Antelope Valley College, Instructor Charles Costarella

OT 113 Advanced Microsoft Word
Fall Semester 2010
CRN 75079 OT 113 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:

Prerequisite:
Successful completion of CA 111/OT 111 Word Processing - Microsoft Word, and OT 102 Intermediate Computer Keyboarding (or the ability to type 40 WPM)

Course Advisory:
Successful completion of BUS 111 Business English or BUS 113 Business Communications, and eligibility for ENGL 099 and READ 099.

Course Description:
This course is designed for students who wish to develop advanced skills in creating and editing business documents using Microsoft Word. Topics include advanced formatting with templates and macros, tables, charts, outlines, columns, graphics, styles, merging, sorting and selecting, fill-in forms, tables and indexes. This vocationally-oriented course will serve students seeking a certificate, associate degree, or desiring to transfer to a four-year institution. BEFORE ENROLLING: students should have used Microsoft Word to create, format, and edit documents. An understanding of file management, cutting and pasting, creating headers and footers, using footnotes and endnotes, and standard letter and punctuation styles is important. students should have basic computer experience and be able to save and retrieve files, run applications and print documents.

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

  1. Identify Microsoft Word commands and explain the use of advanced word processing principles.
  2. Operate computers and demonstrate the ability to use Microsoft Word software in the preparation of complex business documents, such as:
    • tables
    • charts
    • forms
    • mailings
  3. Demonstrate proofreading and editing skills as measured by tests and assignments.
  4. Recognize and correct grammar errors.
  5. Analyze difficult assignments and determine the most efficient method to complete the task with the correct advanced word processing feature.
  6. Continuously utilize new Microsoft Word functions to complete, evaluate, and revise intricate assigmnents.
  7. Demonstrate marketable word processing skills as measured by performance tests and lab 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. I do not suggest using your school supplied AVC email address due to the extra steps involved in attaching files.
  • 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 "OT113". 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: "OT113 CH5 EXERCISES 1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 5A".
  • 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.
  • Note that when an assignment is to be printed and hard copy turned in, this is in addition to the emailed copy, not in place of it. The printed copy must be put on my desk first thing as you enter the classroom and the emailed copy must be in my inbox. 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 and all mechanical devices eventually fail, so don't rely on them without a damage control plan. You are responsible to get your work turned in on time. Treat this important part of life like it was your job and your paycheck depended on it.
  • Concepts studied for an assignment must be demonstrated in that assignment. Do exactly what is asked for, not something else. Do not include 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. Objective tests can not be made up without showing good cause.
  • Performance Tests - 2 or 3 Performance Tests will be given that will challenge students to demonstrate proficiency using Microsoft Word 2007 in a timed, labratory setting. They will be spaced equally throughout the semester with the last one being given as a final.
  • 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. This will usually be the next class meeting or the one after and will vary depending on scope, difficulty, and schedule. Many lab exercises will be covered as a top level review. Students will then be responsible for following the directions in the text and completeing the lab with little or no direct instruction. I will be available to assist and answer appropriate questions as needed. 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, or elsewhere. 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 may leave when they feel confidant to continue on their own for a particular lab or assignment. If you are going to miss multiple class meetings, 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.

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.