Course Syllabus

 

GRAYSON COLLEGE

Course Information
Course Syllabus
POFI 1301.HYB - Computer Applications I, Spring 2015

Professor Contact Information
Vickie Keitz, B.S.
Office: Success Center SC-114
Office Phone: 903-463-8747
Email: Through Canvas only

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions
No prior computer experience is needed

Course Description
Course is an overview of computer applications including current terminology and technology. Student will learn the important topics of computer concepts, Microsoft Windows, and software applications.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the class students will be able to:
Understand computer basics
Working with and saving files, connecting to the internet, printing Writing and printing documents, making presentations, spreadsheets Working with graphics, buying a PC and upgrading a PC

Required Textbooks (ISBN # included) and Materials
The Practical PC 7th Edition
June Jamrich Parsons and Dan Oja
Course Technology
ISBN – 13:978-0-538-74672-4

Required Course Materials
1 USB (Flash) Drive

Required Assignments & Academic Calendar
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor. Notice will be given through Blackboard Announcements. For a more detail description of assignments check Blackboard

 

In case of inclement weather, emergency closings, or other unforeseen disruptions to scheduled classes, student must log onto their Blackboard accounts for directions on where or how to continue their coursework.

Methods of Evaluation
Assignments will be posted and turned in through Blackboard. Grades will be posted in
Blackboard.

Grading
Grades will be posted in Blackboard.

Evaluation:
Chapter test will be given. There will not be “make up” test. If you miss the test – your grade is a zero for that test.

Assignments: Each of these assignments has a due date assigned NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. Assignments will be turned in through Blackboard.

Method of Instruction Lectures on Chapters Class Discussions
Demonstrations of Software

1. Communication with students will be primarily thought the course site in GCC Blackboard. Frequent announcements, responses to email, as well as feedback on homework assignments will be provided regularly.
2. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of personal computers, internet browsing, desktop application such as Microsoft Word, and file management (uploading, downloading, or sending files)
3. Computer Hardware and Software: Generally, personal computers purchased in the last three (3) years should be adequate to access GCC Blackboard. Software requirements include Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.x or higher (www.microsoft.com), the latest version of Sun JAVA (www.java.com), the latest updates to your operating system (Microsoft Windows XP or higher or Apple MAC OX X or higher), and the latest updates to your anti-virus and spyware protection. Students needing assistance with accessing instructional technology should contact the GCC Help Desk. For more information, visit http://www.grayson.edu and select the Help Desk link.
4. Procedures for submitting work in the event of technical breakdowns: Please do not wait until the last minute to submit assignments! Allow enough time before the due date and time to submit your assignments. Should there be a technical problem, immediately notify the instructor via external email or by telephone. Arrangements, if permitted will be discussed at that time

 

Course & Instructor Policies

Test
A test may be made up ONLY if missed due to an emergency (e.g. serious illness of the student or student’s immediate family requiring a doctor’s care or death in the student’s family). A student missing a test must get in touch with the instructor immediately and must provide the instructor with documentation explaining the reason for the absence. Failure to contact the instructor immediately may result in a grade of zero for the missed test. Only one test may be made up during the semester.

Assignments
A due date is given for all assignments. Students are responsible for turning in assignments on that date.

Class Behavior
Come to class prepared and on time. Work to become excellent by setting high standards, paying attention to details, working well and displaying a high level of concentration even when assigned an unpleasant task.

Demonstrate understanding, friendliness, adaptability, empathy, and politeness in new and ongoing group settings. Exhibit ethical behavior by doing your own work.

Class Attendance
Academic success is closely associated with regular classroom attendance and course participation. All successful students, whether on campus or online, are expected to be highly self-motivated. All students are required to participate in course regularly and are obliged to participate in class activities and complete and submit assignments following their professors’ instructions. Student’s taking courses during compressed semester time frames such as mini-mester, summer session, and mid-mester should plan to spend significantly more tome per week on the course. Responsibility for work missed because of illness or school business is placed upon the student. In accordance with the College’s Developmental Education Plan, students withdrawn from their only developmental course may be withdrawn from all academic courses. In addition, students’ eligibility to receive financial aid or live in a College dormitory can be affected by withdrawal from courses. When administrative withdrawal occurs, any tuition refund would be made in accordance with state regulations.

Students who discontinue attending classes and fail to drop or withdraw will receive grades of “F”. More than two absences are considered to be excessive. For on campus courses, students can receive two “free absences” per semester. Additional absences will reduce the student’s grade by 50 points.

Student Conduct & Discipline
Active learning requires regular and prompt attendance and participation, beginning the first day of class. Arrive on time; stay until class ends. If you arrive after assignment instructions have been given, quietly be seated. All missed class time is recorded as absence; more than three absences will lower the final grade. Excessive absence, excused or unexcused, will result in failure to pass the course. To create a good learning environment for all class members, arrive promptly and contribute positively.

Avoid disruptive behavior, including: talking or making noise, sleeping, texting, failing to silence phones, listening to music or doing personal projects or assignments for other classes during class time. Keep electronic devices secured and off of your desk unless the professor has specified their use for the current assignment

Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic Dishonesty, any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to discipline. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the college’s policy on plagiarism (see GCC Student Handbook for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

 

Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials, including music and software. Copying, displaying, reproducing, or distributing copyrighted works may infringe the copyright owner’s rights and such infringement is subject to appropriate disciplinary action as well as criminal penalties provided by federal law. Usage of such material is only appropriate when that usage constitutes “fair use” under the Copyright
Act.

 

Withdrawal from Class
The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administrative procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle student initiated withdrawal requirements from any class. You must complete the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled (see GCC College Catalog for details).

 

Disability Services
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room SC 115 in the Student Success
Center.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is: Jeffri Hodge
(903) 463-8751 (voice or TTY)
hodgej@grayson.edu

If you anticipate issues related to the format or requirements of this course, please meet with the Coordinator of Disability Services. The Coordinator is available to discuss ways to ensure your full participation in the course. If you determine that formal, disability-related accommodations are necessary, it is very important that you be registered with Disability Services to notify them of your eligibility for reasonable accommodations. Disability Services can then plan how best to coordinate your accommodations.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

 

If this class is a hybrid, local online or distance education course, you will need the following information.

1. Communication with teacher will be through Blackboard.
2. Online students must log on weekly.
3. Instructor will check daily on the progress of each student
4. The same rules of conduct apply to online classes
5. Students must have a basic understanding of computer to use an online class.
6. Open labs are available across campus.
7. Contact instructor in the event of technical breakdowns
8. Academic honesty will be enforced the same across the curriculum

 

Financial Aid
Effective July 1, 2000 students receiving Title IV funds (Pell, Federal Grants, and Student Loans), who subsequently withdraw from classes, will be required to return a portion of the federal financial aid received. Only the percentage of aid earned (determined by the percentage of time attended) will be eligible for retention on the student’s behalf. Any aid that is not earned must be returned to its source. If
there is a student account balance resulting from these adjustments, the student is responsible for payment. Further details can be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid.

 

Drop Rule
Under section 51.907 of the Texas Education Code, “an institution of higher education may not permit a student to drop more than six courses, including any course a transfer student has dropped at another institution of higher education.” This statue was enacted by the State of Texas in spring 2007 and applies to students who enroll in a public institution of higher education as first-time freshmen in fall 2007 or later. Any course that a student drops is counted toward the six-course limit if (1) the student drops a course after census date or (2) the student is not dropping the course in order to withdraw from the institution. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to drop a course without having it counted toward this limit, but it is the responsibility of the student to establish that good cause before the drop. Students with questions should contact the Counseling Office or the Office of Admissions & Records for more information before dropping a course!

Grayson College is not responsible for illness/injury that occurs during the normal course of classroom/lab/clinical experiences. These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.