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Design Technology Syllabus

A Linear Presentation

Introduction

Using industrial, video, and audio tools to design and create an original product.

Students learn and utilize the Design Cycle to develop a solution to a real-world problem.

The use of current computer applications and tools are major driving forces in the design of products.

Expectations

Arrive on time with all supplies ready to use.

No cell phones, iPods, electronic devices may be used, or out of the student’s pocket/purse/bag.

Treat classroom materials with care.

Negatively treating or bullying another student is prohibited. This may not be done via the Internet, either.

Student needs to monitor the assignment due dates for the class.

When frustrated in your work, don’t stop, but shift to something else.

Grade 8 Unit Summary

Unit 1: Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation (8-9 weeks) Students use their Community and Service topic as a socio-

environmental issue that they need to draw attention to so as to get funding/sponsorship, increased awareness, and volunteers. Students will use advanced PowerPoint tools to maximize the effectiveness of their presentation. 

Unit 2: Construct a MouseTrap Car (8-10 weeks) Students design a MouseTrap Car that focuses on

maximizing speed and distance. Students will use Internet resources to find models and to discover the 6 simple machines as tools to aid in their design. 

Grade 8 Unit Summary, Part 2

Unit 3: iMovie Commercial for Unit 1 or 2 Project (9-10 weeks) Students will learn the editing tools available in iMovie

and then will produce a commercial highlighting their Unit 1 topic or their mousetrap car from Unit 2. 

Unit 4: Xtranormal Writing a Script (6-8 weeks) Students will learn how to create an animated short

movie using the web-based tool, Xtranormal. Students will have some freedom to choose the topic of their script, but can use material created in this, or other classes.

Submitting Assignments

Students will submit some assignments on paper, but many will be turned in by copying the assignment into their DropBox folder that is available anywhere with online access.

Having Internet problems is not a valid excuse for submitting an assignment late: class meets once per week and the school allows for you to access your DropBox folder any day.

Due Dates and Student Responsibility

Assignments lose 5% of their points for every day an assignment is submitted late.

Homework and long-term assignments are available to students online; if a student is absent it is his/her responsibility to check online for the work they should make up. Students should also follow up with the teacher upon their return to school.

Grading and Plagiarism

Grades for each term will be assigned in accordance with ISAlmere’s grading scale.

Grades for large projects will be done based on a rubric that will be provided to students at the beginning of the project. It will also be available online.

Plagiarism is very easy to trace, don’t do it! It is also difficult to tell when you are plagiarizing, or using another’s ideas to form your own. Students will be alerted to potential plagiarism before the final due date so that they may remove it.

Cheating and Copyright Infringement

A student found cheating when submitting an assignment, taking a quiz/test, or copying another’s work will receive a zero for the assignment.

Copyright infringement will be reviewed at the beginning of the class so that students know how to credit any work that they use from another website.

Work Hard and Enjoy!

You will be expected to perform at a high level in this class, but you will create some truly great products that you will enjoy making.

Enjoy the video!