Barren County High School
Digital Literacy
Course Syllabus
Course Title: Digital Literacy (This is a state mandated name change for the
course previously titled Computer and Technology Applications.)
Instructor: Mrs. Cindy Jackson
Contact Information: Email address: cindy.jackson@barren.kyschools.us
School phone: 651-6315
Planning time: 8:00 – 9:30
Class website: http://www.barren.kyschools.us/olc/teacher.aspx?s=1474
Dear Student and Parent/Guardian:
I am so excited to be starting my 23rd year of teaching at Barren County High School, my alma
mater. My goal every year is to get to know every one of my students because I truly believe
positive relationships make learning and school more meaningful. I strive to treat every student
respectively and fairly so by reading over our classroom procedures and requirements, you know up
front what is expected. I love teaching and I want everyone to be successful. To be successful,
effort and a positive attitude are crucial on everyone’s part. If you ever have questions, please
email me or call me during my planning time.
Let’s work together to make this year the BEST ever!
Course Resources:
Student Materials:
 Pocket folder with prongs or a three-ring binder (REQUIRED)
 Pens/pencils
 USB flash drive (recommended)
 Textbooks will remain in the classroom. If a student needs to check out a book, they must
do so at the end of the school day and return it before 8 am the following morning.
Course Objective and/or Description:
Students will use a computer and application software including word processing, presentation, database,
spreadsheets, internet, and email to prepare documents and reports. The impact of computers on society and
ethical issues are presented.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
Units of Study:
Computer and Technology Usage in Today’s Society, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft
Access, Microsoft Publisher, Movie Maker, Student E-mail, Microsoft PowerPoint.
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Additional projects may be added throughout the semester as determined by the teacher.
Current events will be utilized on a daily basis.
Grading Policy:
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Assignments will not be accepted when turned in after the due date except for excused
absences and those must be turned in within the allotted time frame per school policy.
Daily activities will count 10-50 points each.
Tests and projects will count 100-300 points each. These will be taken online.
Attendance Policy:
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If you are absent, upon your return to school and this class, come straight to my desk and
ask me what material you missed and need to make up. ONLY excused absences will give
you the right to make up missed work/exams. If it is a scheduled absence such as a field
trip, conference, etc., you should be prepared to turn the assignment in or take the test on the
day you return. Work should be turned in promptly in order to insure making the best grade
possible on it. Work may be made up before, during or after school and must be scheduled
with me. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule make-up work with the teacher.
If you missed for a field trip or school activity, it is your responsibility to meet deadlines
and make-up work. Use our new WIN time to make up missed work.
Semester Test Policy: All students are required to complete the semester exams. Counts 20%
of your grade beginning this year.
Plagiarism /Academic Dishonesty Policy: Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are serious
offenses. The academic work of a student is expected to be his/her own effort. Students must give
the author(s) credit for any source material used. To represent ideas or interpretations taken from a
source without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a borrowed passage after having changed a
few words, even if the source is cited, is also plagiarism. Students who commit any act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade in that portion of the course work. Acts of academic
dishonesty will be reported to the administration.
Classroom Rules:
Rule #1 Be Respectful
Rule #2 Be Prompt
Rule #3 Be Prepared
Consequences:
Verbal Warning
Teacher/Student Conference
Office Referral
Parent Contact
*The above rules are in addition to the classroom rules and procedures attached.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
The Road to Success . . .
Classroom Rules and Procedures
ARRIVAL TO CLASS
 Be in your assigned seat when the bell rings. Tardies are counted on your first occurance.
 Bring all your class materials (Pencil/Pen, Folder/Binder, Paper, Assignments)
 Personal belongings are to be stored under your table or seat or on the middle tables. (Not
out in the floor)
 Class begins promptly each day with you beginning on your Bell Work.
 Bell Work will be ACT/PLAN questions or content review questions. Refer to the
SmartBoard for our Daily Assignment. Begin work promptly while teacher takes attendance.
 I will also create a Jackson Digital Literacy folder on the U Public Drive for Bell Work and
Daily Assignments if you have trouble seeing the smart board or have been absent.
NO EATING OR DRINKING PERMITTED IN CLASS
 This includes bottled water.
 Failure to adhere to this will result in an office referral. We MUST keep our computer lab
clean and FREE of crumbs, spills, and empty food wrappers.
 If I give out treats for good behavior, etc. ALL wrappers must be put in the garbage or treats
will not be given out again.
ASSIGNMENTS
 It is essential to your academic success to complete all assignments.
 All classwork must be kept neatly in a folder or binder designated for this class ONLY. DO
NOT THROW ANYTHING AWAY! We have LOTS of handouts.
 Every assignment must be turned in with your name, date and the class period and be placed
in the appropriate storage crate on the table.
 Assignments are only made up according to excused absences or school trip and will be due
within the specified amount of school days. Unexcused absence = no makeup work.
 If you fail to turn in assignments within the specified school day limit, you will receive zeroes.
 It is your responsibility to find out the assignment and turn it in within the time limit. Use
the side calendars on the closet door for reminders. These will be updated daily.
 I will post Lesson PowerPoints, Handouts, etc on our class website for your use at home.
BE PREPARED
 Bring your materials and blue or black ink pen or pencil to class every day. Pencils will NOT
be loaned out by the teacher. Pencils are for sale for $.25. Mechanical pencils are for sale for
$.50.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
MANNERS
 Respect the teacher, as well as everyone around you.
 Raise your hand if you have a question.
 Do not speak unless given permission by the teacher. This maintains respect and order in the
classroom.
 If a visitor enters the room or if I receive a phone call from a parent or from the office, you
should remain on task and quiet.
 Rolling chairs are not to be wheeled around the classroom for ANY reason. This will
result in you NEVER getting to sit in a rolling chair for the remainder of the year.
 Do NOT operate technology unless you have received permission from the teacher.
 Do NOT move anything not belonging to you. This includes items belonging to the teacher,
as well as items belonging to students.
 No students may be in the room unattended.
 Keep pens, pencils, erasers, and other objects off the floor for safety.
 No Grooming (Class time is not the place for personal care: fixing hair, applying makeup, etc.)
TECHNOLOGY
 Students may not use the Internet without permission during class
time unless it is for part of an assignment or student has been given
permission by teacher.
 Students may not print from the Internet without permission.
 Students may not modify any settings on the computer. This includes printer settings,
screensavers, desktop wallpaper, and desktop icons.
 No GAMES, VIDEOS, FACEBOOK, ETC, DURING CLASS UNLESS THE TEACHER
HAS GIVEN YOU PERMISSION.
*********THIS WILL RESULT IN AN OFFICE REFERRAL.
HALL PASS
 You must ask permission and have a hall pass granted from the teacher in order to leave.
Please understand that not all requests may be approved. Do your business between classes.
 Sign out after receiving permission.
 Hall pass must be worn around your neck at all times when leaving the room.
 When leaving the classroom, do so quietly, not disturbing anyone else.
 Instructional/class time is valuable and you are expected to remain in class. Interruptions
disrupt the entire class.
Make all restroom visits and phone calls between classes.
CHEATING
 Zero tolerance. WHEN caught, an automatic zero! This includes copying, pasting, using
other people’s work or working in pairs when group work has not been designated.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
 Cell phones and other electronic devices should never be taken out for any reason during
class. You WILL NOT be allowed to CHARGE your phone in this class.
 If I see or hear a cell phone or other electronic device, I will follow school procedures and
take it and turn it in to the office. A parent/guardian must pick up the phone.
 You are NOT allowed to use your electronic devices to listen to music.
END OF CLASS
 If using the computers, close all programs and log out. 7th Period students are to PROPERLY
shut down the computer AND turn off their monitor.
 You must remain seated until the bell rings. I dismiss class-not the BELL!
 When leaving make sure your workstation is straightened up and your chair is pushed up
under the table. Place all trash in the trash can. Warning: Any paper left in the classroom will
be assumed to be unimportant and will be thrown in the trash by the next class.
TARDIES (Follow School Policy)
 Tardies – Tardies disrupt teaching and learning! ALL tardies will be written up and reported
to the office! Get a signed note if meeting with another teacher/principal.
GRADING
General Grading (Straight-point System)
FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA
 FBLA is a co-curricular organization for students enrolled in a business course or has been
enrolled.
 Class time will be allowed for FBLA activities and FBLA Projects may substitute for grades on
class assignments as approved by the teacher.
 FBLA is a wonderful organization and I strongly encourage you take advantage of the
opportunities that FBLA has to offer each of you.
“A mind, once expanded by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes
“There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.”
Alexander Woollcott
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Muriel Strode
“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.”
William Feather
“If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”
—Walt Disney
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
Digital Literacy
Tear this page off and return to Mrs. Jackson by Tuesday, August 12th for a
grade of 30 points.
Note: If this signed section of the syllabus IS NOT turned in, a grade of zero will
be given.
I have read the course syllabus and classroom procedures for Digital Literacy and understand
the expectations and requirements for this course.
Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name Printed: ________________________________________________
Student Signature: ___________________________________________________________
Student Name Printed: ________________________________________________________
TRAVEL—COMMUNITY SERVICE—LEADERSHIP—NETWORKING—COMPETITIVE EVENTS
Did any of the above areas interest you? Then you should join Barren County High School’s
premiere business association, Future Business Leaders of America. Our FBLA is extremely
active in both the high school and the community through a variety of service projects including
Children’s Day Program, Thanksgiving Basket Program, Christmas Angel Program, March of
Dimes, Pink Out, Build-A-Bed Project, and Relay for Life. Students participating in FBLA gain
leadership, communication and networking skills, as well as learning the importance of serving
others to assist them in life after high school. In addition, FBLA offers numerous opportunities to
compete at the regional, state and national level in business, technology, and communication areas.
Barren County High School’s FBLA is very proud to have several regional and state officers. At
BCHS, FBLA has a winning tradition. Join Barren County High School’s FBLA today!
Advisers are Mrs. Sheila Childress, Mrs. Cindy Jackson and Mrs. Angie Rush.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.