letters
- Ability to prepare one-page reports and rough-draft reports
- Ability to set tab stops
- Ability to prepare enumerations
- Ability to prepare tables, tables with number columns column heading and two-line headings
- Ability to search and replace text
- Ability to insert page numbering
- Ability to prepare footnotes, endnotes and dot leaders
- Ability to select font size
- Ability to prepare memorandums, modified-block letters, two-page reports, and resumes
- Ability to key at the rate of 35 words a minute or faster for five minutes with no more than five errors
During the final eight weeks of the semester students will be expected to maintain and improve the abilities from the first eight weeks and in addition will be introduced to and build competence in the following software applications areas:
- Desktop Publishing
- Databases
- Spreadsheets
- Multimedia
- Graphics
- Applied Technology
- Programming
- Telecommunications (e-mail, internet, and html)
The final grade will include not only improvement on the speed, accuracy, and skills demonstrated at the mid-term but will also include graded sample projects from the final eight weeks of the semester.
Stephen Langton