Richmond County Technical Career Magnet (TCM)
Introduction to Business & Technology (IBT)
Mrs. Robin D. Holt Instructor
2015-16 Course Syllabus
Teacher’s Room # 243
Email Address: holtro@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us
School Phone: 706-823-5580
Cell phone: 706-414-9040
Teacher Planning: Mon & Wed 1:50 – 3:10
Teacher Conference: Tues 3:10 – 3:45
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to Business & Technology is the foundational course for the Administrative Support, Small
Business Development, and Human Resources Management pathways. The course is designed for high
school students as a gateway to the career pathways above, and provides an overview of business and
technology skills required for today's business environment. Knowledge of business principles, the
impact of financial decisions, and technology proficiencies demanded by business combine to establish
the elements of this course. Emphasis is placed on developing proficient fundamental computer skills
required for all career pathways. Students will learn essentials for working in a business environment,
managing a business, and owning a business. The intention of this course is to prepare students to be
successful both personally and professionally in an information-based society. Students will not only
understand the concepts, but apply their knowledge to situations and defend their actions/decisions/
choices through the knowledge and skills acquired in this course. Employability skills are integrated into
activities, tasks, and projects throughout the course standards to demonstrate the skills required by
business and industry. Competencies in the co-curricular student organization, Future Business Leaders
of America (FBLA), are integral components of both the employability skills standards and content
standards for this course.
Various forms of technologies will be highlighted to expose students to the emerging technologies
impacting the business world. Professional communication skills and practices, problem-solving, ethical
and legal issues, and the impact of effective presentation skills are taught in this course as a
foundational knowledge to prepare students to be college and career ready. Introduction to Business &
Technology is a course that is appropriate for all high school students. After mastery of the standards in
this course, students should be prepared to earn an industry recognized credential: Microsoft Office
Specialist for Word Core Certification. The pre-requisite for this course is advisor approval.
FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA (FBLA)
FBLA is a co-curricular student organization that plays an integral part in the components of the Business
& Technology course standards. FBLA activities are incorporated throughout this course and the rest of
the Business and Computer Science courses. Students are strongly urged to join FBLA (insert cost) to
benefit from the wealth of opportunities the organization.
COURSE STANDARDS
IBT-1 Demonstrate employability skills required by business and industry.
IBT-2 Apply technology as a tool to increase productivity by creating, editing, and publishing industryappropriate documents.
IBT-3 Master word processing software to create, edit, and publish professional-appearing business
documents.
IBT-4 Analyze and integrate leadership skills and management functions within the business
environment.
IBT-5 Demonstrate understanding of the concept of marketing and its importance to business
ownership.
IBT-6 Use professional oral, written, and digital communication skills to create, express, and interpret
information and ideas.
IBT-7 Demonstrate an understanding of entrepreneurship through recognizing a business opportunity,
how to start a business based on the recognized opportunity, and basics of how to operate and maintain
that business
IBT-8 Understand, interpret and use accounting principles to make financial decisions.
IBT-9 Develop effective money management strategies and understand the role and functions of
financial institutions.
IBT-10 Research and interpret the various risks involved in operating a business while determining the
role of insurance for a business.
IBT-11 Examine basic human resources and the legal aspects of a business while incorporating the
methods into business practices.
IBT-12 Explore how related student organizations are integral parts of career and technology education
courses through leadership development, school and community service projects, entrepreneurship
development, and competitive events.
CURRICULUM MAP
WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM
Student will have a daily journal writing assignment that will be the warm activity for the class period.
This assignment should be recorded in the student’s notebook or folder for the teacher’s periodic
review. The class also uses these prompts to engage in discussion as the students explore and explain
their ideas. Students will also have a monthly periodical reviews as part of the class required writing
assignments. These assignments will give the students the opportunity to elaborate and evaluate
various business opportunities.
PROJECTS
During the year, the students will have individual and small group projects that vary on topics depending
on the standards the class is covering at the time. The software utilized to complete these projects will
be Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Prezi. Students who do not have
the Microsoft Office Suite may use the google docs software as an option.
Topics researched for the projects will include but are not limited to the following:
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FBLA scavenger hunt
Create an FBLA t-shirt design
Research a CSRA non-profit organizations
Create a Model of the marketing cycle
Create a presentation on an Entrepreneur
Develop a monthly budget by researching expenses such as insurance, car payments, rent, etc.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Georgiafbla.org
Georgiavirtuallearning.org
Cengage.com
Everfi.com
Edmodo.com
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
1. Classroom norms
A. Respect the person who is speaking by not talking when he or she is speaking
B. Follow BYOT policy
C. NO gum, candy, or food in the classroom
D. Water bottles are allowed with caps or tops but must be kept at the classroom desk and not
at the computers
E. Only one person out of the room at the time to go to the restroom using the pass on the wall
to go
F. Do not change the settings on the computer
G. When working in groups, use proper voice levels for group work
H. Please do not use lotions, perfumes or scented items while in the classroom. I have severe
allergies which lead to migraines.
I. Do not copy anyone’s work on the computer or change anyone’s work on the computer
J. No social networking or surfing for non-academic related subject matter
K. Be On Time
CLASSROOM CONSEQUENCES
1. Warning
2. Student/Teacher Conference
3. Parent Contact
4. Referral
*Remember this also depends on the nature of the issue or concern with which classroom environment
has been disrupted.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
3-prong folder or a space provided in a three ring binder
Paper
Pen or Pencil
Headphones or ear buds
RICHMOND COUNTY GRADING SYSTEM
A = 100 – 90
B = 89 – 80
C = 79 – 75
D = 74 – 70
F = 69 and below
EVALUATION AND GRADING
Assignment Categories Grade Weights Grading Scale
Formative Assessments 40%
Daily Assignments
Quizzes
Service Learning
Homework
Summative Assessments 60%
Unit Tests
Projects
Presentations
Article Summaries
Year End Exam Counts 20% of the Total Grade
ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments will be submitted online unless otherwise stated by the teacher to an Edmodo.com
account.
Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Should a student be suspected of copying another student’s
work or plagiarizing a document, that student will receive a zero for his or her work.
If a student is absent from class, the student should check the teacher page for that class day’s work or
check the teacher immediately upon returning to school. Remember, being absent from one class period
is like being absent from two days of class.
You have one week to make up missed work when you are absent as long has you have an excused
absence from school. If the absence is unexcused, work should be submitted to the teacher the day the
student returns to class day.
Tutoring is available before school from 7:15 am to 7:50 am Tues – Thu and afternoon tutoring can be
arranged with prior notice.
For assignments not completed on time, 10% will be deducted for the first three days (consecutive
school days) upon the fourth day the assignment is not turned in, a zero will be placed in the gradebook.
OTHER INFORMATION
Expectations for Academic Success Additional Requirements/ Resources
1) Complete daily classwork assignments.
2) Participate in discussions and ask questions.
3) Participate willingly and with a positive attitude as a team member.
4) Problem solve and accept challenges.
5) Challenge yourself to continuously improve.
This syllabus may be updated as needed throughout the semester.
The Richmond County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities for students.