syllabus
Desktop Publishing
Jodi Leimkuehler
Solon High School
319.624.3401 ext 1124
jleimkuehler@solon.k12.ia.us
http://www.solon.k12.ia.us/~jodi_leimkuehler
Kirkwood Career Edge Academy – Software Specialist
Desktop Publishing is part of the Software Specialist Career Edge Academy. Career Edge is a
partnership between high schools and Kirkwood Community College. Career Edge Academies are
career-focused, college credit courses available to high school students. The courses focus on
academic and technical preparation to provide relevant skills for today’s workforce.
Students will receive dual credit for this course. Dual credit means you get both high school AND
college credit. Your grade will be reflected on both your high school AND college transcripts. You
will need to fill out an online application to Kirkwood Community College (see page 3).
Course Description
This course allows the student to create professional-quality documents such as a one-page bulletin
or a short newsletter using Adobe InDesign desktop publishing software. The student will also learn
how to create and edit images using Adobe Photoshop and apply design principles to their work.
Learning Goals
Upon completing this course, students should be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of Adobe Photoshop
• Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of Adobe InDesign
• Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of Microsoft Publisher
• Demonstrate knowledge of using Microsoft Word in traditional desktop publishing projects
• Use basic design principles to improve presentation of desktop publishing projects
Course Materials
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Class website: http://www.solon.k12.ia.us/~jodi_leimkuehler/site/dpSP13.html
Textbook: Adobe InDesign, CS2 Revealed, Chris Botello, Course Technology (2006)
Textbook: Adobe Photoshop, CS2 Revealed, Elizabeth Reding, Course Technology (2006)
Pen/pencil
Paper
Expectations
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Be respectful
Be responsible
Learning Environment Expectations
This course allows you the opportunity, as a student, to transition from secondary to postsecondary mental habits. The workshop-based structure of this course will require you to
demonstrate large measures of self-discipline and self-reliance. Please also see Kirkwood’s student
handbook http://www.kirkwood.edu/pdf/uploaded/630/student_handbook.pdf
Class Attendance
Due to the extensive amount of in-class time devoted to project work, students who miss class due
to illness and/or school-related activities may need to schedule time before/after school or during
seminar to complete make-up work. Please keep this in mind when you are scheduling
appointments or other activities that will take you out of class.
Desktop Publishing Syllabus / Fall 2014 / Leimkuehler / Solon High School
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Grading/Evaluation
This course uses standards-based grading. Your grade in this course will reflect what you know and
can do in relation to the learning goals.
How does standards-based grading work in Desktop Publishing class?
You will be provided multiple opportunities to practice each goal, however, this practice will not
be recorded as part of your grade. All assignments are directly tied to the projects and quizzes. It
is through these practice opportunities that you receive feedback from me to ensure success on the
projects and quizzes that do affect your grade. Deadlines are still important and are expected to
be met in order for me to be able to provide quality and timely feedback. Past experience has
shown that students who do not complete the practice struggle to master the learning goals.
What are the standards?
In this course, I refer to the course standards as learning goals. Please refer to the Learning Goals
listed on page 1. You will be expected to master these skills.
How is my grade determined?
In-class quizzes, projects and tests will be used to determine your level of understanding of the
learning goals. The following rubric will be utilized:
4
3.5
3
2
1
Demonstrates
thorough
understanding of
course standard
Demonstrates
understanding of
course standard
Demonstrates a
developing
understanding of
course standard
Demonstrates
partial
understanding of
course standard
Demonstrates
minimal
understanding of
course standard
Your grades on the learning goals may fluctuate as the course progresses and as you become more
skilled and knowledgeable.
Final letter grades will be based on the number of standards you have mastered. The following
conversion table will be used:
Ratings for Final Grade Conversion
Grade
At least 50% of ratings are 4s and the rest are 3.5s
A
All ratings are 3.5s or 4s
A-
At least 75% of ratings are 3.5s or 4s and the other 25% are not lower than 3
B+
At least 50% of ratings are 3.5s or 4s and the other 50% are not lower than 3
B
All ratings are 3 or better
B-
At least 75% of ratings are 3 or better and the other 25% are not lower than 2
C+
At least 50% of ratings are 3 or better and the other 50% are not lower than 2
C
All ratings are 2 or better
C-
At least 75% of ratings are 2s or above
D+
At least 50% of ratings are 2s or above
D
More than 50% of ratings are 2s or below
F
Desktop Publishing Syllabus / Fall 2014 / Leimkuehler / Solon High School
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What if I can do better?
You may choose to be reassessed on any learning goal you feel you did not perform well on.
Reassessments must be scheduled ahead of time (please refer to my office hours below), and only
when you have shown that new learning has taken place. Your demonstration of new learning could
come in various forms. If you did not complete the original assignment, you must do this first; in
addition, your new learning could be additional practice that you design; if appropriate, it could be
to watch a video tutorial; it could be you sitting down for a tutorial session with a peer or with me,
etc. Please let me know when you want to reassess (I need at least one day’s notice). Your level of
understanding shown on the reassessment will replace your previous score.
There will be one summative examination, a cumulative final project at the end of the course. This
project is meant to reflect your retention of material and cannot be retaken. It is worth 20% of
your final grade.
Your grades will be available on PowerSchool. Grades will be updated after each evaluation. Please
monitor your grades carefully. Remember, this is a dual credit course, which means that your grade
will be reflected on both your high school and, potentially, your college transcript. It is your
responsibility to check grades throughout the quarter and report any grade discrepancies to me.
Office Hours
Before school
1st Block
Seminar A
Seminar B
After school
by appointment
8:15-9:45
by appointment
11:45-12:15
3:15-4:15
Strategies For Success
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Ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. If you feel uncomfortable asking
a question in class, see me outside of class time or e-mail me.
Complete the assignments. The best way to learn the material is to apply the concepts.
Practice, practice, practice!
Seek extra help. Additional help is available before and after school, during seminar, or by
appointment.
Be responsible for yourself or it could affect your grade.
Plagiarism Statement
Honesty and integrity are very important; therefore, plagiarism and other forms of cheating are
completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. This includes violating copyright laws. Any work
found in violation will receive a zero.
Closing Remarks
I am looking forward to this quarter and I hope to offer you a great learning experience in Desktop
Publishing. My door is always open to you, so please see me with any concerns or questions you
might have.
Desktop Publishing Syllabus / Fall 2014 / Leimkuehler / Solon High School
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Preparing for your Career Edge Academy Course
Dear Student:
We are excited to learn that you are taking a Software Specialist Career Edge Academy course at Solon High
School. We have prepared this letter to outline some information about this course.
13 POINTS TO REMEMBER
Please read through these points carefully. Your understanding will assure that you have a successful
experience and fully benefit from this opportunity that has been extended to you by Solon High School.
1) Career Edge Academy courses offer dual credit from both your high school and Kirkwood Community
College.
2) Career Edge Academy is developed through a cooperative arrangement between your high school and
Kirkwood Community College.
3) Enrollment in this course at Kirkwood requires creating a student record. These records are
established by completing a college application. It is essential to provide demographic information
for this purpose including date of birth and social security number. These are vital items for a college
transcript at any college or university. Please understand that this information is held confidentially
and securely.
Students may complete this application within the security of your home. Use this link:
www.kirkwood.edu/apply Select the Earn Credit while in High School button. Select the program:
software specialist academy; and for Applying for semester, select Fall 2014 for the term. Your son or
daughter has just been extended their very first college scholarship. Tuition for this course will be
paid by Solon High School and has a value of $309.
4) Books and tuition charged for this course are paid for by your high school.
5) You must provide your own transportation to Career Edge Academy course locations that do not meet
within your high school building.
6) You need to talk with your Guidance Counselor about any courses you want to enroll in. Your
Guidance Counselor will determine whether or not you are a good candidate for Career Edge Academy
and forward your name.
7) The grades that you earn in your Career Edge courses will become a part of your permanent college
record at Kirkwood Community College.
8) The benefits of Career Edge Academy include college rigor courses while in high school, college
credit, and opportunities for industry exploration.
9) If you are applying to college/universities in your senior year and need your college transcript, you
can get the transcript application at www.kirkwood.edu click on EagleNet for students.
10) Attendance is part of your grade – if you have poor attendance your instructor has the right to drop
you from the class.
11) If you are attending class in a building that is not your “home school” – you need to check with the
attendance office for a parking permit and directions on where you can park your car.
12) If you need help or information about anything call 319 398-7606
13) The web address for Career Edge Academy is www.kirkwood.edu/careeredge – check it out for more
information, photos, and course information.
Desktop Publishing Syllabus / Fall 2014 / Leimkuehler / Solon High School
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