0 ITE 100 Distance Learning Guide Fall 2013

7/30/2019 0 ITE 100 Distance Learning Guide Fall 2013

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Distance Learning Guidefor

ITE 100-40

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Instructor: Debbie W. RasnickFall 2013


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ITE 100-RasnickFall 2013

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WWeellccoommee!!

Welcome to ITE 100! This course is designed to give you a solid understanding of the manydifferent facets of computing today. The coverage is very broad so even if you have used acomputer before, you will discover new terms and concepts in this course. Since you are enrolled

in the independent learning section of this course, you will be able to work on this course at a timeand place that best suits your needs instead of at a prescribed meeting time and location likemore traditional classes.

The Computer Concepts textbook is bundled with an eBookonCD that contains videos,animations, labs, and practice tests to support the readings in the text. You should also haveanother book called Practical Microsoft Office 2013 and a supplement forWindows 7. ThePractical Office book has an interactive CD that we will be using for some lab work to learn Wordand Excel. You dont have to have Word 2013 and Excel 2013 installed on your computer to usethis CD, but you will need access to it to do a couple of the assignments. You can use the CD inthe book bundle to install a trial copy of Office 2013 on your home computer or else you will needto make sure you spend a little time on the computers in the Learning Center to complete a fewassignments.

There will be ample opportunity for you to interact with the instructor. Please feel free to email mewith any questions or concerns at any time. I promise to respond within twenty-four hours (usuallyless) during weekdays. In order to keep my email system organized, I ask that you put ITE 100-40 (no quotes, one space before 100 and a hyphen after) in the subject line of allcorrespondence. You can put other words too, but make sure you include the ITE 100-40.

We will use an online tool called Blackboard for class communication. This system will allow youto access information about assignments, due dates, specific objectives, etc. Be sure to check thesite regularly as it may contain additional directions or corrections to the book that you will finduseful.

We will be using the Discussion Board feature of Blackboard quite a bit. It will allow us to postquestions and comments so that all class members can participate in a discussion forum. In fact,

your first assignment is to post to the Introductions forum so that we can get to know each other.

Of course, electronic communication is not the only way to go. Feel free to come by during myoffice hours or use SignUpGenius (see link under Faculty Information on Blackboard) to make anappointment. If you need me to demonstrate a concept to you, I will be happy to do so. We caneven use Collaborate to set up an online demonstration, if needed.

You will be taking four tests in this course. Please refer to the enclosed Course of Study to seewhich chapters will be addressed on each test. Also, refer to the tentative weekly schedule to seewhich weeks these tests will be given. They will be multiple-choice and they will be taken on aVHCC computer in a secure environment. Please see the specific objectives for each unit (to beposted in the Unit area on the Blackboard site) to determine the scope of the test and use theseobjectives as a study guide to prepare for each test.

And finally, please review this entire packet. If you have any questions, please contact me. I enjoyteaching this course in an independent learning format. I hope that you will find it truly beneficial.Im looking forward to hearing from you in your first posting to the Discussion Board!


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VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

COURSE OF STUDYInstructor: Rasnick

Course Number and Title

ITE 100 Introduction to Information Systems (3 Credits)

Course Description

Covers the fundamentals of computers and computing and topics which include impact ofcomputers on society, ethical issues, and terminology. Provides discussion aboutavailable hardware and software as well as their application. Lecture 3 hours per week.

Broad Goals of the Course

The student will be able to:(Communication) 1) Use correctly the vocabulary of the computer industry.(Information Literacy) 2) Describe digital electronics.(Information Literacy) 3) Identify the function and operation of computer hardware

components.(Information Literacy) 4) Select a computer system.(Information Literacy) 5) Select appropriate computer-based tools to perform

specific tasks.(Information Literacy/Quantitative Reasoning)

6) Demonstrate use of productivity tools: word processingand spreadsheet software.

(Information Literacy) 7) Identify and use operating systems.(Information Literacy) 8) Manage files efficiently.(Information Literacy) 9) Explain basic networking concepts.(Critical Thinking) 10) Analyze and compare Internet access options.(Information Literacy) 11) Explore technologies used on the Web.(Communication/Information Literacy)

12) Demonstrate use of communication tools: email,discussion forums, etc.

(Information Literacy) 13) Examine digital media.(Critical Thinking) 14) Analyze computer security issues.(Cultural and SocialUnderstanding)

15) Explain the impact of computers on society: problems andsolutions.

Specific Objectives

The instructor will electronically post specific objectives for each unit during the semester.These will serve as a study guide to prepare you for your tests.

Instructor

Debbie W. Rasnick

Phone: (276) 739-2503Email address: [email protected] Page: http://www.vhcc.edu/drasnickBlackboard: Login through myVHCC (preferred method) orhttp://learn.vccs.eduOffice Hours: See hours posted on office door (room LRC-211) and on Blackboard.

Use the SignUpGenius link on Blackboard to make an appointment.Email Note: All correspondence sent to the instructor concerning this course

should have ITE 100-40 in the subject line
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.vhcc.edu/drasnickhttp://www.vhcc.edu/drasnickhttp://learn.vccs.edu/http://learn.vccs.edu/http://learn.vccs.edu/http://learn.vccs.edu/http://www.vhcc.edu/drasnickmailto:[email protected]


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Course Prerequisites

Although there is no prerequisite for this course, you should feel comfortable using emailand web browsers since you are taking this as a distance course. If you have previouslytaken the FAST (Freshman Achieving Success through Technology) assessment duringorientation, you should have scored 70% or better. To refresh your skills, be sure toreview the Orientation chapter in your textbook which reviews basic skills.

Required Instructional Materials

The bookstore sells all components as a bundle at a reduced price. If you buy the componentsseparately, be sure to go towww.vhcc.edu/drasnickand get the specific ISBN numbers.Required Texts/CDs: New Perspectives on Com puter Concepts 2013: Introd ucto ry,

15thEdition, 2013 Parsons, Oja with eBookonCD

Practical Microsoft Office 2013, 1st Edition2014 Parsons, Oja, with BookOnCD

Microsof t Window s7: Illustrated Essentials, 1st Edition2010 Barbara Clemens

Hardware: Access to a Windows-based PCs with a CD drive requiredSoftware: Word 2013, Excel 2013, Windows (7 or 8)If you dont have Word 2013

and Excel 2013 on your computer, you can install the trial version ofOffice 2013 included in the book bundle or use the computers located inthe Library/Learning Center on campus to complete these exercises.

Required: Flash Drive for storing workOther: Interactive Labs, Animations, Blackboard (you will have access to these)

Note: Textbook is on reserve in the library for students that have not been able to purchase theirtextbook yet. It can only be used in the library.

Criteria for Student Grading

Unit Tests (4 @ 100 pts) plus Quizzes for extra points 400 pts (80%)

Unit 1: Chapter 1 Computers and Digital Basics

Chapter 2 Computer HardwareUnit 2: Chapter 3 Software

Windows Exploring the Basics

Word 2013 Creating, Formatting, and Finalizing Documents

Unit 3: Excel 2013 Creating, Formatting and Finalizing Worksheets

Chapter 4 Operating Systems and File Management

Windows Working with Files

Unit 4: Chapter 5 Local Area Networks

Chapter 6 The Internet

Chapter 7 The Web and E-mail

Chapter 8 Digital Media

Labs and Projects 100 pts (20%)

500 pts (100%)

Your final grade will be determined by the following scale:

Points Grade

450-500 A

400-449 B

350-399 C

300-349 D

Below 300 F
http://www.vhcc.edu/drasnickhttp://www.vhcc.edu/drasnickhttp://www.vhcc.edu/drasnickhttp://www.vhcc.edu/drasnick


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Challenges to final grades should be made in writing directly to the instructor no later than ten(10) calendar days after the first day of class of the next semester. If the student is unable tocontact the instructor directly or cannot come to an agreement with the instructor of record, theDean of Business, Humanities and Science should be notified in writing.

Methods of Instruction

Textbook readings, animations, and interactive questionsDiscussion Forum postings and Collaborate sessionsSimulated LabsInteractive training and hands-on, practical exercisesQuizzes

Attendance Policy

Since this is an independent learning class, there is no required attendance. Instead, it willbe up to you to make sure that you respond to the instructors emails, submit assignmentswhen due, and take the tests on the scheduled days. If your email system is down for anyextended amount of time or you have trouble accessing the Blackboard site, you mustcontact the instructor to let her know about the problem. In the event that no contact is

made, you will receive zeros for the assigned work.

Administrative Withdrawal

You may be withdrawn from the course if you miss important deadlines, do notcommunicate with the instructor on a regular basis, and/or miss a test.

Reminder: Last day to drop the course and receive a refund is September 12th.

Last day to withdraw without academic penalty is November 5th.

Tests

All tests for this class will be administered in the Testing Center. Each test will consist of

50 multiple choice questions and they will be taken on Blackboard in a proctored setting.You will take the tests on Monday through Friday of the week that it is scheduled (seeschedule on last page of this document.). The instructor will take reservations for yourtesting time. Please make sure to respond to her requests for reservations in a timelymanner. If an emergency arises and you are unable to come at the appointed time, you

must notify the instructorimmediately (day of the test, but no later). If you have anacceptable reason for missing the test, she will schedule a make-up test; otherwise, agrade of zero will be recorded. All approved make-ups will be given at the end of thesemester and they will be more challenging than the original test.

Keyboarding Skills

Since many of the assignments require you to enter text efficiently, proficiency in

keyboarding is strongly encouraged. Students may enroll in an AST course to upgradeyour keyboarding skills.

Students with Disabilities

Students are encouraged to discuss any special problems, needs or accommodationswith the instructor during the first week of class. If you have a disability or other need forreasonable accommodation in order to successfully complete the requirements of thiscourse, please contact ADA Coordinator, Karen Copenhaver ([email protected],ISC 124, 739-2404, Office hours M-F 8:30-5:00) to discuss this matter confidentially.


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Assignments

You will be completing various lab and homework assignments throughout the semester.These will include exercises on word processing, spreadsheets, Internet, Windows, etc.All of the assignments for the semester will be posted on Blackboard under the Unitnumber. Each posting will outline what needs to be completed and give a due date for theproject. The due date is also posted in the Calendar on Blackboard. Use the ActivitiesChecklist posted in the Syllabus area to help keep track of your due dates. You willreceive points towards your Labs and Projects grade for completing these andsubmitting them by the due date.

Class Communication

We will be using Blackboard and Student Email to facilitate class communication. You willbe given a page of instructions that describes how to access these systems. We will usesome of the class meeting to demonstrate Blackboards features. You will receiveinstructions (via the Announcements page) about posting an introductory message to theDiscussion Board before the end of the first week of classes.

Class information including handouts, due dates, helpful hints, etc. will be posted on the

Blackboard site for this course. You may also receive information via email. Rememberto check the Blackboard site and your student email at least every two to three days.

Correspondence

Students are expected to correspond with the instructor in a business-like fashion. Thismeans that the student will use proper upper/lowercase letters, avoid excessiveabbreviations and misspellings, and use a respectful tone when communicating via email.Please refer to page 399 in your textbook for a list of basic netiquette guidelines.

Interaction with Other Students

You have access to a few tools that will allow you to interact with other students in the

class. You can participate in Discussion Forums in Blackboard where you post acomment and check back later to see what others have said. (Note: You can Subscr ibeto a Discussion Forum so you get an email alert whenever anyone posts to it.) Also, youcan email another student in the class through Blackboard.

Technical Problems

To help resolve problems with Blackboard or your email, contact the VHCC Help Desk bycalling 276-739-2550 or [email protected]. Please note that problems relatedto the course materials and other academic matters must be handled through yourinstructor. The Help Desk is responsible for technical problems with VHCCs computersystems.

If you experience a technical problem with your home computer or Internet service, it isyour responsibility to seek outside assistance in fixing that problem. If you are unable toresolve the problem in a timely manner, you should plan to complete your work usingVHCC computers. Please make sure that you dont get behind and miss any deadlines.Rememberyou should contact the instructor to inform her about the situation if you cantget the problem fixed quickly.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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VHCC Alert

You should consider signing up for the VHCC emergency messaging system. This workswith email, cell phone text messaging (your cell phone text rates will apply), etc. Go towww.vhcc.eduand click on the VHCC Alert link (at the top) for more details and options.

Feedback from the Instructor

When you send an assignment to the instructor through Blackboard, she will grade yourwork and post your points/feedback in the Grade Center on Blackboard. An exclamationpoint in the Grade Center indicates that you have submitted your work throughBlackboard but it still needs to be graded. When you send tracking data throughWebtrack (outside of Blackboard), the instructor will post students points in the GradeCenter within a day or two of the due date. If you have submitted work through Webtrackand dont see your points posted within three days after the due date, contact theinstructor and you may be instructed to resend the assignment. Other projects submittedthrough Blackboard (such as writings, reports, discussions, Word, and Excel) will takelonger to grade. You can expect feedback within a week of the due date for these

activities.

Most assignments will be worth 5 or 10 points (See the Activities Checklist posted underthe Syllabus area for a breakdown of points.). By the end of the semester, you shouldhave accumulated close to 100 points for your projects grade if you do all your work. You

have access to yourgrades only using the My Grades link on Blackboard.

Academic Misconduct

Any type of academic misconduct (such as plagiarism, offering or soliciting information ona test, inappropriate copying of disks/files, etc.) is prohibited. In order to know your rightsand responsibilities, I suggest you refer to the Student Conduct section of yourCatalogand Student Handbookwhich is available atwww.vhcc.eduunder Current Students =>

Academic Resources => Catalog => Student Policies & Services => Student Conduct.

Unfortunately, your instructor has had to deal with a few cases of cheating in the past.Make sure you do your own work. It is the honest thing to do; the best way to prepare forthe test; and it will assure that you avoid the consequences of getting caught cheating!

Comments and Suggestions

Please feel free to offer any comments or suggestions about the structure and content ofthis course. Your opinions are always welcome.

Course Evaluations

You may receive an email asking you to complete online evaluations of the course and/orthe instructor. Your responses are anonymous. They will help to improve the course forfuture students so be sure to complete these evaluations when instructed. Thanks
http://www.vhcc.edu/http://www.vhcc.edu/http://www.vhcc.edu/http://www.vhcc.edu/http://www.vhcc.edu/http://www.vhcc.edu/http://www.vhcc.edu/


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College-wide Emergency

In the event of a College-wide emergency, course requirements, classes, deadlines, andgrading schemes are subject to changes that may include alternative delivery methods,alternative methods of interaction with the instructor, class materials, and/or classmates,

a revised attendance policy, and a revised semester calendar and/or grading scheme.

In the case of a College-wide emergency, please refer to the following about changes inthis course:

Course web page: Blackboard course access via myVHCC orhttp://learn.vccs.edu(in case VHCC website is down)

Instructors email:[email protected] Instructors chosen emergency telephone number: (276)739-2503 (This is my

office number but I can check it remotely and voicemails are forwarded to myemail system.)

For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to:

Web sitewww.vhcc.edu Telephone Number - 276-739-2400 Emergency Text Messaging or Phone System- Virginia Highlands Community

College uses VHCC Alert to immediately contact you during a major crisis or

emergency. VHCC Alert delivers important emergency alerts, notifications and

updates to you on your E-mail account (work, home, other), cell phone, pager or

Smartphone/PDA. VHCC Alert is a free service offered by VHCC. Your wireless

carrier may charge you a fee to receive messages on your wireless device.

VHCC will test the alert system each semester. Register online at

alert.vhcc.edu or by sending atext message to 411911 keyword: VHCC

In the event of an extended emergency, this class will:

Continue to communicate through the Blackboard course and student email. If you donthave Internet access at home, please call the office number listed above and give theinstructor a number where you can be reached. She will return your call to discussalternate plans for communication during the extended emergency.
http://learn.vccs.edu/http://learn.vccs.edu/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.vhcc.edu/http://www.vhcc.edu/http://www.vhcc.edu/http://www.vhcc.edu/mailto:[email protected]://learn.vccs.edu/


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Tentative Weekly Schedule for ITE 100Fall 2013

Week Assignments

1. Aug 26-30 Course Introduction; Syllabus Quiz; Post to Discussion Board;Complete Orientation chapter; Start Chapter 1:

2. Sep 2-6(off Mon)

Finish Chapter 1: Computers and Digital BasicsComplete Chapter 1 Labs

3. Sep 9-13 Chapter 2: Computer HardwareComplete Chapter 2 Labs

4. Sep 16-20 Test #1(Must make a testing reservation reply to email sent a week orso prior to test week.)

5. Sep 23-27 Chapter 3: SoftwareComplete Chapter 3 Labs

6. Sep 30 -Oct 4

Windows: Getting Started with Applications Software

7. Oct 7-11(off Tues)

Word 2013: Creating, Formatting, and Finalizing Documents

8. Oct 14-18 Test #2(Must make a testing reservation reply to email)

9. Oct 21-25 Excel 2013: Creating, Formatting, and Finalizing Worksheets

10. Oct 28 -Nov 1

Chapter 4: Operating Systems and File ManagementComplete Chapter 4 Labs

11. Nov 4-8 Windows: Working with Files

12. Nov 11-15 Test #3(Must make a testing reservation reply to email)

13. Nov 18-22 Chapter 5: Local Area NetworksChapter 6: The Internet

14. Nov 25-29(off W/Th/F)

Complete Chapter 5 and 6 Labs

15. Dec 2-6 Chapter 7: The Web and E-mailChapter 8: Digital Media

16. Dec 9-13 Complete Chapter 7 and 8 LabsReview for Test

17. ExamsDec 16-19

Test #4 (Must make a testing reservation reply to email toschedule your exam during exam week)