 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the most popular microcomputer applications. Primary emphasis is placed on the word processing, spreadsheet, database management, and presentation graphics applications of Microsoft Office 2003. Students will obtain a functional understanding of each application by working on a variety of assignments. Ultimately, students should be able to use this knowledge to develop similar applications for work-related tasks as well as for other college courses.
-
Students will use Microsoft Word to create, edit, revise, and refine documents as well as create outlines, reports and tables.
- Students will use Microsoft Excel to create and edit worksheets, chart data, and manage and analyze large workbooks.
- Students will use Microsoft Access to create, modify, query and produce reports from databases.
- Students will use Microsoft PowerPoint to build, edit, and enhance presentations.
- Student will learn how to copy, paste and link objects from one application to another.
Students with no prior software applications experience are encouraged to take one of the following before taking this course: CSI 110, CSI 112, or CSI 113. No time is spent going over Windows basics. Students must know how to create directories and how to copy and manage files.
This course moves very quickly through the various concepts of each application package (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint). Each series of concepts is presented as a lab and there are three to four labs for each application. The Practice Exercises that you are assigned, while difficult in some cases and not so difficult in others, are quite time-consuming. You will find the course very difficult if are not able to complete these exercises as scheduled. In most cases, the exercises will build on one another so you must complete one lab before beginning the next. Make every effort to stay ahead. Should you fall behind, please be sure to contact me via WebCT as quickly as possible so that I may assist you.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Practice exercises in the textbook are called "Hands On Exercises", "step-by- step", and are assigned on a weekly basis. These exercises are found at the end of each lab which you will have one week to complete. The exercises that you are assigned are listed at the bottom of each assignment sheet (See "Assignment Sheet" link). I also try to list any textbook errors on this sheet as well. If you come across something that you think is an error, please let me know (email) so that I can get it on the assignment sheet. The practice exercises should be emailed as one lab project to be submitted no later than the final due date for that application (See "Course Schedule" link). Practice exercises should NOT be broken up as individual emails for each exercise assigned for that lab. For example, do not email "Word Lab 1, Exercise 3". You should email all of the assigned Word Lab exercises as one email with "Lab 1, Exercise 2", "Lab 1, Exercise 3", "Lab 1, Exercise 4", "Lab 1, Exercise 5","Lab 2, Exercise 1", etc. as attachments or you can choose to submit the attachments using the actual filenames as specified in the exercise.
*If you know how to zip files, you may zip your files into a folder and submit the zipped folder as a single attachment (use the application as the name of the folder--e.g. Word.zip, Excel.zip). Zipping files makes the process of sending labs considerably easier, particularly when there are many files to be attached.. To find out how to zip files, search in the Windows Help feature.
Important Note: If you are not sure if your message was sent, go to E-Mail and click on the "Outbox" link. If you see your message listed there, you can be sure it was sent.
DOWNLOADING DATA FILES: When doing your practice exercises, you will be asked to open existing data files. You need to download the files from the publisher's website. It is a good idea to download all of the files for the entire semester instead of on an "as you need them" basis. Go to www.mhhe.com/oleary and click on our textbook, You will see a link in the lower left corner for the OLC (Online Learning Center), Student Edition. Click that link and then you will see a link for "Student Data Files". Click that link and you will be able to download the data files to your hard disk.
EXAMS:
You will have an exam at the end of each application series. The course schedule lists the time frame in which the exams need to be taken. The exams will be taken online using the SAM 2003 assessment software. You must install this program--see instructions below for installation. The exams may be taken only one time, so do not try to "preview" the exam ahead of time. Once you launch the exam, it must be completed within the time limit of approximately 1 hour.
The exams are skills assessments that requires you to complete 25 tasks worth 100 points, applying the skills learned in the chapters on the application which you are being tested. In preparation for exams, you should review all skills in all labs for that application. Keep in mind that even though a skill may not have been required in the assigned practice exercises, it could appear on the examination. Although you may use your text as a reference, you are limited to 3 attempts at completing a particular task, and your overall time is limited 1 hour. If you are not familiar with the commands and features of the software, you will find it difficult to complete the tasks within the attempt limit and time constraints.
SAM measures your proficiency at performing tasks in a specific application program. The application program is simulated, so if you are using a different version of the application program for this course, it is not a problem on the exams. The SAM packet contains a Key Code which you must have in order to set up a student account that permits you to take the exams in SAM. This code is unique for each user, and therefore each student must have their own software packet. Below are instructions for installing SAM and for completing an online tutorial which instructs you in the setup and use of SAM. You perform the installation setup ONLY ONCE. After the setup, you simply login with the name and password you use in the initial setup of the SAM program. If you have problems installing or using the SAM program, you should call SAM technical help at 1-800-648-7450.
Note: If you installed SAM in a previous semester, you do not need to reinstall the program, but you may need to send for the update CD for version 3.0.
INSTALLING SAM:
1. Place the SAM CD in the CD drive of your computer.
2. Click on Start on the Windows Taskbar, then click on Run.
3. In the Run dialog box, click on the Browse button.
4. Change to the letter of your CD drive.
5. Double-click on Setup.exe.
6. Click OK in the Run dialog box.
7. Click on Install SAM and then follow the directions on the screen. Accept all default settings.
Information required:
- Institution Key - S3070980
- Student Key Code - on the SAM CD package that you purchased
- User name (suggested) - use the same user name as MyAACC (first, second initial, last name)
- Password (suggested) - use the same password as MyAACC
To learn how to login and use SAM once it is installed, go to http://samcentral.course.com, click on "SAM 2003" on the left, click on "Tutorials" on the left, click on "SAM Quick Start Student Tutorial", and then click on "Start Tutorial" and complete the tutorial for each of the sections listed:
-
Initial Log in to SAM 2003
-
Join a section
-
Take an exam
-
View exam results and create reports
-
Logout of SAM 2003
TROUBLESHOOTING NOTES:
- O'Leary, Timothy J. and Linda I. O'Leary. Microsoft Office 2003, Volume 1, New York; McGraw-Hill, 2004.
- SAM 2003 Assessment Software.
- Microsoft Office 2003 (Click on the "Remote Access" icon under "Course Content and Related Materials" if you do not have the software and contact the AACC Help Desk at 410-777-HELP if you have any trouble)
- Pentium Windows-based computer system.
- An Internet Service Provider.
· Check your hard drive location C:\ Program Files in My Computer to be certain you have a folder named Course Technology. If you do not have this folder, you have not installed SAM correctly and you will not be able to save your exam when you complete it. Reinstall SAM and be sure you have the above mentioned folder.
· BEFORE TAKING ANY EXAM IN SAM, FIRST DELETE YOUR INTERNET TEMP FILES. To do this, in your browser go to Tools, Internet Options, and on the General tab, click "Delete Files" under the "Temporary Internet Files" section. If you don't do this, you may not be able to complete or save an exam.
· Make certain you are using Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher for your browser. If you are an AOL user, you must first launch Internet Explorer before using SAM.
· Turn off your Pop-up blocker. To do this, click on Tools, Internet Options, click on the Private tab, and then if you see a check mark next to Pop-up blocker toward the bottom, remove the check mark.
· If you are using a personal firewall, you will have to temporarily disable it to use SAM. Check your virus scanning program to see if a firewall has been installed (go to the link at the top of this section for directions for removing a firewall).
· Be sure you joined your class section. If you do not see any exams available, you have probably forgotten to "Join a Section". Go back to the SAM tutorial (see the web site address above) and read the directions for joining a section.
If you follow all of the trouble-shooting tips and you STILL can't access an exam/quiz or view your results, then you must take the exam at either the TESTING CENTER on the Arnold Campus or in the CALT building in one of the CSI labs on the second floor. If you go to the Testing Center, it is important to call ahead and let them know you that you simply want to use the SAM testing program to complete an exam for an online class for which you have the password and for which you are allowed to use your text and notes. If you find it necessary to go to the Testing Center, it is a good idea to have this syllabus to show to the staff at the desk.
If you have not used WebCT before, please click on "Distance Learning" on the side bar of this page. Once there, you can click on "Online Courses" and then "Student Guide to WebCt". This will provide complete instructions for accessing your course/materials using WebCT. When you have read through the instructions, return to this page and continue below.
If you are familar with WebCT, the course schedule (See "Course Schedule/Important Dates link) lists the lecture topics and reading assignments (labs). You are expected to have completed the readings (I strongly advise working through the lab) before starting your hands-on practice exercises. You may use my "Lecture Notes" to help you along as you read through the labs. After reading/working through the lab, you may click on the "Assignment Sheet" link and then "Word Assignment Sheet" to begin your first series of practice exercises.
Course Policy
This is NOT A SELF-PACED CLASS. You must meet all deadlines listed on your "Course Schedule". Exams must be taken during the specified time frame. Otherwise, failure to take the exam will result in a grade of 0. All practice exercises for each lab (Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint) must be emailed by the final date of the examination time frame for that particular application. Failure to turn in the lab project on time will result in a 10 point deduction for each week. Any fraction of a week counts as an entire week. If you miss any of the deadlines listed on the Course Schedule, catch up as quickly as possible! Otherwise, you will have difficulty completing the course.
Course Grade:
| SAM Exams | 50% |
| Lab Projects | 50% |
The final grade will be issued at the end of the term on the date required by the college. All rules and academic regulations of the college are applicable to distance learners. Specifically, all students must review the College's Academic Integrity Policy and complete the survey found by clicking the "Getting Started" icon on the course homepage.
Please use the e-mail tool in WebCT for any questions or concerns that you may have regarding the practice exercises, or other course-related questions. I will usually respond to e-mails within 48 hours. It is a good idea to check WebCt at least weekly since any corrections or updates on assignments are posted there. Exam and lab project evaluations are returned via email within one week after the final due date/test expiration date. See the "Requirements" section above for lab submission instructions and see the "Course Schedule" link for due dates. If you do not get a response or your lab does not get graded, check back with your instructor to be certain the message or lab was received.
I rely on you to let me know when you need help. If I do not hear from you, I assume that everything is going well. Please contact me if this is not the case. Additional information on the instructor's office location, office hours, and telephone numbers are found on the Instructor's Home Page.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if special accommodations are needed please call (410) 777-2307 or TDD (410) 544-0863.