CIS 100 - Introduction to Computer Productivity Apps
Course Overview - Winter, 2015

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 course covers basic computer skills, an introduction to the Windows desktop, the fundamentals of productivity software (currently using Office 2013) and experience using the Internet. The class format includes hands-on work on the computer. The student is expected to have basic knowledge of computers including using Windows, using a Web browser like Internet Explorer and using e-mail.

Prerequisites:

Objectives

• Navigate the Windows user interface
• Perform basic Windows functions including copying, moving, deleting files, and creating folders
• Describe the different storage options including devices, folders, and files
• Describe basic Web concepts including URLs, IP address, DNS, HTML, and search engines
• Explain basic techniques for protecting a PC against viruses, worms, and other malware
• Provide definitions for basic computer terminology
• Use Microsoft Word to create and modify word processing documents
• Use Microsoft Excel to create and modify spreadsheet documents
• Use Microsoft Powerpoint to create and modify presentation documents
• Apply basic and intermediate formatting to documents
• Open, Save, and Print documents
• Use advanced search methods in Google
• Use Cloud and Web 2.0 tools

Texts and supplies:

1. Text: Go! Office 2013 e-book + Tech in Action e-book, Pearson Prentice Hall ISBN 0133481816: Electronic bundle that includes an e-book, access to MyITLab, and a one-year license to Office 2013
2. Optional: a flash drive on which to keep your files.

Grading Policy:

Your grade will be based on in-class and homework assignments and concepts and skill tests with the following points for each.

Submitting Assignments - Most assignments will be submitted on-line to either Blackboard or MyITLab.

Late Assignments - Cutoff dates for submitting assignments will be announced in class and on Blackboard. After that, late assignments will not be accepted. Usually, the cut-off date is the week-end after the exam that covers that material.

Missed Exams - You need to take the exams on the days scheduled in the syllabus unless you have a very good reason. Contact the instructor as soon as possible, preferably before the exam or within 2 days of a missed exam, to reschedule it. Because these exams are long, they can be difficult to reschedule.

Extra Credit - You may improve your final grade up to 5 percentage points by earning extra credit. You may do any of the unassigned projects at the end of each chapter of the book or exercises that you design yourself. See the instructor as to how much extra credit an exercise could be worth. Extra credit assignments are due the second to the last class.

Your final letter grade will be determined as follows:

Miscellaneous:

Two hours spent on homework for each hour of a college class is not unusual. 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. For general academic help, go to Learning Support Services in LA 104first floor Student Center (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.

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

Academic Honesty

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 will be sanctioned as described in the Board of Trustees Policy 4095 regarding academic dishonesty.

About this Course

The course consists of five major units:

1. Word
2. Excel
3. PowerPoint
4. Cloud Applications
5. Internet Concepts

Learning for this material is facilitated using the following.

Blackboard is the tool used to manage this course including such activities as submitting assignments, taking exams, and posting announcements. Assignments requiring development of an electronic document are submitted through Blackboard. The instructor communicates through e-mail sent through Blackboard and announcements are posted in Blackboard.

MyItLab is a web-based tool that facilitates learning and assessment of Microsoft Office. For each Office learning module, the student typically completes two guided assignments using the Office simulator, one Grader assignment using Microsoft Office Apps, and a quiz. MyItlab provides hints and show me features during the completion of the simulation assignments. Note: students are advised to use these features sparingly since they will not be available during exams. Please see the MyItLab tab for more information about using MyItLab.

Microsoft OneDrive provides a version of Office called Web Office. Web Office is a scaled-down version of Microsoft Office. Onedrive also provides private and collaborative storage where documents may be shared with friends, colleagues, or any Internet user.

Google Drive is a competitor to Onedrive and provides more robust Office functionality and additional apps (applications) not available in Web Office. Google Drive also provides private and collaborative storage.