Grossmont High School
La Mesa, CA
Welcome to Digital Arts!!
When the bell rings for the beginning of class, students should be in seats, not just arriving to class. School Lockout policies will be followed. Students will be assigned to specific computers and are not to change seats. Students need to check assigned computer and computer areas to make sure the area has not been damaged in any way, and that all parts and equipment are there. You need to let me know as soon as you sit down if there is anything wrong, otherwise you will be held responsible for any damage to your computer station.
This is an activity oriented art class, but I do spend some time lecturing and demonstrating at the introduction to new units and new techniques. Each lesson begins with a lecture and demonstration. Students need to listen respectfully, so they understand what is expected for each specific assignment. After teacher demonstrations, students should spend class time working on class exercises and assignments.
As an art class, each student’s individual creativity is important. Do not copy another student’s artwork. Come up with your own ideas. If you are struggling with an exercise or assignment, see me for advice. Do not copy another student’s work, or work from any online source. That is cheating and a breach of the Grossmont High School Honor Code. Students who are cheating will not receive credit for any work copied from another source. It is also grounds for disciplinary referrals.
This is an art class. All students must bring a pencil and sketchbook to class everyday. Almost all assignments begin with sketched ideas. These are called thumbnail sketches. These sketches are not accepted late, and must be completed prior to starting an assignment on the computer. Students who do not complete assignment sketches lose a full grade on that assignment.
All phones must be turned off and put away. Any phones or other electronic devices out during class will be confiscated and sent to the Vice Principal’s office. All school policies regarding electronic devices are followed in this class.
Attendance:
Students must attend class in order to use the lab facilities. If absent, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain missed information and turn in work due. School attendance and lockout policies are strictly enforced. Please read the school’s attendance policy and possible of loss of credit. Any combination of five unexcused absences and truancies may lead to student removal from class with a loss of credit. Work missed due to excused absences must be made up within the number of days equal to the absences.
Make Up Work:
Make up work needs to be completed during tutorials. Do not spend class time trying to catch up on past due assignments and falling behind on present assignments. Again, make up work needs to be completed during tutorials. There are tutorials in the lab at least one day per week, after period 6. Work missed due to truancies, will not be accepted late for full credit.
Daily Procedures:
Arrive to class on time and sit at your computer station ready for the day’s lesson. Each day will begin with a lecture and demonstration explaining and detailing the exercise or assignment.
After the demonstration, students are expected to start working on the computers. Make sure to read the computer use section below as well as the Lab Rules listed on a separate page of this web site. No checking email... read other computer use rules below.
Food, drink, suckers or gum are not allowed in this class, and will lead to detention, and further action, if necessary. Finish all food and drink before entering the lab!
Student must have their school IDs with them at all times.
All backpacks must be left in the designated area at the front of the classroom, not at the computer station.
A defiance referral will be written if you do not follow the class rules, procedures, and class expectations while in this lab classroom. This means no profanity, no throwing, no eating, no drinking, no chewing gum, no cheating or copying another student’s work. Keep your hands off other students’ property as well as their computers. Do not damage, mark, scratch any of the computers or work stations, and do not leave a mess at your area.
Computer Use:
Students must be network approved with a signed Network Acceptable Use Policy on file with the school.
Though Internet access is filtered through the District, students should not attempt to view inappropriate materials or Internet sites.
Students ARE NOT to go online unless a specific class assignment calls for being online.
Students are not to download or play games; not to download artwork off the Internet; not to download music or any software programs. Copyright infringement and plagiarism are considered serious violations of the school Honor Code.
Students are not to access personal email accounts on school computers.
Do not install or use any instant messaging software. Do not use class computers to write on online journals or blog sites.
No CD’s are to be used in the school computers. Do not bring in your music CD’s.
Students are not to download or install any software or games.
All student assignments are to be saved in assigned folders on the network server. Do not save anything on the computer desktop. Student home folders have NO implied right to privacy. If I feel it is necessary, I will look through student work inside their home folders and confiscate any unacceptable materials.
Any students with pornographic or other unacceptable materials in their home folders may be dropped from class with loss of credit. Class, school, and district computer use policies are strictly enforced.
Display of Student Work:
Student artwork will be showcased on the school and district web pages as well as other related Internet web pages. If student and/or parent/guardian does not want the student name, picture, or art to be displayed, please note that on the contract.
Grading:
Academic grades are based on the number of points earned throughout the semester. I use a cumulative point grading system. As the semester progresses, and student skills and understanding increase, so does the complexity of assignments and their point value. If students do not complete an assignment and receive a zero, it will have a serious negative impact on grades. Almost all assignments begin with sketched ideas called thumbnails. These sketches are not accepted late, and must be completed prior to starting an assignment on the computer. Students who do not complete assignment sketches lose a full grade on that assignment.
It is very difficult to catch up once you have fallen behind, so make sure you keep current with all your assignments. Grades on individual assignments are based on originality/creativity, idea/concept, composition, meeting of assignment requirements, and craftsmanship. Though projects are the majority of the points that determine grades, class work, critiques, group projects and presentations, and tests are also part of the class curriculum.
Your actual grade is based on the following grade scale:
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
D = 60 - 69%
F = 59% or below
Grades are updated soon after assignments due dates.
Grades and individual assignment instructions can be found on the Grossmont High School teacher web page