Syllabus for CIS-107-OL

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Computer Concepts and Applications provides an overview of computers, focusing on historical development; hardware; application software; communications; Internet use; how to purchase, install, and maintain a computer; information systems; system analysis and design; programming; careers in the computer field; security, ethics, and privacy issues; and multimedia. The "laboratory" portion of the course features the use of Microsoft Office and Windows.

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COURSE GOALS

By the end of the course, in addition to demonstrating basic competency in using Microsoft Office applications and Windows (as achieved through the laboratory assignments), you should be able to discuss, describe, and answer questions about:

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COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete the work of the course.

Required Textbooks

• Discovering Computers 2009 (Complete), Gary B. Shelly and Misty E. Vermaat, Shelly Cashman Series (Boston: Course Technology, Cengage Learning, 2008; ISBN-10: 1-4239-1198-9).



• Microsoft Office 2007: Essential Concepts and Techniques, by Gary B. Shelly, Thomas J. Cashman, and Misty E. Vermaat, Shelly Cashman Series (Boston: Thomson Course Technology, 2008; ISBN-10: 1-4188-4374-1).

Software

• Microsoft Office 2007, with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

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COURSE STRUCTURE

Computer Concepts and Applications is a three-credit online course. It consists of ten units grouped into four assignment modules and relies on both reading and practical applications for its content.

Learning activities include studying chapters in the textbook Discovering Computers 2009 and completing chapters and "In the Lab" exercises from the text Microsoft Office 2007. The course also has five (5) class discussions, six (6) written assignments, a proctored midterm, and an unproctored online final.

For assignment details (reading assignments, class discussions, written assignments, and laboratory assignments), go to the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site. (See also the course Calendar.)

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ONLINE DISCUSSIONS

In addition to an ungraded but required discussion in unit 1 titled "Introductions," Computer Concepts and Applications has five (5) graded online discussions. The discussion topics cover a wide range of issues concerning computers in contemporary society. All discussions take place on the class Discussion Board.

The Discussion Board also includes a "Class Lounge," which you can use throughout the semester to converse, post comments, ask questions, and share information about course-related topics and issues.

Communication among fellow students and with the mentor is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a posted question (discussion thread) and at least two subsequent comments on classmates' responses.

Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate, the reading, or your mentor, state and support your agreement or disagreement. You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, professional, and respectful.

For additional information on online discussions, see Online Discussions in the Online Student Handbook.

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WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

Computer Concepts and Applications has six (6) written assignments. Written Assignments 1–5 consist of four questions each (your choice of A or B for each question). Written Assignment 6 is a paper (minimum five typed pages, double-spaced) about an individual and the importance of that person's contribution to computing.

Prepare your assignments using Microsoft Word, and be sure to check spelling and grammar before submitting your work. When submitting your assignments, be sure your name and the assignment number are prominently displayed. For Written Assignments 1–5, please identify the question number (1A, 2B, etc.) and include the questions with each paper. Answer each question completely.

When satisfied that your assignment represents your best work, submit it to your mentor by means of the

>>View/Complete Assignment

link provided at the bottom of the respective assignment page. Use the Browse button within this link to locate and attach your assignment file. Click to turn in the assignment.

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LABORATORY ASSIGNMENTS

The laboratory assignments in this course draw on chapters and "In the Lab" exercises from the text Microsoft Office 2007. These chapters and "In the Lab" exercises correspond to the four computer applications covered in the course:

Prepare and submit laboratory assignments as you would a written assignment. Follow the step-by-step instructions in the text and any additional directions given in the assignment itself.

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EXAMINATIONS

You are required to take two examinations: a proctored midterm examination and an online final examination. Consult the course Calendar for the timing of these exams.

Midterm Examination
The midterm is a closed-book, proctored exam. It is two hours long and covers all reading and assignments from units 1–5 of the course. The exam consists of essay questions based directly on the reading, written assignments, and laboratory material. A good way to review and prepare for the exam is to go over your assignments and use the "Chapter Review" and "Key Terms" sections at the end of each chapter of Discovering Computers 2009.

You may take the examination only during the designated midterm exam period, by choosing one of the following two options:

• Online Proctor Option: If you have a webcam with a microphone and a reliable, high-speed Internet connection, you can take the exam online in the convenience of your home. During the first week of the semester, you will select an appointment through the ProctorU scheduling system. Then, on your selected day and time, you will be monitored by a remote proctor who will communicate with you via your video and audio connection. For further information on scheduling and taking an online proctored examination, see Tests & Quizzes > Midterm Examination.
  
  
• Pen-and-Paper Option: You may choose your own proctor or take the exam at Thomas Edison State College during midterm exam week. You should schedule your exam and submit your "Proctor Request Form" no later than the end of the first week of the semester (see Administrative Forms in the General Information area of the course Web site). For more information on scheduling a pen-and-paper proctored examination, see the Online Student Handbook in General Information.

If you are on a course extension and have not yet taken the midterm exam, you must let your examination proctor know when you plan to take the exam and contact the Office of Test Administration (609-984-1181) two weeks in advance to request that your exam be sent to the proctor.

Final Examination
The final is a closed-book, unproctored, online exam. It is two hours long and covers all reading and assignments from units 6–10 of the course. The exam consists of essay questions based directly on the reading, written assignments, and laboratory material.

The final exam is taken online in Blackboard. An exam link will be activated and made available to you in the Tests & Quizzes area of the course site at the start of the last week of the semester. You may take the exam at any time during that week, but no later than midnight Saturday (eastern time). If you are on a course extension, you will need to arrange with your mentor a time to reschedule the final exam.

Sample Examination
You will find a sample online examination in the Tests & Quizzes area of this course site. Use this sample exam to familiarize yourself with the online testing setting and format before you take your online exam. Keep in mind the following potential differences between the sample exam and your online exam:

• The content of your exam will match the content of your course; the sample exam has some generic questions on art history, world history, and environmental science.



• Your exam is likely to include only one type or at most several types of questions (such as multiple choice or essays). The sample exam includes all the types that you might encounter in an online assessment at Thomas Edison State College.



• You will be able to enter and take your exam just once—once you have entered the exam you must complete it. The sample exam may be taken as often as you like.



• There will be a penalty for exceeding the time limit in your actual midterm and final exams (see the "Statement about Cheating" below), whereas there is no corresponding penalty with this sample exam.

Statement about Cheating
The final examination in this course is an unproctored exam. That means you will not be supervised while taking the test. You are on your honor not to cheat during the exam. Cheating means:

• Looking up any answer or part of an answer in an unauthorized textbook or on the Internet, or using any other source to find the answer.
• Copying and pasting or in any way copying responses or parts of responses from any other source into your online test. This includes but is not limited to copying and pasting from other documents or spreadsheets, whether written by yourself or anyone else.
• Plagiarizing answers.
• Asking anyone else to assist you by whatever means available while you take the exam.
• Copying any part of the exam to share with other students.
• Telling your mentor that you need another attempt at the exam because your connection to the Internet was interrupted when that is not true.

If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in your exam, the exam will be declared invalid, and you will fail the course.

Please also note that the exam is time-limited. That means you only have the allotted time in which to complete the exam. If you exceed the time limit on the exam, you will be penalized by having two points deducted for every minute that you exceed the time limit. This may also result in your failing the course.

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GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of D or higher on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings, etc.). You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted.

Letter grades for online participation, written assignments, laboratory assignments, and examinations are based on the following numerical grades:

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STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success
To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

1. Read carefully the entire Syllabus, making sure that all aspects of the course are clear to you and that you have all the materials required for the course.



2. Take the time to read the entire Online Student Handbook. The Handbook answers many questions about how to proceed through the course, how to schedule exams and arrange for proctors, and how to get the most from your educational experience at Thomas Edison State College.



3. Arrange to take your midterm examination by following the instructions in the Online Student Handbook. Then complete the "Proctor Request Form" and submit it to the Office of Test Administration (OTA). You must make arrangements to take your examination and send in your "Proctor Request Form" to OTA before the end of the first week of the current semester. (See Administrative Forms in the General Information area of the course Web site.)



4. Familiarize yourself with the Blackboard environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.



5. If you are not familiar with Web-based learning, or specifically with the Blackboard platform, be sure to review the processes for posting responses online and submitting assignments before class begins.

Study Tips
Consider the following study tips for success:

1. To stay on track throughout the course, begin each week by consulting the course Calendar. The calendar provides an overview of the course and indicates due dates for submitting assignments, posting discussions, and scheduling and taking your examinations. For details on each assignment module and a complete listing of learning activities, go to the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site.



2. Check the Announcements page and class Discussion Board regularly for new course information.

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