Objective a: Preview school handbook, the technology acceptable use policy, and other safety procedures for building level

There are many rules and procedures that are to be followed in the ICT computer lab. We will discuss school handbook, specific classroom lab procedures for this course, and some safety procedures that are school wide. School wide safety procedures include fire and tornado drills. Click the link to open a Word document of procedures and guidelines we will follow. Feel free to make notes as we discuss each item.

Lab procedures & guidelines revised.docx

COMPUTER LAB RULES:

1.	Follow all directions given and bring necessary supplies to class.
2.	Bringing food (gum and candy), drinks, or computer disks into the lab is not allowed.
3.	Do not "roll" around the classroom or "spin" in their chairs. Adjust your chair only once during the class period. Do not lean back in the chairs.
4.	No personal grooming is allowed in the computer lab.
5.	Talking or keyboarding while the instructor is talking is not allowed. Raise hand for permission to speak.
6.	Cheating of any type will not be tolerated and will result with a "0" grade.
7.	Keep the floor area around your work station clear. Notebooks and purses must be kept in assigned area.
8.	Do not engage in "practical jokes" in the classroom.
9.	Take proper care of the equipment assigned to you.
10.	Check your station upon arrival and report any equipment malfunction or irregularity to the instructor immediately.
11.	Work only on assigned tasks unless otherwise approved by instructor.

Objective b: Preview course outline and its relevance in today's workforce

Information and Communication Technology II (ICT II) is an innovative instructional program that prepares students to effectively use technology in learning, communication, and life. Students in Information and Communication Technology II complete study in interpersonal and self-directional skills, basic technology operation and technology concepts, ethical issues in technology, technology communication tools, lab management and networking, financial literacy, spreadsheet applications, database applications, design applications, graphic design applications, web design applications, and career preparation.

Unit Number	Unit Name
1	Orientation, Ethics, and Keyboarding Continuation (ongoing)
2	Lab Management and Networking
3	Financial Literacy
4	Spreadsheet Applications
5	Database Applications
6	Design Applications
7	Graphic Design Applications
8	Web Design Applications
9	Career Preparation* *To be taught any time during the year in association with the next year’s course selection

Introduction

Information and Communication Technology II (ICT II) is an instructional program that prepares individuals to effectively use technology in learning, communication, and life skills. In ICT II, students will build upon the skills they learned in ICT I and expand them to applications such as spreadsheets, databases, graphic design, and web design. Upon completion of the two year ICT program, students will have the competencies needed to complete the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³) certification. The IC³ is a global, standards-based certification program for basic computing and Internet literacy. The IC³ Program consists of integrated assessment and learning experiences that culminate in certification. The certification helps participants learn and demonstrate computer and Internet literacy through a worldwide industry standard. To become IC³ certified, one must pass the following three exams: (a) Computing Fundamentals, (b) Key Applications, and (c) Living Online (Microsoft Certification, 2005).

Needs of the Future Workforce

The information and communication technology industry is a rapidly growing and ever-changing field. Students will learn basic skills that will serve as the foundation of their knowledge. The workforce will require them to use these skills and adapt them to various specialties. As seen in Table 1.1, the information and communication technology workforce is equally competitive as it is abundant in opportunities for upward mobility (MDES, 2013).

Table 1.1: Current and Projected Occupation Report

Description	Jobs, 2008	Projected Jobs, 2018	Change (Number)	Change (Percent)	Average Hourly Earning
Computer Operators	990	860	-130	-13.1	$17.60
Computer Programmers	1,380	1,340	-40	-2.9	$26.51
Computer and Information Systems Managers	1,130	1,340	210	18.6	$38.49
Data Entry	1,840	1,740	-100	-5.4	$11.69
Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	6,650	7,640	990	14.9	$18.17
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Office and Administrative Support Workers	12,250	14,010	1,760	14.4	$21.56
General and Operations Managers	15,650	16,160	510	3.3	$45.82
Graphic Designers	1,230	1,360	130	10.6	$16.86
Word Processors and Typists	730	720	-10	-1.4	$12.68

Source: Mississippi Department of Employment Security; www.mdes.ms.gov (accessed February 18, 2013).

The following national standards were referenced in each course of the curriculum:

21st Century Skills and Information and Communication Technologies Literacy Standards
Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S)

Objective c: Recognize appropriate safety measures in relation to technology in the computer lab and Internet usage

It is important to maintain safety in a computer lab. This safety applies to people as well as to the computers. Click the link below to visit the GCF Learn Free website to learn more about computer safety and maintenance. Many pages have videos or other activities to complete.

Computer Basics - Computer Safety and Maintenance

Page 1 of the GCF page discusses the importance of keeping the computer clean. Five tips are provided for cleaning the keyboard. Be sure to watch the video on page 1.

Page 2 discusses cleaning the mouse. Four steps for cleaning a mouse are provided. Look closely at the pictures.

Page 3 demonstrates how to clean the monitor. There are three important steps in cleaning a monitor. The most important thing to remember is never to spray glass cleaner or other liquid on the monitor!

Page 4 provides tips for cleaning other computer surfaces and the importance of keeping the computer cool.

Page 5 has information for protecting the computer from viruses and other "bad" software. Click the links to learn more about protecting the computer from internal threats.

Pages 6 and 7 have information for backing up the computer and all information stored on the drives. Make sure that you save your work. You do not want to redo work.

Page 8 warns of the importance of creating a safe workspace. Watch the video on this page. Even sitting incorrectly at a computer can cause injury!

Page 9 asks questions to help you recall important points for computer safety and maintenance. If you do not know the answer to a question on this page, look back in the section to refresh yourself on what was stated. It is imperative that you understand the importance of safety and maintenance in the computer lab.

Look at the PowerPoint and Word documents below. They contain information for computer safety and maintenance expectations as well. You will be tested on the information. Learn it well! You MUST earn a 100 on the safety quiz before you can proceed with the course.

Computer_Safety_and_Care.ppt

LAB Rules.pptx

Computer Safety and Care.doc

Class Lab Rules.docx

(The first PowerPoint and Word documents are provided by Mary Dunaway. The second PowerPoint and Word documents are provided by Dianna Gallagher.)

Objective d: Provide an overview of career pathways and careers related to each pathway

There are 16 national career clusters. As you investigate each of the clusters as given below by clicking on their respective links, notice the many files that can be opened and examined for more information on careers in the cluster. Take time to explore each closely. The 16 clusters are as follows:

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Architecture and Construction

Arts, A/V Technology and Communications

Business Mangement and Administration

Education and Training

Finance

Government and Public Administration

Health Science

Hospitality and Tourism

Human Services

Information Technology

Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Manufacturing

Marketing

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Look at the videos below to aid your understanding of the 16 Career Clusters.

The booklet below will tie all of the career clusters together for you. This booklet includes many student organizations that are available for each of the cluster areas. These organizations provide you an opportunity to compete in these different areas to see if the area is one you would enjoy as well as simply provide basic information. Click the link to look at the booklet.

Career Pathways.pdf

PathwaysBooklet.pdf