Austin Community College
Department Of Computer Studies and Advanced Technology
 Personal Computing
SUMMER 2011 - Updat05/07/11
 Synonym Number  29791
 Syllabus And Schedule

Student Special Notice - ACC has assigned all of you your own ACC e-mail account as of September 15. Please contact me by e-mail if you cannot find or access your ACC gmail account

Syllabus Outline

FAQ’s

Distance Learning 101

Student Resources

Logon to Blackboard

 Instructor Information - office, hours, phone etc.

Course Description

Textbook / Materials

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes

Course Rationale

SCANS Competencies

Grade Policies

Teaching Methods

 

Course policies

Academic Dishonesty

 Posting of Grades

 Incomplete

 Withdrawal

 Freedom of Expression

 Attendance

  Students with Disabilities

 Course Schedule

 

 

Instructor Information

Day

Campus

Room

Start

End

Tuesday     

Thursday

Cypress     

Cypress

2218     2218

11:40AM       11:40AM

12:40PM         12:40 PM

 

 

 

 

 

OR BY APPOINTMENT

 

Instructor:

Rene Polanco

Phone:

512-223-2168

Office:

Cypress Creek Campus Room 2218

Office Hours:

Visit https://www3.austincc.edu/it/fachours/Edit.asp

E-mail:

rpolanco@austincc.edu

Please remember to have your synonym number in the subject line of your email.  Your synonym number is 29791.  Emails sent without the proper synonym will not get a response.  Additionally, my email client filters junk mail based on various factors.  If the subject line of the email is blank, it is automatically treated as Spam and dealt with accordingly.

Home page:

http://www.austincc.edu/rpolanco/

Course Description

COSC 1301 PERSONAL COMPUTING (3-2-2). A hands-on course for the development of skills needed to use personal computer systems for business, individual, and educational applications.  Learn word processing, database management, spreadsheet development, and how to use the operating system.  Keyboarding skills are not required, but are helpful. May not be applied toward a CSC degree.

For Early College Start students, this course will satisfy the technology requirement in most high schools. 

Textbook / Materials

Microsoft® Office 2007 Illustrated: Introductory Premium Video Edition, 1st Edition. ISBN-10: 0324827083  ISBN-13: 9780324827088

David Beskeen, Carol M. Cram et al. Course technologies
Student Data Files:
If you purchase a new textbook, you will receive a CD that contains the student data files. There will also be a link on the Blackboard site to download the files.
Software:
The software used in this class is Microsoft Office 2007. If you do not have access to this software outside of class, you can use the CIS Open labs.

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes

This course helps you develop personal productivity skills with the use of microcomputers for the following applications:

 

TOPIC

SOFTWARE

Operating System

Microsoft Windows XP

Word Processing

Microsoft Word 2007

Spreadsheet Development

Microsoft Excel 2007

Database Management

Microsoft Access 2007

Presentation Development

Microsoft PowerPoint 2007

WWW Browsing

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 / 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 You will learn how to integrate information across applications.  You will develop your computer literacy with an increased knowledge of computing concepts and terminology.  You also will develop skills in disk and file management using a graphical user interface (Microsoft Windows XP).

Course Rationale

The applications taught in this class are the current most popular software programs available.  However, the skills learned can be applied to other Windows-based programs.  In addition to teaching the use of the software, we also provide for group participation which is required in most work environments today.

SCANS Competencies

Competencies have been identified that are relevant to the level of instruction in the community college environment.  These competencies reflect the knowledge and skills employees need to succeed in any occupation.  This course will expose the student to the concepts and application of the following competencies:

Grade Policies

The class grade will be based on your performance on the tests, completion of projects and exercises,  and class participation.

Orientation

1   Worth 10% of your grade

Labs

20 Worth 20% of your grade

Exams

4  Worth 60% of your grade

Projects

5 Worth 10% of your grade

 

 

 

There may be extra credit work assigned during the semester.  This work will be announced to the class through Blackboard.  Extra credit cannot be applied towards a missed lab.  Only students who have turned in all the labs and taken all the exams will be eligible for the extra credit.

 The following grading scale will be used to assign the final grade:

90% - 100%   ........................................ A
80% -   89% .......................................... B
70% -   79% .......................................... C
60% -   69%........................................... D
  0% -   59%............................................F

THERE WILL BE NO MAKE UP EXAMS – NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE TO THIS RULE. ALL EXAMS MUST BE TAKEN BY THE DEADLINE LISTED IN THE SCHEDULE. ASSIGNED PROJECTS AND EXERCISES ARE DUE NO LATER THAN THE Sunday following the ASSIGNED WEEK as INDICATED ON THE SYLLABUS.(FOR EXAMPLE, ASSIGNMENTS MADE ON THE 1ST OF JUNE ARE DUE NO LATER THAN SUNDAY JUNE 6TH)

  The late policy is as follows:

a)   1 calendar day late........................................... 20% off
b)   More than 1 calendar day late....................... 100% off

 Teaching Methods

This is a distance learning course taught in the PCM format. PCM courses require students to have access to a computer with an Internet connection and a personal email address to complete coursework online. Students may use computers from home or work, or they may use the ACC Computer Centers. In this course, assignments will be disseminated online and students will submit the assignments through Blackboard. As the assignment is graded, I will enter the grade in the Blackboard grade book. Students can access the grade book and view their grades online. Grades will not be sent through email for reasons of confidentiality. In order to log into Blackboard you will need your ACCeID.  Click here for more information about ACCeID if you have not activated your eID yet.

Click here to log into Blackboard AFTER you have your ACCeID.  Please bookmark the Blackboard login link in your browser as you will be visiting it often during this course.

All tests will be taken in the Computer Studies open labs.  You can view the open lab hours, room and phone numbers by clicking here.  In order to take the test, the student will go to the Computer Studies Open Lab during the hours it is open.  You will present your ACC student ID to the lab technician and they will hand the exam to you and guide you to a computer.  Please see the course FAQ for more information

Course Policies

Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on exam, paper or project; and/or failure in course.

Cheating is any of the following:

1.      Taking the work of another student and turning it in as your own.

2.      Giving your work to another student to turn in as their own.

3.      Getting information about the exam from another student.

4.      Giving information about the exam to another student.

5.      Copying material off the Internet and turning it in as your own.

6.      Copying material off the Internet without giving credit to the source.

7.      Getting someone else to do your labs for you.

I consider cheating to be a serious offense. The first incident will earn you a grade of 0 or F for that particular lab or exam.  A second offense will result in an F in the course.  The burden of proof rests on ALL parties involved.

The ACC Student Handbook defines academic dishonesty as:  Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework"(http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/)

Posting of Grades: Final course grades will not be posted.  The final course grade is mailed to the student by the ACC Admissions and Records office. Students may also log into their ACC Online account after the end of the semester and look at their grade.  A final letter grade will also be posted to the Blackboard grade book in the last week of class. 

IncompleteAn Incomplete may not be used as a shelter from a potentially low grade in the class.  A student may qualify for an “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:

1.      The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to documented extenuating circumstances.

2.      The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.

3.      The request for the grade must be made in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.

4.      To remove an “I”, the student must complete the stipulations of the Incomplete contract signed with the instructor no later than two weeks prior to the end of the next semester.  Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.

 

Withdrawal: It is the student’s responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office or online if they wish to withdraw from this class.  The last date to withdraw for this semester is Monday, July 11, 2011.  If the withdrawal is not completed by 5 PM on April 21, the student will receive a performance grade (A, B, C, D, or F) that they have earned at the end of the semester.  Although I have the prerogative to withdraw the student based on a lack of progress, I am under no obligation to do so.

Freedom of Expression Policy:  Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in classroom discussions. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructor alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

 Attendance in an online class:  Students are expected to actively participate in the PCM class and will be held responsible for all material assigned in class.  Regular interaction with the instructor and with other students helps ensure satisfactorily progression towards completion of the course. 

 Students with Disabilities: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester (http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/).

Course Schedule

This is a preliminary course schedule and may be changed.  If there are any changes to this schedule, the class will be informed in writing. All assignments are due by midnight on the date listed.

 

An explanation:  The Textbook / Hands On column details the groundwork you should do in order to prepare for the lab.  The actual lab is listed in the Labs and Due Dates column.  This is a hands on course.  Thus all preparation for labs and exams is also hands-on.          

                      

 

 

Week

Start Date of Week

Topic

Textbook

Labs

1

05/23

Orientation

Understanding Essential Computer Concepts

Windows XP Unit A

Windows XP Unit B

Internet Unit A

Orientation (online not in the textbook)

Read Concepts pgs 1 -25     

Read  Windows XP pgs 1 - 19

Read Windows XP pgs 25 – 45

Internet Explorer pgs 1 - 17

 

Complete orientation - must be completed by May 29th,  2011

Concepts             Unit A    Lab 1                                     

Windows XP       Unit A    Lab 2

Windows XP       Unit B    Lab 3 

Internet Explorer Unit A    Lab 4

2

05/30

Word Unit A

Word Unit B

Word Unit C       

Word Unit D

 

Read Word pgs 1 – 17 

Read Word pgs 25 – 41   

Read Word pgs 49 – 67

Read Word pgs 77 – 95

 

Word 2007          Unit A    Lab 5 

Word 2007          Unit B    Lab 6

Word 2007          Unit C    Lab 7   

Word 2007          Unit D    Lab 8

3

06/06

Word Project

WORD EXAM

Black Board PROJECT Tab  

MUST COMPLETE EXAM

 

ON CAMPUS

After you have completed all the Microsoft Word labs, you may take the Word Exam.  The deadline to take the Word Exam is Sunday, June 12th, 2011. Exam is available on the 6th of June. There are NO makeup exams and NO extensions granted on the exam date.  Please read the FAQ or syllabus about lab locations.

4

06/13

Excel Unit A

Excel Unit B   

Excel Unit C

Excel Unit D

Read Excel pgs 1 – 17

Read Excel pgs 25 – 41   

Read Excel pgs 51 – 69

Read Excel pgs 79 – 95

Excel 2007         Unit A    Lab 9

Excel 2007         Unit B    Lab 10       

Excel 2007         Unit C  Lab 11

Excel 2007         Unit D  Lab 12

5

06/20

Excel Project

EXCEL EXAM

Black Board PROJECT Tab

MUST COMPLETE EXAM

 

ON CAMPUS

After you have completed all the Microsoft Excel labs, you may take the Excel Exam.  The deadline to take the Excel Exam is Sunday, June 26th, 2011.Exam is available on the 20th of June. There are NO makeup exams and NO extensions granted on the exam date.  Please read the FAQ or syllabus about lab locations.

6

06/27

Access Unit A

Access Unit B

Access Unit C

Access Unit D

 

Read Access pgs 1 – 19

Read Access pgs 28 – 43  

Read Access pgs 51 – 67

Read Access pgs 77 – 93

 

Access  2007     Unit A  Lab 13

Access  2007     Unit B  Lab 14 

Access  2007     Unit C  Lab 15

Access  2007     Unit D  Lab 16

7

07/04

Access Project

ACCESS EXAM

Black Board PROJECT Tab

MUST COMPLETE EXAM

 

ON CAMPUS

After you have completed all the Microsoft Access labs, you may take the Access Exam.  The deadline to take the Access Exam is Sunday, July 10th, 2011 .Exam is available on the 5th of July. There are NO makeup exams and NO extensions granted on the exam date.  Please read the FAQ or syllabus about lab locations.

8

07/11

PowerPoint Unit A

PowerPoint Unit B

PowerPoint Unit C

PowerPoint Unit D

PowerPoint Project

 

Read Access pgs 1 – 17

Read Access pgs 25 – 41

Read Access pgs 49 – 65  

Read Access pgs 73 – 89

Black Board PROJECT Tab

 

PPT   2007         Unit A  Lab 17

PPT   2007         Unit B  Lab 18

PPT   2007         Unit C  Lab 19

 PPT   2007         Unit D  Lab 20

9

07/18

Integration Project      POWERPOINT EXAM

Black Board PROJECT Tab     MUST COMPLETE EXAM

                                                                          ON CAMPUS

After you have completed all the Microsoft PowerPoint labs, you may take the PowerPoint Exam.  The deadline to take the PowerPoint Exam is Sunday, July 24th, 2011. Exam is available on the 18th of July. There are NO makeup exams and NO extensions granted on the exam date.  Please read the FAQ or syllabus about lab locations.