TREASURE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE - CALDWELL

BA 131 / CS 120
Spring 2012 Mondays & Wednesdays: 9-11:30am or 12-2:30p Caldwell Campus, Room 310 Instructor: Carol Billing E-mail: cbilling@tvcc.cc Credits: 4 Office Hours: Mon & Wed, 11:30-Noon by appointment Office Location: Computer Lab 310

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will provide an overview of hardware components, operating systems, e-mail, Internet, networks, and application software. No pre-requisite classes or computer skills are required.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLIES:

Absolute Beginners Guide to Computer Basics, 5th Edition Optional: Storage device of their choice (memory stick, etc.) & notebook

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:
A combination of recorded lectures, class discussions, and hands-on learning will be used to cover the curriculum. Throughout the course, there will be assignments related to textbook information and lectures. The computer lab assignments will assess comprehension and test skills.

OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: Discuss the major uses of a computer, hardware & software Describe and efficiently use computer software applications o (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer and more) Send and receive e-mail, attach and send documents, understand and use e-mail etiquette Quickly & succinctly retrieve information from the Internet Efficiently use all aspects of Blackboard & Elluminate, the programs used to teach many online courses

OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT:
Student Performance Outcomes The student will demonstrate an understanding of the use of: A computers functionality, as well as the purpose and use of an operating system Internet Explorer, the Internet and e-mail Microsoft Word to perform basic document formatting Microsoft Excel to perform basic computations and formatting Microsoft PowerPoint to present and communicate ideas Student Performance Assessments Students will complete the following assessments: In-lab assignments in Windows 7, Word, Excel & PowerPoint Exam over general technology terms and concepts Create an e-portfolio

Student Portfolio Students will complete an e-portfolio demonstrating their competency in Word, Excel & PowerPoint. The e-portfolio will include: Portfolio Cover Flyer An essay in MLA format Cover Letter & Resume Two (2) Excel Assignments PowerPoint Project

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Office Hours I am willing to work with you individually during lab or before and after class. My official office hours are Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:30am to noon in the lab (room 310) or by appointment. Additionally I am always available for questions via e-mail. If youd like me to call you to discuss an issue or assignment, please include your phone number and a good time to call in the e-mail. I will return the e-mail or call within 24 hours. If you dont get a response in 24 hours, please send a second email. I may have not seen your first email. Attendance Policy I have high expectations for the work submitted. Although the lectures are online and available anytime, you must show me your assignments for credit before they are due during lab time. Attendance is collected for this course, but you may skip a class if youve already completed the assignment. You need to pay attention to deadlines outlined in the course calendar. Students that cannot complete the course should drop the course. I cannot drop students. Required Assignments Assignments are completed using information from the textbook and lectures. A course calendar with the assignments and due dates is available on Blackboard. All assignments will be checked in class and then submitted to Blackboard only. If you do not see the assignment link in Blackboard, the assignment is late and cannot be submitted. I will not accept assignments that are e-mailed to me. Late Work Late work will not be accepted and students will receive a grade of 0 for assignments not submitted before or on the due date. If you are absent and an assignment is due, you will take a 0. If you are going to be gone, get your work done early. If you are sick, you are not allowed to make up the work. One assignment missed will not ruin your grade, but multiple absences will. Plagiarism Students are expected to be honest in all aspects of their college education. All work is evaluated on the assumption that the work presented is the student's own. Anything less is unacceptable. Examples of dishonest practice include but are not limited to: Cheating - The improper use of books, notes, other students' tests, or other aids during an examination. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain approval for the use of such aids prior to the time of the examination; otherwise, they will be considered improper. An "examination" is defined as "any testing situation in which the score will be used for credit in a course."

Plagiarism Submission or presentation of a student assignment as ones own in which substantial portions are paraphrased without documentation or are identical to published or unpublished material from another source (including another students work). An assignment is defined as any materials submitted or presented by a student for credit in a course. Discovery of plagiarism will result in a failing grade for that assignment. If a student is caught a second time that student will receive a failing grade for the class. WHAT I EXPECT FROM YOU I expect you to ask questions If you do not understand something, chances are others will be in the same situation. Ask! If I don't know the answer, I will do whatever necessary to find the answer. If you dont ask questions, I will assume that you understand the information being presented. I expect everyone to be treated with courtesy and respect Please treat your classmates and me the way you would like to be treated. Your behavior must not disrupt another students ability to be successful in class. Please be aware that this is an educational setting and people are here to learn. You may not eat or drink in my class. You may not bring your children, boyfriend, husband, friend or pet to class. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME You can expect my help in reaching your educational goal. You and I have a common goal, your success. I will do everything possible to help you reach that goal and will do nothing to hinder you. You can expect me to provide all information necessary for an assignment You can expect me to be fair Since I am a human being, I make mistakes. For example, I may have the wrong due date on an assignment. If it is my fault, I will make whatever changes necessary to be fair to you. You can expect me to be available for help I am always available 11:30-Noon on Mondays & Wednesdays. I am available to help you via e-mail. If you may e-mail me questions, I will reply within 24 hours during the week (M-F). Class Cancelation Policy If there is an emergency and I am forced to cancel class, I will post an announcement on Blackboard and e-mail that announcement to you.

GRADING PRACTICES:
Testing Procedure You will have a short quiz over the syllabus. Otherwise the only test over course content is the general technology test. The test will be given in class using Blackboard. All other assessments are hands-on practical assignments. Your final is the e-portfolio. Grading A combination of the assignments listed on your course calendar and the quiz over general technology terms will determine your course grade. Students should plan on spending at least five to eight hours on homework each week. Your final score is a total of all points earned. It is imperative that you do the assignments. The final grade will be based on the following percentage: 90 - 100% = A 80 - 89% = B 70 - 79% = C 65 - 69% = D 64 - 0% = F

As a general rule I do not give Incompletes. However, to be eligible for an Incomplete, a student must have at least 90 percent of the course work completed. I will only consider awarding an Incomplete if a student meets the above criteria and has some extreme emergency situation. In such cases, a student requiring an incomplete must submit a written appeal with full rationale to the instructor by Monday of finals week.

DROP POLICY
It is the students responsibility to drop the course. Students are responsible for adding and dropping courses. Students who stop attending a course without filing a drop request will receive a grade of F.

TVCC E-MAIL AND BLACKBOARD ACCOUNTS

E-mail is the primary source of written communication with all students. Students automatically get a TVCC email account when they register for courses. Messages from instructors and various offices will be sent to the students TVCC accounts (NOT their personal e-mail accounts). It is the students responsibility to check their TVCC e-mail accounts regularly. Failing to do so will result in missing important messages and deadlines. Students use the same username and password to login to all TVCC technology: computers, email, Blackboard, and MyTVCC. For details about how to log on, visit http://www.tvcc.cc/ISS/student_login.cfm. TVCC uses a Microsoft email product, so the login page is the same for Hotmail. You MUST add @students.tvcc.cc to the end of your username in order to reach the TVCC server.

CAMPUS COMPUTER USE

Students have access to computers in the student computer lab. This open lab is located on the 1st floor. Having trouble with your home computer or not having the software for this course is not a valid excuse for a late assignment, use the lab.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT:
It is the policy of the TVCC that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, age, or disability in any educational programs, activities or employment. Persons having questions about equal opportunity and non-discrimination should contact the Human Resources Director located in the Student Services Center on the south side of the Four Rivers Cultural Center Building. Telephone (541) 881-8822, ext. 226 or TDD (541) 881-2723.

SPECIAL NEEDS CONTACT STATEMENT:

Persons having questions about or requests for special needs and accommodation should contact the Disabilities Services Coordinator at Treasure Valley Community College, 650 College Blvd., Ontario, OR 97914. Telephone (541) 881-8822, ext. 234 or TDD (541) 881- 2723.