Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the world of computers. Covering computer concepts and terminology, computer applications, the impact of computers on society including ethical considerations, the Internet, and communication technology as applicable to the academic world as well as the business environment.

It is designed to help everyone understand computers regardless of their current knowledge or background. This course should not be considered as skimming the surface of computer technology. Rather, with the aid of the text and its media-rich CD, you are expected to achieve a much deeper understanding and comprehension.

Course Objectives:

• Define the term "computer" and identify the components of a personal computer system. 
  
• Compare the computing capabilities of the following computer categories: personal computers, handheld computers, workstations, videogame consoles, mainframe computers, supercomputers, and servers.
  
• List the types of equipment that can be categorized as "peripheral devices".
  
• Evaluate various ways that you can connect a computer to the Internet and select an ISP.
  
• Describe how Web servers, URLs, HTML, HTTP, and browsers contribute to the Internet resource known as the Web.
  
• Demonstrate that you can use a search engine to locate information on the Web.
  
• Explain how an e-mail system works, and the difference between POP mail and Web-based mail.
  
• Explain why most computers are digital, and how that relates to representing numbers by using 0 and 1 bits.
  
• Explain how ROM works, and how it differs from disk storage.
  
• Describe the difference between magnetic, optical, and solid state storage.
  
• Use criteria such as versatility, durability, capacity, access time, and data transfer rate to compare storage technologies such as floppy disks, hard drives, tapes, CDs, DVDs, and USB Flash drives.
  
• Describe the components of a computer's expansion bus, including various types of expansion slots and cables.
  
• Identify operating systems for personal computers, PDAs, and servers.
  
• Describe the differences between system software and application software.
  
• Explain how to install and uninstall software, whether it is supplied on CDs or as a Web download.
  
• Describe the rights granted by: copyright law, a typical commercial software license, a shareware license, a freeware license, an open source license, and public domain software.
  
• Create valid names for files and folders, plus demonstrate that you can construct and trace file paths.
  
• Demonstrate how to use file management features of application software and operating system utilities.
  
• Describe how a computer physically stores data on disks, but represents this storage system with a logical model.
  
• Explain how file viruses, boot sector viruses, macro viruses, Trojan horses, worms, and Denial of Service attacks affect files and disrupt computer operations.
  
• Describe how a computer owner can use antivirus software to avoid, find, and remove viruses.
  
• Demonstrate that you can implement a viable backup and restore plan.
  
• List the types of cables and other links that are typically used for data communications networks.
  
• Make a list of network devices, explain the role of each one, and indicate whether they are typically used on the Internet or with LANs.
  
• Describe the role of communications protocols and list some protocols that are typically associated with the Internet and LANs.
  
• Explain the differences between permanent IP addresses, dynamic IP addresses, private IP addresses, and domain names.
  
• Demonstrate that you can use Ping and Traceroute.
  
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of dialup, cable modem, DSL, ISDN, T1, T3, and wireless Internet access.
  
• Explain when and why it is important to implement security measures such as firewall software and network address translation.
  
• Describe the roles that HTML, HTTP, URLs, Web servers, and browsers play in bringing Web pages to your desktop.
  
• Identify some Web page design tools and discuss their advantages as well as their disadvantages.
  
• Identify the elements that typically form a Web page.
  
• Describe how DHTML, XML, XSL, and XHTML technologies work to enhance Web pages.
  
• List some of the advantages and disadvantages of using JavaScript, VBScript, Java applets, and ActiveX controls.
  
• Discuss why e-commerce has become so popular with consumers and merchants.
  
• List some threats to the security of credit card numbers and other sensitive data during e-commerce transactions.
  
• Describe the advantages, disadvantages, and uses for digital media, such as bitmap graphics, vector graphics, 3-D graphics, 3-D animations, desktop video, waveform audio, MIDI music, speech synthesis, and speech recognition.
  
• List the equipment and software that can be used to work with various types of digital media.
  
• Identify digital media files by their filename extensions.
  
• Explain how resolution, image size, color depth, and color palettes can be manipulated to adjust the file size of a bitmap graphic.
  
• Explain how wireframes, rendering, and ray tracing apply to 3-D graphics.
  
• Describe how to shoot, capture, edit, and process digital video.
  
• Explain how window size, frame rate, and compression affect the file size for a desktop video.
  
• Describe the formats used for digital music

Computer and Internet skills for on-line course participation.

Chapter 1: Computer, Internet, Web and E-mail Basics (13 hrs)
Chapter 2: Computer Hardware (13 hrs)
Chapter 3: Computer Software (14 hrs)
Chapter 4: File Management, Virus Protection, and Backup (14 hrs)
Chapter 5: Internet and LAN Technology (14 hrs)
Chapter 6: Web Pages, Web Sites, and E-commerce (14 hrs)
Chapter 7: Digital Media (14 hrs)

You must be motivated and self directed with the ability to follow a calendar timeline of due dates. You MUST communicate with your instructor a MINIMUM of twice a week. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to notify the instructor if you have a technical problem or a medical emergency.

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:  http://rodp.bkstr.com

SAMs Computer Literacy CD Ver 3.0. This is purchased for your Word Processing and will also be used here for additional training activities.

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

The text includes an interactive Book-on-CD that contains the entire contents of the textbook, plus videos, software tours, Course Labs, computer-scored practice tests, and more. This requires the additional hardware:

• CD-ROM drive
• Sound card and speakers
• A floppy disk or USB flash drive will be needed for tracking student activity
  with Course Labs to be submitted to the instructor.

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

Supported web browser information can be found athttp://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

Multimedia software such as Real Player, Windows Media Player, or QuickTime Player may be required.

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.

There will be an exam at the end of each of the seven chapters. They will be similar in format, difficulty, and length. These are on-line, closed-book, time-limited exams. They will consist of multiple-choice questions.

The final course grade will be a combination averages. The average exams will be 80%, the labs will be 15%, and the interactive summary & situation questions will be 5% of the final course grade.

Summary & Situation: Each section must have a score of 77.0% or higher. Redo any section as often as needed. The highest score for a section will be counted as that section's score. The average of all sections will count as 5% of your final grade.

Labs: Each lab must have a score of 77.0% or higher. Redo the labs as often as needed. The highest score for a single lab will be counted as that lab's score. The average of all 16 labs will count as 15% of your final grade.

Exams: Each chapter exam must have a score of 77.0% or higher. You may only retest a chapter if you have scored less than 77.0%. You must wait until the next day before taking the retest. Each test / retest counts as a part of the chapter grade.

This policy is to provide you the opportunity to learn the chapter material and provide a more accurate estimation of your knowledge. It is NOT meant as an opportunity for you to merely learn the exam questions. Please do not abuse the policy. (Note: The retake exam covers other materials in the chapter and is not the same exam given over.)

93.0% - 100.0% - A 85.0% - 92.9% - B 77.0% - 84.9% - C

You are expected to maintain a satisfactory progress throughout the course. Satisfactory progress is defined as a minimum average of 77.0% and weekly performance. Unsatisfactory progress will result in termination from the course with a Failing grade. There is a very large amount of material to absorb and it may be very challenging for someone who is new to the computer world. Please use the discussion board and e-mail system to let someone know if you are having difficulty with the material. We all come from different backgrounds and this is not easy for most people to learn. None of us was born with any of the computer knowledge we now possess. We all had to learn it somewhere.

Check the course modules for additional on-line content.

Prepare for the chapter exams by reading the chapter material from the textbook, perform the chapter labs, perform the interactive summary and situation questions, study the interactive key terms at the end of the chapter, and taking several quick checks and practice tests from the textbook CD-ROM.

Please refer to the Read Me First and Assignment page on the navigation bar on the left for this quarter's suggested schedule. I recommend you print these pages for quick reference.

You are expected to fully participate in the course. In addition to course work and assignments, you are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource and check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements. Even if you do not actively participate in all discussions, you are expected to read all of them and be familiar with their contents. You just might have the answer to someone's question. Often a learner can express information from a viewpoint that is helpful and identified with by another learner. So, let's have everyone's two-cents worth.

You are expected to complete a chapter every one or two weeks based on the due dates. E-mail the tracking disk results from the New Perspectives Labs as you complete each chapter or by the due date. Late work WILL affect your grade. IF you have a technical problem or medical emergency, notify me immediately.

Learn how to navigate in WebCT as soon as possible. The new student Orientation class should be accomplished during the first week of the quarter.

This course uses the honor system. Not following the rules will result in limited comprehension of the computer concepts necessary for you to excel in the Information Technology environment. This is a self-paced, asynchronous course which must be completed within the 15-week time limitation. Pace yourself to accomplish about a chapter each week. Do not get behind. It is difficult to catch up.

If you know the material, you may complete the course early by successfully completing all the assignments. There is no required amount of participation time to complete this course. YOU ARE WELCOME TO WORK AHEAD OF THE SCHEDULED DUE DATES !!

If you have any questions, ask them! Several options are available; e-mail the instructor, e-mail other students, or use the discussion board. Check the boards often to see if there are new discussions or announcements. Please, feel free to discuss anything that will help you learn and understand computers, just keep the topics relevant to the subject material.

Manage your time wisely. Give yourself enough time to read the chapter, perform the labs, and practice tests before an exam.

Address technical problems immediately. Observe course netiquette at all times.

• Columbia Guide to Online Style by Janice R. Walker and Todd Taylor
• Citation Styles Online http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html

Library

The Tennessee 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

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

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