Parents
Hey Mom and Dad. Welcome to the Mac Lab Experience. Glad you stopped by to learn more about us. Students do some amazing work in the Mac Lab. The Mac Lab Experience is like nothing you or I had in school.
We don’t have textbooks, worksheets, exams, homework with little stamps, etc. Everything is hands on. We are project-oriented and focused on problem solving. The two main sayings that we have in the Mac Lab are, “Your work is never done.” and “Work smarter not harder.” The culture is of student driven learning. Students are given the freedom to “think, create, and innovate” and are held responsible to do so. They are not here to simply follow spoon fed step-by-step instructions.
About Grades
Due to the nature of the class and the emphasis on student ownership, grading is different than in other classes. I am looking for hard work, innovation, professionalism, and creativity. This is not a class of rote memorization and scantron testing.
Students are learning industry standard skills and mastering professional software. The idea of an accurate snapshot of a student’s grade for weekly grade reports and the portal is impossible. Small, incremental measurements have little relevance in assessing individual progress. Being project-oriented, the goals of the Mac Lab are long-term. Students have the opportunity to learn skills that not only surpass the vast majority of high school computer courses, but also often exceed college level work.
The software we use is EXPENSIVE. The entire CS5 Master Collection is $2,500. Adobe Photoshop, alone, is $600. Therefore, I can’t expect students to have access to the software to do work at home. Since there is no homework, I EXPECT YOUR CHILD TO BE ON TASK AT ALL TIMES while in class. If they chose to do their own thing on my time, than they OWE ME MAKEUP ON THEIR TIME. This means during tutorial, after school, and Saturday Labs. Participation makes up 50% of their grade. Students who owe time cannot earn an “A.”
Bottom line is that every students gets a “C” or better if they are consistently working in class AND make up any missed time. This is true even if they have no artistic ability and “don’t get it.”
Having said all that, below is the Mac Lab 10-point Rubric for grading student portfolios:
Technical (50%)
Five Points
For simply following directions (named file correctly, saved file in correct folder, uploaded project to website, project is correct size, etc.).
Artistic (50%)
Five Points
Wall of Fame
Four Points
Couldn’t you have done just a little more?
Three Points
You completed all of the requirements.
Two Points
Why did you fix that?
One Point
Seriously? Did you even try?
Zero Points
I don’t even know what this is.
But I don’t “get it . . . “
If your son or daughter is not passing, he or she has chosen to do so. It has nothing to do with not “getting it.” I have had plenty of students with no natural artistic ability and minimal technical knowledge that have succeeded with ease in the Mac Lab. All they have to do is show effort, work hard everyday, be on task, and they will earn at least a “C”. That is with zero natural artistic ability and a lack of prior technical skills. If they are earning less than a “C” they have chosen to not participate fully in class and not to make up any missed time.
The Most Important Thing
There is a lot of emphasis in the Mac Lab on developing technical skills and exploring creativity. However, the most important lessons in the Mac Lab having nothing to do with those things. I know that not all students in the Mac Lab are going to become Digital Artists. The most consistent lessons I teach deal with personal responsibility, character, professionalism, and doing the right thing. Those lessons are universal.
I encourage them to find a passion and strive for greatness. I want them to dream big and work hard to make that dream happen.
Saturday Lab
Part of the culture of the Edison Mac Lab, is that the job is never done. Students aren’t just learning software, they are learning: project management, time management, critical thinking, organization, etc. They are developing 21st Century Skills to be successful in a competitive global economy. Sometimes this requires extra time outside of class. The Saturday Lab is in place to ensure student success. The lab is open at least one Saturday per month from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Students receive extra credit for their effort.
What can be accomplished in the Mac Lab?
Amazing things. Browse the Student Galleries. All of the artwork is 100% student created and comes from every grade level. These students received the same exact instruction as your child. The video tutorials guarantee that.
Parent Contact Form
From time to time I may need to contact you about your child’s performance in my class. To help facilitate this I have created a Google form for you to complete. Your child will receive extra credit in participation for you doing so.