Course Syllabus

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: Word Microsoft Office Specialist and/or Word Expert. 

Text:      Microsoft Office A Curriculum; Newspapers, periodicals, telephone books, and catalogs are used for various projects.

Software: Microsoft 2013/2016 (Word, Excel, Publisher, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, SharePoint), GCIS, and Internet Explorer

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA): FBLA is the co-curricular student organization for Business and Computer Science that promotes leadership, career planning, community service, and social networking. The standard for this course is to participate in your organization. Membership is strongly encouraged for all students enrolled in this course. All students should join or must complete alternate class assignments. Participation promotes development of employability and technical skills needed to be successful in today’s competitive workplace.  Benefits of being an FBLA member are:  developing leadership skills and qualities, exploring careers, gaining experience by attending conferences, and participating in competitions, and developing new friends. 

Careers: Students will achieve sufficient competencies to enable them to enter many careers. Some of the career paths available to students who complete the Administrative and Information Support pathway are Administrative Assistant, Court Reporter, Customer Service Representative, Data Entry Clerk, Office Manager, Paralegal, and Computer Operator.

Internet Use: Students are expected to follow all guidelines stated in the Muscogee County Schools Terms and Conditions for Internet Use. Failure to follow the county guidelines will result in punishment that ranges from loss of Internet privileges to administrative referral. All students and parents are required to sign acknowledgement of Internet guidelines prior to a student using the Internet.

Instructional Methods:  The primary strategies used during this course consist of brief lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and practice of skills. Most of the student activities will consist of lecture and lab work using computer equipment for lab activities. At least 95% of the classwork will be completed on the computer.  The instructor is available in the mornings from 8:00 – 8:25 and some afternoons from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. (by appointment) for those students who need help or extra time with any work.  The course goals and objectives have been aligned with the National Business Education Association standards as well as the Georgia Performance Standards for Business Education.

Articulated Courses:  Articulation is a partnership agreement between Columbus Technical College and our school system that allows students to earn college credit for courses taken in high school.  Placement tests are required for articulated credit and other specific requirements as shown in the agreement.

End-of-Pathway Assessment: After completing three courses in a pathway, students will take an End-of-Pathway assessment, which is similar to an End-of-Course exam. Business & Technology is the second course in the Administrative Information Support career pathway.   The last class in the pathway is Business Communications and Presentations. EOP student assessment will be the PowerPoint Microsoft Office Specialist Exam (MOS Exam).

Workload Expectations: Students are expected to complete all class work in the classroom. No homework is assigned.

Grading: Progress reports will be issued at 4 ½ weeks and 13 ½ weeks but students and parents can check grades at any time through IC and parent portal. Report cards will be sent out at 9 weeks and 18 weeks. A midterm exam and a final exam will be given. 

Make-up Work:

Any work missed with an excused absence can be made up; you will have 3 (three) days to make up work (please work out arrangements with the teacher about makeup work when more than one day is missed). Any work missed because of an unexcused absence will result in a grade of 0. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND OUT THE WORK MISSED. If you are assigned to ISS, the work you missed in class will have to be made up before/after school as well as completing the work assigned during ISS time.  You are expected to make arrangements to come in after school to make up missed work IMMEDIATELY UPON YOUR RETURN TO SCHOOL. All class materials are to be left in the classroom. Make-up work is not done during class time. 

Class Expectations:

• RESPECT!!!! I will respect you; in return, I expect you to act respectfully. This includes respecting me, your classmates, all equipment and school property. LISTEN--follow directions the first time! Do not talk when the teacher is instructing.
• Be in assigned seat and on task when bell rings – you should be working on your assignment at the beginning of class without being asked to do so. Remember – if you waste instructional time in class, it is very likely that you will have to come in before and/or after school to catch up!
• Bring supplies to class every day. Even though this is a computer-based course, you must bring paper and a writing utensil to class every day!
• Wait for my cue to shut down and pack up. I will dismiss you – the clock or the bell will not!! Those who “quit” early will stay late!
• COME DRESSED PROPERLY! Any dress code violations WILL be sent to the office!

Cheating/Plagiarism: Students are expected to create their own work. All print and online sources should be cited. Students should not copy or edit other students’ files. Cheating/Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students who violate this policy will receive a zero, and parents will be contacted.

Safety: Students are expected to know and practice the following safety rules daily:

1. Listen and follow all directions for safety purposes in this computer lab.
2. Do not lean back in chairs. Keep all four chair legs flat on the floor. No rolling around the room.
3. Do not place unauthorized objects into electrical sockets.
4. Do not disconnect cords or computer parts without your teacher’s permission.
5. If any part of the computer stops working, let your teacher know first.
6. Do not place any objects near the computer’s fan.
7. Only place USB devices in the USB drive, only if directed.
8. If you smell smoke, let your teacher know before doing anything else.
9. If the printer stops printing, let your teacher know before doing anything else.
10. No drinks or water allowed in the classroom.
11. Only food distributed by me is allowed in the classroom and it must be kept away from the computer equipment.
12. Never restart your computer without your teacher’s permission.
13. Never give out personal info, financial info, or passwords when using the internet.
14. Do not download information from the internet or disks without permission from the teacher.
15. When an inappropriate website is blocked by The Muscogee County Schools internet filter system, do not use a “magical” website to try to get around the blocked website including music sites and YouTube.
16. When using scissors or the paper cutter, do not leave the cutting blades exposed.
17. Never throw objects, especially pens or pencils, across the room.
18. Mouths should be covered with the inner elbow to prevent the spread of germs from sneezes/coughs.