Oxford High School

Courses in Economics and Business

# Communication with Text I (9-12)         One Semester         .5 Credit

The ability to process information utilizing the “touch system” of keyboard entry is an essential skill needed by all students bound for college or employment.  Students gain mastery in the correct approach for keyboarding on computers.  Students will also create, produce, and compose a variety of documents using Microsoft Word.  This course stresses building an understanding of the differences between formal (letters, memos, reports) and informal (email, instant messaging, blogging, etc) methods of text communication and builds practical skills in both. 

1. Enduring Understandings (broad ideas, usually grounded in the discipline):

• Understand and apply technology in the workplace.
• Develop an appreciation for the role of business in a global society.
• Understand the legal and ethical aspects of business.
• Understand the responsibility of each worker in the business and finance enterprise.
• Utilize traits associated with a positive work ethic.
• Work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Explore career opportunities.
• Develop an appreciation for lifelong learning and further education.
• Understand and apply economic and personal finance concepts.
• Demonstrate a mastery of basic skills in communication, computation, critical thinking and decision-making.
• Transfer and adapt skills learning to different work and life situations.

2. Course Specific Goals (aligned with Content Standards):

• Develop and use touch keyboarding skills at acceptable speed and accuracy levels to enter and manipulate text and data.

• Develop and understand the protocol for informal communication via blogs, email, and instant messages.

• Express thoughts and ideas through formal writing.

• Utilize research tools and techniques to assess, evaluate and synthesize information in order to answer questions, solve problems, and/or defend positions.

• Demonstrate the ability to identify and analyze problems and support conclusions using appropriate methods and technology.

• Utilize technology to research and communicate effectively.

• Demonstrate the ability to express themselves creatively.

• Respond critically to a variety of written sources.

3. Expected Performances (aligned with state Expected Performances)

• Demonstrate skill in managing date in a workstation and/or network environment.

• Demonstrate competency to create, save, retrieve, and print documents.

• Evidence ability to use speller and thesaurus to edit word processing documents.

• Show competency to compose documents using correct grammar and spelling.

• Demonstrate competency utilizing appropriate protocol for informal communication via blogs, email, and instant messaging.

• Demonstrate formatting memos, notes, lists, letters, reports, envelopes, etc.

Communication with Text I: Scope and Sequence Calendar