CLASSES I TEACH AT:
calhoun community college

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the most common software applications of microcomputers and includes "hand-on" use of microcomputers and some of the major commercial software. These software packages should include typical features of office suites, such as word processing, spreadsheets, database systems, and other features found in current software packages. Upon completion, students will understand common applications and be able to utilize selected features of these packages.

Required Text:

This all comes bundled together in the bookstore:

1. Microsoft Office 2007 Illustrated Introductory, Windows XP Edition (Illustrated Series) (Illustrated Series) (Spiral-bound) (Paperback), David Beskeen (Author), Carol Cram (Author), Jennifer Duffy (Author), Lisa Friedrichsen (Author), Elizabeth Eisner Reding (Author),
ISBN-13: 978-1418860479

Objectives:

Week 1 – Introduction & Concepts
Week 2 – Windows XP

• Terminology
• Input/Output Devices
• File Management

Week 3 – Access 2007

• Database terms
• Components of a database

Week 4 – Access 2007

• Developing and managing a database
• Opening an existing database

Week 5 – TEST 1 (Chapters 1), Word 2007

• Components of the document window
• Toolbars and menu commands

Week 6 – Word 2007

• Planning a document
• Developing word processing documents

Week 7 – Internet / Intranets

• Searching
• Navigating
• Bookmarks
• Intranets

Week 8 – Integration
Week 9 - TEST 2 (Chapters 4-6), Group Project
Week 10 – Excel 2007

• Components of spreadsheets

Week 11 – Excel 2007

• Developing and working with spreadsheets

Week 12 – PowerPoint 2007  

• Components of presentation software

Week 13 – PowerPoint 2007

• Developing a presentation

Week 14 – Integration
Week 15 – TEST 3 - FINAL

Attendance

 50 PTS

A = 90 - 100

Daily Questions / Participation

125 PTS

B = 80 - 89

Exams 1 & 2

200 PTS

C = 70 - 79

Final Exam

100 PTS

D = 60 - 69

Group Project

700 PTS

Attendance:

Regular attendance is expected. I know there will be some cases when you will have to miss. You will be allowed 2 days of unexcused absence, before deductions on your overall grade will take place. To have an excused absence, you must notify me before the absence with a legitimate reason. Students are responsible for all class assignments covered during their absence. So make sure you find out what you missed from your classmates to make sure you get it turned in on time. If you miss more than 4 classes, your grade will change to a "W" for non-attendance and you will be dropped from the course. Withdrawal from the class can affect eligibility for federal financial aid.

Students are responsible for activities missed during any absence, whether excused or unexcused, and make-up work will be governed by the instructor as stated in the course syllabus.  It is the student’s responsibility to keep a record of his/her absences and to understand specific policies detailed in each course syllabus.  Communication with the instructor concerning absences is essential.  Appeals of involuntary withdrawals are made at the divisional level to the division chairperson.

Military personnel who are involuntarily called to active duty for unscheduled and or emergency situations and those individuals called for jury duty will be excused.  Official documentation will be required.  College related events such as field trips, athletic competitions, and drama productions, which are documented by the college, will also be excused. Official documentation will be required.

Homework / Assignments:

Assignments will come from each section covered. The instructor will tell you what assignments are due and when they are due. All assignments will be given due dates. Any assignment turned in late will receive a grade of zero points. Please be sure to include the page number and exercise number on the assignment when you turn it in.
Click here for the homework deadlines.

Daily Questions / Participation:

Discussion questions are designed to explore weekly topics and concepts.  We can enhance our understanding by sharing our thoughts and experiences with each other.  Generally, your responses to each discussion question should be at least about 150 words in length.  You should turn in your weekly DQ no later than the next class where we will discuss the topic.

DQ TOPICS || DQ DEADLINES

Class Participation is expected of you and means that you meaningfully contribute to class discussions.  A portion of your course grade will be based on your active and thoughtful participation in class discussions.  As much as possible, try to relate your "real world" experiences to the DQs.
Assignments, and discussion questions, are NOT "participation".
Your class comments should add significantly to the discussion by suggesting other solutions, pointing out problems, or even totally disagreeing!  Your discussion will be evaluated based on:
1.  Quality of your participation
2 .  Ability of your comments to motivate others in a collaborative effort.

Withdrawal Date and Procedure:

A student who wishes to withdraw may do so in accordance to the policy outlined in the College Catalog.

Academic Integrity Statement:

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions, which may be imposed through the regular institutional procedures as a result of academic misconduct, your instructor will assign an "F" for the exercise or examination that evidences academic misconduct for the first offense and assign an "F" for the course for repeated offenses.

Academic honesty is highly valued at the Calhoun Community College.  Students must always submit work that represents their original words or ideas.  If any words or ideas used in an assignment do not represent the student’s original words or ideas, all relevant sources must be cited along with the extent to which such sources were used.  Words or ideas that require citation include, but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communication when the content of such communication clearly originates from an identifiable source. 

Other:

If you have a disability and think you will need some form of reasonable classroom accommodations to help you achieve your full academic potential, please Calhoun's Disability Services office in the Chasteen Student Center, Room 218 (Decatur Campus) or call (256)306-2630 or 306-2635. Huntsville Campus students may contact David Johnson, Office 101Q or phone 890-4720.

Game or Unauthorized Internet Use: It is unacceptable to play games during class. During the lecture or discussion portions of class you may not type, browse the Internet or have anything open unless we are discussing it at the time.

All cell phones must be cutoff. This is educational time. Class does not need to be interrupted by a student leaving class to answer a cell phone call. The only exception to this is if you let me know at the beginning of class that you will be receiving an emergency call and you can put your phone on vibrate. If I catch you with your phone on,