Syllabus -- CS 140 Introduction to Computers

Welcome to Introduction to Computers (CS 140) at the virtual campus. This course has a focus on the understanding of computing with personal computers. Hardware, software and the Internet are described. During the course you can determine what level of computer expertise is needed for your professional career and what is necessary to prepare for more advanced computer courses. And you will learn of the special computing needs of today's global, diverse, and high-technology society. When you have successfully completed this course your basic knowledge and computer skills necessary for professional employment will have been demonstrated. We will utilize Microsoft Word 97, Microsoft Excel 97, Microsoft Access 97, Microsoft PowerPoint 97, Microsoft Outlook 97, and t-538-72132-4)

During Week 1, we will define what a computer is, and what computers do. We will describe data and information, discuss system software and application software, and review Local Area Networks and Wide Area Networks. Also, we will explain how to purchase, install and maintain a personal computer system. Internet terminology will be introduced along with an overview of basic Internet applications such as e-mail, FTP, Telnet, news groups, Gopher and the World Wide Web. The technical issues associated with connecting to the Internet will be discussed. Our on-line discussions will help you become familiar with the on- line environment, learn what we hope to achieve during this course, and understand general guidelines and expectations regarding the final examination which will occur during week seven of the course.

During Week 2, we'll introduce Microsoft Windows 95. The concepts and terminology of Windows will be introduced. We will describe how to communicate with Windows using the mouse and keyboard. Also we will introduce Windows Explorer. Topics will include formatting a diskette, along with copying, renaming and deleting files. Also, during week 2, we will introduce Microsoft Office 97 and Microsoft Office products. Finally, during week 2, we will explain how to use Eudora, a widely used Windows based e-mail program. Also during week 2 you will need to make arrangements for someone to proctor the final exam during week 7.  The proctor form is displayed below.

During Week 3, detailed instruction on how to use Microsoft Word 97 will be covered. The material is divided into two projects. Project 1 introduces Word terminology and the Word Window through an exercise of preparing a cover letter for a resume. Topics include starting and quitting Word, entering text, saving a document, along with selecting characters, lines and paragraphs. Also topics include centering, bolding, italicizing and changing the font and font size of selected text. In Project 2, the a resume and cover letter are created. In this exercise topics include text alignment, borders, AutoText, TAB, and print preview.

During Week 4, we will continue Microsoft Word 97 instruction. The MLA style of documentation is used to create a research paper. Topics include headers, page numbering, centering text, AutoCorrect and page breaks. Also, during week 4, an overview of news groups found on the Internet will be provided. Examples show how to use the tools and find information about a multitude of topics as well as how to respond to areas of interest. File Transfer Protocol and Telenet will be described.   During this week we study how to prepare a resume.   In this exercise topics include text alignment, borders, AutoText, TAB, and print preview.

During Week 5, detailed instructions for using Microsoft Excel 97 are given using three projects. In Project 1 a basic worksheet is built. Topics include starting and exiting Excel, entering text and numbers, selecting a range, AutoSum, AutoFormat and the Chart Wizard button. In project 2, formulas and functions are used to build a worksheet. Topics include entering formulas and using AVERAGE, MAX and MIN. Project 3 includes learning how to work with larger worksheets, how to create worksheets based on assumptions, how to use the IF function, absolute references, and how to perform what-if-analysis. The student will prepare an Excel project utilizing the concepts covered.

During Week 6, detailed instruction for using Microsoft Access 97 are provided. The project exercise creates a database and includes defining fields, adding records, and printing a table. Also we will cover how World Wide Web services that can be used with hypertext and multimedia data. A section about searching for information on the Web is included.  The student will prepare an Access project utilizing the concepts covered.

During Week 7, you will take in person an examination at one of the Park College sites around the country or at an alternative location approved by the college where Park College sites are not available. You will be responsible to arrange for a proctor who will be accepted and approved by the instructor. For those proctored examinations, photo identification is required. Park College site administrators or adjunct faculty members are preferred, but K-12 school officials or senior personnel at the place of employment are usually acceptable. Approved proctors shall include pastors, chaplains, U.S. Embassy officials, military education officers, any college or university faculty member or administrator. Excluded from approval as proctors shall be family members, neighbors, friends, and immediate supervisors. You should print the following form and provide it to your proctor as soon as possible after the course begins in order to take the final examination in Week 7.

PARK COLLEGE Internet Examination Proctor Form:

Course____________________________ Term _________________________________ Student Name ____________________________ Student Number _________________ Relationship of proctor to student _____________________________________________ Years known _______________ As proctor, I agree to identify the student via photo identification and to ensure that the work done by the student will be completed according to the instructions prepared by the instructor. I agree to proctor:__________________________________ (Proctor Signature) Date____________________ Proctor: Please send this form to the instructor at the address above. Instructor: At the completion of this course, please forward a copy of this form to the Distance Learning Office, School for Extended Learning, Park College.

During Week 8, Microsoft Power Point 97 is covered. Power Point is a graphics presentation application. Also a section dealing with changing Web browser options, retrieving and playing multimedia files, sending mail with the browser, working with bookmarks and retrieving news group postings is included. In addition integrating Office 97 applications is explained. Finally we will study the future of the Internet with emerging areas of personal and business applications highlighted. The session is ended using your browser to complete the Student Opinion Survey.

Course Objectives:

After you have completed this course, you should be able to:

• Understand and apply techniques to utilize the Internet.
• Understand the fundamentals of Microsoft Windows 97, Mieware, which allows students to participate at any time, from any location. Because of this flexibility, it is important to plan your time carefully. Students are expected to sign in to the class conference forum (your "virtual classroom") and participate in discussions and other activities at least four times per week. You should expect to spend a minimum of four hours per class week on-line -- the same amount of time you'd spend in the physical classroom. You'll be sending and receiving E-mail, performing on-line research and participating in Web explorations and "tours," and interacting socially and professionally with classmates. See Ground Rules for On-Line Participation for additional guidance.

  A class week is defined as the period of time between Monday and Sunday. The first week begins the first day of the semester and ends midnight the following Sunday. Assignments scheduled for completion during a class week should be completed by Sunday of the week assigned. Weekly assignments should be completed and successfully submitted, or postmarked, so that they are in my hands on the due date. NOTE: Because this is an on-line course designed to get feedback on assignments to you directly via Internet, you must make prior arrangements with me before submitting a paper via fax or the postal service. If you ever have problems transmitting your assignments to me, telephone me immediately, and we'll get the problem solved. Ground Rules for On-line Participation Students should use E-Mail for private messages to the instructor and other students.   After submitting responses to the conference discussion be sure to confirm the threads were posted in the conference area.  Also be sure the default in the options section of the threads is set to 90 days or more.  If it's not some of the threads in the conference area may start disappearing from view. 

  The Class Conference is for public messages. Students are expected to complete 4 hours per week of conferencing or other appropriate on-line activities, including sending/receiving E-mail and navigating and conducting research over the World Wide Web. All students will participate in conference discussion. Conventions of "on-line etiquette," which include courtesy to all users, will be observed. Students may get assistance with computer-related problems through the instructor. Students will normally submit assignments as Microsoft Office files saved to the computer and routed to the instructor. Assignments may be submitted via the postal service or fax only if arrangements are made with the instructor beforehand.   Be sure to keep electronic file copies of all materials submitted until after the end of the term as some disappear in cyberspace from time to time. 

  ACADEMIC HONESTY:

  Park College policies are in effect. All your work must be your own, unless I authorize collaboration, in which case you must, in writing, acknowledge the help you have received. Presenting as one's own the words, ideas, or expression of another in any form is cheating through plagiarism, and will not be tolerated. The claim of ignorance is no excuse. GRADING POLICY: A. General. You will be able to track your average exactly throughout the course. The grading scale is as follows: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = 0-59. The exam will count 40% of your total grade. You will know in advance the standards for each assignment. Each student is responsible for: Completing weekly reading assignments. Completing weekly written assignments. Completing a weekly 'lessons learned' message. Participating in online discussions. Completing a Final Examination. Completing the Student Opinion Survey.

  Grades

  Weekly projects are worth 25% of the final class iques: COM 1-COM 32;

• Required Reading: Understanding and Using the Internet: Unit 1, Unit 2;
• Written Assignments: Using the form on page COM 24 as a guide,  complete a system cost comparison worksheet on three different computer systems.  Select one system from each of three different companies.  Use only information you obtain via the internet and list the website addresses where you get thents listed by the instructor on the class web page for week 1.