ITE 115 -
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER APPLICATIONS & CONCEPTS
Spring 2012 – 3 Semester Credits
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Credentials: |
M.A.
Management
Central |
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Phone: |
703-680-7796 (Home); 703-878-5628 (Office) |
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E-Mail: |
ckellermann@nvcc.edu |
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WebPage: |
http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ckellermann |
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Office Hours: |
I will be available in Room 302Q before Class, by appointment, or during my posted office hour schedule (see times noted on my Homepage); EMAIL!! |
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Textbook and CD-ROMs: |
Discovering Computers & Microsoft Office 2010 by Shelly & Vermaat (NOVA Custom Edition) HTML and XHTML 5th Edition by Patrick Carey |
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Materials: |
Flash memory devices, CD-R/RWs to store student files and projects |
Course Purpose: To provide the student a
college-level introduction to the microcomputer, principles and concepts
of information/technology, and a working knowledge of representative
commercial software office packages. This course provides a theoretical
and practical hands-on exposure to microcomputer hardware and software
principles and applications, including: terminology/acronyms; security,
privacy, and computer ethics; operating systems; the Internet; WWW browsers;
basics of X/HTML; word processing, spreadsheets, databases,
graphics/presentation, and other miscellaneous software. Lecture 3 hours
per week with hands on practical exercises; personal and e-mail support (don't
be afraid to ask for it; help does not imply intellectual weakness).
Course Description: This course will concentrate on reaching full college-level competency in hardware and software information technology. The student will learn use of the appropriate Microsoft (MS) Windows operating system and MS-Office as a tool for learning integrated suites of graphical interface software for tasks such as word processing, creating and using spreadsheet/worksheets, as well as managing data (including search, validation, and evaluation of information found online and in library databases), creating queries and reports with a database management system. The course will enable the student to create a Web site with xhtml tags and post to a Web server. Finally, this course will also cover some of the latest functionality in graphics/ presentation software, graphic art, and other helpful open and commercial software functions. While this course will not present any of these in rigorous depth, the student will learn which MS programs (and those from other vendors) can help provide greater efficiency and effectiveness in everyday tasks. Finally, this course focuses on the Internet/Worldwide Web as a repository of information and the personal computer as a productivity tool as a stand-alone or networked device.
Course Equalivalence: ITE-115 transfers to George Mason University as IT-103, Introduction to Computing
Class WebPage: The Class WebPage contains the class schedule. It will frequently contain news and updates to the schedule (due to weather or other changes), projects, class slides, and other information important for your success in this course. It is very important for you to check the announcements page for the most recent update to the WebPage!
Attendance: Missed classes on key topics can be a severe disadvantage! Classes should start on time! Students are expected to attend each class as needed unless excused; this may not change the due date for assignments. If a student is absent, he or she should contact me to make up any assignments, projects, and exams; makeups should normally be done within a week. If the situation demands, students are responsible for withdrawing themselves, in which case the student will receive a grade of "W" (Withdraw). Otherwise, a grade of "F" can be given. If you withdraw before the 60% date via NOVAconnect (MyNOVA), you will receive a “W” grade; after that date it will be an “F” grade. To avoid an “F” grade, consult with me BEFORE using the NOVAconnect system! If you have not made significant progress, I may elect to withdraw you before the 60% date.
Emergency Procedures: In case of
emergency, when the signal sounds or other alerting comes, please follow
directions given according to the nature of the emergency. In case of
fire, bomb (threat), or similar incident, leave the classroom via the nearest
exit and go to the designated forming area away from the building. Take
all of your belongings with you as return may be delayed. In other cases,
we may remain in the room in a lock-down status. Procedures for all of
these SERIOUS, perhaps critical situations and events will be reviewed during
the first class session. The College and I consider our safety and
well-being as our first responsibility – the welfare of all of us and the
success of our educational are inextricably bound together.
Assignments: Students are expected to complete
reading assignments before each class, attend class, and submit assignments on
due dates indicated in this course schedule. Late submission of an
assignment CAN result in a grade penalty up to 15 points (5 per week); after
one month there will be a penalty. No assignments will be
accepted after the final examination unless prior arrangements
are made.
American with Disabilities Act of 1992 Statement: If you have a diagnosed and documented disability, which may cause you to have difficulty with any portion of the requirements of this course, please contact the course instructor to make arrangements.
School Closings: Major radio and TV stations announce school closings because of ice and snow. If in doubt, check course Webpage; call NVCC campus security office at (703) 878-5744, NOVAnet at (703) 323-3770, Woodbridge General Information at (703) 878-5700.
Exams and Quizzes: Exams must be taken on schedule. Make-up exams are given ONLY if you have a valid excuse; and make arrangements with the instructor PRIOR to missing the exam. Failure to take a missed exam will usually result in a grade of "F" (Zero points) for that exam. Any quizzes (announced or unannounced) which you miss will NOT normally be made up! Lack of preparation, lack of knowledge, or failing to show up for class are not valid excuses.
Project Due Dates: See Course Schedule/Webpage Update. Grade for each project can/will be reduced 5 points for each week that it is late beyond the grace period.
Grades: Projects and Tests/Exams determine Grades, which will reflect your effort and achievement!! Test are normally events listed on the class schedule. Quizzes may or may not be announced (they will be short - about 1-15 minutes each); if you arrive later than 10 minutes, you will not take the quiz; quizzes will NOT normally be made up. Normal grade apportionment is:
Extra Credit will be made available during the course on exams and other select projects, but there will be NO last minute, May bailouts given!!!
Letter Grade
A 90 - 100 %
B 80 - 89.9 %
C 70 - 79.9 %
D 60 - 69.9 %
F 00 - 59.9 %
Statement on Academic Integrity: Tests and quizzes that are given as closed-book are to be done without any assistance except that specified by instructor. Open-book tests and quizzes are to be done each student working alone except as specified by instructor. All projects and other homework are to be done substantially by each student working alone although some discussion, assistance, working together is permitted as long as each student is contributing substantively; identical projects can be considered as reasonable grounds for an F for both students. Plagiarism is a serious academic infraction. Directly or indirect (even paraphrasing) requires a citation of the source – it is both an acknowledgement of the ideas of other(s) as well as a buttress for your argument. For further explanation of academic integrity and plagiarism, see the Student Handbook (pp. 72f.) and the College catalog.
Technology Use and Abuse: Technology in the lab
is provided for your use for increasing your education and technical skills
(not for sending email, IM-ing friends, casual web surfing, or other activities
that detract from your education and might distract others). Also, please
turn off all cell phones when coming to class. During class your
cell-phone should be off/silent. Students are not permitted to wear
ear-buds or Bluetooth devices during class; I will request their removal.
Mature/maturing adult learners will be expected to adhere to the principles
expressed in the technology items on the class WebPage.
Open Computer Lab: Open computer lab is located in Room 336. Lab assistants are available to help you to operate the computer equipment and may be able to help you with certain computer assignments. The lab has MS-Office 2010 and printers. There are no technology excuses for missing assignments.
Open Computer Lab Hours (for project work and hands-on practical work):
Monday –
Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Sundays,
Holidays
CLOSED!!
Changes in Course Policies and/or Schedule: See Course Schedule/Webpage Updates
Schedule: This will be posted on the class WebPage
and is subject to adjustments due to student learning, weather, and other
variables. By definition, it is not locked in stone, not a contract. See Course Webpage link.
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As of: January 1, 2012
Posted by: Professor C. Kellermann