Welcome to 6th Grade Computer Science!

We're going to survey a number of topics related to computers and technology. That means we'll cover a wide variety of topics, but we won't go too in-depth on most of them.  We'll also discuss some of the societal issues around technology use, and some of the serious technological issues in your future. It's my hope that by the time we're done, you'll find some areas that you will want to explore more on your own. If that happens, PLEASE come find me, and I'll show you the next steps. You may have noticed I haven't mentioned coding. Fear not! We will definitely find time to explore that in the Spring.

So, here's a detail you may like: I don't do grades. Don't like them. Instead, I'll have a series of challenges for you. You will be expected to do some, but not all of these. Each has a point value, and there is a point total you are expected to reach. You can choose how you get there. There are incentives for reaching and exceeding this goal, including a group incentive that requires EVERYONE to participate. Here's how it works:

• The point system:

  • All challenges will be optional

  • Challenges will include quizzes, practice, conversations, and other formats

  • Challenges will have different point values depending on difficulty

  • You are responsible for checking that all your points are credited on my spreadsheet - I have a lot to keep up with, and am likely to err from time to time

  • You may receive bonus points for various unannounced achievements. For example, a particularly good answer in class, or a good idea for another challenge may earn you some bonus points

• The incentives:

  • There will be a special token for any individual student reaching 1536 points

  • There will be a special end-of-unit breakout activity if EVERY student reaches 1024 points

    • The breakout challenges have often been considered the best part of the class

    • The breakout ONLY happens if EVERY student hits 1024 points (That means if 43 students reach 1024 points, and one does not, NO BREAKOUT! I mean, no pressure, right?)

  • If every student reaches 1024 points, I will devote one class to lockpicking

Here is some of what we're going to cover:

Digital Citizenship

Hardware

Networking

Data & Media

Cybersecurity and Hacking(depending on available time)

On to Data & Media