Beginning Keyboarding Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

POFT-1329-001 Beginning Keyboarding

Prerequisites

Course Description

Skill development keyboarding techniques. Emphasis on development of acceptable speed and accuracy levels and formatting basic documents.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Keyboarding & Word Processing Essentials, 19e
Lessons 1-55, Microsoft Word 2013
by VanHuss, Forde, & Woo
Text/KPDO Bundle
ISBN: 1285576322

KPDO = Keyboard Pro Deluxe Online; this is an online system we will use for keyboarding drills, timed writings, and other course assignments. KPDO access is a required element of the course.

This access is bundled with the textbook at the AC Bookstore for $137. Ensure you have an access code if you choose to purchase elsewhere.

Supplies

1. Textbook (see above)
2. KPDO access (see above)
3. Pens and pencils
4. Ream of white 8 ½ x 11 paper (500 sheets)
5. USB flash drive (for file storage)
6. Microsoft Word 2013 software (only if you choose to work certain assignments at home)

Student Performance

After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the Office Administration Program.

1. Demonstrate proper keyboarding techniques including posture, hand placement, and touch technique.
2. Demonstrate acceptable level of keyboarding skill with a minimum speed of 30 words per minute (wpm).
3. Apply proofreading and editing skills.
4. Create basic business documents.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students are expected to maintain a high standard of individual honor in their scholastic work. Students who are guilty of cheating, plagiarism, copying, using the work of another student, or dishonesty may receive a 0 on an assignment; may be excluded from class with a grade of F; or, in flagrant cases, may be suspended from the College.

The Faculty of the Office Administration Program reserve the right to ask a student to verify any portion of a test or assignment by reproducing any specific section or the entire test/assignment in question. Any action that compromises the computer systems at Amarillo College, including but not limited to hacking or cracking, can result in a grade of "F" in this course and possible further disciplinary action.

Grading Criteria

 

Student evaluation is based upon the following criteria and weights:

1. Attendance – 10%
2. Timed Writings – 10%
3. Technique & Participation – 10%
4. Keyboarding Practice (2 days/week outside of class) – 10%
5. Drills & Lessons (from textbook) – 10%
6. MS Word Assignments (from textbook) – 10%
7. Final Exam – 15%
8. Benchmark Typing Speed* – 25%

*Minimum Speed Requirement = 30 words per minute
An important element of this beginning keyboarding course is obtaining a keyboarding speed of 30 word per minute, with 5 or fewer errors, on a 5-minute timed writing assessment. This is a benchmark that truly defines success in this course. Therefore, your grade is impacted significantly and you risk a failing grade if your work does not include a timed writing speed of 30 words per minute. It is highly probable that you will be assigned a “D” or “F” in the course if you fail to reach 30 words per minute (distinguishing grade assignment based upon the other work completed).

Attendance
Being present each class period and participating in in-class activities are required elements of the course. Attendance is worth 10% of the overall course grade.

Timed Writings
Timed Writings are a regular element of this course and will be taken each class period, starting in Week 3. You should also plan on performing timed writings outside of class for additional practice. Built into timed writings are two types of assessments: speed and accuracy. Without accuracy, speed is much less meaningful. Thus, timed writings will always include the qualifiers “with 0-5 errors” or “with 5 or fewer errors”. By the end of the course, you will have taken a number of 5-minute timed writings, as well as some 1-minute and 3-minute timed writings. Completion of all of the required timed writings represents 10% of the overall course grade.

Technique and Participation
Proper technique is crucial for maximizing speed and accuracy. After proper technique has been reviewed, your technique will be regularly assessed by your instructor throughout the course. After proper technique has been established, students will participate in a variety of games and challenges as another learning tool. Technique and Participation is worth 10% of the overall course grade.

Keyboarding Practice
Regular and frequent practice (getting those fingers on the keyboard) is going to be vital to your success. To encourage this, a grade will be assigned for Keyboarding Practice (2 days/week outside of class). Our class meets two days per week and you are expected to work on coursework independently two days per week. A dropbox is provided in Blackboard to submit keyboarding practice assigned for outside of class.  Keyboarding Practice is worth 10% of the overall course grade.

Drills & Lessons
Drills and lessons are assigned each week from the textbook as a method of learning the keyboard and providing practice that assists in developing speed and accuracy. Completion of all drills and lessons is worth 10% of the overall course grade.

MS Word Assignments
Approximately midway through the course, we will begin learning about Microsoft Word and will prepare a variety of memos, letters, tables, and reports. Production of these documents, eliminating errors, and following proper procedures, is worth 10% of the overall course grade.

Final Exam
During Finals Week, our final meeting will involve a production exam. You will be given a variety of tasks to perform in a limited timeframe, resulting in professional looking documents. The Final Exam is worth 15% of the overall course grade.

Timing Benchmark
Two of your best 5-minute timed writings will be averaged to determine your Timing Benchmark grade. A score will be assigned based upon the table below. The Timing Benchmark represents 25% of the overall course grade.

Average Speed of Two 5-Minute Timings
40+ wpm with 0-5 errors  =  95
35-39 wpm with 0-5 errors  =  85
30-34 wpm with 0-5 errors  =  75
21-29 wpm with 0-5 errors  =  65
Under 20 wpm with 0-5 errors  =  55

Attendance

Attendance:  Employees in the business world are expected to be at work promptly each day; therefore, students in office administration courses are expected to be in class promptly each day.  This class meets twice per week. Attendance will be taken each class period and an attendance grade will be assigned. In addition, points may be deducted for tardiness.

Calendar

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
January 16:                              Martin Luther King Holiday – AC Closed
January 17:                              Spring Semester Begins
February 1:                               Census Day: Last Day to Drop Course for Full Refund
March 13 – March 19:              Spring Break – No Class Meetings
March 16 – March 19:              Spring Break – AC Closed
April 14 – April 16:                    Easter Holiday – AC Closed
May 2:                                      Last Day to Withdraw from Course
May 8:                                      Final Exam for Course
May 12:                                    Last Day of Course – All Work Due By 5pm
May 12 @ 7pm:                        Commencement at Civic Center

 

• Social Services Office at Amarillo College: Resources for social services or emergency services for students are available at - http://www.actx.edu/resources/.  If a situation arises that interferes with your performance in the class, please notify your instructor and be sure to take advantage of the many resources available through the Social Services Office.
• Open Computer Labs: The Business Systems and Emerging Technology Department hosts an open computer lab on the 2nd Floor of the Byrd Business Building. Labs are open 7 days a week.  Assistance with this course and/or technical assistance are available in the computer labs.
• CIS Web Site: http://cis.actx.edu
• Direct link to AC Connect portal and courses as well as your AC Connect email- https://acconnect.actx.edu/. You will log in with the same ID and password you use for WebAdvisor.  Contact AskAC (806-371-5000) for help if you have trouble with your log in.
• AskAC -  http://www.actx.edu/contact/-   Please contact AskAC for technical help. Contact your instructor for help with this class. 
• Student Help Center -  http://www.actx.edu/ctl/index.php?module=article&id=178-   Offers technical help to AC students 
• Writers' Corner: If you feel you need help organizing and writing course work, check this out. Writers’ Corner: Tutoring with Pizzazz - http://www.actx.edu/english/index.php?module=article&id=36. Writers' Corner is a great resource for help with writing papers and assignments. They can't help you with the content of your work, but they can help you write your work in the proper format.
• AC Distance Education Home Page -  http://www.actx.edu/de/-   Information on requirements and taking an online course. 
• Learn about using AC Connect (Blackboard) and using features of our course by reviewing the following tutorials:
  • Blackboard On Demand Learning Center for Students– http://ondemand.blackboard.com/students.htm
  • AC Connect Student Resources- http://www.actx.edu/ctl/index.php?module=article&id=222