CSI111JL3 - Introduction to Computer Concepts FALL 2008

Distance Learning -- Course Interaction Plan

FALL SEMESTER 2008

14 WEEK SEMESTER

Course Title: CSI 111-66 Computer Concepts with Applications

Faculty: Joe Lavoie

Telephone Number: (413) 596-4923 - home

Office Hours: none

Email Address: JLavoie@HCC.MASS.EDU (until class begins, then WebCT Private Mail only)

General Information:

1). This course is taught as an Asynchronous Course :

Asynchronous is defined as: distance education characterized by an emphasis on "learning on demand" or "as needed communication" between students and faculty from multiple locations at times convenient to participants.

Synchronous is defined as: distance education which entails the use of live, two-way communication among and/or between students and faculty in a scheduled or "fixed" point(s) of time(s), much like classroom-based instruction.

2). In person meetings are not required.

3). Telephone interactions are not required.

4). Electronic interactions such as email are regularly required.

5). All synchronous interaction will be done on an "as-needed" basis only (not required).

Students are required to engage in the following interactions for successful completion of this course:

Students are required to have access to a very reliable Internet-capable computer, read their texts, complete computer application hands-on assignments using MS-Powerpoint, MS-Word, MS-Excel, and MS-Access, participate in weekly online asynchronous discussions, send completed Microsoft hands-on application projects to the instructor as WebCT Private Mail attachments, and successfully complete scheduled quizzes and timed tests.

Students must have a strong work ethic and plan to complete and send assignments early in case their PC or Internet connection malfunctions. All assignments have specific due dates and lose credit when late. No extra time or makeups are given for missed tests or quizzes.

Required Materials and Software for this course:

1). Shelly/Cashman, Discovering Computers 2009; Course Technology; 2008.
ISBN 13: 978-1-4239-1198-2
ISBN 10: 1-423-91198-9 ;

2). Shelly/Cashman/Vermaat, Microsoft Office 2003: Essential Concepts and Techniques, Second Edition,
Course Technology/ITP, 2006; ISBN: 1-4188-5947-8.

3). The prospective student MUST have a reliable computer and Internet connection and MUST have access to the following software applications to complete the hands-on assignments for this course: Microsoft Word; Microsoft Excel; Microsoft Access; Microsoft PowerPoint. NB. MS-WORKS is NOT a substitute for the afore mentioned software applications. If you don't have this software on your home PC, you must find a PC elsewhere (friend, local library, HCC computer lab, etc.) that you can use to do these assignments. The hands-on assignments and the Powerpoint project are a very large part of the grade for this class.

4). A high-speed Internet connection is strongly recommended because all aspects of this course contain graphics, charts, and videos which will lag or not function on a dial-up. Tests are also timed and your system lag time could adversely affect your ability to complete tests on time.

5). This course has been designed for Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, not NetScape, FireFox, or other Internet browsers. Some aspects of this course may not display properly or function correctly if any browsers besides Internet Explorer are used for access to this course. Please note this fact if you experience technical difficulties with this course.

6.) Contact the HCC Bookstore at (413) 552-2521 or order online at www.ehccbookstore.com.

NOTE: Students are not required to purchase an ACCESS CODE for use in this course.

Instructional Objectives For This Course:

At the conclusion of this course, students should have a basic understanding of the following topics: What a computer can do and what a computer can not do. What computer systems are and what they can be used for. Computer hardware, software, and peripherals. Word processing basics. Multimedia and hypermedia. Spreadsheets and spreadsheet graphs and charts. Computer communications and the hardware and software that make it possible. Relational databases and their uses. Computer security exposures, and preventing virus threats. Computer programming languages and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Where computers have come from and where they are going. Presentation graphics. By focusing on these topics, this class will help to build a foundation on which greater computer literacy and competence can be built. It will also give the student a greater appreciation of the computer as a business tool.

Method of Instruction

This class will utilize a combination of online asynchronous discussion (ie twice-weekly Bulletin Board postings), specific assignments, and homework. Student interaction will be required by the nature of the Bulletin Board assignments. There will be 4 tests, weekly quizzes, several hands-on Microsoft application assignments, and a PowerPoint Research Project assignment worth 100 points.

Tentative Test Schedule:

Tests are tentatively scheduled for the 4th, 7th, 11th, and 14th weeks of the class. Tests must be taken during the week in which they are scheduled. Since you have an entire week (24/7) in which to take the tests (ie. at your leisure), there are NO makeups and NO late grades for tests (or quizzes).

Grading, Student Evaluation, and Academic Integrity:

There will be on-line tests and weekly quizzes graded by the system. There will also be Bulletin Board questions that must be answered by "posting" a response to this class's bulletin board which will be graded by the instructor. Several hands-on Microsoft application assignments and a PowerPoint Research Project presentation will also be due and graded by the instructor.

GRADING NOTES:
Withdrawing from Class:
Sometimes it is necessary for a student to withdraw from an online course. If it should become necessary, student can complete a withdrawal form at http://webtide.hccdl.org - STAR #3. Students who fail to withdraw from a course may receive a punitive grade.

Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity is expected of all students. Any dishonesty in the performance of course work, such as plagiarism or cheating in other forms, will be reported. In the event the student is charged with some form of dishonesty, the Student Discipline Policy will be followed. The full text of the Academic Integrity Policy and the additional Online Policy can be found at http://webtide.hccdl.org under Star 3.

Special Emphasis:

As noted earlier, prospective students to any on-line course must have a strong work ethic and a very reliable PC and Internet connection. No excuses will be accepted for late work or missed tests or quizzes. Also, please insure that you have access to Microsoft Office products Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access.

NB. MS-WORKS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MICROSOFT OFFICE SUITE.


	MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT *Distance Learning -- Course Interaction Plan* *FALL* *SEMESTER 2008* 14 *WEEK SEMESTER* Course Title: CSI 111-66 Computer Concepts with Applications Faculty: Joe Lavoie Telephone Number: (413) 596-4923 - home Office Hours: none Email Address: JLavoie@HCC.MASS.EDU (until class begins, then *WebCT Private Mail* only) General Information: 1). This course is taught as an Asynchronous Course : Asynchronous is defined as: distance education characterized by an emphasis on "learning on demand" or "as needed communication" between students and faculty from multiple locations at times convenient to participants. Synchronous is defined as: distance education which entails the use of live, two-way communication among and/or between students and faculty in a scheduled or "fixed" point(s) of time(s), much like classroom-based instruction. 2). In person meetings are not required. 3). Telephone interactions are not required. 4). Electronic interactions such as email are regularly required. 5). All synchronous interaction will be done on an "as-needed" basis only (not required). Students are required to engage in the following interactions for successful completion of this course: Students are required to have access to a very reliable Internet-capable computer, read their texts, complete computer application hands-on assignments using MS-Powerpoint, MS-Word, MS-Excel, and MS-Access, participate in weekly online asynchronous discussions, send completed Microsoft hands-on application projects to the instructor as WebCT Private Mail attachments, and successfully complete scheduled quizzes and timed tests. Students must have a strong work ethic and plan to complete and send assignments early in case their PC or Internet connection malfunctions. All assignments have specific due dates and lose credit when late. No extra time or makeups are given for missed tests or quizzes. Required Materials and Software for this course: 1). Shelly/Cashman, Discovering Computers 2009; Course Technology; 2008. ISBN 13: 978-1-4239-1198-2 ISBN 10: 1-423-91198-9 ; 2). Shelly/Cashman/Vermaat, Microsoft Office 2003: Essential Concepts and Techniques, Second Edition, Course Technology/ITP, 2006; ISBN: 1-4188-5947-8. 3). The prospective student MUST have a reliable computer and Internet connection and MUST have access to the following software applications to complete the hands-on assignments for this course: Microsoft Word; Microsoft Excel; Microsoft Access; Microsoft PowerPoint. NB. MS-WORKS is NOT a substitute for the afore mentioned software applications. If you don't have this software on your home PC, you must find a PC elsewhere (friend, local library, HCC computer lab, etc.) that you can use to do these assignments. The hands-on assignments and the Powerpoint project are a very large part of the grade for this class. 4). A high-speed Internet connection is strongly recommended because all aspects of this course contain graphics, charts, and videos which will lag or not function on a dial-up. Tests are also timed and your system lag time could adversely affect your ability to complete tests on time. 5). This course has been designed for Microsoft's *Internet Explorer* browser, not NetScape, FireFox, or other Internet browsers. Some aspects of this course may not display properly or function correctly if any browsers besides Internet Explorer are used for access to this course. Please note this fact if you experience technical difficulties with this course. 6.) Contact the HCC Bookstore at (413) 552-2521 or order online at www.ehccbookstore.com. NOTE: Students are not required to purchase an ACCESS CODE for use in this course. Instructional Objectives For This Course: At the conclusion of this course, students should have a basic understanding of the following topics: What a computer can do and what a computer can not do. What computer systems are and what they can be used for. Computer hardware, software, and peripherals. Word processing basics. Multimedia and hypermedia. Spreadsheets and spreadsheet graphs and charts. Computer communications and the hardware and software that make it possible. Relational databases and their uses. Computer security exposures, and preventing virus threats. Computer programming languages and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Where computers have come from and where they are going. Presentation graphics. By focusing on these topics, this class will help to build a foundation on which greater computer literacy and competence can be built. It will also give the student a greater appreciation of the computer as a business tool. Method of Instruction This class will utilize a combination of online asynchronous discussion (ie twice-weekly Bulletin Board postings), specific assignments, and homework. Student interaction will be required by the nature of the Bulletin Board assignments. There will be 4 tests, weekly quizzes, several hands-on Microsoft application assignments, and a PowerPoint Research Project assignment worth 100 points. Tentative Test Schedule: Tests are tentatively scheduled for the 4th, 7th, 11th, and 14th weeks of the class. Tests must be taken during the week in which they are scheduled. Since you have an entire week (24/7) in which to take the tests (ie. at your leisure), there are NO makeups and NO late grades for tests (or quizzes). Grading, Student Evaluation, and Academic Integrity: There will be on-line tests and weekly quizzes graded by the system. There will also be Bulletin Board questions that must be answered by "posting" a response to this class's bulletin board which will be graded by the instructor. Several hands-on Microsoft application assignments and a PowerPoint Research Project presentation will also be due and graded by the instructor. GRADING NOTES: Withdrawing from Class: Sometimes it is necessary for a student to withdraw from an online course. If it should become necessary, student can complete a withdrawal form at http://webtide.hccdl.org - STAR #3. Students who fail to withdraw from a course may receive a punitive grade. Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is expected of all students. Any dishonesty in the performance of course work, such as plagiarism or cheating in other forms, will be reported. In the event the student is charged with some form of dishonesty, the Student Discipline Policy will be followed. The full text of the Academic Integrity Policy and the additional Online Policy can be found at http://webtide.hccdl.org under Star 3. Special Emphasis: As noted earlier, prospective students to any on-line course must have a strong work ethic and a very reliable PC and Internet connection. No excuses will be accepted for late work or missed tests or quizzes. Also, please insure that you have access to Microsoft Office products Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access. NB. MS-WORKS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MICROSOFT OFFICE SUITE.