Welcome to Antelope Valley College - CIS 101 Spring 2007

·         Advisory - Please read and understand the items below

 COURSE REQUISITES: Eligibility for ENGL 099, READ 099 and MATH 102.

TEXT: Fluency With Information Technology, Lawrence Snyder, Addison Wesley, 2005, 2^nd ed.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A beginning course designed to acquaint the student with the general concepts and basic vocabulary of computers and information systems. Includes introduction to the organization and functions of basic components of computers, and information processing systems. Instruction in programming procedures and programming logic is provided. Other topics include Internet and networking fundamentals as well as basic computer software such as spreadsheets and database applications.  Appropriate for the student with a general interest in this area as well as for the student desiring to pursue further training in computer science or information systems.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  Upon completion of course, the successful student will be able to:

   1.    Manage problem complexity, anticipate and deal with changes in information technology through the use of abstraction.

* 2.    Test a solution.

* 3.    Organize and navigate information structures and evaluate information.

   4.    Use common strategies for dealing with unexpected results.

* 5.    Describe and explain the functions and uses of components of general purpose computers, information systems and networks, focusing on microcomputers.

   6.    Describe the digital representation of information.

   7.    Solve problems using algorithmic thinking and programming.

* 8.    Create a simple web page using HTML.

* 9.    Explain the societal impact and describe the limitations of information technology.

*10.   Assemble and connect components of a basic computer system.

*11.   Use basic operating system features to monitor system functions, identify software related problems and execute applications.

*12.   Connect a computer to a network.

*13.   Use the Internet to find information and resources.

*14.   Use a computer to communicate with others.

*15.   Use a spreadsheet to model simple processes or financial tables.

*16.   Use a database system to set up and access useful information.

*17.   Use instructional materials to learn how to use new applications or feature.

 *  Denotes SCANS competencies. 

·        COURSE CONTENT: 

 I.       IT vocabulary

II.      Features of an operating system

          A.  User interface

          B.  File organization

III.    Basic networking principles

IV.    The Internet

          A.  HTML

                1.  Tags

                     a.  anchor

                     b.  structural

                     c.  text formatting

                     d.  images

          B.  Searching

          C.  Connecting

          D.  E-mail

V.     Computer hardware

          A.  the CPU

          B.  Input/Output Devices

          C.  Storage

VI.    Software

          A.  Word processing

          B.  Spreadsheet

          C.  Database

          D.  Programming language translators

          E.  Web browsers

VII.  Ethics and privacy

VIII. Programming

          A.  Algorithm development

          B.  Translation

          C.  Control Structures

                1.  Conditional statements

                2.  Iteration

          D.  Variables

          E.  Data types

          F.  Testing     

·        READING, WRITING, AND COMPUTATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:

·        METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

o       On Line Lecture notes and discussion (Collaboration - Chat)

o       Use of Discussion Board

o       Use of Web Page to display slides and computer screens

o       Use of individual lab assistance (Chat, Discussion Board, E-Mail) 

·        METHODS OF EVALUATION: 

Through various lab assignments, the instructor will evaluate the students’ ability to:

 At least 3 objective exams will be used to analyze the students’ understanding of other materials presented in the lecture and textbook (Course Objectives 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 and 17).

THERE IS COMPUTER PROGRAMMING IN THIS CLASS!

Many of the topics discussed this computer class are supported by “real-life” examples linked throughout the Internet. While discussing the same topics covered in the traditional class, you will have the added benefit of being able to further explore each topic by linking to web sites that expand on the concepts and technologies being discussed.

·         Textbook, Supplies, and Resources

Text Book: Fluency with Information Technology: Skills, Concepts & Capabilities (Snyder)

http://www.aw-bc.com/info/snyder

This Text was written for the University of Washington, so some of the items do not apply to Antelope Valley College.

Computer Terms & Definitions:  Use http://www.webopedia.com/

REQUIRED ITEMS: To gain Access to the class web site avc.blackboard.com where class information resides.

http://www.sun.com/software/star/staroffice/index.jsp

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ITEMS: 

•         Course Schedule

Notify your instructor if you can not attend the night of the Test, BEFORE the Test date, or you will get a ZERO!!

·         Grading

* Two Points will be deducted per day for each day Lab assignments are turned in Late, until the max points have been reached!!!!!

Read the assigned Chapters and concentrate on the Key Terms at the end of each chapter.  Use additional Web Resources to supplement your knowledge. Questions for each test will come from material in the text, but may NOT be the same as available at the end of each chapter.  Lecture notes are designed to supplement the text..

Reviews for Tests will one week prior to the test date.  Approximately 70% of the Final Exam will be from "material" covered on previous Tests.  However, the questions will probably be different.

*  Do not wait to complete Lab assignments, because the Labs build on principles learned from each Lab!

The following will be used when determining your Final Grade:

*** Class Participation points are given not just for handing in assignments, you must participate in class chat rooms, discussions and completed End of Section Test questions that will not be graded.

Posting objectionable material on your Web Page assignments will not be tolerated!

Final Grading Scale

·         Lab Assignments (There will be 6 Assignments)

Students are expected to complete all Lab Assignment.  You may work in teams, but you may NOT submit Lab Assignments with more than one name on the assignment.

If your work looks like the same as another students, you BOTH will get a ZERO on the assignment!

See Required items for this class, no special Programs should be required for you to buy, other than what you should have on your computer to communicate with this page.

AVC has OPEN Labs with IBM Computer for Spring 2007 - Bring your Lab Card!

·         Tests

·      Tests will be taken IN CLASS on the assigned date.  There will be NO makeup tests without prior approval by the instructor!

Plan Ahead! Do not wait until the last minute to print or submit your work!!!! 

Late TESTS WILL NOT BE GRADED!!

·         Contacting the Instructor & Office Hours

You can contact the Instructor through the Discussion Board or Email, or call my Work number (only if necessary) which is at the top of this page. Office hours are by appointment only!  

·        Top Ten: Steps for Passing this Class!

1.      Lab Assignments: Do not wait to complete Lab assignments or Tests!!!!!

2.      Tests: Do not wait to complete Tests!

§         NO Late TESTs will be accepted without previously notifying the instructor.

§         Tests WILL Include Programming Problems, so you MUST Learn how to write programs!!

§         Test Content: Approximately 70% of the Final Test will be from "material" covered on previous Tests, however, the questions will probably be different.

·        Tests will include Multiple Choice, True / False, Fill In and Essay questions.

§         Save a Copy of ALL work submitted to your Instructor.

3.      Reading Assignments: Read the assigned Chapters before Reading Lecture Notes!

§         Questions for each Test will come from material in the text and from the Lecture Notes.

§         Do not send End of Chapter Questions from the Online text to the Instructor!!

§         Not all Chapters will have Lecture Notes.

§         Review questions at the end of each chapter, some MAY be on the Tests.

4.      Computer Literacy: Get familiar with YOUR computer as soon as possible.

·        You will need access to the Internet.

·        You will need access to myAVC College E-mail.

·        You will need to set up a username and password (1st night of class) on avc.blackboard.com.

·        You will need access to Word, Excel and Access software, which are accessible at the college labs.

·        You will need access to an Internet Browser, AOL Browser does not work on HTML or JavaScript programs.

·        You will need access to Text Editor.

·        You will need to be able to Send attachments via e-mail to the Instructor.

5.      Do your OWN Work: IF YOUR WORK LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE ELSE'S WORK - YOU BOTH WILL RECEIVE A ZERO!

§         Form Study groups but learn from each other and don't copy the same materials, however, hand in your Own work!

§         As is the case with all classes, the work that you do and submit for a grade MUST be your own work. Any class work or assignment that is submitted and is a duplicate of another student's work, is cause to reject BOTH assignments. Simply changing a couple of words to make the papers or program different is not acceptable. You should learn the concepts and then reiterate them in your own words. Working in groups and/or with other students is okay, just be sure that what you submit is in your own words. I will NOT accept the claim that the work performed in the group is exactly what each of you wanted to produce.  Each student assignment must have some unique characteristics.

§         Save a Copy of ALL work sent to your Instructor.

6.      Class Participation Points: ASK QUESTIONS via Discussion Board, Collaboration (Chat) and E-Mail to Get MAXIMUM Class Participation Points!

·        Most of Class Participation points will be given based on your contribution to the class, Discussion Board and Chats

7.      E-Mails to the Instructor: Don't forget to send E-mails to your Instructor if the Answers to your Questions are Not answered to your satisfaction, or if you have a Questions that is NOT for the rest of the Class. 

8.      Optional Term Paper: Do a Term Paper if you get 70% or lower on 1 exam!!

§         10 - 15 Pages (excluding Title Page and reference pages), Typed, Double Space, Not more than 12 Font.

§         Not more than 1 1/2" margins (top, bottom, left, right), 3 references.

§         Graphics can not take up more then 3 complete pages, NO footnotes are required.

§         When you submit Term Paper that has references to external resources, you must place the proper reference in the paper in two places: in the bibliography, and in the body of the text. Failing to cite your resources will negatively affect your grade. Also, it is not acceptable to simply copy text from a resource into your paper. You need to learn to paraphrase your work. I will periodically check resources and if your information is a copy of what is in the resource (without a proper citation), I will reject the paper.

9.      Necessary Resources: Only use as many Resources as you NEED.

§         The Internet has a vast array of Resources and some students WILL get overwhelmed!

10.   Save a Copy of ALL work submitted to your Instructor!!!