• Course Overview
• Required Materials
• Expected Course Learning Results
• Classroom Competencies and Procedures
• Class Success Code
• Attendance
• Grading System
• Course Schedule

COURSE OVERVIEW

Advanced Computer Skills: Project Management (ACS:PM) is a semester long class during which you will complete two projects based on an in-depth exploration of current issues, problems or societal needs and if time permits, one project of your choosing.

The first project will be a class entry into the Global Schoolnet’s International Schools Cyberfair. Information about this program is available at www.globalschoolnet.org/gsh/cf .
The second project will be an individual or small group service project; topic is to be decided by the individual(s) involved. If time permits, students may choose a third individual or small group project on anything they choose, with input from the instructor and their mentor.

You will learn the principles of project management, which is a process that begins with an idea or a need, selecting a solution, and then going through the design and development stages to full implementation. The needed software skills will be taught as the project progresses. You will also be taught business etiquette,  tools and processes for accomplishing specific tasks, how to work in a virtual environment, and other “real life” lessons from the business world. This class will simulate the business environment as much as possible.

The project management process is self-directed. The project manager (that’s you, the student) decides what will be done, how it will be done, and by when it has to be done (with input from the instructor and/or a mentor). Your final grade will largely be based on whether you have completed your project according to your project plan and schedule.

Students are expected to collaborate on projects. This is an “open workbench” environment, which means all students’ work is available any time during class for their peers (and the instructor) to review. All feedback, criticism, and even praise is to be given and received in a constructive and professional manner.

Students will be required to find a mentor to help them develop skills in their area of interest.

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REQUIRED MATERIALS

• Composition Notebook, either college or quad ruled; must be 9x7 inches or larger
  
• An online ID for instant messaging and group work (provider such as Yahoo! Or MSN to be determined)
• Two books from the Required Reading list

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EXPECTED COURSE LEARNING RESULTS

By the end of the class, the student will be able to:

• Develop and execute a project plan based on standard project management practices.
  
• Select the appropriate technology and then use it to implement their projects and communicate project status and results.
  
• Work as part of a team both in the classroom and in the virtual environment, teach others, serve customers, lead a team, and negotiate as necessary to accomplish their goals.

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CLASSROOM COMPETENCIES AND PROCEDURES

Students will:

• Be required to give at least two oral presentations each week: one formal and one or more informal or impromptu presentations. These presentations will be taped and reviewed by the class for both content and presentation style.
  
• Turn in all assignments, except for oral presentations and journal entries, in electronic format (either email or posted on the web as defined by the instructor).
  
• Conduct peer reviews, provide constructive criticism, and participate in all discussions.
  
• Keep a (paper) journal/lab book with at least two entries per week.
  
• We will not have formal tests or quizzes in this course, however you will be expected to defend your work either orally or in written format. Your grade will also be based on the quality of work and how well you achieved your project goals.
  
• Communicate via e-mail, voicemail, or newsgroup with the instructor at least once a day when she is not in attendance. (The instructor travels on business occasionally, in which case a substitute may preside over the class period but students are to report to the instructor.)

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CLASS SUCCESS CODE

This class operates under the rules of the La Sierra Academy Student Handbook.

Cheating

In the open workbench environment the following are considered cheating in addition to standard definitions:

• Someone does some or all the work for you that you are supposed to complete on your own, such as writing your project plan.
• When allowed, you do not give credit for work that you copied (such as snippets of programming code), or you do not cite references like your mentor, a classmate, or reference material.
• You falsify document/file properties, such as the date it was edited, in order to make it look like it meets criteria or deadlines.
• On team projects your behavior jeopardizes the success of the team. This can include not carrying your fair share of the workload, failing to meet commitments you made to the team such as missing deadlines, or intentionally turning in sub-standard work.

Any student involved in cheating will at least receive an F on the project and will be referred to the principal for disciplinary action.

Sabotage

Another potential problem in the open workbench environment is sabotage of another student’s work, whether it is intentional or accidental.

NO STUDENT IS ALLOWED TO ALTER ANOTHER STUDENT’S WORK IN ANY WAY AT ANY TIME, NOT EVEN WITH PERMISSION. 

Students are expected to conduct peer reviews, make suggestions and work together, but each student is to create, maintain and update his/her own work even when working on teams. There will be zero tolerance for sabotage – it will result in an immediate F for the project, possible expulsion from the course and referral to the principal for disciplinary action.

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ATTENDANCE

Students are expected to be in their seat when the bell rings. Tardiness and absences will be dealt with according to the LSA Student Handbook.

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GRADING SYSTEM

Your final grade will be evaluated on the following:

The Grading Scale is as follows:

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COURSE SCHEDULE

The Course Schedule is posted here.

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