BUSINESS EDUCATION

Keyboarding/Communications Grade Level 9-12 Credit 1

Everybody needs it. Everyone can learn to keyboard. If people cannot read your writing or instructors require papers to be typed or you want to get a job in business, learn to keyboard. You will always be glad you did, and you will always be sorry if you don't! This is a gateway to computer proficiency. Efficient use of the computer is a necessity in today’s high-tech, competitive world. Keyboarding is a skill course that combines touch-typing and basic word processing. Beginners learn and develop their touch-typing skill while those students with some previous experience increase their skills to a higher level. Students will use a combination of tutorial software and Microsoft Word. Students will understand that keyboarding is the modern means of entering data quickly and accurately “by touch.” Computer and word processing skills are developed through extensive hands-on experience. Students will become familiar with and produce a variety of business documents. Word Processing skills are used to create letters, tables, and other documents important for school, career, or personal use. Procedures will include document storage and retrieval, editing and merging documents. Internet activities are an integral part of the course. Keyboarding is a skill needed for business professionals and personal use. The “QWERTY” format will be learned since this is the standard configuration of typewriters and computers. Students will demonstrate key-entry without looking at the keyboard as they strike the alphabet, punctuation, and numbers. Students will also develop good typing posture, proper formatting, and error finding and correcting techniques. The communication aspect will focus on understanding the importance of clearly transmitting information in order for accurate communication to occur. The course expands on the following skills: English mechanics, writing, and speaking.

Class Size Limit: 16

Yearbook Grade Level 9-12 Credit 1 or ½

Yearbook is a one-year course designed as an interdisciplinary publishing company established to run like a business producing the annual yearbook within the classroom. Using professional business software, Adobe PageMaker 6.5/7.0, students enrolled in this course will complete the Margaretville Central School Yearbook. Students will organize the yearbook staff with the election of office/staff positions. This course elicits effective critical and creative thinking for the self-directed learner. Students will be accountable for the yearbook financial planning by instituting a merchandise plan, an advertising plan, necessary correspondence, and develop fund raising plans. Students primary focus will be on the yearbook production as students will be in direct contact with the printing company, Herff Jones. During the production process, students will become familiar with Internet resources available to them though the company. Students will be held responsible to establish the yearbook ladder, arrange photo dates and obtain pictures, conduct interviews as well as set and meet deadlines. Students will be responsible to prepare publication materials for submission to the printing plant. This course integrates layout design and page techniques with Adobe Page Maker. Topics include design concepts, typography selection, working with graphics, photography, using color and black and white, and preparation for publication techniques. Students will be introduced to the development of good design and problem-solving skills in a hands-on approach as they construct the school’s yearbook. As the yearbook is being prepared for distribution, students will also be responsible to develop and implement a marketing plan for the product. During the course, students will also be responsible to collect, develop, assemble, and distribute the Margaretville Central School District ’s quarterly newsletter with material prepared by the administration, faculty, staff, and community. An example of student involvement for the newsletter may be students working on the first edition of the newsletter before the start of the school year. Students will gain teamwork skills, organizational skills, personal responsibility, as well as design and layout proficiency. In addition students will become proficient with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Page Maker, Herff Jones, Page Master, Image Master, and ImageIn. Students will learn the correct methods and procedures to operate digital cameras and scanners. Students are to be aware of the fact that the collection of material requires class time, additional in school, outside class time, weekends, and other important times for events that take place during the year. Students must be able to photograph, interview, and assemble these events for publication. Advertising material must be secured and proper moneys collected. Students are to keep in mind that the Log is providing a service to the Margaretville Central School community. Our number one goal is to accurately archive all the events of the year while providing students who take this course with a basic knowledge of journalism. Students enrolling in the course will be able to secure entry-level positions in the following fields: desktop publishing, publishing houses, newspaper publishing, photo journalism, advertising sales, radio and TV sales and merchandising, any other related careers that involve journalism.

Class Size Limit: 16