TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS
Technology can hold you back or set you FREE
Useful Links
Contact Info
sherill.maddox@fwafa.org
sherill.maddox@gmail.com
FaceBook: (my name)
Skype: (my name)
Class Emails
1st period
fwafatech1@gmail.com
4th period (both)
fwafatech4@gmail.com
5th period
fwafatech5@gmail.com
6th period (both)
fwafatech6@gmail.com
7th period (both)
fwafatech7@gmail.com
8th period
fwafatech8@gmail.com
Did You Know?
Classroom Policies
Grading
New Yearbook Web Page
fwafaYearbook.com
- most current information
- download an order form
- download a photo submission form and details
- current list of who has ordered a book
- info about purchasing Shout Out and ad space
- FAQ page
- just for Seniors about their yearbook pages
CURRENTLY, we are having our Final Curtain Sale in which you can purchase your 2009-2010 FWAFA Yearbook for $40. This sale ends March 26 - we cannot sell any books after that date because our order must be turned in to the publisher at that time. Don't miss out!
Crossword Puzzle of the Day
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Congratulations FWAFA High School!
Check this out: Dallas Magnets Soar in New School Rankings.
NEW: And here's an article from the Saturday, Sept 19th Star-Telegram: Fort Worth Arts Academy named one of state's best high schools, but Fort Worth district schools rank low
Important Note About Digital Assignments: .rtf files
FWAFA computers are equipped with WinXP Pro and Office2003.
Due to the variety of platforms and programs that our students use do their work, FWAFA
requests that you save your files as an .rtf, Rich Text Format file. When you save
your document, find the .rtf extension in the drop down file type menu.
Just what is "Technology Applications"?
Technology Applications encompass the following disciplines according to the State of Texas:
- basic office apps
- digital graphics/animation
- multi-media
- video technology
- desktop publishing
- web mastering
Although there just isn't time to focus 100% on all of these areas, I will let the class's interests guide the emphasis on a number of these elements. We will also be spending time developing valuable study skills and investigating copyright issues. We will spend a lot of time with online applications in order to accomplish these goals.
My personal goal is to integrate an efficient use of technology into the everyday lives of our students, as well as to introduce them to new ideas and experiences in the world of technology.
All assignments and extra resources will be posted for both High School and Middle School on their individual class pages so that you can keep up with what we're doing. I tell my students that whatever is posted on their class's web page is the final authority for any questions or anything that I might have said in class. Please be sure your student knows those resources are there so they may benefit as well.
Classroom Policy (2009-2010)
We will cover these policies and procedures in class on a regular basis!
Absences
When a student is absent, s/he must keep up with our work by checking their class page on the web site. I try to be detailed in how I post assignments for occasions such as this. If there are questions, I'm only an email away! There are also ways that they can still participate in class while at home as well. We will talk about these methods in class.
Absent assignments will be due in 2 days for every day missed from class (missed 1 day, 2 days to turn in; missed 2 days, 4 days to turn in, etc.)
Turning in Assignments
Most of our assignments will be turned in digitally - submitted by email or another digital method specifically assigned.
If an assignment is to be printed out, it will be clearly stated within those instructions. There is a hanging file system that will sit on a cart by the door. When an assignment is due, the student simply places it in the "in" folder for his/her class period. A stapler is available there as well.
It should go without saying that each assignment MUST have a name AND a class period on it! I take off 5 points for each of those if they're missing. I also verbally remind them and it is written in their assignment on their class web page.
Late Assignments
If your student doesn't have his/her work ready to turn in, they must turn in a "placeholder," a document that explains why they aren't turning in their work - these forms are available in a folder at the front of the filing system previously referred to. This lets me know that your student is aware of the assignment and that it is late. You will see an "/" in SnapGrades when this has happened, indicating a missing assignment. They will then need to turn that assignment in at the beginning of their next class period with me to still receive full credit. I reserve the right to change the value of late assignments when that policy appears to become abused.
A Note About Late Work
I know that sometimes circumstances beyond one's control arise and can interfere with the timely completion of an assignment. If this is the case, your student needs to make me aware of the problem as soon as possible so that we might be able to work out other arrangements. I greatly respect this initiative as good academic integrity. I do not have much sympathy for being told there was a problem on the day that the assignment is due.
The definition of "circumstances beyond one's control" is at my discretion. This will not in any way include a performance though! FWAFA's policy states that students are expected to keep up with regular school work regardless of any performance schedule.
Tardiness
If a student is tardy coming into class or is not in his/her seat preparing for class, I will hand him/her a pink slip that s/he must fill out explaining why they're late. Detentions are assigned for every 3rd tardy during a 6 week period. This count of 3 is for each specific class - it is not a cumulative number from all of his/her classes.
Grading Break Down
How Grades are Weighted
45% - Assignments
35% - Tests/Quizzes
20% - Participation
Assignments are anything that aren't a blog assignment or a test. Assignments will also include daily checks on project assignments. The average assignments grade will be worth 45% of your final 6 week grade.
The participation grade is based on two factors: assignments being turned in on time and literally participation in class or group work. Each time and assignment is turned in on time, it will earn a 100 (in addition to the actual assignment grade). For class/group participation grades, students will be made aware that this grade is being taken and then my expectiations will be explained before the activity begins. I will not take a negative "secret" participation grade, although, sometimes we'll have a great class period and I'll give an unplanned grade then. The participation grade will be 20% of your 6 weeks grades.
Tests/quizzes are not always announced! I will always give students the best opportunity to succeed on my tests and quizzes though. Most "pop" quizzes will be open note, or maybe even open Internet. I will always give an extensive study guide and go over class notes before a test.Test/quiz scores make up 35% of your final grade.
