Western Nevada College
IS 101 Introduction to Information Systems
On-line Syllabus

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Class Begins:

Monday, January 23, 2012. Registering for this class is only the first step in the process, you must e-mail the instructor in order to gain contact. See steps in getting started below. Updated your personal contact information and address in myWNC. For more information about WNC's Online WebCampus Moodle follow the link http://wnc.mrooms3.net and information regarding my online courses see Online Course Introduction.

 

Course Description:

This course introduces the student to the role of the computer in the modern business environment. Students will be introduced to the Internet, data base information, management systems, spreadsheets, and word processing. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate survival skills on a computer, have a good understanding of the terminology for computers, and be productive with the use of software for the business setting.

 

General Information:

Class starts week 1 on Monday, January 23, 2012(contact me by this date - see getting started below). THIS IS NOT A SELF PACED CLASS! Chat sessions will be live two or more days, on designated Tuesday nights, 7:00 - 7:30 (March 6, May 1). You may make up chats within 24 hours of the scheduled chat for a reduced grade (see class procedures from my online course introduction page). The lessons/lectures will be available on WebCampus course content for students each week. Lessons are due each week (Fridays by 6:00 p.m.). This means you have one week to complete assignments. You may turn in work early, but you may not turn in work late, I do not accept late work. The course is treated like a campus course, but work is done over the internet. Therefore, every week new material is introduced and information is shared through class participation/forums, assignments, lectures and chats. The course is modeled around a campus course and is not to be mistaken as self-paced. There is a schedule and due dates which must be followed. This class will require a proctored mid-term and a proctored final at the Fallon or Carson WNC Campus. Students are responsible for planning accordingly, proctor hours will be posted and adhered to. The last day of class will be week 16, Monday, May 14, 2012. Please note that it is the students responsibility to notify both the school and the instructor of their intent to drop/withdraw the class.

 

Required Textbook & Material:

Shelly, G.B., Vermaat, M.E., (2012). Discovering Computers: Your Interactive Guide to the Digital World. Brief. Cambridge, MA: Course Technology. The bundle ISBN is 1111997241, and it contains Discovering Computers 2012 Brief AND the CourseMate pin code. ISBN-1111997241

Shelly, G.B., Vermaat, M.E., (2010). Microsoft Office 2010: Essential. Cambridge, MA: Course Technology. ISBN-10: 0-538-74870-2.

• USB Flash Drive 1G+
• Working Computer with Office 2010 Software (Word, Excel, Access*, and PowerPoint) and Windows 7 Operating System installed. *Please note: Be warned, some students only get the student version of Office and it does not have Access.
• Active Internet access and email
• Speaker/Headset (microphone optional)

Course Objectives: The successful student will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Identify the categories and components of computers, define basic terminology, and explain the difference between system software, application software, hardware, and networks.
2. Use Windows skills to work with programs, manage files, and create shortcuts on the desktop.
3. Explain and demonstrate the advantages and usages of integrated software and software suites.
4. Describe how memory stores programs and data, and discuss the sequence of operations that occur when instructions are executed on a computer.
5. Understand the commonly used input and output devices.
6. Show understanding of the storage operations and the various types of storage devices that are used with computers.
7. Use the computer as a communication tool for the business, organizations, and everyday life using communication software.
8. Describe the Internet and how it works, understand the Web documents and how they are linked to one another, and explain the Internet services.
9. Demonstrate and discuss the use of email client, web browsers, online data, and multimedia applications.
10. Demonstrate the understanding of basic word processing, database, and spreadsheet software.

Methods of Instruction:

Reading, lectures, hands-on, handouts, assignments, and personalized help will be utilized through the Internet. The student will work on jobs/assignments relevant to the current lecture material. The instructor will offer assignment parameters and suggested applications. The student should take every advantage to apply job assignments to actual work or interest applications. Class agenda, instructional material, and student assignments will be posted on the net. Disability support services are available to assist appropriate academic accommodations that students may require, please contact me immediately (by second week of class) to ensure timely accommodations.

Attendance:

This is a class on the Internet, attendance is required online (by-weekly, 4+ suggested) through participation in forums, chats, e-mail and completed assignments. No activity in access of three weeks from a student online indicates failure to complete work and may result with a failure grade letter of F or a W indicating withdraw from the class.

Grading:

Weekly, students will receive a grade for performance of each project, reading, quizzes, tests, and/or class discussions. See Class & Procedures. Grades will be based upon the percentage of the total possible. All grades/totals are subject to change during the semester. It is the students responsibility to keep track of their individual progress. Access your final grade through your individual webreg account.
The grading scale is as follows and may include + and - grades:
100-90 = A
89 - 80 = B
79 - 70 = C
59 - 00 = F or W
Grade F or W will be assigned at instructors discretion for absences in excess of three class meetings (any period of inactivity longer than three weeks for online classes) or for failure to complete class assignments. If the student has not voluntarily withdrawn prior to the twelfth week of the semester, the instructor may issue a grade of "W" at that time. An attempt to contact the student will be made through the students WNC email address prior to the issuing of the "W". Grade F may be issued for any form of academic dishonesty (refer to WNC Policy).

 

Grading Criteria: Approximate point totals

Chat (2) 60
Homework 600+
Discussion/Participation 10 points each week (15)150+
Midterm (1) 100
Final (1) 100
Final Project (1)100

 

Course Work Schedule:

Following is a tentative list of class dates, reading, and class discussion topics which are subject to change. It is the students responsibility to look up the current information on discussion board and view lectures from WebCampus course content, which will be updated frequently.

GETTING STARTED: WHAT THE HECK DO I DO?

1. Register for the class. You must register and pay to be on the official class roster.
2. Print and read this syllabus following all links. Changes may be made to syllabus up to the first day of the semester.
3. Purchase your books. Begin reading, there is a great deal of material and reading is your main tool for learning this material.
4. Update your e-mail address with the college through myWNC to reflect your personal e-mail account.
5. Visit my Online Course Information Page and complete the personal data sheet so that I have contact phone numbers.
6. E-mail me before Jan. 23. Send me an e-mail confirming your registration, stating that you have registered in my on-line IS101 course. In your e-mail make the subject, "Registered IS101" and in the body, list your full name and e-mail address. Watch for a welcome email the first day of class.
7. Gain access to our online WebCampus Moodle environment at http://wnc.mrooms3.net

Last Updated: January 24, 2012 This syllabus is subject to change up to the date class starts, thereafter changes will be posted in class forums.
Page Author: Janeen L. Malkovich, M. Ed.

Class Notes: (use the space below for class notes and course changes)