Course Credit(s): 3
Prerequisite(s): NoneSection Days Time Room
Class Meeting Times: AC05 MWF 11– 11:50 L506
Instructor’s Name(s): Mrs. JoAnn Lauer
Instructor’s Office Location: Milton 711
Instructor’s Telephone: 412-237-6585 Faculty Secretary: 412-237-2651
Course Objectives:
Upon the completion of the activities in this course, the student should be able to:
1. Discuss the relationship among the various hardware and software components of a computer system including process, memory, external storage, input/output, systems and application programs.
2. Use the graphical user interface features of a windows type environment, use file management to find information on the computer or network file server, and organize data in directories.
3. Understand and use basic features of word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, and database applications and transfer skills regardless of the specific brand name of the application used in this course.
4. Understand the basic issues concerning computer communications; access, then find information on the Internet using a Web browser; discuss some of the ethical issues associated with computer use.
Concepts
The instructor will review concepts and topics
in lecture format using PowerPoint presentations. The student is required to
read the Module material before the class lecture. After the lecture, go to the
Prentice Hall website www.prenhall.com/cayf2005 to review the end of the chapter
questions. Once you have completed the questions, complete the practice quiz
which the site has available. Please be sure to go over these questions. They
will act as a review of the module and be a great help to the student in
preparation for the test.
Module theory tests will be given at frequent intervals. They will consist of true/false, matching, or multiple-choice questions. The instructor may review information to be presented on the test prior to the testing date.
Software
Classroom Instruction: The instructor will demonstrate with the class the Project assignments for each section in the software applications books. Each Project will be completed before any lab work is due. The student will be required to complete all the Skill Drills and designated Challenge exercises as indicated by the instructor. The Skill Drills will be printed out and handed in. When handing in assignments, please be sure to mark the assignments according to Project and Skill Drill number and your name. Each Skill Drill assignment is worth 10 points. Extra assignments will also be distributed to enhance certain areas of study throughout the course. The assignments will vary in point value.
Software Testing: Hands-on production tests will be administered at the end of each software module. Information concerning what these particular tests will include will be discussed in class prior to the test date.
Skill Drills: Skill Drills must be handed in at the beginning of the next class after the assignment has been made. Assignments must be grouped together in chronological order and clearly marked individually with Skill Drill number and your name. This is a must! It will help you keep your assignments straight and help me to give you credit for completion of assignments.
Establishing Student IDs
Chapter 1 – Computers, the Web, & You
Ethics
2 Test on Chapter 1
Chapter 7 – The Internet and World Wide Web
3 Test on Chapter 7
Chapter 2 – System Software: The Operating
Environment
Introduction to Windows XP
4 Continued work on
Windows XP
Test on Chapter 2
Chapter 3 – Application Software: Tools for Productivity
5 Word Projects 1 and 2
Test on Chapter 3
Chapter 4 – Inside the System Unit
6 Word Projects 3 and 4
Test on Chapter 4
Chapter 5 – Input/Output and Storage
7 Test on Chapter 5
Word Projects 5, 6, 7, and 8
8 Excel Projects 1 and 2
Chapter 6 – Networks: Communicating and Sharing Resources
Word Production Test
9 Excel Projects 3 and 4
Test on Chapter 6
Chapter 8 – Wired and
Wireless Communications
11 Excel Production Test
Spotlight: Buying and Upgrading Your Computer System
PowerPoint Projects 1, 2, 3, 4, and parts of 6 and 7
12 Access Projects 1 and 2
13 Access Project 3
November 22 - 26: Fall Semester Break
14 Access Projects 4, and parts of 5 and 6
15 Access Production Test
PowerPoint Projects
Final Test/Assignment
Required Text(s): Computers Are Your Future 2005, Bill Daley; Prentice Hall, Inc.: Upper Saddle River, NJ; 2005.
Essentials Microsoft Office 2003, Fox, Metzelaar, et. al. Prentice Hall, Inc.: Upper Saddle River, NJ; 2005.
Required Software: Microsoft Windows 98 or better and Microsoft Office XP or at very least Office 2000 (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint)
MICROSOFT WORKS WILL NOT DO!!!
.
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Open Lab, Tutoring, etc. In order to complete assignments, students will find it necessary to use open lab time; check the schedule posted in the open lab for availability; also, check individual rooms surrounding the open lab for available times. Work may also be completed outside of the school if you have the appropriate program software. Please print all outside work outside the class. Do not use outside disks in school and school disks at home; there is always the possibility of acquiring a virus or spreading a virus.
Completion of Skill Drill assignments are required in order to reinforce skills discussed during class. Each one reviews and emphasizes concepts covered, critical thinking and/or problem solving skills. Software Projects will be graded on a 10 point basis for each individual Skill Drill. Points are assigned according to accuracy, appearance, and completion of each task or steps of tasks for each problem.
Theory tests given on chapter materials are graded on a percentage basis of total points possible on each test. Test dates will be announced in class at frequent intervals.
Production tests are assigned 100 points for the entire test with certain weight given to particular portions of the test.
Lab: Lab Projects and homework assignments 40% of grade
Tests: Production tests and Module/Theory Tests 60% of grade
Grading Scale
90% and above A
80% - 89% B
70% - 79% C
60% - 69% D
59% and below F
To complete the class successfully, students must attend regularly scheduled classes and complete all assignments. Excessive absences will result in a lower final grade. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with the course work. You must hand in work on time. If you have problems with the material or have missed a class, please see me, call, or E-mail me. You will find it mandatory to spend extra time outside of class in the lab or working somewhere on your assignments; so plan ahead! If you wish, you may work on assignments with another student in the class; just be sure both of you understand the concept when you have finished the assignment. Tutors are also available in the computer lab. Get Help!
Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice!
Be sure to save all work to an A: disk. Make back-up disks of your work for the class. This disk along with hard copies of assignments may be turned into the instructor upon request.
If you miss a chapter test or
production test, it is the student’s responsibility to see me and set a time to
take the test other than class time.
When the next test is administered, it
is too late to take any previously missed test.
v During the semester/session, reasonable changes to the course outline may be academically appropriate; however, students will be notified of these adjustments in a timely manner.