An access code for Cengage Unlimited ISBN: 9780357700006. This code includes all course material and eBooks and is available for purchase online through the MindTaps link in Canvas or at the UNCW bookstore.
Students may create and use an account with a brief period before purchasing the code.
If you have purchased a Cengage Unlimited subscription for another
course this semester, you do not need to purchase another one.
A single Cengage Unlimited subscription will work for all courses using Cengage material.
Reliable access to the Internet:
A two-button mouse or track-pad configured to right-click (Mac users see: check how to enable this at www.macinstruct.com/node/66 or look up what
your computer needs.)
Microsoft Office 365 (The University provides this software to students free of charge. See
uncw.edu/itsd/help/office365.html for details. You may
also use any campus computer.)
Important notes:
It is the student’s responsibility to read and understand the syllabus, assignment instructions, and all emails sent out. Not reading or not understanding these documents does not qualify students to make up work.
Any announcements or reminders will be sent to students’ UNCW email,
and a log of all sent email can be found in Canvas
Pre-requisites:
Although this is an introductory course, online students should be able to access and navigate the Internet, use e-mail, attach/download files, and work independently.
You need access to a reliable computer with reliable internet connectivity. Computer/technical problems cannot be accepted as an excuse for submitting something late.
Course Description:
A modern approach to college-level computing education for all majors. Software skills employers most frequently seek; technology-related social, legal and ethical issues fostering sound decision-making; foundational understanding of current digital technologies for efficient organization and effective communication; students will choose one additional skill-track for specialization: business, graphic design, or programming.
Course Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course, the student should be able to:
Demonstrate efficient organization of digital material using current technologies for storing and sharing work and differentiate among the choices.
Discuss technology-related social, legal and ethical issues.
Select the correct technological tool(s) to apply to a given problem by discerning various functionalities of each.
Demonstrate proficiency with a selection of typical college and workplace computer applications by effectively disseminating information relevant to that application.
Develop an ability to evaluate feedback and apply it appropriately to one’s own work through a series of submit/revise cycles.
Coursework:
Your final grade consists of the following units described below:
Unit 1: Orientation, Organization, Foundations: Understanding current digital technologies, when to use them, and how to use them optimally; technology-related social, legal, and ethical issues
Unit 2: Features of Current Word Processing Software: Exploration, understanding, and practice; modern word-processors do much more than basic text formatting and spell-checking, this module introduces students to the full set of tools available in workplace-dominant software, currently Microsoft Word
Unit 3: Spreadsheets: Fundamental skills most employers expect: formulas and functions, proper data formatting; sorting, filtering, using series, controlling chart layouts and printing options, analyzing data
Unit 4: Professional Communication: As Microsoft Word is a robust word-processor, Microsoft PowerPoint is an equally robust presentation tool. While most students have experience with PowerPoint, this unit will explore the many advanced features of this software application.
Unit 5: Specialization (choose one)
5A Business: This module covers advanced topics in Excel including Macros, advanced functions, organizing and preparing data, array functions, statistical analysis, and interactive dashboards.
5B Introduction to Databases: This module will introduce students to basic database concepts using Microsoft Access. Important note: This unit requires Windows. Students who don't have Windows should use UNCW's Horizon virtual Windows desktop.
5C Digital Graphic Design: This module introduces students to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite which is now provided to university students at no cost. Applications include Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
Each of the units described above will consist of all or some of the following activities:
Reading/View Videos: Read the assigned chapter in the e-text or view the given video. You do not need to complete any of the e-text exercises and there is no score associated with readings or videos.
Training: An introduction to the topic. Training is not counted in your final course average. It is recommended (not required) that you complete all training exercises. SAM training is done in a simulated Office 365 environment using a browser. Each training item has three parts: Observe, Practice, and Apply. The observe tab shows you how to complete the task. The Practice tab, guides you through the task step by step. The Apply tab allows you to try the skill on your own. The apply part will be similar to the SAM exam items. You can try the Apply part first, and then go back to observe or practice if needed. Make sure you maximize the training pop-up window after it loads.
A SAM Exam: This is a test to demonstrate you have learned the skills covered in the training. Test questions are completed in a simulated Windows/Microsoft Office 365 environment. It is not required that you have the Office software installed to complete a SAM Exam. Each task or question has three attempts available. If the student can't perform the task accurately in three attempts, the task is marked incorrect. Students may skip questions and return to them later, but the three attempts will not be reset. Each exam may be retaken one time. The highest score will count. Make sure you maximize the SAM exam pop-up window after it loads.
Capstone Projects: For each Module, a SAM Project will be assigned: These include instruction files and one or more downloadable files that the student edits in the actual application according to the instructions. Students then upload the finished file and submit it for grading. SAM will grade the student submission and will provide feedback on any incorrect items. Students then have four additional opportunities to correct the file and resubmit for grading. (Five attempts total.) The highest grade will be used in calculations. Project scoring is based on exact matches to the solution file. If a word is misspelled or a period is missing, the task will be counted wrong. That is easy to fix and is why you have 5 attempts.
Be sure you retrieve the detailed grading report which will clearly show you where any errors were found. Please also be aware that the SAM Project grading system encodes the downloadable files and compares the submitted work with the original. If the encoding does not match, the software flags the submission as a possible integrity violation. Both parties are identified even if students are in different sections, courses, or even schools. In such a case, both parties will receive a grade of zero. Borrowing a friend's computer and accidently submitting your friend's project file instead of your own is not an excuse. You and your friend will both receive grades of zero. Leaving a file available for others to access, even inadvertently, can result in a zero for the project. SAM Projects must be completed using Microsoft Office 365. If you don't already have this, UNCW offers it for FREE to the campus community. Projects completed in old versions of Office may not receive full credit as not all required features will be available.
Lastly, a final research project will be due on Wednesday, 6/21 (11:59 pm.) This is will replace the final exam. Assignment details will be in Canvas.
Grades:
Disregard any point totals or averages which show in MindTap as those
aren't weighted according to this syllabus. Accurate grade averages may not be displayed correctly in Canvas depending on student settings for grades of 0.
Course averages will be calculated using the following weights:
Syllabus Quiz:
2%
Unit 1 (due Thursday, 5/23):
12%
Unit 2 (due Thursday, 5/30):
20%
Unit 3 (due Thursday, 6/6):
20%
Unit 4 (due Wednesday, 6/12):
12%
Unit 5 (due Tuesday, 6/18):
20%
Copyright and Creative Commons Quiz:
2%
Final Project (due Wednesday, 6/19)
12%
TOTAL
100%
Module scores will be the weighted average of each assignment based on the total number of points in each assignment.
Course grades will then be determined using the scale below:
93 – 100
A
70 – 72
C-
90 – 92
A-
73 – 76
C
87 – 89
B+
67 – 69
D+
83 – 86
B
63 – 66
D
80 – 82
B-
60 – 62
D-
77 – 79
C+
0 - 59
F
Late policy:
You may work ahead on most of the course. If an assignment is open, you are welcome to submit it early. If you miss the deadline for an assignment, or score below 85%, you may still complete the assignment through the last day of classes (6/21) for a 15% late penalty (85% maximum credit.) The Final Project due date (6/22 11:59pm) is firm and will not be available for late submissions. One important note: If you are in the middle of a SAM Path when the due date
passes, you won't be able to continue where you left off. If you need to complete it for late credit, you will need to start it over. Please email me to reset it.
Expectations:
All members of UNCW’s community are expected to follow the academic Honor Code. Please read the UNCW Honor Code carefully (as covered in the UNCW Student Handbook and available at: uncw.edu/odos/honorcode/). Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in this class.
Please be especially familiar with UNCW’s position on plagiarism as outlined in the UNCW Student Handbook. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty in which you take someone else’s ideas and represent them as your own. Here are some examples of plagiarism:
You write about someone else’s work in your paper and do not give them credit for it by referencing them.
You give a presentation and use someone else’s ideas and do not state that the ideas are the other person’s.
You get facts from your textbook or some other reference material and do not reference that material.
Many assignments have several steps (such as a SAM Path) or provide multiple attempts. If you wait until the evening of the due date to begin, it is unlikely that you will finish, and last-minute help may not be available. Lack of planning, lack of Internet connectivity, hard drive crashes, family emergencies, car trouble, etc., etc., etc., will not be accepted as excuses to waive
late penalties. Due dates are firm and final. Plan for disasters, and plan ahead. If you tend to procrastinate or lose track of deadlines, you should not take this course online. As with gainful employment, you are expected to meet commitments in this course without excuses. Failing to meet your commitments in this course, or on the job, carry meaningful consequences.
There are no extra credit assignments.
While I do check email several times every day, please do not expect a reply after 10:00 pm. If you have a problem with an assignment and are only beginning it at the last minute, you are responsible for any issues that arise.
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.
Students with Disabilities:
Students with diagnosed disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Services (962-7555). Please give me a copy of the letter you receive from Office of Disability Services detailing class accommodations you may need. If you require accommodation for test-taking, please make sure I have the referral letter no less than three days before the test.
Title IX:
UNCW takes all forms of interpersonal violence very seriously. When students disclose, first- or third-hand to faculty or staff about
sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence and/or stalking, this information must be reported to the administration in order to ensure that students' rights are protected, appropriate resources are offered, and the need for further investigation is explored to maintain campus safety. There are three confidential resources who do not need to report interpersonal violence: UNCW CARE, the Student Health Center, and the Counseling Center. If you want to speak to someone in confidence, these resources are available, including CARE's 24-hour crisis line (910-512-4821). For more information visit
uncw.edu/titleix and
uncw.edu/care.
Tips for Success:
Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute to begin an assignment.
Read all e-mail from me thoroughly. If you don’t, it could adversely affect your grade. All requirements and due dates will be posted on the course calendar, and reminders will be sent via e-mail. Knowing due dates is your responsibility.
Please use UNCW e-mail to contact me. I don’t regularly check or respond to voice mail.
Check your UNCW e-mail account daily.
Seek help when you need it and as soon as you need it. I am happy to answer questions and lend assistance on any and all of the coursework, but I have no way of knowing you are confused if you don’t contact me.
Don’t worry about sending me too many e-mails: it is important to get your questions answered, no matter how many there are.
I happy to make an appointment to meet with you either via Zoom or in person if you need help.
Any announcements or reminders will be sent to students' UNCW email, and a log of all sent email can be found in Canvas through the Email Archive link.
Use the Canvas gradebook for the most accurate current course average. The MindTap/SAM gradebook does not accurately reflect how grades are weighted.
Firefox is a recommended browser for both Windows and Mac users: mozilla.org
Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute to begin an assignment.
