Welcome back!
Hope you had a splendid vacation.
DEAR PARENTS,
This is an informational page for you to learn a little bit about me and the Applied Technology course your student (son/daughter) is in. Please read.
I started teaching at Lakeview in 1980 as the Industrial Arts teacher. In 2000, when the addition was completed, we decided to change the Industrial Arts program to an Applied Technology program.
The primary objective of the Applied Technology class is to expose students to the technologies of today preparing them for the tomorrow. It is a “hands-on” technology experience with equipment and software at each station.
At a module, students complete some kind of project. Some projects are computer generated such as: computer drawings (CAD), architectural drawings, computer graphic designs, computer animations. Some projects are hands on projects such as: radio shows, balsa bridges, plastic molds, weather forecasts, CNC milled projects, robotic arm programs, balsa planes, video produced commercials and completed rockets.
A "module" is an individual unit of study that two students complete over a period of eight to ten days. Each module is an individual self-sustaining "station" with all the curriculum, software, computers and other equipment necessary to learn about a particular technology.
Students could study any of the following modules during a trimester: Aerodynamics, Alternative Energy, Animation, Architecture, Automation & Robotics, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Graphic Design, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Milling, Digital Video Editing, Engineering & Stress Analysis, Exploratory Electronics, Exploratory Mechanisms, Fiber Optics & Lasers, Flight Simulation, Fluid Power, Introduction to Technology, Meteorology & Forecasting, Plastics Technology, Radio Broadcasting, Space & Rocketry, and Video Production.
Some of the other equipment at the modules are: a wind tunnel, laser, fiber optics trainers, electronics trainer, CNC milling machine, weather station, vacuum mold machine, injection mold machine, robotic arm, video camera & lighting equipment, fluid power trainer, alternative energy trainer, exploring mechanisms trainer, radio broadcasting equipment, and an engineering stress analyzer.
Students will use the "Lab-Volt" curriculum software to complete a module. It is a seven lesson curriculum with quizzes, and a Post Test. Students in this course will learn about the five areas of technology: Communication, Transportation, Manufacturing, Construction and Bio-Related technologies.
Students in sixth grade will complete three to four modules. Seventh grade will complete five modules. Eighth grade will complete five to six modules.
The uniqueness of this program, presents new challenges to the student. Teams of two students, working cooperatively are guided through a seven lesson curriculum that focuses on a particular technology. After completing each technology or “module” students rotate to a new module.
To be successful, students must become independent learners. Students will need to use the Applied Technology Problem Solving Model: “re-read the information, discuss a solution (with their partner) and then ‘do or try something’ to solve the problem”.
The
absence policy for make up work is: when a student is absent, the most important items at a module will have to be made up. The student must discuss missed work with the teacher when they return so the teacher can tell the student what work may be skipped and what needs to be made up.
Work that needs to be “made up”, can be done in “Open Lab”. These Open Labs are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:25 am. to 7:50 am. The lab is also open during study halls. Open Lab for study hall “A” is on Tuesday and Thursday. Open Lab for study hall "B" is on Monday and Wednesday. There is no penalty for students to do any make up work as long is it is turned in a reasonable period of time. Students in band are not to skip band to come to open labs !!
OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSEAt the Modules, students will:
Collaborate on assigned work to complete the tasks at a module.
Become independent learners.
Use the "Applied Technology Problem Solving Model".
Research careers associated with a module.
Use a computer each day to complete tasks.
Show proficiency at various third party software packages.
Complete a "Time-line" activity.
Demonstrate an understanding of the "Environmental Impacts" of technology.
STATE STANDARDSStudents will:
Perform activities that demonstrate an understanding how to use technology in communication and problem solving. (State Technology Standard 2A)
Use industry standard software (at many modules) to demonstrate knowledge on the uses of computers and technology in education. (State Technology Standard 1F)
Adhere to copyright laws in the access and use of the information from technology sources. (State Technology Standard 2H)
Explore and use computer/technology resources including educational software. (State Technology Standard 3B)
Use on-line search tools. (State Technology Standard 6D)
Use instruction that fosters/reflects higher level thinking skills in problem solving (State Technology Standard 8D)
Co-operatively learn in groups as part of the students' tasks and assignments. (State Technology Standard 8E)
Fees
There are many consumable materials used in this class. To help defer the cost of the consumable materials, a $20.00 lab fee is necessary. This is not the same “Technology Fee” paid during registration, this is an “Applied Technology Fee”. Please pay the lab fee within the first week of class. Checks may be made payable to: District #66. We prefer a check, but will accept cash. For cash payments, please put it in an envelope with the students name on it.
LAB FEE DUE DATE: September 3rd.
My Web Page Information: from the www.ccsd66.org web page, click on Lakeview, scroll down an click on ENCORE, click on Applied Technology. You will see links for my email (click on my name), my blog and a new item is my "wiki". The "wiki" is a place for students to put information about the modules to be used by future students at a module. Students or parents will need the password/invite key: lakeview . You will need to enter your name in the Name box and enter your email address.
Sincerely,
Mr. Paul Rodda
Doors are decorated by my 6th grade Homebase for the Medival Times Project.
