7/8 Grade Business and Information Technology Semester 1

Enrollment Message

Students should have access to a full keyboard.

Course Description

Business and Information Technology, Middle Level provides concepts and applications that facilitate the development of competencies required for success in all academic areas and in real-world contexts. The curriculum relates closely to understandings and competencies students will need as their world expands and as they develop career interests. The four broad areas included in this curriculum are technology, career exploration, personal financial responsibility, and basic business (business communications, marketing, and entrepreneurship). The domains and standards for each area provide many opportunities to engage students in learning essential business content and in applying technology as a tool. This approach is in keeping with the National Education Technology Standards (NETS) approach, which places heavy emphasis on integrating technology into the curriculum. Along with the current academic standards for this subject, the Science/Technical Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills

Course Goals

Upon completion of the course, students will…

• identify the benefits of keyboarding skills.
• demonstrate proper ergonomics and fingering with "touch typing".
• demonstrate keyboarding skills to improve speed and accuracy.
• identify basic computer parts; compare software and hardware.
• explain how to safely and properly use the internet.
• identify and self-reflect on traits and soft skills that are important to success.
• contrast personal and professional communication.
• develop professionalism and technology skills for the workplace.
• correctly format business documents.
• develop presentation skills with properly formatted visuals.
• explain the difference between values, needs, and wants.
• recognize key items in paystubs.
• understand the differences between gross and net income.
• Identify common adult expenses, such as housing, transportation, and food.
• explain the differences between saving and investing, and why each is important in financial planning.
• begin to understand how to plan for retirement.
• identify differences and similarities between credit and debit cards.
• be aware of the importance of financial security.
• balance a monthly personal budget with income and expenses.

Indiana Academic Standards

• Business and Information Technology

Units of Instruction

• Unit 1 Keyboarding, Ergonomics, Tech Readiness & Goal Setting
• Unit 2 Business Etiquette, Social Media & Page Formatting
• Unit 3 Citations, Presentation, Shortcuts & Storytelling
• Keyboarding Final Exam
• Unit 4 Values, Needs, & Wants
• Unit 5 Understanding Your Paycheck
• Unit 6 Budgeting Basics
• Unit 7 Common Adult Expenses
• Unit 8 Saving/Investing Expenses
• Unit 9 Retirement
• Unit 10 Credit and Debit Cards
• Unit 11 Financial Security Awareness
• 2 Week Investment Portfolio
• Personal Financial Literacy Final

Grading/Evaluation

Indiana Online does not assign letter grades, grant credit for courses, nor issue transcripts or diplomas. A final score reported as a percentage of total points earned will be sent to students upon completion of a course. Your school of record can also access this score within the Student Information System, Genius. The final score will be shown as a percentage in Canvas and Genius. The student’s school of record will determine the letter grade based on their specific grading scale.

Students must complete at least 70% of the course and take all parts of the final exam(s) to have a score reported to their school of record. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a score of 0 reported to the school of record.

Assessments

Online assessments consist of formative and summative assessments represented by computer-graded multiple choice, teacher-graded writing assignments including hands-on projects, model building and other forms of authentic assessments. The course includes the following assessments_

• 47 Assignments
• 14 Quizzes

The assessments for this course are weighted as follows_

Teacher Contact Response Time

Students can use email or the private message system within Genius or Canvas to access highly qualified teachers when they need teacher assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside Canvas. The Teacher Information page of their course may describe additional communication options.

The teacher will respond to student inquiries (email, text, call) within one business day. Assignments will be graded and posted within two business days.

Expectations for Academic Conduct 

Student Handbook 

It is your responsibility to read the student handbook to understand all aspects of taking an online course including expectations for academic conduct. Contact your teacher if you have any questions. 

Assistance for Students with Accommodations

Indiana Online supports an inclusive learning environment for all students. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that hinder your full participation, such as inaccessible web content, or the use of non-captioned videos and podcasts, reasonable accommodations can be arranged.

Technology

Technology Requirements 

Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube. Please review the Indiana Online’s Technology Requirements.

Technical Skills Needed 

Basic technology skills necessary to locate and share information and files as well as interact with others in a Learning Management System (LMS), include the ability to

• download, edit, save, convert, and upload files
• download and install software
• use a messaging service similar to email
• communicate with others in online discussion or message boards, following basic rules of netiquette
• open attachments shared in messages
• create, save, and submit files in commonly used word processing program formats and as a PDF
• save a file as a .pdf
• copy and paste and format text using your mouse, keyboard, or an html editor’s toolbar menu
• insert images or links into a file
• search for information within a document using Ctrl+F or Command+F keyboard shortcuts
• work in multiple browser windows and tabs simultaneously
• activate a microphone or webcam on your device, and record and upload or link audio and/or video files
• use presentation and graphics programs
• follow an online pacing guide or calendar of due dates
• use spell-check, citation editors, and tools commonly provided in word processing tool menus
• create and maintain usernames and passwords

Technical Questions?  Please contact the Indiana Online Helpdesk.