/ Fulmore Middle School

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

Spring 2010 /

Syllabus

Exploring Computer Applications

Focus on Robotics

Teacher/Facilitator of Learning: Ms. Grimshaw

Website: www.austinisd.org/staff/148 E-mail:

Announcement: Room Phone: 841-4917

In the near future, a long-term substitute will teach Cell Phone: 796-0649

this course while Ms. Grimshaw has foot surgery. Room: Shop 1B

Required Equipment: Students must supply their own headphones, earphones, or earbuds for computer-based learning activities. Students are expected to bring their listening device each day.

What is Career and Technical Education? Technology Education is offered through the AISD department of Career and Technical Education (CTE). This means students learn about technology and the 16 career clusters begin promoted throughout the State of Texas. Students also begin to comprehend and apply workplace tools and behaviors. For example, students are trained to evaluate themselves using a real Employee Performance Evaluation. This prepares students to understand employers’ expectations and to practice appropriate work habits.

Course Description: Through the use of NXT Lego Mindstorms robotic kits, students will learn the basics of building and programming robots. In the process, students will understand how gears, sensors, and motors work and how to write the commands that will control them. It is critical that students be able to work with a partner and with a team. One kit is shared between two students, and a team will develop multiple programs to accomplish various tasks in competition with another team.

Course Sequence

1st Six Weeks / History & Use of Robotics
Secondary focus: robots & communication / Introduction to NXT Lego Mindstorms: lego parts, building, and programming / New Technologies & Career Investigation
2nd Six Weeks / Understanding Gears and Motors
Secondary focus: robots & science / Projects with Partners focusing on use of at least three different types of sensors / New Technologies & Career Investigation
3rd Six Weeks / Intra-class Team Competition
Secondary focus: robots & mathematics / New Technologies & Career Investigation

Rewards for Good Behavior

Students often earn classroom money for arriving on time, contributing to class discussions, showing leadership, and doing other positive behaviors. Students can purchase raffle tickets for drawings, participate in auctions, or directly purchase limited goods or services with their classroom money. / Productive Learning Environment
Students that disrupt the learning environment through distracting behaviors are sent to another classroom to complete their work or to do an alternative assignment. These students may also be required to write a letter of apology.

Fulmore Class Policies

Be Prepared Bring your supplies and be ready to listen to instructions.
Be Punctual Sit down in your seat before the bell rings.
Be Polite Treat adults and peers with respect. Think before you speak or act.
Be Productive Keep up with your assignments and use your time wisely. Stay focused.
Be Positive Remember that being positive is a choice. Decide to make good choices.
Student Safety
Student safety is the number one priority. If a student is contributing to an unsafe environment, he or she will be sent out of the room. /

Respect for People and Property

Students are expected to maintain behavior that displays respect for the teacher, fellow students, and the classroom environment.

Grading Policy (established by the District)

·  Major test, projects, essays, and research papers – 45%

·  Daily assignments and quizzes – 35%

·  Homework – 10%

·  Six week assessment or culminating activity – 10%

Extra Help

·  Students are expected to help each other stay current.

·  If students need Ms. Grimshaw’s help, they are expected to come before or after school.

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Acknowledgement: Please check one of the following and sign below.

I have read the syllabus for the course Robotics and understand it.

I have read the syllabus for the course Robotics, but I have some questions. Please call me at ______or respond to my handwritten note on another piece of paper.

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Student Signature: ______Period______