In the 2002 Governor’s Conference on Career Development, the Michigan Department
of Career Development estimates that 6 of 10 high school graduates in the state
of Michigan will be involved in some type of business activity as a career
regardless of their emphasis in high school or their major in college.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Covert Public Schools Technology and Business Department is
to help students acquire fundamental business skills that will help them be
successful workers in business occupations or in their own entrepreneurial
endeavors.
KEYBOARDING I
Course Description:
This course will provide students with basic training of keyboarding skills.
Students are taught machine manipulation, even rhythmic stroking while keeping
eyes on the copy and practicing good posture. The formatting and keying of business letters and memos
are introduced practiced, as well as tables, reports and other documents.
Adequate practice time for developing speed, accuracy and control will be given. Some practice will be done via Internet.
During the second semester some emphasis is placed on production.
Philosophy:
All students can learn basic skills in keyboarding if they apply themselves as
necessary to be successful. This
can be achieved by following directions and practicing on a daily basis and
memorizing specific rules.
Teaching Strategies:
Students are directed to listen and follow directions at all times, starting
from the basic machine manipulation, learning the entire alpha keyboard and
numeric pad to developing necessary skills.
These correspondence skills are those such as outlines,
bound and unbound reports. Students
are monitored and led in all activities.
Two software programs are used to increase speed and accuracy and build
students’ confidence. The programs
used are Microtype and Typin’ Time.
Different website addresses are used to access practice exercises for students.
CAREERS AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE SYLLABUS
Three Major Course Goals
There are three major goals for the Careers and Technology class.
First, by the end of one full school year enrolled in the course, students will
be able to keyboard at a rate of 30 words per minute or more with fewer than 5
miss-strokes per minute.
Another major goal of the Careers and Technology class at Covert Public Schools
is to encourage students to begin an organized career exploration process.
Students will study the six primary career clusters for Michigan Career
Pathways. Students will begin to
narrow their career choices by the end of their 8th grade experience
and will formulate an Educational Development Plan for their high school years.
Finally, the course offers a solid basic foundation using word-processing and
electronic presentation skills. Students will be equipped to utilize technology to enhance their performance in
academic classes during their high school years and beyond.
Instructional Environment
The primary instructional delivery system for this course is the laboratory
approach. Students use teacher
prepared models to practice word-processing and electronic presentations.
Additionally, students view instructor led demonstrations, view films, and they
read career materials supplied by the VBISD.
Students will use the World Wide Web to research careers, post secondary
training and educational opportunities, scholarships and other important career
planning information. Students will
use their keyboarding skills to create unbound formatted career reports.
They will use MS PowerPoint to create career slide shows to share with their
classmates. If time permits, career
visitors will share their career stories with the students.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
Three Major Course Goals
There are three major goals for the
Computer Applications class.
First, students will be able to use the Microsoft Office Suite to enhance their
studies in secondary and post-secondary education.
They can use the powerful and dynamic tools in programs including MS Word, MS
Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Publisher to create professional looking
reports, create spreadsheets for math and science projects, and use PowerPoint
and Publisher for enhanced communications and class presentations.
Another major goal of Computer Applications class at Covert Public Schools is
to prepare students to pass the proficient user level of the Microsoft
sanctioned examinations for the Microsoft Office Suite.
The course does not certify students; rather it preps them to take the Microsoft
exams if they so choose.
Finally, the course offers a solid basic foundation in computer science
technology. Regardless of the
student’s career path, it is probable that computer usage will be an important
component in many occupations in the 21st Century.
Students who can utilize computer technology will have an employability
advantage over others who do not.
Instructional Environment
The primary instructional delivery system for this course is the laboratory
approach. Students use teacher
prepared models to practice Microsoft Office Suite operations. Additionally, students view instructor led demonstrations,
and they read a Microsoft Office 97 textbook that provides step-by-step
descriptions of common user operations for the software.
The students primarily work independently during the class period.
The teacher facilitates and coaches students on an individual basis the majority
of each class period.
BUSINESS PRINCIPLES AND MANAGEMENT
Course Description:
The major units of study include business organization, starting a new business,
finance, financial statements, marketing, operations management and case studies
of small, medium and large companies. Much of the class will be delivered using
computer technology.
Philosophy:
All students can learn how to produce a business plan in order to start their
own business. They can become
knowledgeable of how to form a corporation also how many participating in daily
carries out business transactions class assignments and activities.
Teaching Strategies:
Pre-reading of each chapter is required.
Students must read each chapter ahead of time in order to be able to
Understand the concepts of and participate in the discussions of each lesson.
Lessons are read aloud and
discussed in detail in class.
Assignments from the workbook are given to correspond with each textbook
chapter. Computer technology is
used to deliver reinforcement of information learned from the text and
workbook.
Small group activities
are carried out for various assignments.
Small scrapbooks are made to emphasize concepts learned from the textbook and
illustrate how an individual should dress for success in
business or in the work force.
