NORTHEAST ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SYLLABUS

MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

CIS 147

INSTRUCTOR:  Robert Davis        Office:  109-C in BE Building (Office hours posted on door)

Email: davisr@nacc.edu                   Phone: 638-4418 x 319 or 228-6001 x 319

Online Students:

What Online Students Want to Tell New Online Students

• Online learning is time consuming.  Many students believe that online learning is more work than in-house learning.  It may not take more total time since you don’t have to drive to class, find a place to park, and sit in class, but it should seem that you are spending more time than what you are used to in terms of “homework.”  Reading and writing always take longer than talking and listening.
• It helps to be clear about your technical skills.  Take the sample course or talk with the professor ahead of time and make sure your computer, keyboarding, email, and attachment skills will support your learning online.
• Choose your professors wisely.  Just like an in-house class, some professors are better than others at teaching online.  “This is far and away the best of the 5 online courses I have taken.  The instruction quality made the biggest difference.”
• Your ability to interact on line may be constrained by your writing and typing abilities.
• Online courses require self-discipline.  Even when there are definite deadlines, you must make yourself go do the work.
• Online learning gets easier after you get used to it.

Most online classes use a threaded discussion forum or bulletin board for class discussions.

What Makes a Successful Online Student?

1. Be open minded about sharing life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process.
2. Be able to communicate through writing.
3. Be Self-motivated and self-disciplined.
4. Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise.
5. Be willing and able to commit to 4 to 15 hours per week per course.
6. Be able to meet the minimum requirements for the program.
7. Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process.
8. Have access to a computer and a modem.
9. Be able to think ideas through before responding.
10.  Feel that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom.

The online learning process is normally accelerated and requires commitment on the student’s part. Staying up with the class and completing all work on time is vital. Once a student gets behind, it is almost impossible to catch up. Basically, the student needs to want to be there, and needs to want the experience.

Course Objectives:

PREREQUISITE: CIS 146 or permission of instructor.  This course is a continuation of CIS 146 in which students utilize the advanced features of topics in CIS 146 and introduce additional topics of office suite software. Advanced features of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation packages among other topics are generally incorporated into the course and are to be applied to situations found in society and business.  Upon completion, the student should be able to apply the advanced features of selected software appropriately to typical problems found in society and business.

Text/Materials:

Text: Microsoft Office 2007: Advanced Concepts and Techniques

Hardcover, spiral-bound; ISBN-10: 1-4188-4333-4; ISBN-13: 978-1-4188-4333-5)

Computer and Microsoft Office 2007 software. If you do not have a computer with this software package you will either have to purchase the required material, complete assignments on campus, or withdraw from the course.

COURSE GRADING:

The final course grade will be based on the outcome of the four exams, lab projects, class discussion and attendance.  Grades will be: A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 65-69, and F = 0-64. Breakout for Grade is as follows:

Review Tests          70%
(Found in Blackboard under “Tests and Quizzes”)

Book Assignments   15%
(Instructor will notify you of assignments that will be turned in)

Final Exam              15%
(Final will be On Campus)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Students will be expected to perform tasks using typical features of office suites, such as word processing, spreadsheets, database systems, and other features found in current software packages.  Upon completion, students will be able to utilize selected features of these packages. 

You are required to work thru the book assignments as well as all blackboard assignments. Save the book assignments as they may be collected by instructor during semeswter.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments from the textbook:

Completion Date

1. Word

all 3 projects completed by:

Chapter Four – Creating a document

Chapter Five – Generating form letters

Chapter – Creating a professional newsletter

 June 24

all 3 projects completed by:

Chapter Four – Financial functions

Chapter Five – Creating, sorting, etc.

Chapter Six – Creating templates, etc.

all 3 projects completed  by:

Chapter Three – Creating a presentation.
Chapter Four – Information Graphics
Collaboration Feature

Chapter Four – Creating Reports         

Chapter 5 – Multi table Forms
 

BLACKBOARD ASSIGNMENTS:

I will extensively use the discussion board in this area for answering questions. I encourage (extra points) students to help other students. Areas will be set up for you to post questions concerning the material from the book. It is the student’s responsibility to check the discussion area and you’re emails on a DAILY basis.

**** Go to discussion board and complete the following assignments: Ensure you complete the 2 discussions because this is the only way of verifying you have started the course. Failure to complete these assignments may result in the instructor assigning you as a “No Show” when completing the course attendance verification. This could affect your financial aid and/or successful completion of the course.

DISCUSSION BOARD: 

Due Date:

May 28 - Discussion 1 -

As students progress through coursework, you will develop professional friendships that hopefully will form collegial relationships that will last a lifetime.  It helps to get to know each other more.  In this first discussion, tell us more about YOU (just tell us what you feel comfortable telling us!) what program are you in, why you chose this program; and your future goals (they may change) after you complete your degree program.  If possible, and you feel comfortable, attach a .jpg photo of yourself to the discussion so we can throughout the semester, continue to put a name with a face.

May 30 – Discussion 2 –

Write 2 paragraphs and post to the discussion board (discussion 2) explaining your comprehension of:

“What Online Students Want to Tell New Online Students” and

“What Makes a Successful Online Student?” 

** Students are required to read all postings and reply with your thoughts.

Online Review Tests can be found under “Test and Quizzes”. You are required to complete each of these tests under the various sections. Your grades will be automatically posted and these grades will be used in determining your final grade.

***All assignments MUST be completed by August 1, 2008. No work will be accepted after that date.