CIS 099 - Computer Skills for Beginners
Course Overview - Fall, 2012

Instructor: Kathie Gourlay
Telephone: 313-268-6537
Message E-mail gourlay@wccnet.edu
Mailbox: BE 200 (734-677-5431)
Home Page: http://courses.wccnet.edu/~gourlay
Office hours:By appointment.

Course Description:

This class teaches the minimum Computer Literacy skills needed to succeed at WCC. Competencies covered include using Microsoft Windows, basic word processing, Internet skills, file management and email. Students will also be exposed to Blackboard and MyWCC basics. The title of this course was previously Computer Literacy.

Prerequisites:

Academic Reading Level 3; Academic Writing Level 2

Required texts and supplies:

  1. Text: Welcome to the World of Computers 3rd Edition by Stolins, Marshall II, Marshall-Campbell, and Murphy, 2010, Labyrinth Learning, ISBN-13: 978-1-59136-332-3

    This book may be obtained from:
    Barnes and Noble, Student Center Bldg., Washtenaw Community College, 973-3594

  2. A flash drive on which to keep your files.

Grading Policy:

CIS099 is a pass/fail course. You will only receive a grade of "S" (Pass) if you receive 70 percent or higher; otherwise you will receive a "U" (Fail).
Your grade will be based on the following:

Five major assignments worth 10 points each 50% or your grade
Minor, mostly in-class exercises worth 100% each 10% of your grade
Two exams 40% of your grade

The due dates for the major assignments and the dates of the exams are shown on the syllabus.

Late exams:
If you are absent the day of an exam, please make arrangements with the instructor to schedule a make up exam. The exams need to be made up no later than the beginning of the next class period, before the other students' exams are handed back and gone over. (See the teacher if this proves impossible.)

Late major assignments:
These assignments will be accepted at any time, but they may be marked down 25% if late. After a major assignment has been submitted and graded, you are usually allowed to correct missed points and resubmit the assignment for more credit. These assignments demonstrate important computer skills, and it is desirable for everyone to be able to do these perfectly.

Late minor assignments:
Some minor assignments are group projects that cannot be made up if absent. The other ones may be handed in up to one week late. Note, minor assignments are not listed on the syllabus. If you are absent, look on Blackboard or ask the teacher for any minor assignments that you missed that may be made up.

Academic Dishonesty:

Although you are encouraged to help each other, the work you hand in must be your own. If you are caught cheating or are guilty of plagiarism, you may be sanctioned as described according to the Board of Trustees Policy 4095 regarding academic dishonesty, which is included on the W.C.C. website.

Miscellaneous:

No eating or drinking near any computer. The instructor will show you where you may store your food and drink during class.

Outside of class time you may use the Computer Commons on the second floor of the library in the GM building (973-3420). There are tutors and aids available to help you in the Computer Commons and at Learning Support Services in LA 104 (973-3342).

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act all qualified students are entitled to reasonable accommodations. Please notify the instructor if any accommodations are needed or go to LA 104 for support.

Tentative Schedule

The major assignments are shown in bold.
Dates Reading Topic Assignments & Exams
Oct 18 Lesson 1 Course overview, Computer basics, mousing around, Calculator, Keyboarding Minor: Calculator and mouse exercises
Oct 23 Lesson 2 Gadgets, Paint program, Operating Systems Minor: Paint and typing exercises
Oct 25 Lesson 3 pp. 93-96 WordPad, Processing and Storage, Using your Flash drive Biography
Oct 30 Lesson 4 Digital camera files, File management Minor: file exercise
Nov 1 Lesson 4 continued File management continued, Searching for files File management
Nov 6 Lesson 4 continued Input and Output, Control panel  
Nov 8     Exam 1
Nov 13 Lesson 3 Word 2010 Minor: Word exercise
Nov 15   Word 2010 Resumé
Nov 20, 22 Thanksgiving Recess
Nov 27 Lesson 5 Networking and the Internet Minor: Internet printing
Nov 29 Lesson 6 Searching and evaluating Websites, Blackboard, MyWCC Minor: Blackboard submit
Dec 4 Lesson 7 E-mail Internet
Dec 6 Lesson 8 Security, Legality, and Ethics E-mail
Dec 11     Exam 2
Dec 13   Other applications: PowerPoint, Excel, Access Minor: application exercise