Antelope Valley College, Instructor Charles Costarella

CA 111 Word Processing - Microsoft Word
Fall Semester 2010
CRN 70399 CA 111 Mon/Wed 08:30am - 10:35am BE 324 08/23/2010 to 12/11/2010
Charles Costarella, Adjunct Faculty
661.400.4623  Cell and Voice Mail
avcca111@gmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Announcements will be posted in this section. Check this section at least 2 or 3 times each week in case of last minute changes.
Date Announcement
Week 1 Please note the email address to be used for this course is NOT an AVC email address. For organizational reasons, you must use the class email address. Send all assignments and other email to: avcca111@gmail.com

Required Materials:

Course Advisory:
Successful completion of CA 103 Introduction to Microcomputers or CA 221 Computer Concepts and Application in Business, and OT 101 Beginning Computer Keyboarding (or the ability to type 30 WPM) and eligibility for ENGL 099 and READ 099.

Course Description:
This course covers the concepts of word processing, emphasizing the use of Microsoft Word 2007. Topics covered include basic text editing and formatting, management of files and directories, printing, fonts, tabs, headers/footers, footnotes/endnotes, cutting and pasting, using multiple windows, and standard letter and punctuation styles. This course will equally serve students seeking a training certificate, associate degree, or desiring to transfer to a four-year institution. BEFORE ENROLLING: students should have basic computer experience and be able to save and retrieve files, run applications and print documents. Additionally, students should have used a word processing program to create, save, retrieve, edit, and print documents.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of course, the successful student will be able to:

  1. Identify Microsoft Word 2007 commands and explain the use of word processing principles
  2. Demonstrate the ability to use Microsoft Word 2007 in the preparation of typical business documents such as:
    • a. letters
    • b. memos
    • c. reports
  3. Demonstrate proofreading and editing skills as measured by tests and assignments.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to use the following in the creation and editing of documents.
    • a. standard letter styles
    • b. punctuation
    • c. hyphenation rules
  5. Analyze assignments and determine the most efficient method to complete the task with the correct word processing feature
  6. Continuously utilize new Microsoft Word functions to complete, evaluate, and revise assignments

Rules for Submitting Assignments:
During the semester, the course format will include lecture, class discussion, projection of the instructor's screen output, hands-on computer work, lab assignments, and both objective and performance exams. Some assignments will be complete documents that you create and some will be modifications to existing documents. I will give specific instructions as I make each assignment, but the following rules apply to all submissions:

  • You must email your assignments to the correct class email address as attachments. (Do not insert the text of your document into the body of the email.)
  • The email Subject line MUST properly identify the assignment for you to receive credit for your work. (See the next section.)
  • Use a business-like email address that has some form of your actual name in it for the duration of the semester. This will help me recognize who you are from the email address. Please do not use a vanity email address with a cryptic name that I cannot resolve with what is on my roll sheet.
  • Send your email before the beginning of class the date the assignment is due. Late work will not earn full credit.
  • You are required to keep electronic copies of ALL assignments for the duration of the semester. This is for your own protection in case of lost or corrupted email, or network problems, etc. I am not responsible for backing up or archiving your work, even after you turn it in to me. Please do not trust a flash drive for this important task. I suggest getting a GMail account because of the large amount of storage it provides. When you send me an assignment (or more often if you want), you can CC a copy to your GMail address for backup.

IMPORTANT INFO IF YOU WANT FULL CREDIT ON AN ASSIGNMENT
  • When you create a Word document for an assignment, it will be graded on appearance as well as the Microsoft Word features studied.
  • Spelling and English grammar must follow common rules of syntax, semantics, and examples in the text.
  • In your email Subject line when you submit assignments there will be, in the following order:
    1. The exact text between the quotes "CA111". Please use exactly the text described.
    2. The chapter number and assignment number and/or desciption, i.e., "CH3 ASSESSMENT #6" or "CH5 EXERCISE 5D."
    3. Here's a correct and complete email subject line example: "CA111 CH5 EXERCISES 5A, 5B, and 5D".
    4. Make sure the email address you use will identify you by name. and that it matches your name as it appears on my roll sheet or something very close to it. If your name is "Robert Anthony", even though everybody knows you as "Dawg" or occasionally "T-Bone", use "Robert Anthony". Do not use a parent's or spouse's email address. If you are recently married or have changed your name for any reason, make sure that your email address identifies you by the name that is on my role sheet.
  • Assignments must be emailed before the BEGINNING of class on the day they are due to receive full credit. My GMail's server timestamp will be the official clock. No arguing with the umpire.
  • Note that when an assignment is to be printed and hard copy turned in, this is in addition to the emailed copy. The printed copy must be put on my desk first thing as you enter the classroom. Do not wait until the morning of class when an assignment is due to print it in the classroom. Be prepared and do it ahead of time. Networks crash, mechanical devices fail, don't rely on it. You are responsible. Also note that the requirement for the emailed copy to already be in my inbox is not waived because a hard copy is turned in.
  • Concepts studied for an assignment must be demonstrated in that assignment's deliverable. Do exactly what is asked for. I encourage you to work ahead on your own, but do not include this advanced material in any work you turn in until that material is assigned to the class.

Tests and Assignments:

  • Objective Tests - There will be approximately one objective test for each chapter covered in the course. Thses will include multiple choice and completion questions. You must tell me ahead of time if you are going to miss an test, so other arrangements can be made. No more than 2 tests total can be missed and made up per student.
  • Performance Tests - 3 Performance Tests will be given that will challenge students to demonstrate proficiency using Microsoft Word 2007. They will be spaced equally throughout the semester with the third one being given as a final. All 3 will be equally weighted totalling 35% of your grade.
  • Lab Assignments - must be completed for each chapter using Microsoft Word 2007 and turned in according to the due dates assigned for each assignment in class. Usually this will be the very next class meeting but may vary depending on scope, difficulty, and schedule. When we go through labs as a group, you must follow along and stay with the group. Some assignments may be due at the end of the class meeting in which they were covered. Grading of lab assignments will be based on the student’s ability to achieve specific objectives. Assignments turned in late will receive one grade lower penalty.

Grading Point Total Breakdown
Graded Activity Percent of total grade
Objective Tests 35%
Performance Tests 35%
Lab Assignments 30%

Grading of Lab Assignments
10 points Meets objectives, no mistakes found.
9 or 8 points Acceptable, minor mistakes found
4 points Objectives not met, may be revised for 3 additional pts

Letter Grade Percentage Range
A 90 - 100
B 80 - 89.9
C 70 - 79.9
D 60 - 69.9
F 0 - 59.9

Attendance:
Class attendance and participation is mandatory. regular attendance is extremely important for successful performance in the class. There will be information given in the lectures that may not be duplicated or found in the text, syllabus, text's website, or anywhere else. You will be responsible for all class instruction information. Assignments are given in class and are not available elsewhere or ahead of time. Students are expected to be in class on time and for the entire class period. If you are going to miss class, it is important to communicate so that I know what is going on. Email is perfect for this. Students who miss 3 class meetings without explanation may be dropped by the instructor. I strongly advise attending class.

Web Resources for Word Processing and related office skills
Here are some useful links related to Word Processing, education, and Windows computers in general. These are links for students seeking additional tools, instruction, and ways to improve themselves. The time you spend exploring these links and corresponding software tools will pay enormous dividends back to you. Regardless of whether you attend Harvard, UCLA, Phoenix, or AVC, you will get out of your education EXACTLY what you put into it. Nothing more and nothing less.

Microsoft Office - Word 2007 This is the officially blessed page from Microsoft. The Alpha and the Omega of Microsoft Word 2007.
Microsoft Word 2007 Training You can follow the links to some downloadable tutorials in PowerPoint slide format. There are also tutorials for the other Office products as well as Word.
Microsoft Word 2007 and Spanish You will have a huge job placement advantage these days in California if you can make your Spanish look as pretty as your English. Here's how to do it with Microsoft Word.
Khan Academy This site is great for those times when you want to review the basics and sometimes much more than that. Especially great is the explanation of Secretary Geithner's plans for reviving the economy from someone who knows what it all means and can explain it in terms we can understand. This link was sent to me by the Dean of Business. Incredible.
Bruce Schneier Crypto-Gram Newsletter Crypto-Gram is a free monthly e-mail newsletter from security expert Bruce Schneier. Each issue is filled with interesting commentary, pointed critique, and serious debate about computer security. If you think this doesn't pertain to you and your life, think again.

AVC Academic Honesty Policy
  • Dishonesty. Including but not limited to, cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism involves using another’s work without giving proper credit, whether done intentionally or not. This includes not only words and ideas, but also graphs, artwork, music, maps statistics, diagrams, scientific data, software, films, videos, and the like. It does not matter whether the ideas are stolen, bought, downloaded from the Internet, or written for the student by someone else. Even if only bits and pieces of other sources are used, or outside sources reworded, they must still be cited. To avoid problems, students should cite any source(s) and check with the instructor before submitting an assignment or project. Students are always responsible for any plagiarism in their work.
  • An instructor who determines that a student has cheated or plagiarized has the right to give an failing grade for the assignment or examination.

Computer Lab Rules
  • Do not access the hard drive or be on the C:\> prompt.
  • Do not copy software.
  • No food or drinks are allowed in the computer rooms at any time.
  • No children are allowed in the computer labs unless enrolled in computer classes.
  • (Failure to follow any of these rules is grounds for removal from computer classes.)
Virus Warning
Students are encouraged not to use the same flash drives in the classroom as on their home or office computer. This will greatly reduce the risk of passing a virus from one computer to another. The college is not responsible for any damage caused by a virus. A virus incident or network or other failure will not be accepted as an excuse for missing a class deadline or exam.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): Reasonable Accommodation
If you have a legally protected disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or California discrimination law, and you believe you need reasonable accommodation to participate fully in this class, please make an appointment to see me during my office hours to discuss your need.