Middle School

Computer Studies (Grades 6 - 8)

Once students feel comfortable utilizing a computer, they are ready to begin learning more advanced tools that will be required in high school as well as their college studies and beyond. Microsoft Office Suite - a professional level combination of word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation and desktop publishing software - is utilized by a large percentage of companies and schools. As the overwhelming worldwide standard and a prerequisite for studying at many U.S. universities, we use Microsoft Office almost exclusively at the middle school level so that students are prepared long before college. Many of our students as early as third grade are well-versed in at least three of the five Office modules.

Students will learn:

 -   Selection and use of appropiate tools and technology resources to accomplish specific tasks and solve problems.

-   Design, develop, publish and present products using technology resources that communicate curriculum concepts to audiences inside and outside of the classroom.

-   Demonstrate an understanding of concepts involving hardware, software, communications and connectivity, as well as practical applications for learning and problem solving.

- Explore the History of Computer Technology and investigate the impact of technology on modern society, its pros and cons, its successes and failures.

-   Demonstrate knowledge of the use of a complete suite of productivity applications, Internet Skills, including searching, electronic mail, etc.

Current Software Utilized (Grades 6-8, both U.S. and Uruguayan programs)

-    Microsoft Encarta and Encyclopedia Britannica

-    Microsoft Powerpoint presentations & webpages

-    Microsoft Word for word processing

-    Microsoft Excel for spreadsheets

-    Microsoft Publisher for page layout of brochures, folders, etc.

-    Internet Explorer 6.0 for Internet

-    Microsoft Outlook for email

-    Adobe Multimedia Suite for Advanced Students

-    Inspiration for Organizational Skills

-    Timeliner

-    StageCast Creator (LOGO-based Intro to Object Programming)

-    Adobe Photo Elements (image editing)

-    Adobe Premiere Elements (video editing)

The goal of the 6th grade Information Technology class is to give students the computer tools necessary to succeed into their transition into high school.

Content

• The students will learn how to utilize various computer tools to produce efficient and professional looking presentations.

• The students will learn how to utilize the scanner and digital cameras. They will be able to incorporate these files into their presentations.

• The students will have a short introduction on how to create their own web pages.

• Students will take turns presenting their works to the class, thus improving their verbal communication skills. As a by-product of this exercise, the remaining students sharpening their listening and note-taking skills as quizzes and tests will include information culled from all the presentations.

 The students will learn a series of software packages (Inspiration, TimeLiner)  that will help them to organize ideas for all subjects.

The goal of this course is to develop computer literacy by understanding the progress of computers throughout history. It will also focus on the ability to determine what technical tools are needed to solve particular tasks. Students will learn software applications including the Office Suite by completing different activities during the semester.

History of Computers

Students will learn the origin of computers and the rapid development of its inventions. 

Computers in the Future

Students will forecast how computers will look like, how they will work and their applications.

Computer Uses

Students will learn the different applications of today’s technology.

Computer Terminology

Students will learn the different jargon so that they can understand the different computer literature.

How a Computer Works

-Hardware

-Software

How to search the Internet More Effectively

Students will learn different methods to search the internet to better apply its power to search for information.

Proper Internet Resource Citing

New media require new methods of citing references.

Computer in Society

We begin a discussion of technology's role in society

New Concerns

We introduce concerns related to computer usage:  viruses, hackers, spyware, anonymous chatting, etc.

Computer/Technology skills are essential components of every student’s education. In order to maximize opportunities for students to acquire necessary skills for academic success, they need to be computer literate, understanding the different types of electronic communications.

In the final year of Middle School, students polish their productivity skills and expand upon some of the themes introduced in 7th grade.

In order to acquire these concepts the students in grade eight will learn the following:

The student will communicate through application software.

- Compose and edit documents using word processing skills.

- Communicate spreadsheets by entering data and setting up formulas, analyzing data, and creating graphs or charts to visually represent data.

- Integrate graphics, and spreadsheets into word-processed documents.

The student will communicate through networks and telecommunication.

- Use local and worldwide network communication systems.

- Develop hypermedia -home page- documents that can be accessed by worldwide networks.

The student will have a basic understanding of computer processing, storing, retrieval, and transmission technologies and a practical appreciation of the relevant advantages and disadvantages of various processing, storage, retrieval, and transmission technologies.

The student will process, store, retrieve, and transmit electronic information.

- Use search strategies to retrieve information.

- Use electronic encyclopedias, almanacs, indexes, and catalogs to retrieve and select relevant information.

- The student will learn the different types of computer viruses and how to prevent them as well as spyware and hacker attacks on their personal computers.

Time permitting, we may begin to introduce students to programming through an object-oriented language included with Stagecast Creator. Students may also participate in the production of a class movie or begin the creative exploration of the Adobe Multi-media Graphic Suite on an introductory level. This subjects are explored in depth in high school.