Student Syllabus

Contents of this Document

The Course Syllabus contains information to help you understand what the course offers, and what is expected for students to succeed. Please read it carefully, and ask the instructor if there is anything you don't understand.

• Catalog Course Description
• Course Objectives
• Text and Materials
• Grading
• Attendance Requirements
• Additional Information

This class covers basic computer literacy, an introduction to Windows desktop, the fundamentals of productivity software (currently using Office 2007) and experience using the Internet. No previous computer training is required. Class format includes hands-on work on the computer.

Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate Proficiency in basic use of the Microsoft® Windows operating system
2. Effectively use the World Wide Web, electronic mail, and the terminology referring to it
3. Effectively use computer hardware and software, and the terminology referring to it.
4. Demonstrate Proficiency in using Word Processing Software.
5. Demonstrate Proficiency in using Spreadsheet Software.
6. Demonstrate Proficiency in using Presentation Software.
7. Demonstrate Proficiency in using Database Software.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate Proficiency in basic use of the Microsoft® Windows operating system
   1. Creating and using folders, moving files, using removable memory (memory sticks).
   2. Using Start Button, and simple accessory programs such as Notepad and Paint.
   3. Identify and use system defined folders such as My Documents, My Computer, Recycle Bin, Desktop
2. Effectively use the World Wide Web, electronic mail, and the terminology referring to it.
   1. Identify key Web technology terminology
   2. such as URL, Domain, http, html, DNS, etc.
   3. Use Search engines to find information and
   4. identify techniques to improve the quality
   5. of the search.
   6. Apply critical thinking skills to the evaluation of information obtained from the web. Key concepts include accuracy, authority, currency, objectivity, coverage, and trustworthiness.
   7. Identify key components to email such as
   8. TO, CC, BCC, Attachments, etc.
   9. Identify "spam" and discuss ways to block it.
   10. Attach documents to email; open and save documents arriving attached to email.
3. Effectively use computer hardware and software, and the terminology referring to it.
   1. define purpose of and productively use the hardware components of a computer: CPU, Memory, Disks, Removable Media, Printers, etc.
   2. define differences between various operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix
   3. define and productively use operating system functions
   4. define and productively use operating system features and utilities such as virtual memory, plug and play, disk defragmentation, printer spooler management
   5. Identify the various categories of software: packages, shareware, freeware, open source, custom software.
   6. Identify software application categories such as graphics, business, home software, communications software
   7. Define malicious software categories such as virus, Trojan horse, worm, boot sector virus, etc.
   8. Identify approaches to backing up data and protect a computer from malicious software.
4. Demonstrate Proficiency in using Word Processing Software.
   1. Demonstrate text formatting, and using Tabs.
   2. Create Word documents with inserted Pictures and Clip Art
   3. Create Word documents with Bulleted Lists, Numbered Lists, and Tables
   4. Create Word documents from a template
   5. Create Word documents containing Footnotes, Headers/Footers
5. Demonstrate Proficiency in using Spreadsheet Software.
   1. Create Spreadsheet documents containing text formatting, shadows, and Merged Titles.
   2. Create Spreadsheet documents that use simple formulas, sums, averages, etc.
   3. Demonstrate Relative address filling techniques (i.e. "Fill Down", "Fill Right")
   4. Demonstrate Absolute addresses in formulas
   5. Create Spreadsheet documents containing charts (bar charts, line charts, pie charts)
6. Demonstrate Proficiency in using Presentation Software.
   1. Create Presentation documents from templates and slide layouts which contain clip art, and/or pictures.
   2. Create Presentation documentation with slide animations and custom animations
7. Demonstrate Proficiency in using Database Software.
   1. Create tables using different data types
   2. Identifying Primary Keys, Foreign Keys.
   3. Create queries including selection criteria, sorting, table joining, aggregation (i.e. averages, sums, etc.)
   4. Identifying data validation techniques and constraints such as Referential Integrity.

• Required Text

  • Title: Exploring Microsoft Office 2007: Volume 1
  • Author: Grauer and others
  • Edition: 1
  • Publisher: Pearson / Prentice Hall

• Also Required:

  • USB Drive to save your work files. See Saving Files page for options and costs.

These activities will contribute to your grade:

Class Participation consists of:

Timely attendance, asking and answering questions.

Final letter grades will be assigned as follows:

990 total assigned points; more possible points with extra credit.

When is an Assignment considered late?

Late exercises will have their value reduced as shown here:

For details see Grading Weights page.

Missed Quizzes and Exams

Quizzes

Quizzes are administered through Blackboard. There are special rules for quizzes:

• You may take quizzes as many times as you like during the one-week period in which they are assigned
• You may use any books or reference materials
• The last score you earn (not the best score) will be the final score
• Each quiz will only be available during the week when its subject is the main topic
• Quizzes must be completed by the beginning of the next class, and will not be available after the class begins
• THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP FOR QUIZZES

Exams

The first three exams will be administered in class; the fourth will be given in the Testing Center.

1. If you know you'll miss an exam, let the instructor know as far in advance as possible. You and the instructor can arrange to make up the exam without penalty, if you complete the make-up according to the instructor's alternative instructions.
2. If you miss an exam unexpectedly, contact the instructor as soon as possible.
   • You may not be allowed to make up an exam. If you are allowed to make it up, there will be a late pentaly of 10% for each weekday it is late.
   • An exam is considered "late" if it is taken after its officially scheduled time. However, the instructor may move the "late" date/time back, if you can document an emergency that directly prevented you from taking the exam at the officially scheduled time.

Independent Work:

All students are expected to work independently, except when assigned specifically by the instructor to work together in groups or teams. Writing assignments should be done entirely by each individual student, though proof-reading and language critique by others is acceptable. Material quoted or inserted from other authors' work must be properly referenced, and may not exceed a reasonable proportion of the student's work. Students violating this principle will be subject to discipline as described in the WCC Student Handbook. Specifically, in this class:

1. The first violation will result in a zero (0) grade for the assignment.
2. The second violation will result in automatic failure (F grade) in the course.

Email to the Instructor:

Because email is one of the primary ways business professionals communicate, we will treat class email as business communication. Also, because busy people (like you and your instructor) can get overwhelmed with email, we will follow certain rules for identifying email. This means:

1. In the subject line of your email, include your name, your class and section, and the name of the assignment the email is about. Example:
   Subject: Sarah Strong, CIS 100 sec.03 W21h
   If you have a question or need help, please put question or Help in the subject line.
2. Check your spelling and grammar. Poor spelling or English usage is unacceptable in business communication.
3. Don't use informal email-lingo - but emoticons and common abbreviations are acceptable in some circumstances.

Email that does not meet these standards will be returned with the note, "Please use business email standards". (This could result in an assignment being counted late.)

Disruptive Behavior

Disruptive behavior is any behavior that makes it difficult for you or other students to learn. Disruptive behavior is unfair to everybody in the class, and cannot be tolerated.

Disruptive behavior will be handled as follows:

• First occurrence: disruptive student(s) will be asked to stop the disruptive behavior.
• Second occurrence: disruptive student(s) will be required to leave the room. WCC Security will be called upon to assist if necessary. The student will be counted as not having attended class that day.
• Third occurrence: disruptive student(s) will be required to leave the room, and will be referred to the Vice President for Student Services with a recommendation for suspension. The case will then be handled in accordance with Board of Trustees Policy 4095 "STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES".

Visitors in the Classroom

According to WCC Policy, only registered students are allowed in classrooms. Exceptions will be made only at the instructor's discretion. Visitors who disrupt the educational process in any way will be required to leave. If the visitor is a child, the student responsible for the child will be required to leave the class as well.

Getting Help

The CIS Department and WCC are committed to giving you every possible chance to succeed in this class. Several sources of help are available if you find your work difficult or hard to understand:

1. Ask for help in class! We're here to help, and people who ask for help are the ones who succeed.
2. See me! I'll be glad to help you. Since I'm retired, I don't come in to the office on a regular basis, but if you ask I'll see if we can find a time that works for both of us to get together. Before and after class often work best.
3. Request a tutor! If you start falling behind and need more help than the lab assistants or I can give you, visit Learning Support Services and ask for a tutor.
4. Request special needs accomodation if you are eligible! This is also available through Learning Support Services, and I will be happy to refer to you LSS or take you over to see them.