Personal Computers and Their Uses

Personal Computers and Their Uses

Course Syllabus – Fall 2008

Course Information

Instructor: Dongsheng Che

Phone: 570.422.2731

Email: dche@po-box.esu.edu

Office Hours: Mon/Tues 10:00am-12:00 p.m.

Thurs 10:00-11:00 a.m.

& by appointment

Office: 330 SCITECH Building

Course Number: CPSC100

Section: A861

Class Time/Place: Wednesday, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

138 SCITECH

Semester Hours: 3

Course Code: CRSAB44-403841

(for MyITLab.com)

Resources:

Textbook: Grauer, Robert T. Exploring Office 2007 (written to Vista), Volume 1, Second Edition. Prentice Hall, 2007. ISBN: 0136070558, the best place to purchase this is the ESU bookstore.

Note: This is a special version of this textbook. This course uses a website for all learning activities. The ISBN above is for a book that is bundled with an access code for this website. If you buy a used book, or a book from other sources, you most likely will not receive an access code, which will cost you approximately $45.00 extra to purchase.

Class Web Page: http://www.esu.edu/~dche/Teaching/CPSC100/f08/

Course Learning Software: http://MyITLab.com

Computer Requirements for working outside of the classroom:

The software that we will use in this class requires the following minimum system configuration:

Microsoft Windows operating system (XP or Vista)
Internet Explorer Web Browser (Firefox will not work)
Internet connection – preferably high-speed (e.g., cable modem or DSL), for work outside of the classroom
Special browser plugins from http://www.myitlab.com
You must have administrator privileges on the machine that you will use (this is to install the plugins and controls for the class), when working outside of the classroom
An Apple Macintosh computer may work, however it is not recommended (it will take a look of technical support and know how). Mac requirements:

You have an Intel-based (newer) Mac that is configured to dual boot between Mac OS and Windows
You have a PPC-based (older) Mac and you have installed virtual machine software like Parallels or VirtualPC
You might have to buy additional software at your own expense

Course Overview:

This course is designed to familiarize you with the organization/parts of a computer and how computers work. The majority of the course will focus on building skills within word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

1. Work within a window-oriented operating system to create, modify, copy, move, and delete files, to manipulate windows, to send/read/manage electronic mail, and to access information on the Internet.

2. Create a variety of documents, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations within the Microsoft Office 2007 suite.

3. Understand the basic components of a computer system, and the jargon associated with computers.

4. Understand the general concepts of data storage, computer security, operating systems, and application software.

Requirements:

The following work will be required of you throughout the semester:

Hands-on exercises
Homework assignments
Exams

I strongly recommend that you complete the hands-on exercises and Homework assignments before taking the test. These will prepare you for the exams.

There will be eight exams in this course – two on each major module of the course (i.e., Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint). Tests are open book, so don’t forget to bring it to the exams.

The recommended sequence of completing your work is as follows:

Have an ESU account to log onto ESU computers
Enroll in the course

Log on to http://www.myitlab.com/

b. Enroll in the course (CRSAB44-403841)

Before accessing your course content in myitlab, you will need to register using:

1. A student access code, which is included when you buy the book

2. Your email address

3. The myitlab Course ID provided to you by me.

For assistance with setting up your account or enrolling in a course, see the I drive under dche/CPSC100/Myitlab.

Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access

Complete Hands-On Exercises for each chapter
Complete the Homework for each chapter
Exams

Exam Dates:

Keep in mind that these dates are approximations, the actual test days will be announced in class.

Exam	Approximate Date
Word Exam Chapter 1 & 2	September 10
Word Exam Chapter 3 & 4	September 24
Excel Exam Chapter 1 & 2	October 8
Excel Exam Chapter 3 & 4	October 22
PowerPoint Exam Chapter 1 & 2	October 29
PowerPoint Exam Chapter 3 & 4	November 5
Access Exam Chapter 1 & 2	November 19
Access Exam Chapter 3 & 4 + review	Finals Week

Grading:

All work is due at the time and day specified when the assignment is given. Class-work and homework (hands-on and practice exercises) will be assigned and submitted for evaluation via myITLab.com. Hands-on assignments will not be graded individually; however, failure to submit hands-on assignments will result in zero points for class participation.

All exams, hands-on exercises and homework assignments count towards your final grade. No exam, hands-on exercise or homework grades will be dropped. If you fail to take an exam or do a homework assignment/hands-on exercise (due before each test), you will receive a grade of zero for that work.

The make-up of the total number of points for your final grade breaks down as follows:

10% Practice Exercises & Class Participation (in class work)

10% Homework

20% Microsoft Word Exam

20% Microsoft Excel Exam

20% Microsoft PowerPoint Exam

20% Microsoft Access Exam + review

Grading Policy:

Rather than grading on a competitive, curve-based grading scheme, I use a criterion-based grade scale. Thus, if every student works sufficiently hard, and earns a letter grade of “A”, then all students will receive “A”s. A grade is the application of some arbitrary scale to reflect the amount and quality of work you, the student, accomplish during the semester. To that end, I do not assign your grade, you earn your grade.

Keep in mind, I view letter grades in the following light:

A – Excellent

B – Good

C – Fair

D – Poor

E – Failure

This means, to receive an “A”, you must perform excellent work. Excellent work is that work which is marked with distinction, going above and beyond that of merely meeting the requirements for an assignment. Your final grades will be decided based on the following scale:

A 90.0-100%

B 80.0-89.9%

C 70.0-79.9%

D 60.0-69.9%

E 0-59.9%

Assignment Lateness Policy:

I strongly encourage you to keep up with the pace of the class and all associated work. Getting into the habit of turning in work after the due date will put you at a distinct disadvantage in learning the material. However, I do recognize that unforeseen events happen in life and I will accept late assignments with the following provisions: For each day late (n being the number of days late), you lose 2ⁿ points on your assignment. For example, if you turn in an assignment one day late, you will lose 2¹ or 2 points, two days late will cost 2² or 4 points, three days late will cost 2³ or 8 points. In essence, the number of points deducted for lateness doubles each day. Late assignments will not be accepted after the sixth late day. Weekends and holidays count as late days.

Class Attendance/Participation Policy:

Class attendance is required. As such, attendance will be taken each class. If you are absent for four or more unexcused absences, you will receive a final grade of E (failure) for the class (regardless of what your class average is). I expect you to participate constructively in each class. When you fail to come to class, not only do you miss out on the material for the day, but you disadvantage your fellow students as your unique perspective is absent from class discussion and problem sessions.

If you are absent the day an exam is given, you will receive a grade of zero. If you know you must miss a class, please speak with me ahead of time so that we can try to make a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Academic Honesty Policy:

All work submitted is to be completed individually (unless indicated as a group assignment), and is to be the sole product of your own efforts. Group work is to be the sole product of members of the group. Any perception of anything to the contrary or that violates the spirit of the Student Code of Conduct will be handled accordingly. This policy is very specific on what constitutes Academic Misconduct and provides a range of very unpleasant possible outcomes, should a violation be suspected. I encourage you to become familiar with this policy. Please refer to the relevant sections of the Student Code of Conduct for more information (http://www3.esu.edu/studentlife/sh/codeofconduct.asp)

Special Needs:

If you need special accommodations or require additional assistance to fully participate and be successful in this class, I encourage you to contact me as soon as possible. I strongly desire each and every one of my students to be able to achieve their goals in this class. I will work with you and the Office of Disability Services to ensure that you have every opportunity to do well.

Ten Tips for Success:

1. Come to class & arrive on time

2. Actively participate in class discussion & activities

3. Do the assigned reading

4. Do the assigned homework

5. Review your notes/assignments daily

6. Ask questions when you are unsure of something

7. Ask questions when you would like to know more about something

8. Accept points of view that differ from your own

9. Respect the other members of your class

10. Come see me as soon as you have difficulty with any of the material we cover in class

Statement of Understanding

CPSC 100

Fall 2008

By signing below, I indicate that I have read and understand all policies and provisions described in this syllabus. I further indicate that I have familiarized myself with the Student Code of Conduct and that I will abide by this code.

CPSC 100 Section: _____________________

___________________________________________ _______________________

Printed Name Date

Signature