TEC 955: OpenOffice.org for Teachers

Course Description

This course introduces the basics of OpenOffice.org, from installation to creation, saving, printing, and sharing. Teachers using the knowledge gained through this course, will be able to enable and engage their students to become productive users of technology. Classroom applications are curriculum-wide, including essay writing, history, mathematics, business, sciences and others. OpenOffice.org is a productivity suite of software comprised of six components - Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base and Math. OpenOffice.org is 'open source software' which means, simply stated, that it's free! OpenOffice.org was designed as an alternative to Microsoft Office, with an intent to provide universal access by making it available to everyone at no cost. Best yet, it can read and save files compatible with Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

Please visit OpenOffice.org for more information about the software.

Primary Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course participants shall:

• Become familiar with the terms, concepts and use of OpenOffice.org software.
• Gain proficiency at linking standards to technology-based curriculum.
• Identify uses of technology for peer-to-peer and student communication.
• Gain hands - on experience in creating documents in:
  Word processing
  Spreadsheets
  Graphics
  Databases
  Presentations
• Merge different data (text, spreadsheets, graphics) into one document.
• Use modeled teaching strategies to instruct others in the use of integrated software.
• Learn to migrate documents between Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org.

Standards Based Instruction

Assignments contained within this course meet several important proficiency guidelines as defined by ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) in their NETS (National Educational Technology Standards).                 SEE MORE

Course Materials

Workbook - OpenOffice.org for Teachers by Steve Young.

CD-ROM - CD-ROM - containing OpenOffice.org for Windows and Mac, electronic manuals and other resource materials.

Minimum System Requirements

Access to a printer (black & white will suffice)
Note: These are MINIMUM system requirements, thus you must have at least a:
Macintosh G4 or Intel with System 10.4; 640MB RAM and CD-ROM
OR
Windows Windows XP, 640MB RAM and CD-ROM

Course Requirements

Familiarity and/or prior experience working within a productivity suite (ie Microsoft Office or AppleWorks) highly recommended.

Assignments (totalling 100 points, maximum):
Survey 1 - Pre-course Teacher Survey (1 point)
Writer Assignments - Complete any 4 of the 6 (4 @ 6 pts each - 24 pts. max.)
Calc Assignments - Complete any 3 of the 4 (3 @ 6 pts each - 18 pts. max.)
Draw Assignments - Complete any 3 of the 4 (3 @ 6 pts each - 18 pts. max.)
Impress Assignments - Complete any 3 of the 4 (3 @ 6 pts each - 18 pts. max.)
Base Assignments - Complete any 2 of the 3 (2 @ 6 pts each - 12 pts. max.)
Math Assignments - (1 @ 6 pts - 6 pts. max.)
Standards Correlation Chart - (2 points)
Survey 2 - Post-course Teacher Survey (1 point)
Course Evaluation

Grading Scale

Letter grades, should one be requested, will be on the following scale:

90% -100% = A 80% - 89% = B or ‘Credit’ 79% or below = ‘No Credit’

Evidence of Learning

Students will be evaluated on the ability to follow directions as described in the workbook to complete all required projects. Written assignments should contain reflective responses applicable to their personal and/or professional experiences which indicate they have put thought and effort in to their replies.

Grading Rubric	Exemplary (A)	Passing (B or Credit)	Failing (No Credit)
Use of tools and techniques (T&T)	Directions followed concisely. Correct use of T&T evident. Additional flourishes added. Completed extra credit work.	Inconsistently followed directions. Shied away from using more complex T&T.	Directions not followed. Some steps omitted. Incorrect T&T(s) used.
Effort and Perseverance	Project continued until it was complete; effort set forth beyond that required; took pride in going beyond the basic requirements. Experimented freely and frequently.	With a bit more effort and dedication project could have improved; lacks finished quality; chose an easy project and did it indifferently.	Project not seen to completion; work inadequate. Seems hurried to "just get it done" and move to the next project.
Craftsmanship and Consistency	Project completely and patiently done with great attention to detail; it was as good as hard work could make it. Tools & techniques consistently and properly demonstrated throughout the project.	Average craftsmanship but not as good as possible with more care, time, effort and attention to detail. Quality varied from project to project.	Below average effort. Lack of pride in work. Inconsistent use of tools/techniques from project to project.
Written Assignments	Depth of thought with thorough, candid and reflective replies. Relates personal/ professional experiences, when appropriate. Few, if any, errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar. Neatness and pride evident throughout.	Replies vague, generic, superficial, abrupt. Strays from topic. Grammar, spelling, punctuation errors distracting. Word processing in order due to poor penmanship. Seems rushed. Not focused or engaged in topic.	Assignment(s) missing/incomplete. Failed to follow diretions as set forth in materials. "Yes"-"No" replies without further discussion justifying response.
Standards Correlation Chart	Aligned six assignments to ISTE NETS-T standards and performance indicators, demonstrating understanding of the principles of the standard(s).	Completed but did not chose applicable standard or performance indicator.	Failed to complete the assignment or align all six chosen assignments.

Instructor/Student Contact

FPU advises that some districts mandate a minimum of three student / instructor contacts (e-mail or phone) as part of the course requirements. If your district is one which requires this, please e-mail me for further instructions.

Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Section 1. Course of Study/Standards
Section 2. Pre-course teacher survey
Section 3. What is OpenOffice.org?
Section 4. Why Use OpenOffice.org?
Section 5. Installing OOo
Section 6. OOo Basics
Section 7. Writer
Section 8. Calc
Section 9. Draw
Section 10. Impress
Section 11. Base
Section 12. Math
Section 13. Standards Correlation Chart
Section 14. Post-course teacher survey
Section 15. Course evaluation

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