DEPARTMENT Course Title: Introduction to Computer Applications and Hardware COURSE TERM: SPRING 2015 Instructor Contact Information: NAME ASHLEY RUSSELL IVANA TATE EMAIL ARUSSELL@YEARUP.ORG ITATE@YEARUP.ORG I. Course Description: This course provides an introduction to Computer Hardware, Operating Systems, Microsoft Office Suite (Professional), Computer Programming, and Customer Service Skills. It also introduces students to the collaborative academic environment while maintaining the high expectations of Year Up and Harold Washington College. Students will also develop critical thinking skills, learn terminology and problem solving techniques which are critical to solve Information Technology (IT) problems. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on performing tasks that simulate professional work situations. YearUp has a partnership with the City Colleges of Chicago which allow students enrolled in the Year Up program to potentially earn credit from Harold Washington College for the following courses*: CIS 101, Introduction to Computer Information Systems (3 Credits) CIS 120, Introduction to Microcomputers (3 Credits) CIS 122, Introduction to Word Processing on Microcomputers (3 Credits) CIS 158, Beginning Internet (3 Credits) * Earning the college credits is dependent upon the student s academic and financial status with the City Colleges of Chicago. II. Course Outcomes Applying the fundamentals of information systems used in business, the student demonstrates appropriate use of computers (hardware) and software applications (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite, Word processing, Cloud services, etc.) in a professional business environment. When required to give oral presentations in a business environment, the student verbally organizes and communicates computer technology and technical concepts, processes, thoughts, ideas, and information effectively. The student is able to identify, repair, and upgrade computer technology systems.
Asked to solve an IT-related problem, the student applies critical thinking and problem-solving skills using experience gained from research assignments, individual and group projects, and troubleshooting processes and practices. III. IV. Course Objectives:: Gain a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite through assignments and daily use Understand and apply troubleshooting methodology to solve problems with technology Understand how software and hardware work together to perform computing tasks Understand and apply fundamentals of software and programming languages Develop an understanding of different technologies to determine short and long term career and educational goals Required Texts and Materials: Andrews, J. (2010). A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC. Boston: Cengage Learning. Shelly, G. A. (2011). Microsoft Office 2010 Introductory. Boston: Cengage Learning. V. Supplementary (Optional) Texts and Materials: VI. Year Up Grading System: This grading schematic is designed to give each student the best opportunity to succeed in this class. Your instructor realizes that different students have different strengths and wants to give every student the opportunity to excel. Topic Percentage Hardware 30% Microsoft Office 25% Tech Lab 20% IRA 20% Math Review 5% Method of Evaluation Criteria of Evaluation Points Homework Assignments used to assess a student s skill in 5 a particular area (specific homework assignments, Schoology posts,etc.) Quizzes and Tests Pop quizzes, quizzes, and tests. Tests will 10 carry a higher percentage weight than quizzes. Microsoft Office Demonstrate knowledge of the Microsoft 20 Project Office Suite (Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Access and Project) Module 3 Project Demonstrate technical and business communication skills learned throughout Learning and Development. 100 2
VII. Grading Scale: Insert grading scale A:100%-90% B:89%-80% C:79%-70% D:69%-60% F: Below 59% VIII. Course Policies and Requirements: Late Work Policy: All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period unless otherwise stated. The Late Assignment Policy is as follows: 1 day late = Incur 15 point infraction 2 days late = Grade drops 1 letter grade + incur 15 point contract infraction 3 days late = Grade drops 2 letter grades + incur 15 point contract infraction Assignments 4 or more days late will not be accepted. The grade will be recorded as 0. In-class work can only be made up if you have notified your instructor of an absence ahead of time or if your absence is excused because of an emergency. Grades of "Incomplete": Grades of Incomplete will be issued on a case-by-case basis. Incompletes will only be issued after all avenues for work submission have been exhausted and there has been a meeting with the student, instructor and academic director. Other staff members (i.e., advisor, program manager/director) will be included in the meeting as deemed necessary. Group Work Policy: From time to time, and in an effort to mimic the work environment, students will be assigned to groups for group projects. These groups may be chosen by the students or assigned by the instructor. During these group projects, it is expected that members of the work will distribute the work. If it is reported that any of the group members has not completed their portion of the pre-determined work, the student(s), at a minimum, could risk earning infractions for not submitting assignments on time and/or received a grade lower than the grade that is given to the group. Email: Students are encouraged to communicate with instructors while they are on the Year Up premises. If questions should arise after normal business and instructors are not available, the student is encouraged to email the instructor. It is the expectation that the instructor will answer the email by the end of the next business day. The instructor may choose to respond to the emails during evenings, weekends and holidays, but is not obligated to adhere to the next business day norm. Disability Access: Access for disabilities will follow the standards and policies established by Year Up. The academic staff will consider these standards and policies when handling issue of accommodations for students with disabilities. Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend class regularly and participate in class discussions. Students who miss work due to absences are responsible for determining what was missed and submitting completed work in a timely fashion upon their return. Professionalism Policy: Any acts of classroom disruption that go beyond the normal rights of students to question and discuss with instructors technology and the educational process relative to subject content will not be tolerated. In accordance with the Academic Code of Conduct & Contract, described in the Student Handbook and the Student Contract, infractions will be recorded when necessary. Food and liquids (other than water in your water bottle) are not allowed in tech classroom. If you have bottled and sealed fluids they must remain closed, in your bag and out of sight. 3
IX. Academic Conduct Policy: (See Plagiarism section below) Religious Observances: All class meetings and academic due dates will follow Year Up s guidelines for religious observances. During these time of religious observances, students are not obligated to submit assignments that may be due on that day. The student is encouraged to arrange for alternate due dates with the instructor PRIOR to the religious observance. Plagiarism: Plagiarism occurs when a student misrepresents the work of another as his or her own. There is nothing wrong with presenting someone else s words and ideas in your own writing. The key to properly using others ideas in your work is acknowledgement and citation. To avoid plagiarism, you must give credit whenever you use another person s ideas, opinions, or theory, including facts, statistics, graphs, and drawings. Any piece of information that is not common knowledge must be cited. If you are concerned about whether or not you are giving credit when it is due, please feel free to come talk to your instructors. We ll be more than happy to help you. Learning Management System (Schoology.): Schoology will be used as the primary LMS for this class. All grades will be kept in the Gradebook option of the LMS. Most of the assignments will be submitted for grading into Schoology, but from time to time, paper copies of assignments will be submitted to the instructor. Students are encouraged to check Schoology daily for updates that may be posted by the instructor. Students will be held responsible for all updates and announcements posted in Schoology. 4
MODULE 1 Subjects Topics Covered Readings and Assignments Week 1 Orientation Orientation Orientation Week 2 Microsoft Office Suite: Outlook A+ Chapter 2 Outlook Chapter 2: Working Inside a Computer Outlook HW 1 & 2 Chapter 2/ Homework Week 3 HTML Outlook continued A+ Chapter 1 Outlook Calendar, CSS Introduction to HTML Chapter 1: First Look at Computer Parts and Tools Outlook Chapter 1/ Homework Week 4 Outlook continued Intro MS Word A+ Chapter 4 Introduction to MS Word Mail Merge, All about Motherboards Outlook HW 3 Word HW 1 & 2 Chapter 4/ Homework Week 5 Word continued PowerPoint A+ Chapter 5 PowerPoint - Creating presentations Chapter 5: Supporting Processor and Upgrading Memory PPT HW 1 Chapter 5/ Homework Week 6 Microsoft Office Suite: Excel A+ Chapter 6 Excel - Creating worksheets, formulas, and using functions Chapter 6: Supporting Hard Drives Excel HW 1, 2, 3 & 4 Word Quiz Chapter 6/ Homework Week 7 Excel continued A+ Chapter 8 Excel - Working with datasheets and formulas Chapter 8: Supporting I/O and Storage Devices Excel HW 5, 6, & 7 Chapter 8/ Homework
MODULE 2 Subjects Topics Covered Readings and Assignments Week 1 Microsoft Office Suite: Access Integrated project A+ Chapter 3 Access creating tables, queries, form and reports Integrated Project Chapter 3: Introduction to Windows Operating System Access HW Chapter 3 Homework Week 2 Access continued A+ Chapter 10 Access creating tables, queries, form and reports Maintaining Windows OS Access HW Chapter 10/ Homework Excel Quiz Week 3 Microsoft Office Suite: Project A+ Chapter 11 HTML Chapter 11: Optimizing Windows Chapter 11/Homework Access Quiz Week 4 Project continued Printers CSS Laser and Inkjet Printers CSS and Overview Chapter 15 /Homework Hardware Quiz #2 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Integrated Project Connecting and Setting up a Network Presentation of cases/ Take STRATA prep test Project Quiz IRA PREP IRA PREP TBD INTERNSHIP BOOTCAMP Hardware, Coding, Software, Assignments vary according to group assignment 6
MODULE 3 Subjects Topics Covered Readings and Assignments Week 1 Internship Readiness Assessment Satisfying Customer Needs Communicating with customers Networking Devices, Cable Types Chapter 9/ Homework Networking Chapter 16/Homework/Quiz Week 2 Printers and Scanners Mobile Devices Types of Printers and Scanners, features Smartphones, Tablets Chapter 21/Homework Chapter 20/Homework Week 3 Laptops Security Similarities and differences to desktops Firewalls, encryption, data protection Chapter 19/Homework Chapter 18/Homework/Quiz Week 4 Microsoft Office Suite Data Analysis Refresh of EXCEL, OUTLOOK and WORD Summarizing, analyzing and presenting data Microsoft Office Book TBD Week 5 Case Study/STRATA PREP Researching topic, summarizing, analyzing data Reviewing topics that will be on STRATA exam Presentation of cases/ Take STRATA prep test Week 6 Case Study/STRATA PREP Researching topic, summarizing, analyzing data Reviewing topics that will be on STRATA exam Presentation of cases/ Take STRATA prep test Week 7 INTERNSHIP BOOTCAMP Hardware, Coding, EXCEL, Assignments vary according to group assignment 7