Course Information

Course Description:

Introduction to windows and windows-based microcomputer packages including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations; Internet applications; basic PC troubleshooting; introduction to audio-visual and office equipment currently used to facilitate quality classroom instruction. 

Course Objectives:

Students will be able to

·         Have an understanding of computer literacy by demonstrating knowledge of introductory computer terminology, Windows operating systems, Internet, and major educational software packages available for the personal computer.

·         Improve communication skills by working with word processing.

·         Improve logical thinking and mathematical skills by working with a computer spreadsheet.

·         Have a basic understanding of PC troubleshooting.

·         Have a basic understanding of how audio-visual and office equipment are related to classroom instruction. 

Prerequisites and Corequisites:

None

Course Topics:

·         Computer terminology and concepts 

·         Windows Operating System

·         Internet browsing 

·         Word Processing using MS Word 

·         Spreadsheets using MS Excel 

·         Presentation Software using PowerPoint

Specific Course Requirements:

Students should be competent in the use of Internet browsers, search engines. They must be familiar with or willing to learn a variety of WebCT tools.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

 Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:

http://rodp.bkstr.com

Supplementary Materials:

None

Hardware Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. 

Software Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

Microsoft Office XP or 2003 is required for this course.

Instructor Information

Please click on the "Professor" link on the WebCT navigation bar to find instructor contact information as well as other communication information.

Assessment and Grading

Testing Procedure: 

All Tests will be taken on-line

Grading Procedure:

Assignments-20%

Tests and projects-80%

Grading Scale:

90-100---A
80-89---B
70-79---C
60-69---D
<60---F

Assignments and Participation

Assignments and Projects:

Students will complete assignments and projects as outline in the WebCT assignment tool and content modules

Class Participation:

Students are expected to communicate using email and the course bulletin board with other students in the course.  Students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource and you are expected to check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements and other pertinent material.

Punctuality:

To receive full credit, assignments must be handed in on time. 10% of the score will be taken away for each week an assignment or project is late. 

Once the deadline has passed, students lose access to the assignments. Students should be aware that the course is delivered in Eastern Standard Time. 

Students who are only able to work on class assignments in the evenings should make plans to complete assignments on the evening before the day of the deadline. 

Course Ground Rules

Students are expected to access their WebCT account at least weekly to submit work and check for announcements, assignments and e-mails.  There are specific deadlines set for each phase of this course.  Students are expected to complete the work within the assigned time frame.  If unforeseen difficulties prevent completion of assignments within specified time frame students should contact the instructor immediately

Students should observe course netiquette at all times. 

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. According to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, plagiarism is to "steal and pass of as one's own (the ideas or words of another); to present as one's own an idea or product derived from an existing source." Students who plagiarize or commit any other form of academic dishonesty will receive a zero on the assignment and may receive an F in the course. 

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

• Always include a subject line.
• Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
• Use standard fonts.
• Do not send large attachments without permission.
• Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
• Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussion Groups:

• Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
• Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
• Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
• Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
• Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
• Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
• Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Chat:

There are no plans at this time to use chat in this course.  However, anytime chat is used the following rules should be observed

• Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
• Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
• Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
• Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
• Be constructive in your comments and suggestion

Web Resources: 

·        http://samxp.course.com SAM/TOM xp/TOM website

• http://www.scsite.com/tdc2 Textbook website

Library

The Tennesse e Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses.

Students With Disabilities

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support: