Intermediate 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.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

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-2301-001 Intermediate Keyboarding

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Keyboarding skill of 30 wpm required

Course Description

A continuation of keyboarding skills emphasizing acceptable speed and accuracy levels and formatting 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

Advanced Word Processing, 19e
Lessons 56-100, Microsoft Word 2013
by VanHuss, Forde, & Woo
Text / KPDO Bundle
ISBN:  1285576284

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

This access is bundled with the textbook at the AC Bookstore for $146.50.

Ensure that you have an access code if you choose to purchase elsewhere. If you already have the text, the access code can be purchased separately--either at the AC Bookstore or online at cengagebrain.com.

Supplies

1. Textbook
2. KPDO access code (see above)
3. Pens, pencils, highlighter
4. Ream of white 8 ½ x 11 paper (500 sheets) – BRING THIS TO CLASS!!
5. USB flash drive (for file storage)
6. Microsoft Word 2013 software (only if you choose to use KPDO at home for timed writings)

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 department/program.

1. Demonstrate proficient keyboarding techniques.
2. Demonstrate an acceptable level of keyboarding skills with a minimum speed of 40 words per minute (wpm) by touch.
3. Apply proofreading and editing skills.
4. Apply mailability standards to business documents using word processing software.

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

Categories of Activities  &  Percentage Weight
Attendance  –  10%
Participation Games & Activities  –  5%
Spot the Error Exercises  –  5%
MS Word Assignments (lessons from textbook)  –  15%
Production Tests (3)  –  30%
Timed Writings  –  10%
Timing Benchmark  –  25%

*Minimum Speed Requirement = 40 words per minute
An important element of this intermediate keyboarding course is obtaining a keyboarding speed of 40 words 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.

Students enter intermediate keyboarding with a minimum speed of 30 wpm. And, it is reasonable to expect yourself to improve speed and accuracy by 10 wpm over an 8-week course—with daily practice, speed and accuracy improvements develop steadily at this level.

Therefore, your grade is impacted significantly and you risk a failing grade if your work does not include a timed writing speed of 40 words per minute by the end of the course. It is highly probable that you will be assigned a “D” or “F” in the course if you fail to reach 40 words per minute because timed writings are weighted heavily in the grade calculations.

Attendance
Being present for each class period is important for review of concepts, interaction with fellow students, completion of certain assignments, and receipt of updated communication from the instructor. Attendance is weighted at 10% of the overall course grade.

Participation Games & Activities
Throughout the course students are required to actively participate in a variety of in-class games and exercises. Games, activities, and exercises provide an additional avenue to develop skills that will ultimately improve speed and accuracy. Participation is weighted at 5% of the overall course grade.

Spot the Error Exercises
The ability to proofread effectively and efficiently is a learned skill. Each week you will be assigned short passages to proofread, assign appropriate proofreading marks, and rekey the corrected passage. Completion of all spot the error exercises is weighted at 5% of the overall course grade.

MS Word Assignments
This course uses Microsoft Word 2013 software to teach students how to create properly formatted memos, letters, and tables, and reports. Lessons are assigned each week from the textbook as a method of providing practice as you develop these skills. Completion of MS Word Assignments is weighted at 15% of the overall course grade.

Production Tests
Throughout the course students will be asked to demonstrate learning through three in-class production tests. Together, the three production tests are weighted at 30% 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 1. You should also plan on performing timed writings outside of class for additional practice. A minimum of five timed writings will be taken each week, on a minimum of 2 different days. 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. Completion of all of the required timed writings represents 10% of the overall course grade.

Timing Benchmark
Two of your best 5-minute timed writings from within KPDO 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 Taken in KPDO
50+ wpm with 0-5 errors   –   95
45-49 wpm with 0-5 errors   –   85
40-44 wpm with 0-5 errors   –   75
31-39 wpm with 0-5 errors   –   65
Under 30 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 one evening 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
January 24                              Census Day: Last Day to Drop Course for Refund
February 28                            Last Day to Withdraw from Course
March 9                                   Last Day of Course (all work due by 5pm)
March 11 – March 19              Spring Break – No Class Meetings
March 16 – March 19              Spring Break – AC Closed
March 20                                 Spring 2 Semester Begins
April 10:                                   Summer/Fall Registration Begins
April 14 – April 16:                   Easter Holiday – AC Closed
May 12 @ 7pm:                       Commencement at Civic Center

 

• Advocacy & Resource Center 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. 

• Mental Health Services and the 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 806-371-5191.  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 www.actx.edu/arc

• 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