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 2 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab each week.

To work from home, you will need a computer with fast, reliable Internet access, Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 2019 (Full Versions - Word 2019, Excel 2019, Access 2019, and PowerPoint 2019) or MS Office 365. Most Lab Project assignments DO NOT have the same results when created on a MAC or Chrome Book due to differences in themes, fonts, colors, etc. MS Access is not available on a MAC computer. All ACC campuses and computer lab locations are closed for Fall 2020 due to COVID-19. MS Office 2019 is required for all lab projects for this class. No exceptions. Blackboard is used for students to access course materials, lecture PowerPoint presentations, notes, handouts, etc. If you are not familiar with Blackboard, see the ACC Online Frequently Asked Questions here. MindTap/SAM (Skills Assessment Management, website provided by textbook publisher) is used for chapter training tutorials, chapter exams/skills training, chapter lab projects and capstone lab projects.

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/Desktop Support
• Associate of Applied Science – Game programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Microcomputer Application Support

Required Course Text: Technology For Success MS Office 365+MS Office 2019

With your paid course tuition, you have access to MindTap/SAM course materials, assignments, and the E-book via the MindTap Link on Blackboard. You do not need to purchase a MindTap or SAM access code for this class.  If you choose to purchase a hardcopy textbook in addition to the above, a hardcopy textbook can be purchased/ordered at an ACC bookstore using ISBN: 9781337934640.

Authors: David Beskeen; Jennifer T. Campbell; Mark Ciampa; Barbara Clemens; Carol M. Cram; Jennifer Duffy; Steven M. Freund; Lisa Friedrichsen; Mark Frydenberg; Ralph Hooper; Lisa Ruffolo; Lynn Wermers. Publisher: Course Technology, 2020.

NOTE: MS Office 2019 (Word 2019, Excel 2019, PowerPoint 2019, and Access 2019) or MS Office 365 must be used for this course.

NOTE: MINDTAP 2019 is NOT compatible with MS Office 2010, MS Office 2013, or MS Office 2016. MS Office 2019 is compatible with MS Office 365 according to Cengage Publishing.

A USB drive (Jump drive or Thumb drive) is recommended for storing student files.

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: 

Grade Policy:

Final Course Grade will be assigned based both on computer concepts and practical application. Final grade will be made up of Module Exams, Skills Training, Lab Projects, and Capstone Lab projects. Letter grades are assigned on the 10-point scale. Grade Scale:

A- 100 – 90         B – 89 – 80         C - 79 – 70         D - 69 – 60         F - Below 60

Grading for the Course

NO LATE WORK OR ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  ANYTHING NOT TURNED IN ON TIME WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF ZERO.  NO EXCEPTIONS. Any homework/assignments may also be turned in early. Emergencies such as hospitalization, deaths in family, deployment, etc. are handled on a situation by situation basis, but I must be contacted before missed assignments are due if an emergency situation occurs. No exceptions.

Academic Integrity

YOUR WORK MUST BE YOUR OWN.  Your work CANNOT be shared with, or copied from other students.  Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.  (See Academic Integrity in theACC Student Policies Handbook). Exams, projects, labs/homework, and all graded assignments are individual efforts. While you certainly may ask procedural (“how do I…”) questions of others, graded work must be your own individual work. Each person, however, must develop his or her own solutions to the assigned projects, assignments and tasks. Students may not “work together” on graded assignments. Such collaboration constitutes cheating, and a student may not use or copy (by any means) another’s work (or portions of it) and represent it as his/her own. If you need help on an assignment, contact your instructor, not other classmates.  This class is an exercise in higher education and an independent effort is expected from you.  I endorse wholeheartedly Austin Community College’s policy on Academic Integrity. These rules have been established to protect the integrity of those pursuing learning in an open and honest manner.  Students who violate ACC rules on academic integrity are subject to disciplinary penalties outlined in the Academic Integrity policy in the current

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

Incomplete

Incomplete grades (I) will be given only in very rare circumstances. An Incomplete may not be used as a shelter from a potentially low grade in the class. A student who qualifies for an incomplete grade may request an “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:
1. After the last date to withdraw, the student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to documented extenuating emergency/tragedy circumstances.
2. The student must have taken all major exams and earned a grade of “C” or higher at time of request. Missed/past due assignments are not retroactive.
3. To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course two weeks before the end of the following semester or sooner based on due date set by the professor. Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.

Attendance/Participation/Withdrawal

Students are expected to participate in all online classes.  Participating pertains to accessing the Blackboard course web site weekly, turning in labs /assignments, quizzes, and major exams. Students not participating may be dropped from a class. If a student has to miss a class, he/she should contact the instructor prior to the next class meeting to get the class assignments that he or she missed.

Students are expected to participate in all online classes and will be held responsible for all material covered in class.  It is the student’s responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office if they wish to withdraw from this class. The instructor may withdraw students from this class due to non-participation as determined by instructor or failing to attempt 4 graded assignments by the last date to receive credit. See the ACC academic calendar for the last date to withdraw from a class for this semester. It is not the responsibility of the instructor to withdraw the students from their class even though the instructor has the prerogative to do so under the above listed circumstances.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002 are charged a higher tuition rate. State law permits students to withdraw from no more than 6 courses during their entire college career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC College Catalog.

Austin Community College Functions– Classes missed due to ACC functions such as organizational trips, class field trips, etc. will be “excused”, if a note/email from coach/sponsor is received.  Students are still responsible for all assignments due. Assignments must be turned in early, since any assignment not turned in on time will result in a grade of zero.

Freedom of Expression Policy

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

Concealed Handgun Policy

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.

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. Refer to the concealed handgun policy online at http://www.austincc.edu/campuscarry

Tutoring

Free online tutoring for this semester is provided for this course. http://acctutor.org/

An online tutor request can be made here: https://de.austincc.edu/bbsupport/online-tutoring-request/

For schedules and details please refer to http://sites.austincc.edu/cs/student-resources/csit-tutoring-schedule/

Student Files – Privacy

The information that a student stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies Labs may be viewed, but not changed by his/her instructor for educational and academic reasons. Instructors have read-only access to the students’ files.

   Student Accessibility Services   

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. 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 accommodation. Additional information about Student Accessibility Services is available at https://www.austincc.edu/offices/student-accessibility-services-and-assistive-technology

Communication

Instructors will use the ACC online Blackboard system http://acconline.austincc.edu and the ACCmail accounts as the official communication system during this semester. Instructors can post lecture notes, handouts, changes to course schedule or assignments and your grades on Blackboard and can send all email communication via the ACCmail accounts. Instructors will expect all students to check both Blackboard and their ACCmail accounts on a regular basis. For information on how to log onto Blackboard and ACCmail please visit the following sites: http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/StudentSupport.php http://www.austincc.edu/google/. Instructors/Lab Technicians will conduct a brief lab orientation during the first class laboratory period.

Safety Statement

Each student is expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Emergency posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom. 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/.

Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

COVID-19 Information Update

https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus

Use of Electronic Devices

The use of cell phones, pagers and personal electronic devices are not allowed at any time in the class or lab. The use of a laptop computer in class or lab is restricted to instructor approved activities.

COSC Course Requirements