CGS-1100 Microcomputer Application Software

• Take the test: Am I ready for distance learning?
• Ensure you have the correct computer requirements and don't forget to tune-up your browser
• Learn more about Blackboard
• Read the syllabus carefully
• Contact the instructor by telephone (954) 461-7746 or e-mail if you have any questions

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student will demonstrate the ability to:

• identify hardware components of a microcomputer
• use the Windows operating system to manage storage and retrieval of information
• use the Internet as a source of information and a method of communicating with others
• create, save, edit, and print documents using a word processor, spreadsheet, database management, and presentation program
• discuss social and ethical issues surrounding the use of a personal computer

• Regular access to a computer that meets the minimum requirements. Confirm that your configuration is compatible with recommended SJRCC standards.
• Alternative source of computer access in case your computer encounters problems. You may use a SJRCC computer lab to complete the course. Note: If you are accessing the course from a business office, you may run into problems with your company's network. If you have difficulty logging into your course from your place of business, contact your IS office at work and discuss the issue with them. The college has no control over the way your company network is configured; it's important to deal directly with the IS staff at your office to resolve problems.
• Internet access. Be sure to check your browser to ensure it is Blackboard compatible. Make sure pop-up stoppers or killers are disabled. AOL browsers are not recommended.
• Access to the following software for a personal computer (IBM-compatible):
• Windows XP 
• Microsoft Office 2007, which will include:
• Word 2007
• Excel 2007
• Power Point 2007
• Access 2007 (with the Professional Office version only--do not wait until the day the Access assignment is due to determine if your computer has Access or not; check it out now)
• (NOT Microsoft Works, must use the above specified programs)
• Updated antivirus program (Please virus check documents before sending them. Trend Micro offers a free online virus check.)

Text (click link to see a picture of the book): Microsoft Office 2007 --  Introductory, Windows XP edition, Illustrated Series. No other books can be used. Check the title to be sure the book you have is correct. The SAM disk is NOT used in this class.

Yes! I know this add up to more than 100%. Here's the deal. There are extra credit points built into the course. That's a good thing. Total points is what counts. If you prefer working in percents, just place a decimal to the left of the last number; for example, 895 points would convert to 89.5%.

Grading Policy: Each assignment grade will be affected by the following:

• completeness of all instructions
• saving assignments with correct filenames
• submitting assignments correctly
• using the course web site discussion board and e-mail (the course web site allows me to see if you are reading the discussion board)

Assignments: These are assignments in which the student demonstrates that he or she can use the concepts learned from the textbook. Projects are completed using MS Office 2007. See course web site for specific instructions. Projects are to be submitted to instructor prior to or on the specific due date through the course web site. NO LATE PROJECTS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY REASON.

Exams: There will be two (2) online exams (true/false, multiple-choice, and fill-in-the-blanks) during the semester. Exam #1 will cover material from beginning of class to date of exam. Exam #2 cover material after Exam #1. Exams can be taken at home or at any computer with a reliable Internet connection (library, campus lab, etc.) within the specific test dates. NO LATE OR MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANY REASON.

Participation: This may seem like a funny requirement considering that the course is online. But, what it means is that the student take the 1) Orientation Quiz, 2) introduce yourself on the discussion board, 3) use the course web site discussion board and e-mail, and 4) stay in communication with the instructor as needed. More about this in course web site. Because this is a business class, proper use of grammar and sentence structure is required. Use proper upper and lower case lettering, as well as, proper punctuation. Postings and e-mails will be graded accordingly.

Final Grade: Your final grade is posted on the course web site at the end of the term. Final grade is the total number of points accumulated throughout the semester.

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Makeup or Late Assignments: While distance learning offers flexibility as to when you are on the Internet, there is no flexibility in the due dates. There will be no make-ups for assignments or exams. Any assignment or exam missed will be assigned a zero (0). If an assignment or exam date must be missed due to an emergency situation, call or e-mail the instructor to make arrangements. If an assignment or exam is missed it must be taken prior to the release of the answers to the entire class. All due dates must be met for all assignments and exams unless expressly prearranged with instructor. Any assignment or exam that is missed and arrangements have not been made for work to be completed will result in a zero (0) for the grade for that assignment or exam. There is no extra credit work.

Classroom Conduct: The course web site is our classroom. Appropriate conduct is required there the same as it is in a classroom environment.  You may not post messages on the discussion board that use foul or abusive language.  Postings of this nature will result in immediately being denied access to the course. Any issues you need to discuss that are personal or concerning grades, missed assignments, feelings toward another student or the instructor are to be addressed either via the course web site e-mail or call the instructor or department chair at the above numbers. Rules of Netiquette must followed.

Because this is a business class, proper use of grammar and sentence structure is required. Use proper upper and lower case lettering, as well as, proper punctuation. Like it or not, in business, you are judged by your written correspondence -- yes, even via e-mail. Check out Get it Write and see for yourself.

Academic Integrity: Students in this class must know, observe, and not compromise the principles of academic integrity.  It is not permissible to cheat, to fabricate, or falsify information, to submit the same academic work in more than one course without  prior  permission, to plagiarize, to receive unfair advantage, or to otherwise abuse accepted practices for handling and documenting information.  The grade for this course includes the judgment that the student’s work is free from academic dishonesty of any type. Violations or infractions will be reported to the Vice President for Student Affairs and may lead to failure of the course and other sanctions imposed by the College.

Students are encouraged to work together and to discuss the material assigned. However, it is also expected that each student does his/her own work. If it appears that two or more students have submitted the same material for any assignments, each student involved will receive an F for that piece of work. If this happens for a second assignment, both students will be receive an F for the course. Students MUST submit their own assignments.  Blackboard sign-on is only for student who is officially registered. Do not allow anyone else to submit assignments for you. Contact instructor for instructions on handling emergency situations.

Disability Support Services:  If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, please see the Disability Services page as get assistance as early as possible in the term.

Student Responsibilities: When taking an online course the student needs to be an independent and self-paced learner and possess time-management skills. The student is expected to:

• login to course web site first week of class (if you do not login before the first assignment due date, the assignment will not be accepted)
• remain in contact with the instructor by e-mail as necessary (instructor does not know that you are sick or traveling if you do not tell her)
• check course web site discussion board and e-mail at least twice a week (once a day is preferred; once a week is not sufficient)
• be aware of all course announcements and due dates
• read the assigned textbooks
• read the course notes posted on the course web site
• complete all assigned exercises
• complete and submit all assignments on time
• take two exams at home or at any computer with a reliable Internet connection within the specified testing dates
• use appropriate communication tools (course web site e-mail and discussion board)
• observe rules of Netiquette (do not type in all caps; that is considered shouting on the Internet)

• complete all exercises in textbook
• complete questions at the back of each chapter
• take the self-tests if available

You may complete assignments prior to the due date. But, no answers will be released until the day after the due date. No assignments will be accepted after due date for any reason.

Consultation: The instructor may be contacted at the above number. If there is no answer be sure to leave a complete name and telephone number with area code. The student will be called back as soon as possible. Please note that the instructor teaches several different courses at several different colleges. State your school and course when leaving a message.

Computer Lab: Check your campus for the hours of operation of the computer lab. Note: The attendants in the lab are there to ensure that the computer equipment is working properly. They are not there to do or help you with your assignments. Direct all questions regarding the course to the instructor.

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• login to classroom homepage
• obtain lectures for each chapter
• obtain assignment instructions and submit assignments
• link to the textbook web site
• communicate with instructor and other students in the course by posting questions regarding the course (Discussions) and sending personal questions to instructor (Mail)
• take practice quizzes
• complete exams
• view your Grades and Track Your Progress

The links on the left listed under Course Tools allow you to:
Course Content	return to the course content home page (right side of screen) no matter where you are in the course.
Announcements	view important messages from the instructor which are periodically posted throughout the semester.
Assessments	access practice quizzes and exams.
Assignments	view, complete, and submit assignments.
Discussions	post questions and comments to the entire class. Once logged into the course, all communication will take place at the course web site through discussions and e-mail. The discussions area is public. The students are to post any questions regarding course material or assignments on the discussion board so they can be answered for all students at one time. Use an appropriate subject title for the posting. There will be more instructions on how to use the discussion board once you login to the course web site. Note: It is important to read the discussion board frequently, and to read all messages posted. If experiencing problems with an assignment, check the discussion board for postings. Your questions may already be answered.
Help Desk	contact the help desk if experiencing problems with Blackboard.
Learning Modules	contain related course content that is organized in a specific order.
Mail	privately message students and instructor in the course. E-mail is to be used for personal questions. Do not e-mail the instructor at her personal e-mail unless you cannot get into the course web site. All communication remains at the course web site. There will be more instructions on how to use e-mail once you login to the course web site. Note: It is important to check your e-mail frequently.
Search	find items throughout the entire course web site.
Syllabus	link to the syllabus for the current semester.
Textbook Web Site	link to many useful study aids provided by the publisher.
Who's Online	know who's in the course at the same time you are. You can send messages to each other or an invitation to chat.
My Grades	view your grades and see how you are doing compared to the rest of the class (View Statistics)
My Progress	view a report that includes information about your participation in the course.

The right side of the screen is the Course Content Home page. With the links listed here you will do the following:
Mandatory Online Orientation	completely read all pages of the Orientation, complete the Orientation Quiz, and introduce yourself to the class, all of which counts toward the participation grade.
Beginning of course to Exam #1	obtain lecture notes, assignment instructions, practice quizzes, graded quizzes, and the exam for the first half of the semester.
Midpoint of course to Exam #2	obtain lecture notes, assignment instructions, practice quizzes, graded quizzes, and the exam for the second half of the semester.
Course Evaluation Survey	express your opinions and comments regarding the course.

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• Read this syllabus very carefully and be sure you are in agreement with all the policies. The syllabus is a contract. Once you continue with the course, you have agreed to abide by all of the rules.
• Obtain the course materials.
• Login to the course web site (login through MySJRCC)
• Read the "Online Orientation" and take the Orientation Quiz.
• Look around course web site and get a feel for how it works. If you are new to taking courses on the Internet, you will want to spend time getting to know the course web site.
• Introduce yourself on the discussion board.
• Begin course work by completing each chapter as assigned in the Schedule of Assignments at the end of the syllabus.

TO ACCESS MySJRCC: 

• To log on to MySJRCC, go to http://mysjrcc.sjrcc.edu and click on “User Acceptance Policy.” 

• To access the User Acceptance Policy, you will need to enter your home zip code as it is on record with the College and either your Social Security Number or your randomly generated “X” ID number. 

• After you enter the required information, you must now accept the user policy.  Your MySJRCC ID and password will then be revealed. Because you will need to access MySJRCC regularly throughout your time at SJRCC, please memorize your portal ID and password or write it down in a secure location. 

• After logging on to MySJRCC, to ensure the safety of your account, immediately change your password to something only you know.

TO ACCESS ONLINE CLASSES:

• Log on to MySJRCC.

• Click on the My Courses tab. 

• Once you get to the My Courses tab, go to the column on the right of the screen and set the semester for the current term.  Then, click on the name of your online course.  This link will take you directly into your online class. 

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