Syllabus
Summer 2012
Instructor: Dave WilsonE-mail: dwilson@parkland.edu
Office: B131, Phone: 217-353-2008
Office Hours
Online Only
Monday - Thursday - 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Appointment. You may schedule an appointment with me via Angel email or Parkland email. We can meet either in person in room B131 or online with Adobe Connect communication software.
Catalog Description
Systems analysis and design techniques, management information systems, data processing concepts, terminology and applications. Hands-on experience with microprocessors includes software packages (spreadsheets, database, and word processing) for data analysis and business presentations. Prerequisite: MAT 098 or equivalent with a grade of C or higher, or assessment.
Course Objectives
- develop computer literacy
- the ability to use and discuss computer technology
- make wise information technology decisions and investments
- develop an understanding of information systems
- recognize computer hardware components and how they relate to each other
- use Windows Operating System
- understand the difference between systems and application software
- learn to use or develop a better understanding of Microsoft Office applications
- Word
- Excel
- Access
- PowerPoint
Required Textbooks and Materials
- Our Digital World, Gordon, Lankisch Muir, Seguin, Verno, Paradigm Publishing,
ISBN 978-0-76383-750-1 - A Guide to Microsoft Office 2010, Marelli, Lawrenceville Press,
ISBN 978-0-82195-794-3 - Access code for SNAP
The SNAP access code is bundled with your textbooks when purchased through the Parkland bookstore.
If you have purchased your textbooks from a different source, you will need to buy the SNAP access code separately. Contact Me for instructions to purchase a code for $20. Alternately, access codes are also available for purchase through the publisher's website for $50.59.
Course Websites
Angel: https://angel.parkland.edu/default.asp
Angel is Parkland's current learning management system. Here, you'll find your weekly assignments. Prior to completing any other work you should read my Lecture/Instruction page.
SNAP: http://snap2010.emcp.com
Most of your homework will be completed and/or submitted using this site. Instructions for log gin in to this website will be provided in the Week 1 Lecture/Instruction page in the Lessons tab of Angel.
Required Technology
A broadband connection
If you have a DSL or cable connection, you have broadband. If you do not, plan to use Parkland's CSIT lab, room B117 to ensure that you have adequate bandwidth to complete your work.
Microsoft Office 2010
There are eight different Office suites available; http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/buy/office-2010-which-suite-is-right-for-you-FX101825640.aspx shows which applications are included with the different suites.
We will use Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. If you have any version of the Office 2010 software that has Word, Excel and PowerPoint, you will not need to purchase additional software. Because you are a Parkland student enrolled in a CSIT course; you may get a copy of Access 2010 for free through our MSDN-AA agreement with Microsoft. For more information visit http://www2.parkland.edu/csit/msdnaa.html for details.
If you are planning to purchase office for this bookstore please check with the Parkland bookstore, they have a version of Office 2010 professional for sale at a greatly reduced cost.
All computer labs at Parkland have Office 2010 installed. However, to use SNAP on campus, you'll need to work in B117.
Operating System
This course is designed for a Windows based operating system. Our materials assume Windows 7, but the version of Windows that you are running isn't critical. If your system can run Office 2010 you are set for the course requirements.
If you are using a Mac, you will need to either run Boot Camp, Parallels (or other Virtual Machine System) and run Windows on your Mac. Parallels isn't free but it does allow you to run your OS/X system and Windows simultaneously. Boot Camp requires a boot to run Windows. You can also obtain a free copy of Windows 7 through our MSDN-AA agreement.
Web Browser
For Snap you can use Internet Explorer version 7 and beyond but it must be the 32 bit version. If you prefer you can also use either Firefox 3.6 and up or Google Chrome 11 or higher. I haven't tested Safari or Opera but I suspect those would also work fine with SNAP.
Angel has some coding limitations regarding browser support. Angel recommends using Firefox as your browser. It will work on both Angel and SNAP and typically will cause you less problems than any of the other browsers.
General Expectations and Policies
You must be able to read and write at a college level to succeed in this course. If you have difficulty reading and understanding your textbooks, you should seek a course to help you with your reading comprehension. If you aren't confident that you can construct a complete sentence, seek an English comprehension course. If you struggle in either of these two areas your whole college experience will benefit from gaining these skills by taking those courses.
You also must be able to perform basic math. Fundamental arithmetic and logic will be required when working with Excel and Access. That is why there is a MAT 098 or assessment prerequisite. If this prerequisite has been waived for you, please let me know. I need to be sure you are comfortable working in Excel and Access.
You will have weekly assignments with due dates posted in Angel, you can view those due dates on the Angel calendar. The SNAP assignments will also be arranged in weeks. Please make every effort to stay on schedule.
Late Submissions Policy
The reason there are deadlines on assignments is to keep you on track for successful completion of the course and for me to be able to accurately calculate your grade at any point during the semester, particularly at the midterm when I am required to post a quality grade for you in http://my.parkland.edu
Most assignments that are given in SNAP are self-grading and you will have up to three attempts to complete them, your high score will be retained. You should attempt to complete the first attempt by the due date, but you can do the retakes up until the last day of classes before finals week.
You will be required to make blog posts. In general for a blog to be effective, you need to post by the due date. View the Angel calendar for the due date for the blog posts.
If you are suffering an extraordinary circumstances that are interfering with your ability to complete your homework on time (such as a medical emergency) and you're unable to keep in touch with me directly yourself, have a friend or family member contact me to inform me of your situation. My email is dwilson@parkland.edu
Academic Honesty
Anyone found to be cheating will receive a zero for that assignment and the incident will be reported to the Dean of Student Services, subsequent offenses could result in a failing grade for the course and removal from the academic program. Cheating includes copying assignments from the Internet or another student (from this or previous semesters). For more information regarding Academic Honesty please see: http://www2.parkland.edu/studentpolicy/honesty.html
Grading
Your final grade will be determined by dividing the total points you have earned by the total points possible. Your letter grade will be determined by the following scale.
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90 - 100 | A |
| 80 - 89 | B |
| 70 - 79 | C |
| 60 - 69 | D |
| Below 60 | F |
Attendance Policy and Course Withdrawals
Prior to midterm, I may initiate a withdrawal for any student who is not attending class. For the purposes of this course, "attendance" is defined as logging into Angel at least once per week and submitting at least one assignment in any two-week period. Any student who stops attending class after midterm and does not formally withdraw will fail this course. In all cases, it is the student's responsibility to see that the proper procedure is followed. If you cannot complete this course, you should follow the withdrawal procedure described in Parkland's Class Schedule to avoid a failing grade.
Disabilities
If you believe you have a disability for which you may need an academic accommodation (e.g. an alternate testing environment, use of assistive technology or other classroom assistance) please contact:
Cathy Robinson
Director, Office of Disability Services
Room X148 353-2082
crobinson@parkland.edu
Center for Academic Success
The Center for Academic Success provides a wide range of academic support services to enable you learn well, grow as a student, succeed in your classes, and excel at what you do. These services include the following:
- Tutoring and Learning Assistance: Make use of walk-in tutoring services provided by faculty, staff and trained peer tutors, Monday through Friday. Many students come to get help in study skills, reading, writing, math (all levels), and many other subjects.
- For-credit Modules and Tutorials: Enroll in one-credit hour Tutorials to supplement classroom instruction in reading, writing, ESL, math, chemistry, and study skills. Modules are available for eligible students to complete certain developmental coursework requirements.
- Advising and Advocacy: Work with our team of advocates and academic advisor to plan a semester schedule, understand transfer requirements, or manage issues that stand in the way of school.
For more information, please contact:
Anita Taylor, Room D120, 217-353:2005
or
Sue Schriber, Room D120, 217-351-2441
You may also email the CAS at CenterForAcademicSuccess@parkland.edu
Mass Notification System
In the event of a significant campus emergency, Parkland College will activate its mass notification system. We encourage you to sign up for this free service and select how you would like to be notified: text message, audio message, or email message. Sign up at http://www2.parkland.edu/publicsafety/alerts.htm