Student Support

I can always be contacted via email (please see email protocol) or through my “contact me” form or through the Remind service app (preferred).

Remember that I want you to pass, so please take advantage of the communication tools available to you to reach out to me any time you have a question.

Tools

Throughout the course we will be using various tools to help our learning:
  • Portable Apps
    • Chrome
    • Notepad++
  • Lastpass
  • Diigo (social bookmarking)
  • Google Drive
  • Google Takeout
  • Google Sites (the NEW Google Sites)
  • Google Keep
  • Gmail
  • Twitter
  • Dropbox

Google20 Days

“Google20” days are loosely modeled after Google’s philosophy of allowing their programmers and engineers to use one day per week to work on a “pet project” not related to their job. It is a hugely successful program that has resulted in many products at Google (like Gmail!).

While brainstorming how this might look in our class, we have come up with our own philosophy of how our “Google20” days should work:

  • You must have a mark of at least 70%.
  • You must work on something “productive”, i.e. no games, social media (chat, Twitter, Facebook) , etc.:
    • You may work on classwork for another class (math homework, anyone?!!).
    • You may work on personal projects such as hobbies, drawing, artwork, photography, independent research, programming, etc.
    • You may even continue working on projects related to this class!

Ultimately, the goal of our Google20 days is for you to be productive at something that moves your life forward in a positive way, doing something that you want to do.

At the beginning of each of these days we will ask you to fill in this form so you know what your plan is and eventually for me to measure how successful this program is.

[teacher link]

Posted on

Welcome to Mr Harshaw’s Students!

Welcome to the Computer Technology, Communications Technology, and Computer Science class!

If it’s related to computers, this is the class to be in!

Here is a presentation I will be reviewing with you to talk about the differences in the three subjects. I’m also sharing a handout that gives an overview of all the subjects in the Technology department.

Learning Skills and Work Habits

Responsibility

The student:

  • fulfils responsibilities and commitments within the learning environment;
  • completes and submits class work, homework, and assignments according to agreed-upon timelines;
  • takes responsibility for and manages own behaviour.

Organization

The student:

  • devises and follows a plan and process for completing work and tasks;
  • establishes priorities and manages time to complete tasks and achieve goals;
  • identifies, gathers, evaluates, and uses information, technology, and resources to complete tasks.

Independent Work

The student:

  • independently monitors, assesses, and revises plans to complete tasks and meet goals;
  • uses class time appropriately to complete tasks;
  • follows instructions with minimal supervision.

Collaboration

The student:

  • accepts various roles and an equitable share of work in a group;
  • responds positively to the ideas, opinions, values, and traditions of others;
  • builds healthy peer-to-peer relationships through personal and media-assisted interactions;
  • works with others to resolve conflicts and build consensus to achieve group goals;
  • shares information, resources, and expertise and promotes critical thinking to solve problems and make decisions.

Initiative

The student:

  • looks for and acts on new ideas and opportunities for learning;
  • demonstrates the capacity for innovation and a willingness to take risks
    demonstrates curiosity and interest in learning;
  • approaches new tasks with a positive attitude;
  • recognizes and advocates appropriately for the rights of self and others.

Self-regulation

The student:

  • sets own individual goals and monitors progress towards achieving them;
  • seeks clarification or assistance when needed;
  • assesses and reflects critically on own strengths, needs, and interests;
  • identifies learning opportunities, choices, and strategies to meet personal needs and achieve goals;
  • perseveres and makes an effort when responding to challenges.

Student Self Assessment

A self-assessment Google Doc can be found at http://goo.gl/EbMHz.
A self-assessment form can be found at http://goo.gl/jyuJi. [teacher link]
Ask your instructor which to use.

 

Keytag Instructions (SketchUp)

This page is for the SketchUp instructions. Click here for the Tinkercad instructions.

We are going to make personalized keytags using SketchUp, which can be downloaded free of charge from http://www.sketchup.com/download.

Download the template from here and remember where you saved it!

Double-click on the downloaded file to open it.

Choose the top top template (“Simple Template – Feet and Inches”) when SketchUp starts.

Insert your name, with a height of 16 mm and an extrusion height of 2 mm. When inserting, try to insert it close to one of the corners of the blank rectangle (not directly into the keytag itself).

  • Tools > 3D Text
  • Height: 16mm
  • Extrusion: 2mm

Size your text (using the Scale tool “S”) your name to the approximate size of the rectangle.

Make a copy (Ctrl-C) of your name and paste it (Ctrl-V) near the keytag. The Orbit tool “O” will be your best friend when doing this! (hint: Shift-O lets you pan the screen)

Move “M” the text down to the rectangle in the keytag.

Once you are are confident your model is correct, delete the original rectangle so you are only left with the keytag.

Save your keytag in your M drive with a filename similar to:

  • Full Name – Name of School – Keytag Text.skp (where Keytag Text is the actual text on the Keytag if it is different than your name).

Example:

  • Britney Smith – Senator Gibson – Leafs.skp

Once you have saved your  SKP file with the proper filename, export it as an STL file using the File ► Export STL… menu. If you do not have this menu, follow these instructions to install it.

To submit your STL file for printing, look for the assignment in Google Classroom.

TEJ3M Expectations

A. COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY FUNDAMENTALS

OVERALL EXPECTATIONS 
By the end of this course, students will:
A1. describe how computer components function, and discuss trends in the development of computer hardware;
A2. describe the functions of BIOSes and operating systems, and how they interact with each other and with computer hardware;
A3. describe the function of electronic components and the use of these components in control systems and other circuits, and calculate values for circuit components;
A4. describe network concepts, services, and security;
A5. demonstrate an understanding of the use of binary numbers, hexadecimal numbers, and Boolean algebra in computer logic and data processing.
SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS 

A1. Computer Hardware

By the end of this course, students will:
A1.1 describe how the internal components of a computer function (e.g., CPU, mainboard, disk drives, RAM, chipset, video card, sound card, expansion slot);
A1.2 describe various standards for connecting computer components (e.g., parallel port, RS-232, USB, IEEE 1394, VGA, DVI);
A1.3 describe trends in the development of computer hardware (e.g., size, cost, and speed of processors, memory, and hard drives; video resolution; capacity of optical disks).

A2. Computer Systems

By the end of this course, students will:
A2.1 describe the essential functions and other features of various operating systems (e.g., functions: management of resources, files, processes, and applications; features: services, usability, performance, applications such as text editor, web browser, or media player);
A2.2 describe changes that may be required when upgrading hardware components or features of a computer system (e.g., BIOS updates, installation of drivers for new hardware, resolution of compatibility issues);
A2.3 describe the essential functions performed by the BIOS firmware in computer systems (e.g., POST [power on self test], boot sequence, hardware recognition, detection of master boot record);
A2.4 describe how the BIOS, hardware, and operating system of a computer interact.

A3. Electronics, Robotics, and Computer Interfacing

By the end of this course, students will:
A3.1 identify and describe the functions of electronic components (e.g., resistor, capacitor, diode, LED);
A3.2 describe the function of electrical devices used in control systems (e.g., stepper motor, direct-current motor, touch sensor, accelerometer, optical sensor, power supply);
A3.3 calculate the values of components in electronic circuits using fundamental laws (e.g., Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s laws);
A3.4 explain the importance of advances in electronics (e.g., compare size, cost, and performance of vacuum tubes, transistors, and integrated circuits);
A3.5 compare the advantages and disadvantages of interfacing using desktop computers, micro-controllers, and programmable logic controllers.

A4. Networking Concepts

By the end of this course, students will:
A4.1 explain fundamental network concepts (e.g., bandwidth, throughput, full duplex, half duplex);
A4.2 explain the fundamental aspects of TCP/IP addressing as it pertains to workstations on a network (e.g., workstation IP address, subnet mask, MAC [media access control] address, default gateway address);
A4.3 describe various services offered by servers to network clients (e.g., HTTP, FTP, SMTP, telnet, printing, file transfers and storage, login);
A4.4 describe methods for making a network secure (e.g., firewalls, data and password encryption, user authentication, WEP or WPA keys, security of server room).

A5. Data Representation and Digital Logic

By the end of this course, students will:
A5.1 describe binary and hexadecimal numbers, and convert positive integers among decimal, binary, and hexadecimal number systems;
A5.2 compare binary and hexadecimal representation of addresses and data (e.g., absolute addressing, character codes, colours);
A5.3 relate Boolean algebra to the fundamental logic gates and to combinations of these gates, using symbolic, algebraic, and numeric representations.

B. COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

OVERALL EXPECTATIONS 
By the end of this course, students will:
B1. build, configure, and maintain a computer system, and connect peripheral devices;
B2. set up, optimize, and back up a computer system;
B3. design, construct, create diagrams for, and troubleshoot electronic circuits and interfaces for control systems;
B4. design, install, configure, test, and troubleshoot networks;
B5. demonstrate an understanding of fundamental programming concepts, and develop a program that interacts with an external device.
SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS 

B1. Hardware Solutions

By the end of this course, students will:
B1.1 build a computer from parts to meet specified requirements (e.g., for gaming, business, entertainment, media centre, or graphic design);
B1.2 use correct procedures to prevent damage to sensitive components (e.g., use anti-static wrist straps and mats, disconnect power when inserting expansion cards);
B1.3 install and configure peripheral devices in a computer system (e.g., printer, video camera, external drives);
B1.4 document maintenance and troubleshooting of computer hardware on a day-to-day basis (e.g., use a journal or log to record work done, time taken, problems found, solutions attempted, and results).

B2. Computer Systems

By the end of this course, students will:
B2.1 set up and configure a home office system (e.g., computer, scanner, printer, appropriate software);
B2.2 use system utilities for optimization and backup (e.g., defragment files; scan hard drives for defective sectors; run complete, incremental, and differential backups);
B2.3 configure a computer system to use multiple operating systems (e.g., dual boot, virtual machines).

B3. Electronics, Robotics, and Computer Interfacing

By the end of this course, students will:
B3.1 use a design process (see pp. 22–23) to design and safely construct and test interfacing or robotics circuits (e.g., for LED traffic lights, VU meter, alarm system, or motor control), using appropriate materials and techniques, including soldering;
B3.2 troubleshoot an electronic circuit using appropriate methods and test equipment (e.g., methods: isolation and substitution of components; equipment: multimeter, oscilloscope, logic probe);
B3.3 draw and interpret diagrams that represent circuit components and functions (e.g., schematic diagram, block diagram, flow chart);
B3.4 use computer programs to simulate circuit performance and to draw schematic diagrams and circuit layouts (e.g., circuit simulator, schematic capture software, printed circuit board layout software).

B4. Network Setup and Management

By the end of this course, students will:
B4.1 design, install, and configure a peer-to-peer network (e.g., choose appropriate computers and network interfaces, construct cables, enable file sharing) using appropriate tools, materials, and equipment (e.g., UTP cable, 8P8C connectors, crimping tool, cable tester);
B4.2 draw diagrams of various LAN types (e.g., peer-to-peer, client-server) and topologies(e.g., bus, star, ring);
B4.3 construct various network cables (e.g., straight-through, crossover);
B4.4 use a variety of methods to verify the operation of a network (e.g., visual inspection, ping, ipconfig, telnet, tracert, arp);
B4.5 use a problem-solving process (see pp. 21–23) to troubleshoot networks.

B5. Computer Programming

By the end of this course, students will:
B5.1 use constants, variables, expressions, and assignment statements correctly, taking into account the order in which operations are performed;
B5.2 use input statements, output statements, selection structures, and repetition structures in a program;
B5.3 use a design process (see pp. 22–23) to write, test, and debug a computer program that controls and/or responds to the inputs from an external device (e.g., LED array, motor, relay, infrared sensor, temperature sensor).

C. TECHNOLOGY, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND SOCIETY

OVERALL EXPECTATIONS 
By the end of this course, students will:
C1. describe environmental issues related to the widespread use of computers and associated technologies;
C2. describe societal issues related to the widespread use of computers and associated technologies.
SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS 

C1. Technology and the Environment

By the end of this course, students will:
C1.1 describe the effects of computer and electronic technology on the environment (e.g., accumulation of electronic waste, including lead and other toxic materials used in computers; release of ozone-destroying chemicals used to wash soldering flux from circuit boards; energy consumed by computers left in standby mode; fuel consumption and air pollution reduced by computerized traffic-control systems);
C1.2 outline how community partners and government agencies apply the reduce/reuse/recycle concept to computer technology.

C2. Technology and Society

By the end of this course, students will:
C2.1 describe the benefits of computer and electronic technology for society (e.g., greater efficiency and lower costs for information services, improved access to technology for economically disadvantaged people and nations, development of a “global village”);
C2.2 describe some of the drawbacks of computer and electronic technology for society (e.g., loss of privacy, infringement of intellectual property rights through unlicensed copying and electronic distribution, a more sedentary lifestyle, spam, telemarketing, Internet gambling addictions).

D. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

OVERALL EXPECTATIONS 
By the end of this course, students will:
D1. demonstrate an understanding of relevant safety practices, standards, and legislation;
D2. describe ethical and security issues related to the use of computers;
D3. describe various careers related to computer technology and electronics, and the entry requirements for these careers.
SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS 

D1. Health and Safety

By the end of this course, students will:
D1.1 comply with relevant industry practices, standards, and related legislation to ensure workplace safety (e.g., standards and regulations specified in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System [WHMIS] and the Electrical Safety Code; grounding and enclosure standards for electrical circuits; ergonomically sound workplace
arrangements and practices);
D1.2 describe and use appropriate equipment, techniques, and strategies to avoid health and safety problems associated with computer use (e.g., back injuries from improper lifting of heavy equipment, repetitive strain injuries, eye strain).

D2. Ethics and Security

By the end of this course, students will:
D2.1 describe the components of an acceptable-use policy for computers (e.g., restrictions on commercial or personal use, prohibition of inappropriate content, protection of privacy);
D2.2 explain the importance of and comply with software licensing legislation (e.g., copyright and patent acts);
D2.3 explain the importance of security (e.g., password protection, encryption) for confidential data and other sensitive electronic information (e.g., to protect against industrial espionage or identity theft).

D3. Career Opportunities

By the end of this course, students will:
D3.1 describe various careers related to computer technology and electronics that require postsecondary education (e.g., computer engineer, systems analyst, network analyst, information technology technician);
D3.2 describe entry requirements, including computer expertise, for careers related to computer technology (e.g., apprenticeships, university programs, college programs, industry certifications);
D3.3 identify groups and programs that are available to support students who are interested in pursuing non-traditional career choices in computer technology (e.g., mentoring programs, virtual networking/support groups, specialized postsecondary programs, relevant trade/industry associations);
D3.4 demonstrate an understanding of and apply the Essential Skills that are important for success in the computer technology industry, as identified in the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP)(e.g., reading text, writing, document use, computer use, oral communication, numeracy, thinking skills);
D3.5 demonstrate an understanding of and apply the work habits that are important for success in the computer technology industry, as identified in the Ontario Skills Passport (e.g., working safely, teamwork, reliability, organization, working independently, initiative, self-advocacy);
D3.6 maintain an up-to-date portfolio that includes pieces of work and other materials that provide evidence of their skills and achievements in computer technology (e.g., Passport to Safety certificate, OSP Work Plan, OSP Transition Plan, circuit diagrams, photographs of projects, video of working robot), and explain why having a current portfolio is important for career development and advancement.

TEJ3M Course Outline

Always in development!