Course Description
A study of business functions, methods of business operation, types of business ownership, and the role of business organizations in contemporary society.
Instructor
Jason Timm ("Techno")
Office: Room 206
Email: jasontimm@gmail.com
Website: http://www.technosworld.com
Availability: Generally available in room 206 periods 1-3 and for at least 15 minutes after school
Units We Will Cover
Introduction to the Global Economy
General Business Operations
Management and Employment in a Diverse Business World
Career Awareness
Entrepreneurship
US Economic System
Financial Institutions
Government and Business
Things You Will Need
We will be turning most assignments in electronically which means that you will most likely need to have your own storage device (jump drive, etc.) in order to transport your assignments from home to school.
You will also need to bring in a 3-ring binder to store information that you will collect on the three companies you will be following throughout the term. I would suggest a 1-2" white binder that allows you to insert a cover page on the front.
Class Format
In this class you will experience a variety of teaching methods including individual work, partner/group work, and team work. Sometimes you will have the option of choosing your partners, and other times they will be assigned by me.
For the part of the class, you will be considered "employees" of Technos World Inc. (a fictional company). You will compete for the jobs you want by applying and interviewing for them. It is my hope that in this way, you will gain a better understanding of roles found in real-world companies.
For the second part of the class, you will be divided into groups and will have the opportunity to create a company. Details about the 2nd quarter company project will be given out as we get closer to that time In general, you will assign jobs within your company, create and produce a product or service, market your product or service, and discover the intricacies of running a business.
In addition to the major projects, you will also be presenting from time to time to help you refine your presentation skills and to contribute knowledge you have gained through various activities to the rest of the class.
Expectations / Policies
Food and Drink – You may not consume food, candy, or gum in this lab unless I give it out. Since this room gets very warm, I will allow water (only in a clear container with a functioning lid) as long as there are no problems related to this. The first time I have to clean up a puddle of water or pick up your water bottles, this privilege may go away.
Cell Phones – All cell phones and related devices should be off during class. Checking voicemail, text messaging, and other communications via these devices are not allowed in class. In the unlikely event that you forget this rule and I hear a cell phone ring, I reserve the right to answer the phone and say anything I want to the caller. And for providing this secretarial service to you, you will be required to perform a Techno Task*, otherwise the standard school procedures regarding use of these devices wll be followed.
Other devices – The use of MP3 players, handheld computers of any type, calculators, and related devices is not allowed in class without prior permission unless it is part of the lesson for the day. The exception to this rule is during quiet work times when I have you working on a project or assignment. If you are caught violating this rule, the device will become mine for a length of time of my choosing. You may recover the device by performing a Techno Task* or by having your parents come pick it up.
Computer use – You must comply with all applicable rules related to computer use as stated by the Ridgefield School District. Failure to comply with these standards and guidelines may cause you to lose your student access account. This will make it very difficult for you to complete work in this class.
• You may not install software on any RSD computer unless directed to do so by a faculty member.
• You may not send or receive email in any way including via web based services or through the use of proxy servers. Be aware that all network traffic is monitored and logged by people in this building and in the district offices.
• You may not use the computer for personal use unless otherwise directed. This includes playing games, printing anything not class related, and watching movies.
• You may not plug in any peripherals without prior permission from a faculty member.
• You may not use your account to store any information that is not school related. This includes any copyrighted materials such as mp3’s, .wma files, or any other type of audio files, movies, video clips, etc.
• You may not search for, display, or otherwise interact with any websites or software that is in any way related to illegal or offensive materials. If you wouldn’t want me, the principal, or your parents watching you over your shoulder then you probably shouldn’t be doing it.
Behavior – While class is in session, you will conduct yourself as the mature, responsible young adults I know you all are. This means treating each other and school staff with respect. Disruptive behavior in class will not be tolerated.
• Do not talk out of turn. Raise your hand if you would like to participate in class discussions.
• Pay attention to whomever is speaking (texting, talking with friends, writing notes, surfing the net, playing games, doing homework, working on your plan to take over the universe, and these types of things should be done on your own time).
• Be ready to participate in class when the bell rings – not 5 minutes later.
• If you have any reason that you need to show up late, leave early, or otherwise be absent from class, please give me a heads-up ahead of time.
• Keep your work area clean. I am not your mother and I am not your housekeeper. Because you will all be the room custodian at some point, have respect for your classmates and keep your own area clean.
Attitude – While in my class, I do not expect you to know everything. I don’t expect you live, breathe, eat, and sleep technology and the projects we are doing. I do, however, expect that you will have a good attitude about them. I want you bear with me during the boring parts of the class, and stay with me when I present you with the more challenging projects. I am here to help you, but the best way to lose me as an ally is to have a bad attitude.
Class Start and End – Class begins when the bell rings. By that time, you should be in your seats, personal electronics should be off, and you should be ready to learn. The more time we have for learning in class, the less time you will have to do it on your own at home. Similarly, class ends when the bell rings, or when I excuse you – whichever comes LAST. I will do my best to get you out on time, but in the rare event that I do not, it will be because the information I am trying to give to you is important and deserves your full attention.
Plagiarism – Each student is expected to be honest in his or her work. Plagiarism is dishonest. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers and/or other academic materials. Anyone caught plagiarizing will earn a zero for the project and may be referred to an associate principal for further disciplinary action.
Cheating – Each student is expected to be honest in his or her work. Cheating is dishonest. The term “cheating” includes but is not limited to: (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; (2) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or (3) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the faculty or staff. Any interaction between students in a testing situation may be interpreted as cheating. Academic honesty is twofold on the part of the student; first, not to cheat, and second, not to enable others to cheat. Any student caught cheating will earn a zero for the project or test and may be referred to an associate principal for further disciplinary action.
Late Work – To achieve the best possible grades on projects and assignments, you must turn them in on or before the due date. Late work due to unexcused absences will not be accepted for credit. You will lose 10% of the possible points per day late for any work turned in past the due date. Any work more than four days late will not be accepted for credit.
Discipline Plan
Behavior that is disruptive to your own or another student's learning will not be tolerated. My guidelines for discipline are as follows.
If you are an otherwise good student with a clean record and you commit a minor infraction (talking out of turn, late to class, etc.), I may choose to give you the option of performing a Techno Task* in lieu of other disciplinary actions. However, if you have already been given grace for a previous infraction, the following consequences are possible:
- Verbal or written warning
- Extra graded student presentation (class related or other)
- After school detention
- Parent contact
- Referral to associate principal
In the case of severe disruption or school safety violation, the student will be sent immediately to an associate principal with a referral.
NOTE: Students who are uncooperative with a substitute teacher will automatically be assigned an after school detention in addition to any other discipline assigned by the substitute.
* You might be wondering what a Techno Task is…
A Techno Task can be any of a range of activities of my choosing and may not be the same from one day to another. Activities might include but are not limited to: demonstrating 20 or more perfect pushups, singing a song of my choosing in front of the class, performing a mini-research project for me on a topic of my choice (sewer treatment plants??), offering assistance to another teacher for a project, teaching the class about something instead of me, etc.
Of course these opportunities are not guaranteed and may be refused by any student at any time at which time I will default to the standard disciplinary action list above. I am always looking for new Techno Tasks to offer, so if you have any ideas – let me know!
Grading
Points will be given for various activities. The following shows the weight of each type of activity.
Professionalism / Participation 20%
Presentations 20%
Homework 20%
Tests / Quizzes 20%
Projects 20%
Grades will be computed by dividing the total number of points earned by the total number of points possible. Semester grades will be cumulative over both quarters. Quarter and semester grades will be based on the following scale:
A 93 - 100%
A- 90 - 92%
B+ 87 - 89%
B 83 - 86%
B- 80 - 82%
C+ 77 - 79%
C 73 - 76%
C- 70 - 72%
D+ 67 - 69%
D 63 - 66%
F/I/NC 0 - 62%
Professionalism / Participation
Professionalism is a desired trait in both the academic world and in the workplace. It encompasses such things as respect for others, adherence to policies and procedures, doing your best on every project, having a good attitude, teamwork, leadership, cooperation, and setting an example for others. Being ready for class on time, turning assignments in on time, and presenting information in a useful and understandable way (good communication) are also elements of professionalism.
Participation in class discussions is essential to you and your classmates. The free exchange of information and ideas is how many of today’s innovations came to pass. I will allow many opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ideas and I expect that you will take advantage of those opportunities. You will find that the class is a lot more fun when everyone contributes and feels free to provide input.
Presentations
Each quarter, you will be creating and giving a presentation on various topics. The presentations will require you to investigate a tpoic and present it to the class using whatever tools you think will help you relate the information the best. You are encouraged to find ways that technology can help, but will not be required to use any particular software or format. More guidelines will be handed out each quarter with the choices for topics.
Homework
Homework will generally be short assignments designed to prepare you for more in depth discussions in class, or will be assigned to help you achieve project goals and timeline expectations.
Tests / Quizzes
There will be several small quizzes throughout the class so that I know that you have gained the skills I think you need to be successful in other parts of this class. I also need to make sure that you have achieved the class objectives so that you can apply for college credit for this class. The tests and quizzes will usually not be cumulative unless I tell you in advance. Some tests will be one-on-one demonstrations of concepts as opposed to written tests.
Projects
Each quarter you will have a project to do. The purpose of the projects is to allow you to work in a small group to explore a partuicular topic in depth. You will develop a project concept and a list of questions you will address about it, create and present your project plan to me, gather the resources you will need, conduct research and interviews, find answers to your original questions, and prepare a presentation which will be shared with the class, other school staff, and maybe parents.
You will be given quite a bit of class time for working on various phases of your project; however, you will need to spend time outside of class to complete it. Part of your project grade will be time management and I encourage you to keep up with the tasks and not put them off until the last minute.