Course Syllabus

Course Description

This class is a self-paced mastery course. This means that you are fully responsible for your own learning. All class material is now at your fingertips and you are the only one who can complete it! Are you up for the challenge? I hope so.

I will be available to help, if you need it, and you will find that there is a considerable amount of information in the course to help you when you get stuck. I've written articles, recorded videos, developed applets, and even recorded podcasts to help you learn this information. Now, it's up to you!

Classroom Management/Learning Materials

There is no textbook for this course.  We will be using lessons and lectures developed by the instructor.  Each lesson will be taught by the instructor; all assignments will be completed and turned in using Canvas. All assignments are due on Thursdays.

Cadet Materials

The are no required materials for this course. You will need to use specific software in this course. If this software costs money, the school will provide this software in the computer lab. If you are using your personal computer to complete this course, you may need to purchase software individually. I try to use free software where it is appropriate.

Instructional Organization

Cadets will be responsible for their own schedule in class. All class material is on Canvas so that should be your main point-of-contact with this course. There are videos, links to external websites, and other instructional materials provided for you to learn the material. You will review these resources then complete the required assignment to show mastery, or approaching-mastery, of each subject. Cadets are encouraged to work through the material at their own pace as long as the due dates are met. If a Cadet has completed their assigned work for the day, they are free to explore other learning opportunities during class time.

I do not assign homework but all assignments are due at 11:59 pm on Thursdays.  This is to allow cadets to finish assignments at home if they weren’t able to complete them in class.

There are three categories of graded assignments in this course. They are:

• Assignments
• Quizzes
• Discussions

The assignments are mastery-based projects that practice the lessons learned that week.

The quizzes are short tests that evaluate the cadet's mastering and understanding of the material.

The discussions are higher-level questions that the cadet must respond to, along with other cadets taking this course. These questions deal with current and future technology, and our cultural reaction to them. During the week, cadets will write their responses in an online forum. On Fridays, the class will discuss these issues as a group in the classroom.  

Absences and Make-Up Policy

All assignments are required and must be completed on time. Cadets are required to show proficiency in each performance standard to pass this course. If an assignment is not turned in by the due date, I will send an email to the Cadet and their parents reminding them of this obligation. If late work is a habitual problem, I will work with the Cadet and their parents to come up with a strategy that ensures success.

Any assignment that is not turned in by the due date will be recorded as an “M” in Aspire which is the same as a zero.  Late assignments will be docked a specific amount of points based on the scope of the assignment. Look at the rubric for each assignment to see how many points you will lose for turning in a late assignment.

Any assignment that does not meet high school academic standards will be recorded as an "R" in Aspire which means "Retake". This still counts as a zero if the work is not redone.

Rules and Consequences

All UMA rules concerning conduct, dress, and academic integrity apply in and out of the classroom.  The UMA Cadet Guide is a great place to familiarize yourself with expectations.

Plagiarism is not accepted at Utah Military Academy.  All instances of plagiarism are recorded as a Class 2 infraction resulting in an office referral. The assignment is automatically graded as a “0” without the opportunity to make it up. Plagiarism is defined as “the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own”.

The classroom is not a place to socialize. The use of online chat applications is not authorized. There are no assignments in this class that require group work.

As a former member of the United States Army and a combat vet, I take military discipline and customs and courtesies very seriously.  Any disrespect to, or ignorance of, our standards at this school will not be tolerated in my classroom. For example, I will not allow any cadet into my classroom if they are not wearing their uniform correctly or they do not meet the grooming standards.  When cadets are at the position of attention, I expect them to demonstrate with pride and honor.

I understand that the cadets are not fully-formed, professional, adults yet.  I see my duty as not only academic, but practical. I will try to become a mentor to a cadet if they are struggling with the rigorous standards we set here at this academy.  If a cadet continuously proves that they are unable or unwilling to attempt to follow our standards, I will refer them to administration. My preference, however, is to handle issues inside my own classroom or with parents directly.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at: dstorm@utahmilitaryacademy.org

David Storm

CTE Director

Utah Military Academy