Parents Guide to Tech Lab Q&A
LMS Tech Lab
by Garrett Panzer
March 08, 2007
Parent Guide to Tech Lab Q & A
Most of the information for Tech Lab can be found in the student's notebook or on the school's website: "http://www.usd215.org". I also try to keep the students organized in the classroom with a 30 Day Planner. The Planner is on the front bulletin board in the classroom. I try to help the students keep on track with a visual of what needs to be done on each day. If you have any questions, please feel free to call (355.6973) or come in and observe your child's class.
Visitors are always welcome!
Q. If my child is absent from Tech Lab, how can they make the work up?
A. One of the most difficult things to comprehend in this class is that most assignments have to be done in the classroom. There are a few assignments that can be taken home to do, but the majority of the work has to be done in class. (i.e.- If a student is absent from class for whatever reason, they must make that Session up. This requires logging in on the computer and completing the work. That is something they can not do outside of the lab.) However, some work can be taken home to do (enrichments, vocabulary words, extra credit, etc.). Early morning work days are posted on the school's web site and on the 30 Day Planner in the classroom for students to come in to catch up on work. I encourage them to take advantage of this.
Q. What is the difference between Module, Rotation, and Session?
A. Modules are the stations the students work in. (For example: Weather, Genetics, or Light and Lasers.) Rotations are determined by the number of different Modules students are assigned to during a given period. Each Rotation requires at least seven days of computer work and I usually give them an extra day for make-up time. Sessions are each day the students are in their Modules.
Example: Students are assigned to a Module, and they start Rotation "#" Session 1 that day. They will remain in Rotation '#" until around the 8th day or so, but the Session number changes. So, on the next day they'll be in Rotation "#" Session 2; the day after that, Rotation "#" Session 3, and so on. The last day of the Rotation is called a MEARS day. This day is used as a make-up day for students to use if they were absent or needed extra time working on projects. Again, I can not encourage it enough the importance of being able to come in early to complete work. Students rarely take advantage of this time, but probably should.
Q. What are assessments and notebook organization grades?
A. Throughout each Rotation, students are given three assessments worth 20 points a piece. Each assessment has four questions. When the students have completed a certain portion of the Rotation there are a set of questions that pops up on the computer. The students ask for the instructor to come over and give them an assessment. My expectations are that they are ready (know the questions' answers) to take the assessment with their notebooks open and all necessary worksheets taped in. Basically, each student's notebook organization grades are to ensure they take their assessments. Students often "skip" the assessment questions for whatever reason. If they do, they'll take two 0's (one for the assessment and one for their notebook organization grade). Now, the zero they took on the assessment is part of their Module grade and won't show up as a zero on their grades report, but does count against them for a detention. Students often "forget" that if they do not take an Assessment, they will receive TWO 0's. This is why it's important to take all the Assessments for each Module.
Q. How can my child get their grade up?
A. Extra credit is available each and EVERY Rotation. Approximately 100 points can be earned during EACH Rotation. Yes, it takes a little effort to do the extra credit, but the majority of it may be done outside of the classroom. Each student has a sheet with the extra credit assignments outlined. This is also available via the school's web site. One of the easiest extra credit papers is to take their "Parent Briefing" sheets home, get them signed and brought back the next day for 5 points (the second day they're worth 3, after that they can not turn them in). The Parent Briefing sheet goes in the students' "Homework" category. I set it the grade worth "0" points. So, when a grade is added it gives them more points than it's worth.
Q. What are enrichments and how many do they have to do?
A. Enrichments are designed to be an extension of the activities the students learn throughout their Module. All Modules have specific enrichments designed to enhance the students' knowledge of that particular subject area. However, I've designed other things they can do as well. Each student has a sheet with the enrichment assignments outlined. This is also available via the school's web site. Typically, three enrichments are assigned to do during each Rotation.
Q. What is the Parent Briefing sheet and why do parents have to sign them?
A. The Parent Briefing sheet is designed to involve the parents in what their child is learning in Tech Lab. My intent with this sheet is two-fold. One, I encourage students to take them home and discuss with their parents the topics they'll be working on in Tech Lab during the next seven days. And two, I give students five points extra credit for bringing it back signed. This sheet is not an assignment, only extra credit.
Q. Can my child make up late work?
A. Not exactly. Once the Rotation ends, the grades end; unless, obviously, they were absent and have extra make up days allotted to get work turned in. There are a lot of grades taken for each Rotation. Once the new Rotation starts it's tough to keep track of what was "needed" to be turned in and what "needs" to be turned in.
Q. How are detentions handled in Tech Lab?
A. Detentions in Tech Lab follow the Student Handbook (three 0's equal one detention). Plus, I round up on the number of 0's received. Each Rotation stands alone and starts over with the number of zeros students received during that period. Example: Student A receives two 0's in Rotation 1 - No detention is given. Student A receives four 0's in Rotation 2. One detention is given. Student A receives five 0's for Rotation 3 = 2 detentions are given.
Q. What is the Participation grade for Tech Lab?
A. I give my students 10 points each day they come to class. They (students) choose how to use those ten points. In other words, I deduct points off their daily grade for the following: not coming to class prepared with all necessary equipment (i.e. pencil, notebook, etc.), being disruptive during class (i.e. talking to other people other than their partner, or out of their Module roaming the classroom), and "messing around" with equipment they're not trained to use. At the end of the week, I total each daily grade to get a Weekly grade. This is the grade you see on the Grades Report in the Participation category. If you do not see a grade in that column for that week, then the student did not participate in class the majority of the days that week. I think it's only "fair" that in order to get a Participation grade that you attend class the majority of the days that week. This is my rule, not a school rule. No grade in the column will not necessarily hurt their grade, but it doesn't help it either.
Q. How do I find out what assignments my child should be working on?
A. This is a difficult question to answer because each student or pair of students could be at different Sessions during any given day. I provide a "guideline" of what Sessions students should be working on each day. However, some Sessions may take longer than others and visa versa. So, even though students should be working on, say Session 5, they may be behind or ahead of that day's scheduled Session depending on their attendance and effort in class. It's really up to each individual student to monitor their progress and complete all Sessions within the eight day time frame. The "guideline" is available via the school's web site.
Q. Where do students get the vocabulary words and the definitions?
A. Most (close to all) of the vocabulary will be in the students' Module videos throughout the seven days they're in that Rotation. Some words can easily be looked up in the dictionary. All vocabulary words should be written down in their notebook. However, some of the definitions may not "fit" the Module topic they're studying (i.e. words have multiple meanings). Students should choose the definition carefully when looking their words up so that their definition fits their Module topic. Vocabulary words are due on the seventh day of their Rotation and the Vocabulary Test is the next day.
Q. What are some of the grades students are required to have done at the end of a Rotation?
A. Grades are broken up into three categories. Each category is weighted differently because of the priority I've chosen. Modules are weighted at 50% of the class grade, Homework at 30%, and Participation at 20%. It is important to do well in all three categories, but the priority should be placed on the Modules. Some of the grades for the Modules are as followed: RCA questions (taken during Sessions 2-5, they are worth 30 points each; 120 total points), Post Test taken on Session 7 (worth 100 points), participation and attendance for all Sessions (10 points each; 140 total points), assessment questions (three assessments, 20 points each). Homework grades are as follows: Parent Briefing Sheet (extra credit only), Vocabulary (10 points; due at the end of Session 7), Vocabulary Test (20 points), and Notebook Organization (15 points). Participation is explained above.
