Course Syllabus 2026-27
Teacher Information
Your teacher for this course is Tom Gromak, the Academic Technology Coordinator at Watkinson School.
He can be reached by phone at (860) 236-5618 x169 or via email as provided in the faculty directory.
Where and When We Meet
We meet during A Block in Room 1103 (The Global Studies Classroom in the Solarium) on Mondays, Thursdays, and Week One Wednesdays during the Fall Semester.
Below is our tentative meeting schedule. Dates are subject to change based on the school calendar.
| Date(s) | Focus & Activities | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Sep 3 | Introductions | |
| Wed, Sep 9 - Thu, Sep 10 | Development | |
| Mon, Sep 14 - Thu, Sep 17 | Development Consultations | |
| Wed, Sep 23 | Development Consultations Peer Feedback | |
| Thu, Sep 24 | Development | Proposals Due |
| Mon, Sep 28 | Group Work | |
| Thu, Oct 1 - Thu, Oct 8 | Work Days | |
| Thu, Oct 15 | Work Day | |
| Mon, Oct 19 | Group Work | |
| Wed, Oct 21 - Thu, Oct 22 | Work Days | |
| Mon, Oct 26 | Reflection Course Feedback | |
| Thu, Oct 29 | Work Day | Midterm Comments |
| Mon, Nov 2 | Work Day | |
| Wed, Nov 4 | Group Work | |
| Thu, Nov 5 - Mon, Nov 9 | Work Days Consultations | |
| Thu, Nov 12 - Thu, Nov 19 | Work Days | |
| Mon, Nov 30 - Wed, Dec 2 | Work Days | |
| Thu, Dec 3 | Group Work Peer Feedback | |
| Mon, Dec 7 | Work Day | |
| Thu, Dec 10 | Work Day | Final Full Work Day |
| Mon, Dec 14 - Thu, Dec 17 | Group Work | |
| Mon, Jan 4 - Thu, Jan 7 | Wrap-up | |
| Mon, Jan 11 | Wrap-up | Gallery Sections Due |
| Thu, Jan 14 | Rehearsal | |
| Thu, Jan 21 | Final Presentation Course Feedback | Final Comments |
How This Course is Graded
There are four categories which are used to guide and grade your work, described in detail below.
Grades are based upon the levels you have reached by each grading period — they are not cumulative. This prioritizes your progress and recognizes that the skills developed in this class are not inherent, they must be learned and applied through sustained practice. It also requires sustained, active engagement with your work, so make sure that what you're doing is worth your time!
Remember, with computers, smart is not what you are, it's what you become, and failure is feedback, absolutely essential to the learning process even though they sometimes make you want to pull your hair out and scream into the abyss.
Development and Planning
20% of overall grade
- Your project objectives are clear, concise, and demonstrate ambition beyond basic requirements
- Developed projects present a genuine challenge and promote significant learning and skill development
- You demonstrate an understanding of and plan within any resource constraints (time, materials, etc.)
- You adapt your project plan effectively to fit the allocated time, showing good time management skills
- Your Process Journal entries regularly document ongoing progress, challenges, and solutions
- The effort you put into project development is clearly reflected in your plan and progress
Reflection
25% of overall grade
This category is built around a few things: a quick Process Journal you fill out in the last 5–10 minutes of every work day (a Google Doc where you log your progress and do a short check-in with your teacher), a more involved Progress Reflection form about every other week during the work-day period (15–20 minutes, looking back through your recent journal entries to reflect on your wins, patterns, and next steps), and a more substantial AI-facilitated reflection conversation at the midterm and again at the end of the semester, going deeper into your experience over the term.
- You consistently submit progress updates and feedback as requested
- You actively engage in giving and receiving feedback with classmates, showing thoughtful consideration
- You effectively use feedback to make meaningful improvements to your work
- Your analysis insightfully reflects on strengths, challenges, solutions, and what you learned
- You use your experiences and insights to thoughtfully plan future work and goals
Engagement
35% of overall grade
- You consistently stay on task and actively participate in class activities
- You exhibit sustained effort and self-motivation
- You demonstrate resilience and problem-solving skills, especially when facing setbacks
- You support your classmates and contribute to a positive class environment
- You are present and available to engage during class
- You ask for help and get teacher assistance when you need it
Production
20% of overall grade
- The results of your work are of high quality, reflecting your effort and understanding
- The work you produce aligns with chosen objectives
- The work you produce meets or exceeds established criteria for success
- The effort you put into your project and the processes you engaged in are evident in the work you present
- You share your work in a manner that is accessible and engaging to your intended audience
Course Policies and Expectations
Expectations
In this class, students are expected to:
- Be ready and able to apply their best effort to each day's work
- Check and respond to Google Classroom assignments and class-related emails as detailed in the Communication section below
- Listen to the teacher and follow directions
- Contribute to a positive classroom environment
- Be productive and respectful collaborators
- Be kind and show respect as detailed in the Respect and Kindness section below
Attendance Policy
Excused absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals require adherence to Family Handbook policy. Unexcused absences, late arrivals, or early dismissals will result in consequences based upon the circumstances of each instance and the frequency at which they occur.
Since most of this course's work happens during in-class work days, an excused absence doesn't carry an additional penalty beyond the reduced time you have to work — you'll simply have less in-class time available for your project. If that becomes a real issue for finishing your work, you and your teacher will adjust your project's scope together; there's no separate makeup assignment to complete.
Communication
Most class communication is facilitated via Google Classroom, including announcements, assignments, and other required class materials. Students will be asked to enroll during class and/or via email invitations.
Class communication includes direct email from teacher to student. As a result, students are expected to check their Watkinson email accounts between class meetings.
Respect and Kindness
It's vital that everyone feels safe to be themselves and feels as though their personal space and possessions are treated with respect. To create this environment, please:
- Keep your hands and feet to yourself, and do not touch other people or their possessions.
- Assume good intentions — misunderstandings happen, and are rarely intentional.
- If you disagree with someone, find ways to maintain respect.
AI Use
In addition to the AI policies detailed in the Family Handbook, the following guidelines are currently in effect for this class:
- Some uses are already OK -- no need to ask first. Idea generation, planning, proofreading, and general topic overviews are pre-approved. These can be genuinely useful, and using AI this way is encouraged.
- Anything beyond that, request and disclose first. If you want to use AI in a way that goes beyond the pre-approved list above, explain how and consult with your teacher before you proceed.
- You may not use AI to do the work for you. Don't use AI to write your reflections or generate your project's content for you -- unless AI generation is genuinely part of your project (for example, your project is an AI-generated art piece, an AI-assisted music track, or something similar). In that case, using AI to produce that content is the point, and is allowed with disclosure.
- Always disclose the use of AI in your work. Clearly label any AI-generated content to avoid confusion and misplaced attribution.
Electronic Device Policy
Phones are collected on the teacher's desk at the start of each class, and can be picked up at the end of class.
Use of Chromebooks or laptops is a big part of most classes, but not all. Students should expect to be asked to put all devices away and/or close them when appropriate.
Headphone use requires teacher approval, and should enhance your work rather than distract from it.
All paper-based worksheets can also be submitted by computer if desired.
Food and Drink Policy
No food or drink should be consumed in class without teacher approval, however closed-top beverage bottles and food stored inside personal items for later consumption are allowed. No open-top beverages are allowed next to devices due to the risk of spills and damage.
Classroom Presence
Students who need to use the restroom or step away from class for a moment (for example, to get a drink) should always notify the teacher before leaving the room.
Feeling Unwell
If you're not feeling well, please make sure you've visited the nurse or a health professional.
Personal Needs
- It's OK to do things that help you learn as long as they don't distract you or others. For example, some students like to stand or think best when they're moving. Just check with your teacher first to find the best way to set things up, and understand that not all requests can be fulfilled, though we'll always do our best.
- If you're not in a good place to learn (for example, feeling unwell, too tired, or upset), please tell your teacher. We all have bad days!