Course Description: Overview of computer systems—hardware, operating systems, and microcomputer application software, including the Internet, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and databases.  Current issues such as the effect of computers on society, and the history and use of computers in business, educational, and other modern settings are also studied.

This course provides the required computer literacy core competencies that all students need to attain by graduation.

Pre-requisite:  Reading – R.

Keyboarding and mouse operation skills recommended.

Instructional Methodology:  This course will have 50% lecture and 50% laboratory.  If the students are unable to finish the assigned lab work within the lab time, they will need to visit the CIT open labs to complete their assignments.

Flipped Classroom: This will be what is called a “flipped classroom”, which means that you will do your readings (exercises) before I lecture on the topic under study.  Class time will be provided to gain the necessary background; when I do give the lecture, I will assume that you already have a basic understanding of the topic.

Course Rationale:  This course meets the Computer Literacy course requirements as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This course is included in several degree plans and certificates including:

• Associate of Applied Science – Computer Programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Web Programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Local Area Network Administration
• Associate of Applied Science – User and Computer Support
• Associate of Applied Science – Game and Visualization Programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Information Technology Application
• Associate of Applied Science – Security Administration
• Associate of Applied Science – Software Testing

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

The students will learn to “use computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information”. Students will have an “understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of technology, and acquire the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become available”.  After successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Define and describe the hardware used in information technology (IT).
2. Define and describe the types of software used in IT.
3. Delineate and discuss societal issues involving the use of IT and networks.
4. Demonstrate the ability to create and use documents, spreadsheets, presentations and databases in order to communicate and store information as well as to support problem solving.
5. Use IT to acquire, differentiate and evaluate information and technology.

SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills):

Refer to http://www.austincc.edu/cit/courses/scans.pdf for a complete definition and explanation of SCANS.  The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course:

Approved Course Texts:

CMPTR3, 3rd Edition Pinard/Romer/Morley, Course Technology, 2017

NOTE:  This textbook MUST be purchased as a BUNDLE

ISBN-13: 978-1-337-37097-4

Grade Policy:

Grade will be assigned based both on concepts and practical application. SAM exercises, SAM projects, Group Projects, and Examinations will be a part of the grade.

An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale:

90%  - 100%         A

80%  -  89%          B

70%  -  79%          C

60%  -  69%          D

0%    -  59%          F

The activities of this course involve Participation, Reading, and Demonstration. The topics are divided between computer literacy and detailed knowledge.

• Detailed computer knowledge considers topics from textbook chapters 1-6. Much of the material in the textbook is really computer literacy, so those topics will be expanded on by class lecture and other supplemental materials.
• Computer literacy involves issues deriving from the presence of computers in daily life, along with using the specific "social" tools in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
• Microsoft Office work involves readings and projects.

Participation

involves both class meeting attendance and Discussion Board posts.

• Attendance: this is a distance learning course.  We will have virtual meetings at the designated class time, but most of the work is done with an online tool.  Class meeting time will have specific lectures (required attendance) and the opportunity to work with me available to help.  I encourage helping your classmates (except on examinations) so it’s a chance to collaborate as well, particularly on Group Projects.
• Discussion Board: post at least three (3) items for each topic; posts either start a new thread or respond to other posts. Posts are scored and the average of all posts counts as a 200-point project.

Reading

The textbook is available as an e-book in SAM.  Cengage also provides an option to purchase a hard copy of the textbook if you desire.

You may read the textbook in one of two ways:  Active and Passive.  Passive reading is “normal” reading, with your eyes.  Active reading is “working” the book material through SAM Trainings.  Trainings are assigned and are the largest source of points in your grade.

A chapter Training consists of many Tasks. Each Task corresponds to a different topic in the chapter; some Trainings have more Tasks than others.

If a chapter Training has 7 Tasks, that chapter Training is worth 35 points; if there are 22 Tasks, the chapter Training is worth 110 points. For the entire textbook, there are 22 chapter Trainings and 520 total Tasks, worth 2600 points.

Completing a Task on time earns 5 points.  Completing a Task after the due date earns 2 points. You have unlimited retakes on Tasks:  SAM records each completed Task.

Demonstration

consists of examinations and projects.

Examinations

• There are three examinations, each worth 100 points, all administered in SAM and all in class meetings.
• Two examinations are Concept Exams and one is an in-class PiT project. The Concept Exams are given in two consecutive 16-week class meetings, or in one 9-week class meeting.
• An in-class Office examination covers either Word or Excel.  It is an alternate version of one of the 7 PiT projects used for homework, and it must be completed within one 16-week class period, or one-half of a 9-week class period.

Projects:

• There is one SAM project for each of chapters 10-21 (called Practice-It or PiT projects, but not to be confused with the "practice-it" activities listed in the textbook itself), worth 100 points each.
  • PiT projects in SAM are assigned for chapters 10-16.  PiT projects for chapters 17-21 are optional and count as extra credit.  This means the total possible points from assigned PiT and group projects is 700.
• There are two group projects, one for Word and one for PowerPoint, worth 200 points each for a Group Project total of 400.

Work schedule.

Much of the class work can be done at your own speed; there is a flexibility to the pace.  Late work and extra credit are always available so that it is never too late to catch up if you have the hours to put in.

You should not forget, however, that this is a 9-week class.  Things will move along very quickly.  The final date on which material may be submitted for grading is 8/1/2020.

Missed Exam and Late Work Policies

Missed examinations may only be made up if they were due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, and the way in which they are made up will be determined through discussions with the professor.

Completing an assigned Task after the due date earns 2 points instead of 5. No work will be accepted after the final submission date listed above.

Course/Class Policies:

Attendance / Class Participation

Regular and timely class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.  Attendance is graded:  5 points per class session.

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignment or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.

Freedom of Expression Policy

It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom and/or Blackboard discussions.

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decides to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is 3/9/2020.  The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education.  Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count towards this limit.  Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Incompletes

A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.
2. The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.
3. The request for the grade must be made in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.
4. To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course by two weeks before the end of the following semester.  Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process. Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources. Further information is available at https://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process.

For this course, the penalty for scholastic dishonesty is a grade of ‘F’ for the course.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Academic freedom is a foundation and hallmark of higher education. In the context of college-level courses, it specifically refers to the rights of free expression and respect for others with differing opinions. Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. Just as you are expected to exercise these rights with respect for state and federal law in the larger world, you are expected to exercise these rights as a student with respect for the college’s standards of conduct. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Students and faculty alike should enable a climate of mutual respect and civility while fostering the freedom to debate and discuss the merits of competing ideas.

Enrollment in the college indicates acceptance of the rules set forth in the student standards of conduct policy, which is administered through the office of the campus dean of student services. Due process, through an investigation and appeal process, is assured to any student involved in disciplinary action.

Student Complaints

A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved.

Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.

Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-andresponsibilities/student-complaint-procedures

Statement on Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)  protects confidentiality of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over the phone, by e-mail, or to a fellow student.  Individual student grades are posted in Blackboard.

Students Accessibility Services 

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS).  Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed. Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student. Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.

Tutoring

Free tutoring is provided for this course both online and face-to-face.  For online schedules and details please refer to https://sites.austincc.edu/cs/student-resources/csit-tutoring-schedule/ .

Student and Instructional Services

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. Information on these services and support systems is available here. Links to many student services and other information can be found at Current Students. ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found here. For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

Use of ACC E-mail

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account.

Classroom Behavior

Students are expected to demonstrate proper classroom behavior.  The professor has the prerogative to request any student that demonstrates improper and disruptive classroom behavior to leave the classroom.  Improper and disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to: profanity, verbal outbursts, unwarranted physical activity, and lack of respect for fellow students and/or the professor.

Safety Statement 

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.

All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency

Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action.

Emergency Situation

In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency situation or an illness outbreak, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course.  In that event, students will be provided an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version.

Student Files – Privacy

Their instructor for educational and academic reasons may view the information that a student stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies Labs.

Discrimination Prohibited

The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.  Faculty at the College are required to report concern regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms o sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination) to the Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance.  Licensed clinical counselors are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for students.  Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be found in the ACC Compliance Resource Guide available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o55xINAWNvTYgI-fs-JbDyuaMFDNvAjz/view

Campus Carry

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy. In addition, concealed weapons are not allowed on ACC-sponsored field trips where the school owns or has chartered or leased vehicles for transportation. It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999. Please refer to the concealed handgun policy online at http://www.austincc.edu/campuscarry.