Business Computer Applications 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

BCIS-1305-003 Business Computer Applications

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: RDNG 0321-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating readiness for RDNG 0331

Course Description

Students will study computer terminology, hardware and software related to the business environment. The focus of this course is on business productivity software applications and professional behavior in computing, including word processing (as needed), spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics and business-oriented utilization of the Internet.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Two options are available for course materials:

(1) Purchase an access code to MyITLab and accompanying electronic text (e-text)

[Myitlab W/Etext Access Card For Exploring Office 2013; Poatsy; ISBN 0133775070; $121.25 @ the AC Bookstore]

(2) Purchase a physical textbook, access code to MyITLab, and accompanying electronic text (e-text)

[Bundle Exploring MS Office 2013 Vol I W/MyITLab Access Card; Poatsy; ISBN 0133584275; $152.00 @ at the AC Bookstore]

The physical textbook is not required, but is available if you learn more effectively utilizing printed text. Either option can be purchased at the AC Bookstore.  Should you choose the first option and later decide you also want the printed text, the text can be purchased directly from the publisher for an additional fee (roughly $35).

Supplies

• Access to a PC (personal computer) running Microsoft Windows 7 operating system.  Computers are available in the Computer Lab in the CIS Department on the Washington Street campus of Amarillo College.
• Microsoft Office 2013 (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).  Computers with this software are available in the CIS Department at Amarillo College.
• Access code to MyITLab (see textbook information above).
• USB flash drive.
• MOS Certification Exam. Optional. $65/exam, payable at the Student Services Center.  The total amount is refunded to students enrolled in a CIS course upon successful completion of a MOS Certification Exam (score of 700 or higher).

Student Performance

Students will apply word processing, presentation software, spreadsheet software, and Internet research to prepare documents or presentations on the impact of computer use on society and culture. At completion of course student will be able to:

• Explore the impact of computer technology on society and how computer technology has changed how we think, live, work, play, communicate, and our values and beliefs.
• Determine the computer application skills one should acquire to be successful in the job market, in college courses, and in everyday life.
• Recognize the ethical and societal effects and responsibilities of computer use.
• Discuss how activities such as plagiarism, theft of services or licensing, or the spread of viruses impacts the individual, society, and culture and what one can do to protect oneself and one's data. Discuss how digital actions can cause accidental or intentional harm to others and methods of preventing those actions.
• Recognize quality Web sites, practice online etiquette and safe surfing.
• Categorize computers based on size, application, and cost.
• Recognize the components, types, importance, advantages and disadvantages of networking computers.
• Evaluate the possibilities of e-commerce and cloud computing.
• Recognize and describe the features of computer operating systems and system utilities.
• Use PowerPoint to create presentations addressing the above issues.
• Use Word to create documents, mail merge, fliers, resumes and research papers.
• Use Excel to create personal budgets, grade books, manage business data, and analyze empirical data from various sources.
• Use Excel to prepare visual representation of data through charts and graphs.
• Combine the use of PowerPoint, Excel, and Word to create effective course presentations on given topics
• Identify current and future computer trends.

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, 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 CIS 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. Integrity violations (using all or part of someone else’s file) in MyITLab will result in both parties receiving a grade of 0 for the assignment and there will be no makeup for that assignment. Integrity violations are automatically flagged by MyITLab software whenever elements of another person's file are detected in an uploaded student file.

Grading Criteria

Course grades will be assigned based upon the following criteria:

• >89.5 = A
• >79.5 = B
• >69.5 = C
• >59.5 = D
• <59.5 = F

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Student evaluation is based upon the following criteria and weights:

1. Attendance and/or Simulation Trainings (10) for Excel, PowerPoint, and Word – 5%
2. Quizzes related to computer concepts (7) and DropBox Assignments (4) – 15%
3. Chapter Projects (10) for Excel, PowerPoint, and Word – 25%
4. Capstone Projects (3) for Excel, PowerPoint, and Word – 25%
5. Semester Project: Part 1 (Excel), Part 2 (PowerPoint), and  Research DropBoxes (4) – 15%
6. Final Exam – Part 1 and Part 2 – 15%

 

• One attempt is permitted on the following tasks: quizzes, dropbox assignments, capstone projects, semester project activities, and the final exam. For the quizzes and dropbox assignment category only, the lowest grade will be dropped before calculating a grade.
• Capstone projects are akin to major exams in this course. Students are expected to complete each capstone project independently and without assistance.
• Two attempts are permitted on the following tasks: chapter projects. For the chapter projects category, the lowest grade grade will be dropped before calculating a grade.

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MOS Certification Exam (optional) –  a MOS exam may substitute for part of the Final Exam. Both parts of the final may be substituted (see criteria below).

• Using MOS Certification to substitute for the Final Exam:
  • MOS Exam 77-418 (Word) – substitutes for Final Exam: Part 1
  • MOS Exam 77-420 (Excel) – substitutes for Final Exam: Part 2
     
• How a MOS exam score correlates to a Final Exam grade:
  • >700 points = 95 on Final Exam (and MOS certification and refund of exam fee)
  • 600-699 points = 85 on Final Exam
  • 500-599 points = 75 on Final Exam
  • <500 points = retake MOS Exam or take Final Exam
     
• Actual MOS certification is ONLY awarded for an exam score >700

Attendance

• Check your email daily.  The email address used by your instructor is the @amarillocollege.com email issued to each AC student. Your instructor will communicate important course updates, guidance, and hints via email.
• Complete assignments by the scheduled date/time.  There is a "no late work" policy, except in extreme circumstances.
• Attendance for seated classes will be taken during each class period. Attendance for online classes will be assessed by completion of training simulations in MyITLab.  Excessive absence or lack of participation may result in failure of the course.
• Students should plan on spending a minimum of 10-12 hours per week on this course. Actual amounts will vary depending on weekly assignments and topic complexity.
• Due to the nature of this course and the volume of work required to master this material, students are rarely successful when attempts are made to complete work during one or two days each week. Please schedule your time, so that you are able to devote the appropriate energy and effort to achieve success in this course.
• Your instructor, Karen Boatman, may be contacted by email through the course in Blackboard. If Blackboard is not available, please email keboatman@actx.edu.  In-person meetings or additional help are available if needed or desired. Please contact by email to set up a convenient day/time.
• Emails are typically answered within 24 hours. If you do not receive a response within that timeframe, please resend your message as a reminder.

Calendar

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
June 5:                Online Classes Begin – 8 weeks
June 12:              Census Day: Last Day to Drop Course for Full Refund
July 4:                  Independence Day – AC Closed
July 18:                Last Day to Withdraw from Course
July 27:                Last Day of Course (all work due by 5pm)

 

• 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