Applied Technology
Civil Government
Computers and Technology

 

COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY: SPRING SEMESTER

FALL, 2025
DATE

Information/Activities/Projects

IMPORTANT COMPTECH INFORMATION:

8/18/25

CLASS SUMMARY

(coming soon)

 
   

 

BELLRINGER- START OF CLASS: We review the Daily Exercise that was due at the start of today's class- "THE CAFE."

THEN, we discuss how to throw up and we complete the "Flowchart Thinking Sheet."
 
     
THE DAILY EXERCISES: DO THESE EVERY CLASS PERIOD, THEY ARE USUALLY WORTH 5-10 POINTS!
 
DUE TODAY: DAILY EXERCISE: Before the start of our next class, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "THE CAFE." This will be 5 point assignment. Be prepared to discuss this at the start of next class period.
DUE WEDNESDAY: DAILY EXERCISE: Before next class period, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "HOLDING MOM." This will be 5 point assignment. Be prepared to discuss this at the start of next class period.

FOR TODAY:

OUR FIRST REAL ASSIGNMENT- Creating Diagrams in draw.io: DUE NEXT CLASS PERIOD. 50 point assignment.

  • To make your "Word Web" into a usable piece of information, we will be recreating your chart using DIAGRAMS.net, as outlined below.

LEARNING TOOLS- diagrams.net DIAGRAMS: Review the following to help you understand how to use the basics of draw.io DIAGRAMS:

  1. Please use your browser to navigate to DIAGRAMS.NET.
  2. Click START in the upper right corner of the screen.
  3. Click GOOGLE DRIVE as a destination for your saved files.
  4. When you are asked to AUTHORIZE, enter the information for your SCHOOL GOOGLE DRIVE. Click all of the appropriate buttons to allow access to your school Google Drive.
  5. Click CONTINUE, when asked.
  6. Click CREATE A NEW DIAGRAM.
  7. Click DIAGRAM NAME at the top of the window and NAME YOUR FILE!
  8. Click BLANK DIAGRAM>CREATE.
  9. ***VERY IMPORTANT STEP: In the WHERE DROP DOWN BOX, select GOOGLE DRIVE- PICK A FOLDER. You may need to go through the AUTHORIZE again, I don't know why.
  10. Navigate in your Google Drive to your COMPTECH FOLDER and click on it once to highlight it, then CLICK SELECT
  11. Your NEW DIAGRAM will open.
  12. Please review this 1:45 minute video- DIAGRAMS.net HELP LINK to get basic information on how to use DIAGRAMS.NET.
  13. Please note that if your ARROWS in your diagrams look like the image to below, you have not watched the video tutorial and you will not receive ANY points for this project.
  14. In general, this program is pretty easy to use: Simply click and drag shapes from the left to the form. Double click a shape to add words. Use the tabs on the right to add color, line style, etc.
  15. Start making your diagrams (see your project below!)
  16. Your diagrams save as you go and are already in the proper folder for grading!

THE ACTUAL DIAGRAMS.NET DIAGRAMS Assignment: FOUR PARTS: Make sure that you save your diagrams properly, as outlined above. If your diagram is not properly saved in your FRESHMAN_TECH folder, you will receive a ZERO. DUE MONDAY. 50 point assignment.

  1. "MY FAVORITE THINGS" Chart in DIAGRAMS.NET: To make your "Word Web" into a usable piece of information, we will be recreating your chart using draw.io DIAGRAMS. LEARNING TOOLS were outlined above in the video link. PLEASE MAKE YOUR DIAGRAM SYMMETRICAL. EXTRA POINTS FOR ADDING COLOR, CHANGING FONTS, OR OTHERWISE MAKING YOUR DIAGRAM SHINY AND FANCY.
  2. "The MY 2025-2026 SCHEDULE": Please use your new diagramming skills to create a diagram that VISUALLY DEMONSTRATES all of the courses that you have at Highland High School this year. Make sure to include information about your classes on MONDAY, Block days on TUESDAY/THURSDAY and Block days on WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY. Please include class names and instructors!
  3. "THE TECH LAB CLASSROOM SEATING CHART": Please use your new diagramming skills to create a chart that VISUALLY DEMONSTRATES the Tech Lab and all of the seats (and possibly students) in the room. Make sure to include and label important things like DOORS, COMPUTERS, CHAIRS, BIG TV and TEACHER'S DESK. You may get up and walk around a little, but DO NOT BE DISRUPTIVE in this activity. PLEASE NOTE, THIS DIAGRAM WILL LOOK BEST IF YOU TAKE OFF THE LINE AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR SHAPES AS YOU MAKE YOUR DIAGRAM!
  4. "MY FAVORITE THING IN 2024/5"- From your chart created above, select ONE of the COMPANIES OR BRAND NAMES on the outside of your diagram to be your FAVORITE THING. Then, do some research regarding that favorite thing. You can illustrate all of the following information in a diagrams.net diagram in the same way your did your FAVORITE THINGS CHART above, or you can be creative. The only rule is that your information should be easily accessible and understood!:
    • The name of your FAVORITE THING COMPANY/BRAND NAME
    • A copy of the LOGO of your company.
    • The physical address and telephone number of your company.
    • The website address of your company.
    • The CEO or President of your company.
    • The TOTAL SALES of your company in the year 2024 (or 2023, if you can't find 2024).
    • The YEAR that your company was founded.

Our First Big Project: The diagrams.net Flowchart Project.

8/18/25

CLASS SUMMARY

 
   

 
BELLRINGER- START OF CLASS: We review "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "ARMED FORCES DAY." We spend some time going over AI IMAGES and how to tell if an image is real or AI.
 
     
THE DAILY EXERCISES: DO THESE EVERY CLASS PERIOD, THEY ARE USUALLY WORTH 5-10 POINTS!
 
DUE TODAY: Before class today, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "ARMED FORCES DAY." This will be 5 point assignment. Be prepared to discuss this at the start of next class period.
DUE WEDNESDAY: DAILY EXERCISE: Before the start of our next class, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "THE CAFE." This will be 5 point assignment. Be prepared to discuss this at the start of next class period.

FOR TODAY:

OUR FIRST REAL ASSIGNMENT- Creating Diagrams in draw.io: DUE NEXT CLASS PERIOD. 50 point assignment.

  • To make your "Word Web" into a usable piece of information, we will be recreating your chart using DIAGRAMS.net, as outlined below.

LEARNING TOOLS- diagrams.net DIAGRAMS: Review the following to help you understand how to use the basics of draw.io DIAGRAMS:

  1. Please use your browser to navigate to DIAGRAMS.NET.
  2. Click START in the upper right corner of the screen.
  3. Click GOOGLE DRIVE as a destination for your saved files.
  4. When you are asked to AUTHORIZE, enter the information for your SCHOOL GOOGLE DRIVE. Click all of the appropriate buttons to allow access to your school Google Drive.
  5. Click CONTINUE, when asked.
  6. Click CREATE A NEW DIAGRAM.
  7. Click DIAGRAM NAME at the top of the window and NAME YOUR FILE!
  8. Click BLANK DIAGRAM>CREATE.
  9. ***VERY IMPORTANT STEP: In the WHERE DROP DOWN BOX, select GOOGLE DRIVE- PICK A FOLDER. You may need to go through the AUTHORIZE again, I don't know why.
  10. Navigate in your Google Drive to your COMPTECH FOLDER and click on it once to highlight it, then CLICK SELECT
  11. Your NEW DIAGRAM will open.
  12. Please review this 1:45 minute video- DIAGRAMS.net HELP LINK to get basic information on how to use DIAGRAMS.NET.
  13. Please note that if your ARROWS in your diagrams look like the image to below, you have not watched the video tutorial and you will not receive ANY points for this project.
  14. In general, this program is pretty easy to use: Simply click and drag shapes from the left to the form. Double click a shape to add words. Use the tabs on the right to add color, line style, etc.
  15. Start making your diagrams (see your project below!)
  16. Your diagrams save as you go and are already in the proper folder for grading!

THE ACTUAL DIAGRAMS.NET DIAGRAMS Assignment: FOUR PARTS: Make sure that you save your diagrams properly, as outlined above. If your diagram is not properly saved in your FRESHMAN_TECH folder, you will receive a ZERO. DUE MONDAY. 50 point assignment.

  1. "MY FAVORITE THINGS" Chart in DIAGRAMS.NET: To make your "Word Web" into a usable piece of information, we will be recreating your chart using draw.io DIAGRAMS. LEARNING TOOLS were outlined above in the video link. PLEASE MAKE YOUR DIAGRAM SYMMETRICAL. EXTRA POINTS FOR ADDING COLOR, CHANGING FONTS, OR OTHERWISE MAKING YOUR DIAGRAM SHINY AND FANCY.
  2. "The MY 2025-2026 SCHEDULE": Please use your new diagramming skills to create a diagram that VISUALLY DEMONSTRATES all of the courses that you have at Highland High School this year. Make sure to include information about your classes on MONDAY, Block days on TUESDAY/THURSDAY and Block days on WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY. Please include class names and instructors!
  3. "THE TECH LAB CLASSROOM SEATING CHART": Please use your new diagramming skills to create a chart that VISUALLY DEMONSTRATES the Tech Lab and all of the seats (and possibly students) in the room. Make sure to include and label important things like DOORS, COMPUTERS, CHAIRS, BIG TV and TEACHER'S DESK. You may get up and walk around a little, but DO NOT BE DISRUPTIVE in this activity. PLEASE NOTE, THIS DIAGRAM WILL LOOK BEST IF YOU TAKE OFF THE LINE AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR SHAPES AS YOU MAKE YOUR DIAGRAM!
  4. "MY FAVORITE THING IN 2024/5"- From your chart created above, select ONE of the COMPANIES OR BRAND NAMES on the outside of your diagram to be your FAVORITE THING. Then, do some research regarding that favorite thing. You can illustrate all of the following information in a diagrams.net diagram in the same way your did your FAVORITE THINGS CHART above, or you can be creative. The only rule is that your information should be easily accessible and understood!:
    • The name of your FAVORITE THING COMPANY/BRAND NAME
    • A copy of the LOGO of your company.
    • The physical address and telephone number of your company.
    • The website address of your company.
    • The CEO or President of your company.
    • The TOTAL SALES of your company in the year 2024 (or 2023, if you can't find 2024).
    • The YEAR that your company was founded.

Our First Big Project: The diagrams.net Flowchart Project.

8/15/25

CLASS SUMMARY
   

 
BELLRINGER- ASSESSMENT TIME: We review some of the information that we discussed last class period by completing a QUIZ. YAY! Please finish the COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY RULES AND REGULATIONS QUIZ. This will be a graded assignment, but it is essentially OPEN NOTE, so you do not have any excuses for not receiving a PERFECT GRADE!
 
     
THE DAILY EXERCISES: DO THESE EVERY CLASS PERIOD, THEY ARE USUALLY WORTH 5-10 POINTS!
 
DUE TODAY: Before class starts, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "THE BEATLES." This will be the first of MANY 5 point assignments we will have in this class. Be prepared to discuss this at the start of next class period.
DUE MONDAY: Before next class period, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "ARMED FORCES DAY." This will be 5 point assignment. Be prepared to discuss this at the start of next class period.

FOR TODAY:

Our First Graded Work: Word Web- My Favorite Things Pencil Diagram. DUE next class period, but should be finished today! 25 point assignment. You will be using a piece of paper and a pencil to create a chart or "concept map" of information regarding some of your "Favorite Stuff." HERE IS MR. B.'s EXAMPLE. Your name will go in the center of the paper.

    • Create web "arms" for 6-8 different CATEGORIES of "Your Favorite Stuff." (these are CONSUMER GOODS that you can buy at a store or generally purchase. Think energy drinks, cars, pizzas, french fries, chips, fast food, shoes, makeup, candy bars, baseball bats, etc. DO NOT LIST people, places, bands, pets, teams, sports, authors, types of animals, poets, houseplants, spiders, elephants, rock formations, etc.)
    • Create at least 3 web "arms" from each of these categories and list the specific BRAND NAMES of each category that are your favorites. (such as "Snickers," "Twix," "Reese's" for Candy Bars, etc.")

OUR FIRST REAL ASSIGNMENT- Creating Diagrams in draw.io: DUE MONDAY. 50 point assignment.

  • To make your "Word Web" into a usable piece of information, we will be recreating your chart using DIAGRAMS.net, as outlined below.

LEARNING TOOLS- diagrams.net DIAGRAMS: Review the following to help you understand how to use the basics of draw.io DIAGRAMS:

  1. Please use your browser to navigate to DIAGRAMS.NET.
  2. Click START in the upper right corner of the screen.
  3. Click GOOGLE DRIVE as a destination for your saved files.
  4. When you are asked to AUTHORIZE, enter the information for your SCHOOL GOOGLE DRIVE. Click all of the appropriate buttons to allow access to your school Google Drive.
  5. Click CONTINUE, when asked.
  6. Click CREATE A NEW DIAGRAM.
  7. Click DIAGRAM NAME at the top of the window and NAME YOUR FILE!
  8. Click BLANK DIAGRAM>CREATE.
  9. ***VERY IMPORTANT STEP: In the WHERE DROP DOWN BOX, select GOOGLE DRIVE- PICK A FOLDER. You may need to go through the AUTHORIZE again, I don't know why.
  10. Navigate in your Google Drive to your COMPTECH FOLDER and click on it once to highlight it, then CLICK SELECT
  11. Your NEW DIAGRAM will open.
  12. Please review this 1:45 minute video- DIAGRAMS.net HELP LINK to get basic information on how to use DIAGRAMS.NET.
  13. Please note that if your ARROWS in your diagrams look like the image to below, you have not watched the video tutorial and you will not receive ANY points for this project.
  14. In general, this program is pretty easy to use: Simply click and drag shapes from the left to the form. Double click a shape to add words. Use the tabs on the right to add color, line style, etc.
  15. Start making your diagrams (see your project below!)
  16. Your diagrams save as you go and are already in the proper folder for grading!

THE ACTUAL DIAGRAMS.NET DIAGRAMS Assignment: FOUR PARTS: Make sure that you save your diagrams properly, as outlined above. If your diagram is not properly saved in your FRESHMAN_TECH folder, you will receive a ZERO. DUE MONDAY. 50 point assignment.

  1. "MY FAVORITE THINGS" Chart in DIAGRAMS.NET: To make your "Word Web" into a usable piece of information, we will be recreating your chart using draw.io DIAGRAMS. LEARNING TOOLS were outlined above in the video link. PLEASE MAKE YOUR DIAGRAM SYMMETRICAL. EXTRA POINTS FOR ADDING COLOR, CHANGING FONTS, OR OTHERWISE MAKING YOUR DIAGRAM SHINY AND FANCY.
  2. "The MY 2025-2026 SCHEDULE": Please use your new diagramming skills to create a diagram that VISUALLY DEMONSTRATES all of the courses that you have at Highland High School this year. Make sure to include information about your classes on MONDAY, Block days on TUESDAY/THURSDAY and Block days on WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY. Please include class names and instructors!
  3. "THE TECH LAB CLASSROOM SEATING CHART": Please use your new diagramming skills to create a chart that VISUALLY DEMONSTRATES the Tech Lab and all of the seats (and possibly students) in the room. Make sure to include and label important things like DOORS, COMPUTERS, CHAIRS, BIG TV and TEACHER'S DESK. You may get up and walk around a little, but DO NOT BE DISRUPTIVE in this activity. PLEASE NOTE, THIS DIAGRAM WILL LOOK BEST IF YOU TAKE OFF THE LINE AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR SHAPES AS YOU MAKE YOUR DIAGRAM!
  4. "MY FAVORITE THING IN 2024/5"- From your chart created above, select ONE of the COMPANIES OR BRAND NAMES on the outside of your diagram to be your FAVORITE THING. Then, do some research regarding that favorite thing. You can illustrate all of the following information in a diagrams.net diagram in the same way your did your FAVORITE THINGS CHART above, or you can be creative. The only rule is that your information should be easily accessible and understood!:
    • The name of your FAVORITE THING COMPANY/BRAND NAME
    • A copy of the LOGO of your company.
    • The physical address and telephone number of your company.
    • The website address of your company.
    • The CEO or President of your company.
    • The TOTAL SALES of your company in the year 2024 (or 2023, if you can't find 2024).
    • The YEAR that your company was founded.

Our First Big Project: The diagrams.net Flowchart Project.

8/13/25

CLASS SUMMARY

DAILY EXERCISE: Before class starts next class period, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "THE BEATLES." This will be the first of MANY 5 point assignments we will have in this class and they will all be the same, DUE BEFORE CLASS STARTS NEXT CLASS PERIOD! Be prepared to discuss this at the start of next class period.

FIRST DAY OF CLASS! WELCOME TO COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY (COMPTECH)!

FOR TODAY: First, we go over the COMPTECH Course overview and classroom rules and regulations.

We hand out the SYLLABUS. This is due NEXT CLASS PERIOD.

HOUSEKEEPING DUTIES (You can use your handout sheet for this!):

  • Google Drive login.
  • Navigate to highlandtechnology.org. Bookmark the COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY page, we will be using it often. To do this, click on the little STAR in the upper right corner of your screen, then type CTRL-SHIFT B, which will bring up your bookmark bar.
  • In your Google Drive account, create a new folder called "LASTNAME_COMPTECH." Click to highlight this folder in Google Drive and then click on the SHARE button in the upper right section of your menu. SHARE this folder with pburkhard@weldre9.org. ALL FUTURE FILES FOR THIS CLASS MUST BE MADE OR PLACES IN THIS FOLDER FOR GRADING!

Our First Graded Work: Word Web- My Favorite Things Pencil Diagram. DUE next class period, but should be finished today! 25 point assignment. You will be using a piece of paper and a pencil to create a chart or "concept map" of information regarding some of your "Favorite Stuff." HERE IS MR. B.'s EXAMPLE. Your name will go in the center of the paper.

    • Create web "arms" for 6-8 different CATEGORIES of "Your Favorite Stuff." (these are CONSUMER GOODS that you can buy at a store or generally purchase. Think energy drinks, cars, pizzas, french fries, chips, fast food, shoes, makeup, candy bars, baseball bats, etc. DO NOT LIST people, places, bands, pets, teams, sports, authors, types of animals, poets, houseplants, spiders, elephants, rock formations, etc.)
    • Create at least 3 web "arms" from each of these categories and list the specific BRAND NAMES of each category that are your favorites. (such as "Snickers," "Twix," "Reese's" for Candy Bars, etc.")

OUR FIRST REAL ASSIGNMENT- Creating Diagrams in draw.io: DUE MONDAY. 50 point assignment.

  • To make your "Word Web" into a usable piece of information, we will be recreating your chart using DIAGRAMS.net, as outlined below.

LEARNING TOOLS- diagrams.net DIAGRAMS: Review the following to help you understand how to use the basics of draw.io DIAGRAMS:

  1. Please use your browser to navigate to DIAGRAMS.NET.
  2. Click START in the upper right corner of the screen.
  3. Click GOOGLE DRIVE as a destination for your saved files.
  4. When you are asked to AUTHORIZE, enter the information for your SCHOOL GOOGLE DRIVE. Click all of the appropriate buttons to allow access to your school Google Drive.
  5. Click CONTINUE, when asked.
  6. Click CREATE A NEW DIAGRAM.
  7. Click DIAGRAM NAME at the top of the window and NAME YOUR FILE!
  8. Click BLANK DIAGRAM>CREATE.
  9. ***VERY IMPORTANT STEP: In the WHERE DROP DOWN BOX, select GOOGLE DRIVE- PICK A FOLDER. You may need to go through the AUTHORIZE again, I don't know why.
  10. Navigate in your Google Drive to your COMPTECH FOLDER and click on it once to highlight it, then CLICK SELECT
  11. Your NEW DIAGRAM will open.
  12. Please review this 1:45 minute video- DIAGRAMS.net HELP LINK to get basic information on how to use DIAGRAMS.NET.
  13. Please note that if your ARROWS in your diagrams look like the image to below, you have not watched the video tutorial and you will not receive ANY points for this project.
  14. In general, this program is pretty easy to use: Simply click and drag shapes from the left to the form. Double click a shape to add words. Use the tabs on the right to add color, line style, etc.
  15. Start making your diagrams (see your project below!)
  16. Your diagrams save as you go and are already in the proper folder for grading!

THE ACTUAL DIAGRAMS.NET DIAGRAMS Assignment: FOUR PARTS: Make sure that you save your diagrams properly, as outlined above. If your diagram is not properly saved in your FRESHMAN_TECH folder, you will receive a ZERO. DUE MONDAY. 50 point assignment.

  1. "MY FAVORITE THINGS" Chart in DIAGRAMS.NET: To make your "Word Web" into a usable piece of information, we will be recreating your chart using draw.io DIAGRAMS. LEARNING TOOLS were outlined above in the video link. PLEASE MAKE YOUR DIAGRAM SYMMETRICAL. EXTRA POINTS FOR ADDING COLOR, CHANGING FONTS, OR OTHERWISE MAKING YOUR DIAGRAM SHINY AND FANCY.
  2. "The MY 2025-2026 SCHEDULE": Please use your new diagramming skills to create a diagram that VISUALLY DEMONSTRATES all of the courses that you have at Highland High School this year. Make sure to include information about your classes on MONDAY, Block days on TUESDAY/THURSDAY and Block days on WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY. Please include class names and instructors!
  3. "THE TECH LAB CLASSROOM SEATING CHART": Please use your new diagramming skills to create a chart that VISUALLY DEMONSTRATES the Tech Lab and all of the seats (and possibly students) in the room. Make sure to include and label important things like DOORS, COMPUTERS, CHAIRS, BIG TV and TEACHER'S DESK. You may get up and walk around a little, but DO NOT BE DISRUPTIVE in this activity. PLEASE NOTE, THIS DIAGRAM WILL LOOK BEST IF YOU TAKE OFF THE LINE AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR SHAPES AS YOU MAKE YOUR DIAGRAM!
  4. " MY FAVORITE THING IN 2024/5"- From your chart created above, select ONE of the COMPANIES OR BRAND NAMES on the outside of your diagram to be your FAVORITE THING. Then, do some research regarding that favorite thing. You can illustrate all of the following information in a diagrams.net diagram in the same way your did your FAVORITE THINGS CHART above, or you can be creative. The only rule is that your information should be easily accessible and understood!:
    • The name of your FAVORITE THING COMPANY/BRAND NAME
    • A copy of the LOGO of your company.
    • The physical address and telephone number of your company.
    • The website address of your company.
    • The CEO or President of your company.
    • The TOTAL SALES of your company in the year 2024.
    • The YEAR that your company was founded.