Computer Proficiency

CS1003

Spring 2011

Instructor: Charles Ellis  
Computer Science Department
216 Math Sciences
Oklahoma State University
Phone:  744-5675
E-Mail Address: chuck.ellis "AT sign" okstate.edu
Office Hours:   By appointment. Please make an appointment at URL:  http://ascalendar.okstate.edu/

Required Texts and Labs:

• CS 1003 Revised, Computer Proficiency, Oklahoma State University, Professor Charles Ellis, ISBN 0-558-41003-0
• Lecture:  This is NOT a traditional lecture style course.  It is taught primarily as a laboratory class and via the Web.  All the material to succeed in this class is contained in the book and laboratory assignments.

Prerequisites for This Course: None.

Course Objectives: 

This course should give you knowledge about Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access products as well as increased knowledge of the Internet.  These skills can be used in your classes while you are in college.  They will also help you on the job as many jobs today require you to have some computing application knowledge. The areas covered in the class are:  

• Navigate the Internet  using Internet Explorer
• Learning to obtain, copy,  and move files  needed for class
• Gain a working knowledge of Microsoft Word 2007
• Gain a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel 2007
• Gain a working knowledge of Microsoft Access 2007
• Gain a working knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint 2007
• Integrate the Various Programs Together 

Style/Mode of Teaching: 

This is a laboratory class.  The assignments are accessed by using  Desire2Learn and your results are submitted for grading via Desire2Learn.  The CS1003, Computer Proficiency home page is accessed via the Internet at http://oc.okstate.edu , logging in to Desire 2 Learn and then clicking the Computer Proficiency link.  The class assignments are accessed by clicking the Content link on the course homepage.  Each individual assignment can then be accessed by clicking that assignments link.  All of the dates and times when assignments, projects and quizzes are due are posted on the  Desire2Learn home page on the Events calendar on the left hand side of the course homepage.  Use the Events button to select a month and time period to view.

Graded Materials:

* There will be 27 Lab Assignments.  I will drop the two lowest laboratory assignment scores. 

Laboratory Assignment Due Dates:

A new assignment will be made each Monday and Wednesday except for University holidays.  You will have one week to complete the assignment.  The date and time due are posted on  Desire2Learn on the Events calendar.

Grading Policy:

Grades will be assigned based on point totals as follows:

Examinations:

There are NO examinations, including a final in this course.  However, there will be quizzes given during the course.  See information on quizzes.  

Hardware/Software Requirements:

All hardware and software needed for this course are available in MSCS 108 as well as other computer labs around campus.  Students can use their computers at home if the software is Microsoft® Word 2007, Excel 2007, PowerPoint 2007 and Access 2007.  Other versions of the Microsoft® software are not always compatible with the assignments and will cause problems in completing the assignments correctly.

Class Attendance:

Attendance is required for the Monday/Wednesday section on January 10, 12, 19 and  April 11.   Attendance is required for the Tuesday/Thursday section on January 11, 13, 20 and  April 12.  Attendance at other class times is optional, but is strongly encouraged. Students are responsible for all assignments posted on the Desire2Learn course site.  Due dates are posted on the Events calendar with the assignments and all necessary instructions and data files posted on the Content link.

Quizzes:

Quizzes will be released on  Desire2Learn after all the material being tested has been assigned in a lab.  The time window to take the quiz is from 6:00am to 11:59pm of the day it is released with one hour to actually take the quiz.  The dates of the quizzes is posted on the Desire 2 Learn Events calendar.  You will be able to use your labs, books, or the computer to answer the questions to the quizzes.  

Projects:

Projects will be assigned during the semester and are posted on the Deaire2Learn Events calendar.   They will be due after you have finished learning all the skills necessary to successfully complete the project. 

• The first project will consist of finding information on the Internet that you will later use for the rest of the projects.  This will cover your choice of a topics from those listed in the instructions.  
• The second project will consist of writing a three to four  page paper on the topic that you researched on the Internet. This will be at the end of the Word labs.
• The third project will be a PowerPoint project.  It will be putting together a presentation from the written document from the second project.   

Projects are due at the date and time posted on Desire2Learn Events calendar.

Collaboration Policy:

Laboratory assignments and Projects:  Discussion of any kind is allowed. After discussion each student must write up his/her own solution. Copying another student's work is not allowed. Giving another student your work is considered cheating as well.  

Disabilities Act:

If you feel that you have a disability and need special accommodations of any nature whatsoever, the instructor will work with you and the Office of Disabled Student Services, 315 Student Union, to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in this class. Please advise the instructor of such disability and the desired accommodations at some point before, during, or immediately after the first scheduled class day.

Important Dates for Spring 2011 semester: