CISS 170 Q Introduction to Computer Information Systems

Transcription

1 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 1 CISS 170 Q Introduction to Computer Information Systems June Session June 1 July 25, 2015 Course Description Overview of computer hardware, software, programming, and information systems as applied in the modern business environment. Hands-on applications of word processing, spreadsheet, and data management software are used to explore use of the microcomputers in business. Prerequisite: none Proctored Exams: Midterm and Final Exams Textbooks For CISS 170, you will need the following: 1. Technology in Action, Complete, 11 th edition (Custom, 3 rd edition) 2. The full version of the textbook, GO! with Microsoft Office 2013, Volume 1 (Custom, 2 nd edition) 3. Access Code to MyITLab for GO! with Microsoft Office Microsoft Office 365 Home Premium Academic 2013 with Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint (180-day trial included with MBS Direct bundle) In order to ensure that you receive all required materials for the course, the College recommends purchasing 1 of 2 bundles available from MBS Direct. Printed textbook bundle - MBS ISBN 13: (includes all required materials) ebook textbook bundle - MBS ISBN 13: (does not include Microsoft Office 365 Home Premium Academic 2013, 180 day trial, which can be purchased for $13 within your MyITLab course) Textbooks and materials for the course may be ordered from MBS Direct: online at (be sure to select Online Education rather than your home campus before selecting your class) by phone at For additional information about the bookstore, visit Course Overview Material in this course is presented from the various concepts for the digital world in which we live. Through the study of the many components and devices we use every day, we will learn how these pieces work together to help make our lives more productive by becoming computer literate. Each week we will focus on a different aspect of the field of computer information systems with class discussion based on online articles and other activities relating to material covered in our text that

2 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 2 will help us understand the concepts and issues encountered while looking at the way computers are part of our lives. A tool we will be using is MyITLab, which allows us to do online assessment of the skills you learn using Microsoft Office Technology Requirements Participation in this course will require: A computer running Windows (7 or 8) Microsoft Office 365 Home Premium Academic 2013 (Office 2013) with Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint (180-day trial included with MBS Direct bundle) Reliable Internet Access Adobe Acrobat Reader Adobe Flash Player (9 or higher) You can find more details about standard technical requirements for our courses on our site. More detailed technical requirements and technical support information for MyITLab are available online at: You may download Acrobat Reader: You may download the Adobe Flash Player from Course Objectives To provide students with a firm foundation in computer technology, computer nomenclature, terminology, and the use of computers as productive tools. To provide students with a firm understanding of what computers are, how they operate and how they are used today. To explore the information processing industry and issues in contemporary computing. To provide students with hands-on experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, with the Windows Operating System, and the World Wide Web. Measurable Learning Outcomes Identify and describe the components of a computer, the purpose of a network, categories of computers and their characteristics, and the elements of an information system. Identify and describe the components of the Internet and types of e-commerce and their audiences. Search for information on the Web. Identify the categories of application software, give examples of each, and explain the ways software is distributed. Identify and describe the purpose of each component of the system unit including the processor, chips, adapter cards and motherboard. Identify chips, adapter cards and other components of a motherboard. Identify and describe various input devices including optical scanners, reading devices, and biometric input devices. Identify different types of storage media, explain how each works, and compare their advantages and disadvantages. Identify and compare types of system software and network operating systems and describe the functions of an operating system. Identify and describe the components required for successful digital transfer of data and

3 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 3 communications. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using a network and of various types of physical transmission media. Describe the advantages of databases over flat file structures. Explain the functions common to most database management systems and compare the advantages and disadvantages of different types of databases. Describe the major types of computer security risks and identify safeguards for each. Describe the major security risks and privacy issues that arise in a computer society. Explain the primary issues and threats associated with internet crime. Explain how freedom of expression and first amendment rights are potentially impacted by computers and the internet. Define intellectual property and the methods that individuals and companies are taking to protect themselves from "infringement" and "theft." Describe ethical issues software manufacturers face in producing software for sale. Explain the ethical and legal issues involved in employer/employee relations, employee monitoring, and use of contingent workers as they relate to information technology. Describe the digital divide, its impact on standards of living and worker productivity, and what is being done to eliminate these influences. Demonstrate mastery in using productivity software such as MS Office. Grading Grading Scale GRADE POINTS PERCENT A 900-1, B C D F Grade Weights ASSIGNMENT POINTS PERCENT Discussions (16) Training Projects (8) Assessment Projects (8) MyITLab Quizzes (8) Exams (2) Total

4 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 4 Schedule of Due Dates Week Assignment Points Due Introductions -- 1 Discussions 1 & Word Training Project 1G (MyITLab) 20 Word Assessment Project 1 (MyITLab) 20 MyITLab Word Quiz Discussions 3 & 4 30 Word Training Project 2G (MyITLab) 20 Word Assessment Project 2 (MyITLab) 20 MyITLab Word Quiz Proctor Information -- 3 Discussions 5 & 6 30 Excel Training Project 1G (MyITLab) 20 Excel Assessment Project 1 (MyITLab) 20 MyITLab Excel Quiz Discussions 7 & 8 30 Excel Training Project 2G (MyITLab) 20 4 Midterm Exam (Proctored) 130 Excel Assessment Project 2 (MyITLab) 20 MyITLab Excel Quiz Discussions 9 & Access Training Project 1G (MyITLab) 20 Access Assessment Project 1 (MyITLab) 20 MyITLab Access Quiz

5 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 5 6 Discussion 11 & Access Training Project 2G (MyITLab) 20 Access Assessment Project 2 (MyITLab) 20 MyITLab Access Quiz Discussions 13 & PowerPoint Training Project 1G (MyITLab) 20 PowerPoint Assessment Project 1 (MyITLab) 20 MyITLab PowerPoint Quiz Discussions 15 & PowerPoint Training Project 2G (MyITLab) 20 PowerPoint Assessment PowerPoint Project 2 (MyITLab) 20 MyITLab PowerPoint Quiz Final Exam (Proctored) 130 Saturday Saturday Assignment Overview Readings should be completed prior to submitting assignments for the week. I also encourage you to go to the text website, and complete the Online Study Guide for each chapter to help prepare for the midterm and final exams. Discussions Each week you will actively participate in two discussions. In both discussions you should provide concrete examples from the readings and web resources, integrate personal observations and knowledge in an accurate and highly insightful way to support your postings, and include word choices and sentence structures that are suitable for college-level discussions. You must respond to at least one of your classmates postings per discussion topic. Your responses must be well thought out and constructive, and more than an I agree with you or great post type of post. See the grading rubric in the course for more details on grading expectations. Training Videos (optional) are available in MyITLab to demonstrate the skills needed to complete the training and assessment projects. Training Projects give you an opportunity to practice the skills covered in each chapter of GO! Office You will download files from MyITLab to complete each Training Project. Specific instructions for each project are included in the downloaded files. When downloading the files, make sure to save them to an easily identifiable location on your computer (such as the desktop) and do NOT change the file s name. If you download the zip file, make sure to extract the files before beginning the project. To submit a Training Project, you will need to upload your completed assignment to MyITLab. There is more information on this process in the course. You will be given 3 attempts, with the highest score posted as your grade. Assessment Projects require you to apply the skills you mastered by completing the Training Projects. You will complete each Assessment Project offline using downloaded files from MyITLab.

6 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 6 Specific instructions for each project are included in the downloaded file. When downloading the files, make sure to save them to an easily identifiable location on your computer (such as the desktop) and do NOT change the file s name. If you download the zip file, make sure to extract the files before beginning the project. To submit the Assessment Project, you will need to upload your completed assignment to MyITLab. You will be given 2 attempts, with the highest score posted as your grade. MyITLab Quizzes are completed in MyITLab. The MyITLab quizzes test your newly-learned skills from GO! Office There are eight MyITLab quizzes; two for each of the Office tools: Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint. Each quiz is worth 22.5 points. Midterm and Final Exams are computer-based, proctored tests found in the Quizzes area of the course. Both exams are closed book and are comprised of 130 multiple choice questions. You will have 2 hours to complete each. Each exam will be available beginning Monday and must be completed by 11:59 p.m. (midterm) and Saturday (final) during the week it is assigned. The Midterm will cover Chapters 1-6 and the Final will cover Chapters 7-13 in the Technology in Action textbook. Course Schedule Week 1: Using Technology, Understanding the Parts of a Computer / Microsoft Word Activities Readings Visit the Online Course User Guide site at: Review the items in your Welcome letter. You will find much useful information. If you did not receive a Welcome letter via CougarMail, it is available in the course. Look around the course. Specifically review the Discussions, Content and News (Course Home) areas. Go to MyITLab ( and register using your access code. Instructions are provided in the Course Home area of the course. Review the Proctor Policy available in the Content area of the course. Be prepared to post your proctor information by the end of Week 2. Technology in Action: Chapters 1 & 2 HINT: Become familiar with key terms and review the summaries found at the end of the chapters, which may be included in exams. GO!: Word Chapter 1 Discussions Go to the Discussions area and post by at 11:59 pm CT. Introduction: Introduce yourself in the Introductions topic found in the Discussions area. This area will be our "virtual classroom" for the next eight weeks. Please share more than just your name. Include your profession, degree, hobbies, interest in computers, and any other information that can help us get to know you. What was your first memorable interaction with a computer? Discussion 1: What is the digital divide?

7 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 7 o o Word Projects Search the Web to find any recent news or articles on projects that are designed to reduce the digital divide. Summarize your findings and share what you find interesting about the project. Is the project feasible? Include a link to the article or website. What are your ideas on how we can reduce the Digital Divide? Discussion 2: Tell us about your computer or the one your using! Chapter 2 introduces us to the basics of computer hardware and software. What hardware and software do you have? What types of input and output devices do you have? What is your processing speed? What types of storage devices do you use (and why)? In addition, after reading chapter 2, what hardware or software would you want your computer to have? Be sure to include key terms from our study guide in your answer. Training Project 1G: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by Friday at 5:00pm. Assessment Project 1: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight. MyITLab Word Quiz 1: Login to MyITLab and complete the quiz no later than midnight. Week 2: Using the Internet and Information Tech Ethics / Microsoft Word Activities Post your proctor s information to the Proctor Dropbox by midnight. See the Proctor Policy in this syllabus for information and instruction. Readings Technology in Action: Chapter 3 and Technology in Focus 2 GO!: Word Chapter 2 Discussions Go to the Discussions area and post by at 11:59 pm CT. Discussion 3: Chapter 3 discusses several uses of Social Networking sites and how to set privacy settings. 1. Do you use these sites? If yes or no tell us why. 2. Search a social networking site for a business use of the site. How does their use different or similar to personal uses? 3. What protection options do these sites offer? Be sure to include key terms from our study guide in your answer. Discussion 4: Discussion 4: This week our text discusses Information Technology Ethics. In this section, the authors address the issue of intellectual property. 1. Define, in your own words, intellectual property. 2. Research the web to find recent news of an intellectual property crime or case. Summarize your findings. Tell us based on Realativism is this a serious crime? 3. When providing a link to the article, tell us 1) what keywords you used for your search 2) identify the parts of the URL.

8 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 8 Word Projects Please complete the following projects using Microsoft Word and submit to MyITLab. Training Project 2G: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight. Assessment Project 2: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight. MyITLab Word Quiz 2: Login to MyITLab and complete the quiz no later than midnight. Week 3: Application and System Software / Microsoft Excel Readings Technology in Action: Chapters 4 and 5 GO!: Excel Chapter 1 Discussions Go to the Discussions area and post by at 11:59 pm CT. Excel Projects Discussion 5: What productivity software do you use most often? 1. Choose one and tell us what proprietary, open source, freeware, shareware and webbased options are available? 2. Do any of the options have elements that improve on your chosen program? In what ways? *Be sure to include key terms from our study guide in your answer. Discussion 6: Chapter 5 discusses types of System software. 1. What devices do you have that use system software? 2. Choose one of these devices and tell us what operating system it runs? 3. How does this OS compare to other OS's available? (Did you learn anything about another OS that might encourage you to change systems? Why or why not?) *Be sure to include key terms from our study guide in your answer. Please complete the following projects using Microsoft Excel and submit to MyITLab. Training Project 1G: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight. Assessment Project 1: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab as required by midnight. MyITLab Excel Quiz 1: Login to MyITLab and complete the quiz no later than midnight. Week 4: Understanding and Assessing Hardware / Microsoft Excel Readings Technology in Action: Chapter 6

9 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 9 GO!: Excel Chapter 2 Discussions Go to the Discussions area and post by at 11:59 pm CT. Excel Projects Discussion 7: Chapter 6 discusses Moore s Law which describes the pace at which CPU technology improves and price increase related to this improvement. Pretend that you are getting ready to purchase a new computer. Based on Moore s Law and the information provided in Chapter 6: 1. What type of computer user are you? 2. Based on this classification what system features should you consider when purchasing a new computer? Consider the following questions to guide your response: a. How long will you plan on keeping this computer before an upgrade? b. What CPU needs do you have? c. Should you have an optical drive? d. How much storage do you need? e. How much memory should you video card have? f. Should you have a Thunderbolt port? * Be sure to include key terms from our study guide in your answer. Discussion 8: Watch this video; While watching consider the following questions: 1. Is technology viewed in a positive or negative light? 2. Do you feel like the characters in the video have a choice over the technology they adopt? 3. Do you see any parallels to current day release of new technology? Explain your answers. Please complete the following projects using Microsoft Excel and submit to MyITLab. Midterm Exam Training Project 2G: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight. Assessment Project 2: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight. MyITLab Excel Quiz 2: Login to MyITLab and complete the quiz no later than midnight. The proctored Midterm will be a computer-based test found in the Quizzes area; it will be available beginning Monday and must be completed by 11:59 as coordinated with your proctor. Week 5: Networking Computing Devices and Databases / Microsoft Access Readings Technology in Action: Chapters 7 and 11 GO!: Access Chapter 1

10 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 10 Discussions Go to the Discussions area and post by at 11:59 pm CT. Discussion 9: Your friend wants to network his technological devices. Knowing that you are now an expert in computer information systems, he comes to you for help. How would you answer his questions? 1. What does it mean to network my devices? 2. What hardware and software do I need? 3. How does the data transfer from one device (node) to the next? 4. I have 2 laptops, a smart phone and a play station. What type of network is right for me? 5. How do I know how much bandwidth I need? 6. I am worried about others accessing my network. How can I restrict access? 7. I ve heard about war drivers. What is a war driver? 8. If there is illegal activity on my network, am I held liable? Discussion 10: Let s face it; we interact with databases nearly everyday without our knowledge. 1. But, what exactly is a database? 2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using databases? 3. After reading chapter 11, how many databases do you think that you interact with in a day? 4. Share with us the database you experience frequently? How is your data used? Access Projects Please complete the following projects using Microsoft Access and submit to MyITLab. Training Project 1G: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight. Assessment Project 1: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight. MyITLab Access Quiz 1: Login to MyITLab and complete the quiz no later than midnight. Week 6: Managing and Protecting Your Digital Data and Devices / Microsoft Access Readings Technology in Action: Chapters 8 and 9 GO!: Access Chapter 2 Discussions Go to the Discussions area and post by Friday at at 11:59 pm CT. Discussion 11: When was the last time you read a map a real paper map? Used a phone book? Played a CD or tape (do these still exist?) Digital technologies have greatly impacted our way of life. Even if you do not own a smartphone, tablet or other digital devices, you interact with digital technologies every day (your TV for one!) Has your way of life changed due to the influence of digital technologies? If so, how? If not, why? - Which of the digital technologies has made the greatest change in your life and how? Discussion 12: Say your friend with the newly established network now wants to protect his

11 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 11 Access Projects devices. As his go-to tech guru, he comes to you with many concerns related to device security. How would you answer his questions? 1. I hear that computers can catch viruses. What is a computer virus and how does it spread? 2. What are the differences in the malicious motives of a computer virus and a hacker? 3. What can I do to keep my computer safe from both hackers and viruses? 4. I use my same password for everything! What should I consider when creating a password? Please complete the following projects using Microsoft Access and submit to MyITLab. Training Project 2G: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight. Assessment Project 2: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight. MyITLab Access Quiz 2: Login to MyITLab and complete the quiz no later than midnight. Course Evaluations: Please evaluate the course. You will be able to submit your course evaluation between of Week 5 and Thursday of Week 7. A link will be sent to your CougarMail that will allow you to access the evaluation. Week 7: Software Programming and Security in the Business World / Microsoft PowerPoint Readings Technology in Action: Chapters 10 and 12 GO!: PowerPoint Chapter 1 Discussions Go to the Discussions area and post by at 11:59 pm CT. Discussion 13: The Ethics in IT piece in this chapter (p. 425) discusses the question of responsibility and liabili ty when software does not perform as expected. Many people play a role in the development of software. 1. Examine the steps of the system development life cycle and those involved. 2. Research the web for a software failure. What is the failure and its impact? 3. At what points in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) would testing and revision prevent this failure? Discussion 14: Research major data breaches that have occurred recently. Determine what types of information were illegally accessed and determine how this information could be misused, such as identity theft, spear phishing, and so on. Research and share ways to prevent identity theft and to resolve the problems associated with identity theft after it has occurred. Remember to include references to chapter 12 and your research on this topic in your post.

12 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 12 PowerPoint Projects Please complete the following projects using Microsoft PowerPoint and submit to MyITLab. Training Project 1G: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight. Assessment Project 1: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight. MyITLab PowerPoint Quiz 1: Login to MyITLab and complete the quiz no later than midnight. Course Evaluation You will have the opportunity to evaluate the course near the end of the session. Course evaluations will open on of Week 5 and will remain open until Thursday of Week 7. A link will be sent to your CougarMail that will allow you to access the evaluation. Be assured that the evaluations are anonymous and that your instructor will not be able to see them until after final grades are submitted. Week 8: How the Internet Works / Microsoft PowerPoint Readings Technology in Action: Chapter 13 GO!: PowerPoint Chapter 2 Discussions Go to the Discussions area and post by Saturday at 11:59 pm CT. Discussion 15: You are starting a new business and you need a website. You ve decided to save some money and design the website yourself. How will you create your site? Share with us: 1. What is the name of your new business? 2. What is the domain name? How did you generate it? 3. What website elements does your index page have? For example, can people search your site? What about navigation? 4. What are the basic building blocks of this pages? For example, what type of CSS might you use? Do you have interactive elements that require java script? 5. Consider media. Will this page contain a video? What plug-ins might a users require? 6. Will you leverage crowdsourcing? How? Discussion 16: We ve covered a lot of information this session and now it s time to reflect. Identify the most important concept, theory, or idea you feel we have covered this session. Why do you believe this one thing is the most important? Apply what you have learned from this class to some aspect of your life. What questions have captured your thinking? What are you still wondering about? PowerPoint Projects Please complete the following projects using Microsoft PowerPoint and submit to MyITLab. Training Project 2G: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight Saturday.

13 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 13 Assessment Project 2: Complete your project using the files and instructions downloaded from MyITLab. Submit for grading in MyITLab by midnight Saturday. MyITLab PowerPoint Quiz 2: Login to MyITLab and complete the quiz no later than midnight. Final Exam The proctored Final will again be a computer-based test found in the Quizzes area; it will be available beginning Monday and must be completed by 11:59 p.m. Saturday as coordinated with your proctor. If your proctor has changed, you will need to upload an updated form into the Proctor Dropbox so I may send instructions for the Final. Course Policies Student Conduct Plagiarism All Columbia College students, whether enrolled in a land-based or online course, are responsible for behaving in a manner consistent with Columbia College's Student Conduct Code and Acceptable Use Policy. Students violating these policies will be referred to the office of Student Affairs and/or the office of Academic Affairs for possible disciplinary action. The Student Code of Conduct and the Computer Use Policy for students can be found in the Columbia College Student Handbook. The Handbook is available online; you can also obtain a copy by calling the Student Affairs office (Campus Life) at The teacher maintains the right to manage a positive learning environment, and all students must adhere to the conventions of online etiquette. Your grade will be based in large part on the originality of your ideas and your written presentation of these ideas. Presenting the words, ideas, or expression of another in any form as your own is plagiarism. Students who fail to properly give credit for information contained in their written work (papers, journals, exams, etc.) are violating the intellectual property rights of the original author. For proper citation of the original authors, you should reference the appropriate publication manual for your degree program or course (APA, MLA, etc.). Violations are taken seriously in higher education and may result in a failing grade on the assignment, a grade of "F" for the course, or dismissal from the College. Collaboration conducted between students without prior permission from the instructor is considered plagiarism and will be treated as such. Spouses and roommates taking the same course should be particularly careful. All required papers may be submitted for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers may be included in the Turnitin.com reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. This service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com site. Non-Discrimination There will be no discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, ideology, political affiliation, veteran status, age, physical handicap, or marital status. Disability Services Students with documented disabilities who may need academic services for this course are required to register with the Coordinator for Disability Services at (573) Until the student has been cleared through the disability services office, accommodations do not have to be granted. If you are a

14 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 14 student who has a documented disability, it is important for you to read the entire syllabus before enrolling in the course. The structure or the content of the course may make an accommodation not feasible. Online Participation You are expected to read the assigned texts and participate in the discussions and other course activities each week. Assignments should be posted by the due dates stated on the grading schedule in your syllabus. If an emergency arises that prevents you from participating in class, please let your instructor know as soon as possible. Attendance Policy Attendance for a week will be counted as having submitted a course assignment for which points have been earned during that week of the session or if the proctoring information has been submitted or the plagiarism quiz taken if there is no other assignment due that week. A class week is defined as the period of time between Monday and (except for Week 8, when the week and the course will end on Saturday at midnight). The course and system deadlines are all based on the Central Time Zone. Cougar All students are provided a CougarMail account when they enroll in classes at Columbia College. You are responsible for monitoring from that account for important messages from the College and from your instructor. You may forward your Cougar account to another account; however, the College cannot be held responsible for breaches in security or service interruptions with other providers. Students should use for private messages to the instructor and other students. The class discussions are for public messages so the class members can each see what others have to say about any given topic and respond. Late Assignment Policy An online class requires regular participation and a commitment to your instructor and your classmates to regularly engage in the reading, discussion and writing assignments. Although most of the online communication for this course is asynchronous, you must be able to commit to the schedule of work for the class for the next eight weeks. You must keep up with the schedule of reading and writing to successfully complete the class. Late Discussion postings will receive no credit. Late MyITLab assignments will be accepted until the end of the course for up to 50% of the original points possible. Late Quizzes or Exams will receive a deduction of 25% for late completion. Course Evaluation You will have an opportunity to evaluate the course near the end of the session. Course evaluations will open on Monday of Week 7 and remain open until 5 pm Wednesday of Week 8. You will be able to access the link from your CougarTrack page. Be assured that the evaluations are anonymous and that your instructor will not be able to see them until after final grades are submitted. Proctor Policy Students taking courses that require proctored exams must submit their completed proctor request forms to their instructors by the end of the second week of the session. Proctors located at Columbia College campuses are automatically approved. The use of ProctorU services is also automatically approved. The instructor of each course will consider any other choice of proctor for approval or denial. Additional proctor choices the instructor will consider include: public librarians, high school or college instructors, high school or college counseling services, commanding officers, education

15 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 15 service officers, and other proctoring services. Personal friends, family members, athletic coaches and direct supervisors are not acceptable. Additional Resources Orientation for New Students This course is offered online, using course management software provided by Desire2Learn and Columbia College. The Student Manual provides details about taking an online course at Columbia College. You may also want to visit the course demonstration to view a sample course before this one opens. Technical Support If you have problems accessing the course or posting your assignments, contact your instructor, the Columbia College Helpdesk, or the D2L Helpdesk for assistance. Contact information is also available within the online course environment. CCHelpDesk@ccis.edu ex MyITLab helpdesk helpdesk@desire2learn.com Monday through Friday 12PM to 8PM EST Online Tutoring Smarthinking is a free online tutoring service available to all Columbia College students. Smarthinking provides real-time online tutoring and homework help for Math, English, and Writing. The Writing Center can be used for writing assistance in any course. Smarthinking also provides access to live tutorials in writing and math, as well as a full range of study resources, including writing manuals, sample problems, and study skills manuals. You can access the service from wherever you have a connection to the Internet. I encourage you to take advantage of this free service provided by the college. Access Smarthinking through CougarTrack under Students->Academics->Academic Resources.

16 Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 16 Grading Criteria Discussion Grade 15=A 12=B 10=C 9=D 0=F Criteria Responds appropriately to all topics. Reflects a full understanding of all key concepts and questions. Reflects thorough familiarity with the assigned readings. Specific examples are used. Responses are substantive and provoke further thought/discussion, providing indepth analysis or application of the concepts/questions. Responds to at least one classmate in each topic. One or more elements are missed. Moderate coverage of each required element. Connections to course materials and examples are not fully evident. Posts are simple but show some insight and analysis. Viewpoints are expressed, but lack elaboration and detail. Offers some new line of thinking. Responds to at least one classmate in each topic. One or more elements are missed. Average coverage of each element listed. Connections to course materials and examples are not present or are not fully evident. Posts are simple and show little insight or analysis. Offers some new line of thinking, but this expression lacks elaboration, detail, and/or support. Responds to at least one classmate in each topic. Only briefly touches on one or more elements, minimal effort. Content is off-topic or only summarizes others' posts. Response is vague and does not address readings. Does not express position clearly. Lacks insight and analysis. Posts do not inspire further thinking. May or may not respond to at least one classmate in each topic. Does not touch on any of the possible elements. Shows little to no effort. Does not support position clearly. Shows no insight, analysis, or familiarity with the readings. No response postings or responses consist of good job, I completely agree, or similar rhetoric. Late or plagiarized postings will receive zero credit.