CIS110 - Introduction to Computers Syllabus

Division: Business Division	Chair: Kenneth Rowe	Office: AT150
Department: Computer Technologies	Chair: Kevin Lee	Office: AT222

Course Information

Course Numbers:	CIS110-FGT01, CIS110-FGT02, CIS110-FGT03, CIS110-FGT04, CIS110-FGT05, CIS110-FON02
Semester:	spring 2012
Credits:	3
Pre-requisites:	RED-090
Co-requisites:	None
Description:	This course introduces computer concepts, including fundamental functions and operations of the computer. Topics include identification of hardware components, basic computer operations, security issues, and use of software applications. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and use the computer to solve problems.
Textbooks:	Two text books: Skills for Success with Microsoft Office 2010, Volume 1 from Pearson / Prentice Hall Publishing. Authors: Kris Townsend, Spokane Falls Community College, Robert L. Ferrett, Eastern Michigan University, Catherine Hain, Central New Mexico Community College, Alicia Vargas, and Shelley Gaskin ISBN-10: 0137032579 ISBN-13: 9780137032570
Textbooks:	Visualizing Technology, Introductory from Pearson / Prentice Hall Publishing. Author: Debra Geoghan ISBN-10: 013137625X ISBN-13: 9780131376250
Training Simulator:	myITlab - training simulation for Microsoft Office Applications from Pearson / Prentice Hall Publishing. NOTE: Not required for the course. Good for non-credit training in Office 2010.
Bundled Contents from GTCC Book Store:	Both text books myITlab 12-month Student Access Code Card 180 day evaluation version of Microsoft Office 2010
Supplies:	Students must have access to Microsoft Office 2010. Students in seated courses must have a USB flash drive. Students must have access to an appropriate computer that includes: Windows Vista or higher as its Operating System. Internet Explorer. A reliable high speed (Broadband) Internet connection.

Instructor Information

Instructor’s Name:	David Billings
Course Web Page:	GTCC CIS110 Moodle site and www.dbillings.com/cis110
E-Mail Address:	dbillings_cis110@yahoo.com I do not monitor other email accounts for student correspondence concerning this course.
Office Information:	All Instructor Information including name, contact information and office hours are located here and on the course Moodle site. For more information about me, please view the specific profile located on the course Moodle site.
Location:	Greensboro AEC 233, and On Line
Office Phone:	No Office Phone this semester - email me
Office Hours:	Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM – 8 AM Greensboro AEC 233 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Online email dbillings_cis110@yahoo.com

Course Information:

The census date (10% No Show Date) is Thursday, January 19, 2012.
The course final withdrawal date is Monday April 2, 2012. See Withdrawal Policy below.
The last day of courses is Sunday May 6, 2012.
There are 16 weeks in the semester.

Table showing Course Beginning Dates

Course	Beginning Date
CIS110-FGT01 CIS110-FGT02 CIS110-FGT03	Monday January 9, 2012
CIS110-FGT04 CIS110-FGT05	Tuesday January 10, 2012
CIS110-FON02	Monday January 9, 2012

Table showing Course Meeting Days, Locations, Lab Rooms, and Times

Course	Days	Location & Lab Room	Meeting Times
CIS110-FGT01	Mon & Wed	Greensboro - AEC 233	8 AM to 10 AM
CIS110-FGT02	Mon & Wed	Greensboro - AEC 233	10 AM to 12 PM
CIS110-FGT03	Mon & Wed	Greensboro - AEC 233	12 PM to 2 PM
CIS110-FGT04	Tue & Thur	Greensboro - AEC 233	8 AM to 10 AM
CIS110-FGT05	Tue & Thur	Greensboro - AEC 233	10 AM to 12 PM
CIS110-FON02	Off Campus	Off Campus	On Line

Table showing Course Holidays

Holiday	Date(s)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	Monday January 19^th
Spring Break	Tuesday March 6^th through Sunday March 11^th
Good Friday	Friday April 6^th

Student Learning Outcomes

In order to pass this course, a student must pass each of the following student learning outcomes (SLO).
In order to successfully complete this course, the student must successfully demonstrate passing level skills for at least one assignment in each SLO. Minimum passing is 60% - equal to a letter grade of "D".
You MUST PASS EACH SLO to pass the course regardless of your total course points.
There are five (5) SLOs for this course.
They are:
#1 Create or edit Word documents based on specifications presented.
#2 Create or edit Excel spreadsheets based on specifications presented.
#3 Create or edit PowerPoint presentations based on specifications presented.
#4 Explain Operating System, files, and devices in labs and course assignments.
#5 Explain Security and the Internet in labs and course assignments.

Employability Skills

The following basic employability skills are considered essential for career success and are emphasized in the GTCC curriculum.
1. Teamwork — Work with others to analyze a situation, establish priorities, and apply resources for solving a problem or accomplishing a task.
2. Responsibility — Exhibit individual behaviors that support the official goals and objectives of the organization and its members.
3. Communication — Effectively exchange ideas and information with others in oral, written, or visual form.
4. Problem-solving — Identify problems and potential causes while developing and implementing action plans for solutions.
5. Information processing — Acquire, evaluate, organize, manage, and interpret information.
6. Adaptability — Exhibit flexibility and receptivity to changing technologies, methods, processes, work environments, organizational structures and management practices.

General Education Core Competencies

The following core academic competencies are considered essential for student success and are covered in the GTCC curriculum. The broad purpose of a learning-centered two-year technical and community college in the culturally diverse world of the 21st century should be to prepare graduates for productive employment, university transfer, and lifelong learning through the attainment of the following skills, knowledge, and values:
1. Effective Communication
    a. Speak clearly with grammatical correctness
    b. Use standard written English in traditional and electronic media
    c. Design professional caliber documents for workplace or academic context

2. Critical Thinking
    a. Access, evaluate, and synthesize information from both oral and written sources
    b. Integrate knowledge from diverse disciplines, to draw reasonable and evidence-based conclusions

3. Problem Solving
    a. Use scientific inquiry method
    b. Apply problem solving skills to real world experiences/applications
    c. Use mathematics to organize, analyze, and synthesize data to solve a problem

4. Technological Literacy
    a. Use electronic and print resources to access, retrieve, process, and communicate information
    b. Demonstrate proficiency of appropriate computer technology

5. Global Literacy
    a. Develop an awareness of diversity
    b. Develop an awareness of the interdependence of our world

Grading Policy

Grading Scale

GTCC and CIS110 Grading Scale * no rounding *
Course Letter Grade	CIS110 Possible Points	GTCC Grade Scale
A	900 to 1000	90% to 100%
B	800 to 899	80% to 89.9%
C	700 to 799	70% to 79.9%
D	600 to 699	60% to 69.9%
F	0 to 599	0% to 59.9%

Evaluation of Performance

Each assignment is identified in the course Moodle Site. Complete the assignments in the numbered order going down the Moodle page by the weeks listed. DO NOT follow the order in the Assignments page in Moodle.
There is a maximum total of 1000 points you can earn for this course. For example:
If you want to achieve an "A" in the course you need a score of 900 or better by the end of the semester, or if you want to achieve a "B" in the course you need a score of 800 or better by the end of the semester. There is no extra credit. You can always see your total grade points to date in Moodle. Click on “ Grades” in the “Administration” side box to view your grades in Moodle. The grades for assignments completed in Moodle will be updated to your Moodle grade book. The letter grade will start the semester as an "F" and move toward an "A" as you complete assignments and add points to the grade book.

NOTE: There are NO mid-term or final exams for this course - only assignments and quizzes. This is a self-paced course. As soon as you complete all assignments and have your total score you have completed the course.

Code of Conduct for the Learning Environment

GTCC is an institution for adult learning. The GTCC learning environment reflects a partnership between instructors with the desire to teach and students with the desire to learn. In order to create an appropriate environment for teaching and learning, there must be mutual respect. Listed below are guidelines for behavior which the College has established to ensure that the learning environment is not compromised.

1. Identification. To promote a safe learning environment, all persons who are consistently present on a GTCC campus are required to have in their possession at GTCC issued ID and present it upon request by college personnel.

2. Tobacco Free. Because of the commitment of GTCC to health and well-being, students violating the “Tobacco Free Campus Policy” (no tobacco products allowed including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, etc.) will be subject to probation for the first offense and suspension (one semester) for the second offense.

3. Profanity. To promote a respectful learning environment, GTCC students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner appropriate for their course of study. Physically or verbally lewd or indecent behavior, profanity, threatening or sexually explicit language and obscene acts are strictly prohibited.

4. Dress. GTCC expects all students to dress in a manner in keeping with the serious academic intent of the college and acceptable to the community. In keeping with the mission to prepare students for success in the workforce, students are expected to dress appropriately within the generally accepted bounds of good taste. The college respects individual style and creativity as long as students dress in a manner which is not disruptive or distracting to the educational environment and conforms to the expectations and standards of the professional community.

Inappropriate clothing:
o Clothing that displays nudity or implied nudity, profanity, or violence
o Sagging or low cut pants (no skin and undergarments exposed)
o Deeply low-cut shirts/blouses
o Shirts/blouses with midriffs showing

5. Respect. All individuals are expected to maintain mutual respect in the learning environment.

Respectful Learning Environments Exclude:
o Inappropriate or offensive commentary or body language regarding the course, the instructor, assignments, or fellow students.
o The use of cell phones, beepers, and other personal communication devices upon entering course.
Individuals may not receive or send telephone calls, text messages, or pages during class.
o Side conversations as they are disruptive.
o Working on outside activities while in class including homework for other courses or personal activities.
o Transaction of personal business with the instructor other than before or after class.
o Wearing strong scents (perfume, aftershave, etc.) of any kind as others may be allergic to them.
o Using Internet access for other than valid, academic purposes that are related to the course.

6. Absences/Attendance. To sustain a Learning College environment, students are expected to attend all classes unless officially excused. Students should inform the instructor in advance if they know they are going to miss a class and must take responsibility for getting missed assignments from other students. Students should not expect to make up work, such as unannounced quizzes or tests, after an unexcused absence. Instructors are not responsible for re-teaching the material students miss because of an unexcused absence. Students are expected to remain in a class the entire time. Individuals should not enter the class late or leave early. Rare exceptions may be excused, particularly under emergency circumstances, but students should be prepared to explain tardiness to the instructor after class. Likewise, the need to leave early should be explained to the instructor before a class.

7. Guests. In the interest of safety, children should not be left unattended in public areas. Only persons registered for a course and listed on the attendance roster may attend class in any learning environment.

All college personnel have the authority and responsibility to ensure these guidelines are followed. Students who fail to adhere to the guidelines listed could be subject to disciplinary and/or legal action.

Policies and Information

Quality of Instruction Statement
The GTCC faculty members are committed to providing quality instruction. If there is a concern about the instruction provided, treatment of an individual or a group of students, or professional conduct of instructors, first see the instructor, then the department chair, and then the division chair. The description of Students' Rights and Responsibilities can be found in the current Student Handbook/Calendar.

ADA Statement
If you have a disability that may affect your academic performance and are seeking accommodations, it is your responsibility to inform disability Access Services, Davis Hall room 107, ext. 50157 as soon as possible. It is important to request accommodations early enough to give the disabilities staff adequate time to consider your request and recommend reasonable accommodations. Instructors will provide necessary accommodations based on the recommendations of the disabilities staff.

e-Learning Policy
This course has an online classroom in Moodle. This classroom can be accessed by going to the homepage for GTCC and clicking the word, Moodle. Here you can access course documents, possible assignments and stay in contact with both your instructor and classmates. If you experience difficulty accessing our online classroom, please notify your instructor immediately.

Inclement Weather Policy
The inclement weather day(s) designated by the college for this term is Tuesday March 6, 2012. Remember that should we have bad weather and this day is used for a makeup day, you are required to attend school and should you miss, this day would count against the attendance policy below.

Attendance Policy
Students will get the most benefit from their courses if they attend class regularly and are on time for all classes. The college attendance policy states that when in the judgment of a faculty member, a student has missed so much class time that the student can no longer meet the outcomes for the course, that student will become subject to administrative withdrawal.

Students must be in attendance and recorded as present at least one time on or before the census date (10% No Show Date) of the course or be reported to the college as a “No Show” and will not be allowed to continue in the course. The census date (10% No Show Date) for this course is Thursday, January 19, 2012.

The student is responsible for completing the work in a timely manner and for initiating a contract to complete any work missed. The instructor will determine whether to readmit a student to a course when the student has exceeded the absences to no longer meet the outcomes for the course. The Computer Technologies Department Policy for late work is that no assignment will be accepted for grading more than two weeks after the assignment due date on the Course Schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of circumstances which may have caused them to be absent and/or not submit an assignment by the due date.

Withdrawal Policy
It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from a course before the final withdrawal date of Monday April 2, 2012. Failure to follow the withdrawal procedure will result in a grade of “F” for the course and can dramatically affect your financial aid.

In seat students: Download and print the “Drop/Add: Schedule Adjustment Form” on the course Moodle site. You must obtain a “Last Date In Class” and "Signature" from me to successfully process the form. The form must be filed with the GTCC Admissions Office. With the form completed you can deliver it to the GTCC Admissions Office. It goes to Bunnie Lynn - btlynn@gtcc.edu. This MUST be accomplished before Monday April 2, 2012.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

On line students: You must email me your Drop request to successfully Drop this course.
Email me the following information to dbillings_cis110@yahoo.com:
Your GTCC Student Name
Your GTCC ID# - can be found on Titan Cruiser and your pink registration form
Course Name
Course Section Number
Reason for requesting to be dropped from the course
This MUST be accomplished before Monday April 2, 2012.

If the above information is not provided I will return your email to you asking for all of the required data.
I will send your completed request to Drop by email to the GTCC Admissions Office. It will go to Bunnie Lynn - btlynn@gtcc.edu with a CC (info copy) to you. This MUST be accomplished before Monday April 2, 2012.

Additional Instructor Expectations

Assignments
There are a number of assignments and quizzes this semester. The point values vary, and are always indicated in each assignment. You are expected to complete all portions of each assignment, including the assigned reading. All assignments are due by midnight Sunday of the week assigned. See the Course Schedule for assignment due dates. Writing is an important part of any college curriculum and some assignments will require you to write on discussion boards, Notepad, Word, and other electronic media.

Email Turn-Around Policy
E-mails received during the business week (Monday morning through Friday at noon) will be responded to within one business day. E-mail received on the weekend (after noon on Friday through Sunday night) will be answered on Monday. E-mail received on holidays or days when GTCC is closed will be answered by the end of the next regular faculty work day.

Ethics
Students may consult each other on assignments unless you are told that it is not permissible. Students may NOT consult each other on quizzes.

Netiquette
Each student is expected to follow the GTCC Netiquette Policy for digital communications.

Grade Book
Grades will be posted in the online grade book in Moodle. The instructor reserves the right to change any grade if it is learned that is was derived as the result of misconduct or dishonesty. No grade is final until it is submitted to the registrar at the end of the semester. Only letter grades are submitted to the GTCC Registrar to be recorded in your official transcript. Grades will be posted as soon as practical after the due date for each assignment. It is anticipated that work will be graded within one week of the due date.

Grading Policy
Grades are not curved or rounded. As an example, 899 points equals a "B" not an "A". Extra credit is not offered.

Policy for Late Work
To avoid confusion and possible disappointment over late assignments and tests please be aware that late assignments older than two weeks are never accepted for a grade, unless written approval is obtained from the instructor prior to the original due date.

Format for Submission of Work
All assignments must be submitted using Microsoft Office 2010. Earlier versions of Microsoft Office are NOT acceptable. An Apple or MAC, iPad, etc. will not provide the platform to successfully complete this course.

Time Expectations for the Course
It is expected that the student will spend between 5 and 7 hours per week to be successful in this course. This time will include reading, research, and completion of assignments, quizzes, and projects.

Microsoft Office
Students are required to have access to Microsoft Office 2010. Office 2010 is available on the computers in the GTCC Learning Resource Centers and in the Open Labs on each campus.

Students may purchase from Microsoft a full version of the Office 2010 for $99.95 using this link. This is an exceptional value and if you do not yet have office for your school needs you should consider this purchase. Your GTCC @Live edu e-mail address must be used for this purchase. http://www.theultimatesteal.com The GTCC bookstore also has copies of Office 2010 available for purchase.

Subject to Change
This course syllabus is subject to change as determined by the course instructor. If changes are needed, an addendum to the syllabus will be provided to each student and implementation of changes will be set forth at the date that addendum is issued.