Applied Technology
Computers and Technology

 

COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY: SPRING SEMESTER

SPRING, 2026

DATE

Information/Activities/Projects

IMPORTANT COMPTECH INFORMATION:

THURSDAY- FRIDAY

1/29-30/26


CLASS SUMMARY

(coming soon)

   

 

BELLRINGER: As we review the THE CROWDS ON DEMAND DAILY EXERCISE today, Mr. Burkhard will ask you to complete the ASTROTURFING DAILY EXERCISE #2. This is it! Do it NOW!

Then, in preparation for the writing of our paper, we complete "The First Paragraph" Exercise. This will be a 20 point grade in the Gradebook!

 

     
THE DAILY EXERCISES: DO THESE EVERY CLASS PERIOD, THEY ARE USUALLY WORTH 5-10 POINTS!
 
DUE TODAY: COMPLETE THE CROWDS ON DEMAND DAILY EXERCISE before the start of class TODAY. This will be a 5 point assignment.
DUE MONDAY: COMPLETE THE AI GOLDFISH? DAILY EXERCISE. PLEASE put in the effort to figure out what is happening here and why. Do your internet research! 5 points for correct and proper answers!

FOR TODAY:

  • OUR BIG PROJECT:
  • PROJECT SHEET: "The History of Your Favorite Thing" RESEARCH PAPER.
  • The RESEARCH PAPER OUTLINE
  • Format of paper:
    • Paragraph ONE: An EXCITING introduction regarding your TOPIC that explains WHAT IS IT? (this should have been completed in "The First Paragraph" Exercise.)
    • Paragraph TWO: Creation of product/ company.
    • Paragraphs THREE-FIVE (minimum): Explain at least three major changes that have occured with your product/ company since the founding. PUT THESE IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER!
    • Paragraph SIX: Explain your product/ company today.
    • Paragraph SEVEN: Conclusion.
  • This is how your PAPER NEEDS TO LOOK! Please compare YOUR paper formatting and sourcing with this paper!
  • Research your chosen "FAVORITE THING" on the internet. I recommend using search terms like "NIKE HISTORY" or "NIKE FOUNDING." You can use CHAT GPT or GEMINI for research or brainstorming, see below.
    Use CHATGPT to do some brainstorming about the history of your company. I recommend that you do a query similar to the following:
    • "Can you give me some information about the founding of Nike? "
    • "I am writing a research paper on the history of the Nike Company for my Technology class. I need to document three major changes to the company since it was founded. Can you help me come up with some ideas for these changes?"
    • When did Nike start making athletic gear, such as helmets, jerseys, shoulder pads, etc.?
    • I need some source material. Can you give me some sources for Nike's partnership with the NFL in 2012?

TUESDAY- WEDNESDAY

1/27-28/26


CLASS SUMMARY

(coming soon)

   

 

BELLRINGER- START OF CLASS: We review the Daily Exercise that was due at the start of today's class-THE DAILY EXERCISE: QUESTIONABLE GRAPHS.

We review how your PAPER NEEDS TO LOOK! This is important, as much of the grade of your paper is based on the PRESENTATION.

We also review PLAGIARISM and the process of CITATION.

THE BELLRINGER IS HERE: Complete the "CITATION OF SOURCES EXERCISE" using CHAT GPT as a citation tool.

 

     
THE DAILY EXERCISES: DO THESE EVERY CLASS PERIOD, THEY ARE USUALLY WORTH 5-10 POINTS!
 
DUE TUESDAY/ WEDNESDAY: DAILY EXERCISE: Before the start of next class period, please review and complete THE DAILY EXERCISE: QUESTIONABLE GRAPHS. This is worth 10 POINTS!
DUE THURSDAY/ FRIDAY: COMPLETE THE CROWDS ON DEMAND DAILY EXERCISE before the start of next class period. This will be a 5 point assignment.

FOR TODAY: The Google Charting and Graphing Assignment. GRADED NEXT CLASS PERIOD. Worth 50 points.

GOOGLE DRIVE LEARNING CHARTS AND GRAPHS: Review the Google Charting Video at the top of the Assignment Sheet. Practice the skills as you review the video. You may also refer to this Google Learning Webpage regarding charts, as needed.

    • Carefully REVIEW the instructions on the Paper Assignment Sheet.
    • Research your chosen "FAVORITE THING" on the internet. I recommend using search terms like "NIKE HISTORY" or "NIKE FOUNDING."
    • Use CHATGPT to do some brainstorming about the history of your company. I recommend that you do a query similar to the following:
      • "Can you give me some information about the founding of Nike? "
      • "I am writing a research paper on the history of the Nike Company for my Technology class. I need to document three major changes to the company since it was founded. Can you help me come up with some ideas for these changes?"
      • When did Nike start making athletic gear, such as helmets, jerseys, shoulder pads, etc.?
      • I need some source material. Can you give me some sources for Nike's partnership with the NFL in 2012?

MONDAY

1/26/26


CLASS SUMMARY

(coming soon

   

 

BELLRINGER- START OF CLASS: We review the Daily Exercise that was due at the start of today's class- "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "SENSA."

A TON of students, for some unknown reason, did not complete the "Research Paper Topic Selection Form." Read the questions carefully, this will determine the course of the rest of this semester in the class. CHOOSE WISELY!

Mr. Burkhard reviews how to use AI to help brainstorm ideas for your RESEARCH PAPER.

When we are done, use these techniques to complete the RESEARCH PAPER OUTLINE- NOTE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE INFORMATION LINKS FOR YOUR ARTICLES!

 

     
THE DAILY EXERCISES: DO THESE EVERY CLASS PERIOD, THEY ARE USUALLY WORTH 5-10 POINTS!
 
DUE TODAY: DAILY EXERCISE: Before the start of next class period, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "SENSA." This Daily Exercise will be worth 5 points for proper completion. DO SOME RESEARCH!
DUE THURSDAY/ FRIDAY: DAILY EXERCISE: Before the start of next class period, please review and complete THE DAILY EXERCISE: QUESTIONABLE GRAPHS. This is worth 10 POINTS!

FOR TODAY: The Google Charting and Graphing Assignment. GRADED NEXT CLASS PERIOD. Worth 50 points.

GOOGLE DRIVE LEARNING CHARTS AND GRAPHS: Review the Google Charting Video at the top of the Assignment Sheet. Practice the skills as you review the video. You may also refer to this Google Learning Webpage regarding charts, as needed.

    • Carefully REVIEW the instructions on the Paper Assignment Sheet.
    • Research your chosen "FAVORITE THING" on the internet. I recommend using search terms like "NIKE HISTORY" or "NIKE FOUNDING."
    • Use CHATGPT to do some brainstorming about the history of your company. I recommend that you do a query similar to the following:
      • "Can you give me some information about the founding of Nike? "
      • "I am writing a research paper on the history of the Nike Company for my Technology class. I need to document three major changes to the company since it was founded. Can you help me come up with some ideas for these changes?"
      • When did Nike start making athletic gear, such as helmets, jerseys, shoulder pads, etc.?
      • I need some source material. Can you give me some sources for Nike's partnership with the NFL in 2012?

THURSDAY/ FRIDAY

1/22-23/26


CLASS SUMMARY

(coming soon)

   

 

BELLRINGER- START OF CLASS: We review the Daily Exercise that was due at the start of today's class- "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "MISSING CHILDREN."

Then, in preparation for the writing of our paper, please spend FIVE OR TEN MINUTES at the start of class today reading this SAMPLE FAVORITE THING RESEARCH PAPER. This is an almost perfect 100/100 paper, complete with ALL elements, proper formatting and good flow. Note that this paper includes a total of ELEVEN sources. You only need to include 3. This is an example that you should attempt to emulate with your work!

Then, please complete the "Research Paper Topic Selection Form." Read the questions carefully, this will determine the course of the rest of this semester in the class. CHOOSE WISELY!

GRADING TODAY, LIVE IN CLASS: The diagrams.net Flowchart Project.

 

     
THE DAILY EXERCISES: DO THESE EVERY CLASS PERIOD, THEY ARE USUALLY WORTH 5-10 POINTS!
 
DUE TODAY: Before next class period, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "MISSING CHILDREN." This will be 5 point assignment. Be prepared to discuss this at the start of next class period.
DUE THURSDAY/ FRIDAY: DAILY EXERCISE: Before the start of next class period, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "SENSA." This Daily Exercise will be worth 5 points for proper completion. DO SOME RESEARCH!

FOR TODAY: The Google Charting and Graphing Assignment. GRADED NEXT WEEK. Worth 50 points.

GOOGLE DRIVE LEARNING CHARTS AND GRAPHS: Review the Google Charting Video at the top of the Assignment Sheet. Practice the skills as you review the video. You may also refer to this Google Learning Webpage regarding charts, as needed.

    • Carefully REVIEW the instructions on the Paper Assignment Sheet.
    • Research your chosen "FAVORITE THING" on the internet. I recommend using search terms like "NIKE HISTORY" or "NIKE FOUNDING."
    • Use CHATGPT to do some brainstorming about the history of your company. I recommend that you do a query similar to the following:
      • "Can you give me some information about the founding of Nike? "
      • "I am writing a research paper on the history of the Nike Company for my Technology class. I need to document three major changes to the company since it was founded. Can you help me come up with some ideas for these changes?"
      • When did Nike start making athletic gear, such as helmets, jerseys, shoulder pads, etc.?
      • I need some source material. Can you give me some sources for Nike's partnership with the NFL in 2012?

TUESDAY/ WEDNESDAY

1/20-21/26


CLASS SUMMARY

(coming soon)

   

 

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

At the start of class, we also review some of the common CHARTS and GRAPHS used in dispersing information. Here is a link to that Charts and Graphs Introductory slide show, including the "Money in our Pockets" Table, which you need for PROBLEM 1 of the Charting Project.

Please complete "MORE GRAPHS! Thinking Sheet."

 

     
THE DAILY EXERCISES: DO THESE EVERY CLASS PERIOD, THEY ARE USUALLY WORTH 5-10 POINTS!
 
DUE TODAY: Before next class period, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "TAYLOR AND THE CHIEFS." This will be 5 point assignment. Be prepared to discuss this at the start of next class period.
DUE THURSDAY/ FRIDAY: Before next class period, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "MISSING CHILDREN." This will be 5 point assignment. Be prepared to discuss this at the start of next class period.

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

OUR NEXT PROJECT: The Google Charting and Graphing Assignment. GRADED NEXT MONDAY. Worth 50 points.

GOOGLE DRIVE LEARNING CHARTS AND GRAPHS: Review the Google Charting Video at the top of the Assignment Sheet. Practice the skills as you review the video. You may also refer to this Google Learning Webpage regarding charts, as needed.

THURSDAY/ FRIDAY

1/15-16/26


CLASS SUMMARY

   

 

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

MR. B. EXPLAINS WHAT YOU CAN'T DO FOR THE FLOWCHART PROJECT!

THEN, we discuss review and analyze some FLOWCHARTS by completing the "Flow Charts Are Cool" Thinking Sheet."

Make sure to use CTRL+ and CRTL- to zoom in or out on the flowchart that you select.

DO NOT SPEND ALL DAY GAZING AT THE FUNNY CHARTS, YOU HAVE TOO MUCH WORK TO DO!

 

     
THE DAILY EXERCISES: DO THESE EVERY CLASS PERIOD, THEY ARE USUALLY WORTH 5-10 POINTS!
 
DUE TODAY: 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.
DUE MONDAY: Before next class period, please review and complete "COMPTECH: DAILY EXERCISE- "TAYLOR AND THE CHIEFS." This will be 5 point assignment. Be prepared to discuss this at the start of next class period.

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

OUR NEXT PROJECT: The Google Charting and Graphing Assignment. GRADED NEXT WEEK. Worth 50 points.

GOOGLE DRIVE LEARNING CHARTS AND GRAPHS: Review the Google Charting Video at the top of the Assignment Sheet. Practice the skills as you review the video. You may also refer to this Google Learning Webpage regarding charts, as needed.

TUESDAY/ WEDNESDAY

1/13-14/26


CLASS SUMMARY

 

   

 

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 THURSDAY/ FRIDAY: 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: THE ACTUAL DIAGRAMS.NET DIAGRAMS Assignment: FOUR PARTS: Make sure that you save your diagrams properly, as outlined above. If your diagram JPEG IMAGES are not properly saved in your shared COMPTECH folder, you will receive a ZERO. DUE ON TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY, 1/13/14. 50 point assignment.

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

MONDAY

1/12/26


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: DAILY EXERCISE: 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 TUESDAY/ 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: THE ACTUAL DIAGRAMS.NET DIAGRAMS Assignment: FOUR PARTS: Make sure that you save your diagrams properly, as outlined above. If your diagram JPEG IMAGES are not properly saved in your shared COMPTECH folder, you will receive a ZERO. DUE ON TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY, 1/13/14. 50 point assignment.

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

THURSDAY/ FRIDAY

1/8-9/26


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 RIGHT NOW! 20 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.")

THE ACTUAL DIAGRAMS.NET DIAGRAMS Assignment: FOUR PARTS: Make sure that you save your diagrams properly, as outlined above. If your diagram JPEG IMAGES are not properly saved in your shared COMPTECH folder, you will receive a ZERO. DUE ON MONDAY, 1/12 (or possibly the day after, depending on class effort...). 50 point assignment.

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

TUES/WED

1/6-7/26


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 5-10 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.

You also need to pick up the HOUSEKEEPING DUTIES FORM. These instructions are also below:

  • 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 TOMORROW, 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.")

THE ACTUAL DIAGRAMS.NET DIAGRAMS Assignment: FOUR PARTS: Make sure that you save your diagrams properly, as outlined above. If your diagram JPEG IMAGES are not properly saved in your shared COMPTECH folder, you will receive a ZERO. DUE ON MONDAY, 1/12. 50 point assignment.