CSC 105 Online Sections 001, 002, 003

Spring 2010 Syllabus

Instructor: Marni Ferner

E-mail: mferner@uncw.edu

Office: CIS 2032

Phone: 962-7567

Instructor’s web page: http://people.uncw.edu/mferner

Course-work web pages: WebCT/Blackboard (account provided by UNCW)  and SimNet (purchased account required)

Office Hours: TR 12:45-1:45, 3:30-4:30, and by appointment

Requirements:

1.      Text: Computing Essentials 2008, Complete Edition, 19th Edition; O'Leary/O'Leary; ISBN-13 9780073516707.

 

2.      SimNet registration code: Bundled with books purchased through UNCW bookstores or purchased separately from the publisher (http://uncw.simnetonline.com)

 

3.    Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2007 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access - the Standard Edition does not have Access).  Note: Earlier versions of Microsoft Office are NOT compatible with this course.  The full version of Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows is available in the bookstore for only $85.  You only need the Microsoft Office suite for the four application unit projects described below.  It is installed on all campus computers if you prefer not to purchase it.  The Office lessons are done using SimNet with either Internet Explorer or Firefox, Office is not required for the lessons.  For Mac users, the Mac version of Office does not have the database program called Access.  For that project, you will need to find a Windows machine (all campus computers have it.).  Everything else should be fully Mac compatible. Mac users must use the Firefox browser which can be downloaded from http://www.mozilla.com. Safari is not a supported browser for SimNet.   

 

4.    Reliable access to the Internet

Pre-requisites

Students should be able to access and navigate the Internet, use e-mail, attach/download files, and work independently.  Please also see “Who Should or Should Not Take This Course?”

Course Description

Basic computer concepts for non-CSC majors including elements of computing systems and organization; computer communications including the Internet; applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, data base management, and the rudiments of programming in a current programming language; social and technical issues including legal, ethical, and security considerations.

Objectives

At the end of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Identify and classify the components of the microcomputer system. 
  2. Be fluent in the language of technology and be able to discuss the state of past, current and emerging technologies.
  3. Demonstrate the successful use of basic commands, procedures, and navigation on the microcomputer. 
  4. Develop an understanding of the nature of the computing process--both hardware and software. 
  5. Demonstrate basic use of computer applications such as word processing, database, spreadsheet, graphics, hypermedia, and telecommunications. 
  6. Execute the proficient operation of equipment required in the production and utilization of a variety of computer-generated media. 
  7. Develop an awareness of some of the social and technical issues raised by computers.

Grades will be determined using the scale below:

93 – 100

A

90 – 92

A-

87 – 89

B+

83 – 86

B

80 – 82

B-

77 – 79

C+

70 – 72

C-

73 – 76

C

67 – 69

D+

63 – 66

D

60 – 62

D-

0 - 59 

F

Your final grade consists of 2 parts: software applications and computer concepts. Each one counts one-half of your final grade. They are described below:


I. Software Applications:

Students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in the following computer applications:

You will receive one grade for each of the four applications.  Your grade for this part of the course will be the average of those 4 application grades or units.

If you think you already have sufficient skills for any of the applications above, you may elect to take a Pre-Test using SimNet. If you are satisfied with your score on the Pre-Test, that will be your score for that unit. You do not need to do the lessons, the project, or take the Post-Test as described next.  Note that there is a pre-test available for each application and that they are independent of each other.  “Testing-out” of the one unit does not mean that you have tested out of the other 3 units. 

If you elect not to take the Pre-Test or if you would like to improve your score for that unit, then you need to do the following:

1.    Assigned lessons in SimNet, AND

2.    A project using the actual Office software.  The project requirements will be found in Blackboard AND

3.    Take the Post-Test for that particular application in SimNet.

In this case, your score for the unit will be the higher of the Pre-Test OR the weighted average of the lab exercises (10%), project (40%), and Post-Test (50%).

Pre-Test (SimNet)

100%

OR

Lessons in SimNet

10%

Project (Blackboard)

40%

Post-Test (SimNet)

50%

Pre-Tests

The pre-test for each application is optional.  If you do not take it, if you miss it, or if you take it, and want to improve the score, you will do the other work described below.  After you take a pre-test, SimNet will ask if you want to create a custom lesson.  Answer yes.  There will be lessons created for you in the SimNet Self-Study area that correspond to the questions you missed.  The self study questions are not required, but they will give you targeted help in preparing for the Post-Test.  Pre-Tests for the Office applications will be found in SimNet.  Click here for details on completing tests in SimNet.

SimNet Lessons

Students who do not place out of a unit or who are trying to better their Pre-Test grade are required to complete the lessons for that unit.  Lessons can be found in SimNet  There will be 3-4 lessons to complete for each application.  Click here for details on completing lessons in SimNet.  Your grade for a lesson will be the percentage of tasks you complete by the due date.  The lessons will be available after the due date, but no credit will be accrued for late lessons. Again, there will not be any opportunity to receive credit for lessons completed after the due date regardless of the reason: computer failure, illness, family emergency, etc.  Therefore, please do not wait until the last minute to complete the lessons.  Also note, however, that the lessons only count 10% of the given application, so not receiving credit will not hurt your grade substantially.   It is advisable, though, to complete the lessons for help with the project and post-tests.  Note: SimNet Lessons are simulations of the actually office applications.  It is NOT necessary to have Office 2007 installed on the computer to complete the lessons.

Projects will count 40% of your unit score.  The project requirements will be found and submitted through Blackboard.  Unlike the SimNet lessons, these projects require the actual Microsoft Office software.  This work should be done independently and is designed to demonstrate the skills you learned through the SimNet lessons. Projects must be submitted by midnight (actually 11:59 pm) on the due date to avoid late penalties. Evidence of shared work on any project will result in a grade of zero for all parties involved.

Post-Tests

The Post-Test for a unit will be similar to the Pre-Test.   Post-Tests for the Office applications will be found in SimNet.  You can use the lessons and the self-study material to review for the Post-Tests.  Click here for details on completing tests in SimNet.

Pre and Post tests will be available within a 24-hour window.  Once a test is started, it must be completed in the given time. 

II. Computer Concepts:

The other half of your grade for the course consists of material from the text, Computing Essentials.  This work is required for all students regardless of placements on application units. There will be 4 units, each containing 3-4 assigned chapters from the text. All work for this part of the course will be found in Blackboard.  Your grade for these units will be calculated as follows:

Chapter Quizzes

A short multiple choice, true/false quiz will be available to take in Blackboard for each chapter.  Quizzes are open book and un-timed.  They are designed to help you learn the material.  They may be completed anytime before 11:59 pm on the due date.  Answers will be available before the unit test for your review.

Chapter Discussions

For each chapter in the Computing Essentials, text a discussion question will be assigned.  Each student should read the issue in the text and then submit a reply to the appropriate Discussion forum in Blackboard. To receive full credit, responses must be a minimum of 5 sentences. Additionally, each response must use proper English, spelling, and grammar, and be appropriate. Text-message style writing, with no capitalizaion or punctuation will not receive full credit.  You may respond to either the posted question or to a particular student’s reply. It is assumed that students will respect the opinions of others and treat this forum with professionalism. You will receive full credit for fulfilling these requirements as described. You will not be graded on the opinion you present.  Submissions involving inappropriate language or disrespectful comments, or submissions that are too short will receive no credit.  Blackboard does not have a way for the instructor to provide feedback on discussion questions.  If you receive grade below 5, it is because the response was late, because the response was too short, missing grammar/punctuation, or a combination of those.

Computing Essentials Unit Tests

The tests on the text, Computing Essentials, Units 1-4, will be similar in format to the quizzes but will have a 24-hour window in which they can be completed.  The tests will cover 3-4 chapters from the book and will be timed: i.e., once a test is started, is must be completed in the given amount of time and may not be re-started later.  Students may not "test-out" of these units.  All students do this work. 

Late policy

With the exception of tests, work may be submitted at any time PRIOR to the due date.  You may work ahead on much of the course.  Until the last week, if a deadline is missed for quizzes, Computing Essentials tests, discussions, projects, or post-tests, that work may be made-up or submitted late within 2 weeks for a 20% late penalty.  In such cases, the highest possible score would be 80% of the original, and then the grading rubric applies.  The late work must be completed and submitted within 2 weeks of the original cutoff time, or the grade will be zero.  If you do not contact the instructor within the 2-week make-up window, no make-up work will be accepted for any reason.  The two-week make-up period does not apply to dates past 12/2.  That is the deadline for submitting any late work from the prior 2 weeks.  Application unit pre-tests may not be made-up or taken late as missing that does not hurt your grade.  It simply means you have to do the work for that unit.  SimNet lessons completed after the due date will not receive credit.  If you wish to take a make-up quiz or test, please send email to the instructor requesting that it be made available.

Further make-up tests can only be given in extreme situations beyond the student's control, with verifiable documentation, and if the student contacts the instructor within the 2 week make-up window.  Incomplete grades are given rarely and only in very specific situations. First, the student must be passing. Next, the student must be able to complete the work of the course entirely on his or her own. Finally, the student must be prevented from completing the course by verified, unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the student. These conditions must be documented and verified before an incomplete grade may be given.

Grades

Grades from SimNet units will be transferred to Blackboard once the unit is completed so that students may track their course progress as a whole.

Calendar

It is the student’s responsibility to check the online calendar (which is subject to change) and to complete the assignments as indicated. Failure to check the calendar daily is not an acceptable excuse for missing a due date.

Handicapped Students

If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodation in this course, you should inform the instructor of this fact in writing within the first week of class or as soon as possible. If you have not already done so, you must register at the Office of Disability Services in Westside Hall (ext. 3746) and obtain a copy of your Accommodation Letter. You should then arrange a meeting to make mutually agreeable arrangements based on the recommendations of the Accommodation Letter.

Expectations

All work submitted must be your own. The UNCW Honor Code applies to all work, and it is assumed that all students have committed to the Honor Pledge both of which are described at http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/odos/honorcode/about.html .  The University’s policy on the responsible use of electronic resources also applies to all work for this course. See http://uncw.edu/smec/SVSM/Resp_Use_of_Elec_Resources.pdf.

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