Business Computer Applications Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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-DC005 Business Computer Applications

Prerequisites

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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Although you have outside buying options available, speak with your instructor before buying from a source other than the AC Bookstore. We want to ensure you have the correct product.

• [MyITLab w/e-text Access Card For Exploring Office 2019; Poatsy; ISBN # 0135402468; $120.00 @ the AC Bookstore]

The physical textbook is NOT required, but is available for direct purchase from the publisher (Pearson) if you learn more effectively utilizing printed text. A link for this printed textbook purchase ($35) is provided in the online course materials.

The MyLabIT access code is a REQUIRED element of this course; it is not possible to complete this course successfully without obtaining a valid access code.

Supplies

Microsoft Office 2019 (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).

Computers with the appropriate software are available on the various Amarillo College campuses if you do not have access to a computer or the internet at home.

If you wish to complete work on your personal computer/laptop, Microsoft Office 2019 must be installed.

Earlier versions of Microsoft Office (2016, 2013, 2010, etc.) are not fully compatible with this course. "Free" software such as Open Office or Google Docs/Sheets or Office 365 for Education are not compatible with this course.

Please check with your instructor if you have questions about appropriate software options.
 

Access code to MyLabIT (see textbook information above).
 

USB flash drive (for file download and transport).
 

Access to a PC (personal computer) running Microsoft Windows 7 or higher operating system and a high-speed internet connection.

Computers running the Windows 10 operating system with internet access are available at various locations on Amarillo College campuses.

Student Performance

Students will utilize word processing, presentation, database,and spreadsheet software, as well as Internet research, to prepare documents and presentation materials, with a focus on understanding the impact of computer use and technology on our society, culture, and the business world.

At successful completion of course student will be able to:

Describe the fundamentals of information technology concepts – hardware, software, security, and privacy.

Demonstrate proper file management techniques to manipulate electronic files and folders in local, network, and online environments.

Create business documents with word processing software using spelling and grammar check, format and layout, tables, citations, graphics, and mail merge.

Create business documents and analyze data with spreadsheet software using (1) tables, sorting, filtering, charts and graphics, pivot tables, macros; (2) statistical, financial, logical and look-up functions and formulas; and (3) add-ins

Create business multimedia presentations with presentation software using templates, lists, groups, themes, colors, clip art, pictures, tables, transitions, animation, video, charts, and views.

Create databases and manage data with database software using tables, fields, relationships, indexes, keys, views, queries, forms, reports, and import/export functions.

Integrate business software applications.

Use web-based technologies to conduct ethical business research.

Use “goal seeking” and “what-if analysis” to solve problems and make adjustments/recommendations in a business environment.

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 MyLabIT 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 MyLabIT 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 
 

Student evaluation is based upon the following assignments and weights:

Attendance (daily) / MyLabIT Simulation Trainings (9):  10%
Computer Concepts / Critical Thinking Quizzes (15):  15%
MyLabIT Chapter Projects (9):  25%
Review Projects (4):  15%
Integrated Project (1), Capstone Projects (2), Final Quizzes (2):  20%
Course Project (1):  15%

Attendance for seated classes will be taken during each class period. Attendance for online classes will be assessed by completion of lessons (training simulations) in MyLabIT.

 One attempt is permitted on the following tasks: computer concepts quizzes, critical thinking quizzes, capstone and integrated projects, review projects, and final quizzes.

The Excel and Word capstone projects, the integrated project, and the final quizzes, are akin to major exams in this course. Students are expected to complete these activities independently and without assistance from anyone.

 Two attempts are permitted on MyLabIT training simulations and MyLabIT chapter projects. When two attempts are taken, the higher grade will be used for grade calculations.

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Associate certification exams may substitute for portions of the final exam activities (specifically, the Integrated Project, Word Capstone, or Excel Capstone). There is a separate exam for each application (Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Excel). You can choose to take 1 exam or multiple exams. These are industry-standard certifications that signify to potential employers and institutions of higher learning that you do, indeed, possess solid skills in a particular software application. Certifications have value!! Additional details provided in Blackboard.

Attendance

Check your email daily.  The email address used by your instructor is the @amarillocollege.com email address issued to each AC student. Your instructor will communicate important course updates, guidance, and hints via email.

Complete assignments by the scheduled date/time.  A 10% penalty will be applied to your achieved score for any late work received after the grace period.

Attendance for seated classes will be taken during each class period. Attendance for dual credit classes will be assessed by completion of lessons in MyLabIT.  Excessive absence or lack of participation may result in failure of the course.

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, Lynne Kenney, may be contacted by email through the course in Blackboard. If Blackboard is not available, please email lkenney@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:
August 26  :                              Fall Courses Begin
September 2  :                          Labor Day Holiday (AC Closed)
September 11  :                        Census Day (Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance)  
October 18 - October 27  :        Fall Break
November 26  :                         Last Day to Withdraw from Course
November 28 - December 1     Thanksgiving Break (AC Closed)
December 19  :                         Last Day of Course (all work due by 10pm)

 

TECHNOLOGY & COMPUTING ISSUES

• Computer Services Center: Located within the AC Bookstore, trained staff will diagnose computer-related issues and repair problems on a fee-for-service basis. Laptop rentals are also available. Visit the Computer Services Center website for additional details: https://www.actx.edu/bookstore/computer-service-center.
• Student & Faculty Help Center: Located on the first floor of Ware Student Commons, the Help Center provides technical support to students and faculty. The Help Center offers assistance in logging into AC Connect, Blackboard, resetting passwords, and general computing and software questions. Visit the Student & Faculty Help Center website at https://www.actx.edu/ctl/helpcenter.

COURSE ASSISTANCE

• Tutoring: A variety of options are available when you need a little extra help in a course (online, walk-in, one-on-one). Visit the Tutoring website at https://www.actx.edu/tutoring/.
• Writers' Corner: Writers' Corner offers one-on-one tutoring to review assignment requirements, provide constructive feedback, and guide students through all phases of the writing process. Writer’s Corner will not edit your work, but will help you get on the right path. Visit the Writer’s Corner website at https://www.actx.edu/english/writerscorner.
• DisAbility Services: DisAbility Services helps students by providing necessary accommodations for course success and facilitating access to all services and programs at Amarillo College. Visit the DisAbility Services website at https://www.actx.edu/disability/.
• Learn about using AC Connect (Blackboard) and using features of our course by reviewing the following tutorials:
  • Blackboard On Demand Learning Center for Students
    • Topic list: https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Student
    • Videos: http://ondemand.blackboard.com/students.htm
  • AC Connect Student Resources
    • https://www.actx.edu/ctl/ac-connect-student-resources

PERSONAL ISSUES

• Advocacy & Resource Center: The Advocacy & Resource Center is located on the first floor of Ware Student Commons. A variety of resources are available in the areas of social services, a food pantry, a clothing closet, and adult student programs. Visit the Advocacy & Resource Center website at http://www.actx.edu/arc/advocacy-and-resource-center.
• Counseling Center: At the Counseling Center, student and counselor work together to develop more personal awareness and the skills needed to overcome barriers to success. All services are free and confidential. Visit the Counseling Center website at: https://www.actx.edu/counseling/index.php.
• Legal Clinic: The Legal Clinic is a free, walk-in clinic assisting enrolled AC students on various legal issues including family law, immigration, probate, landlord-tenant issues, and general legal matters. Visit the Legal Clinic website at https://www.actx.edu/legalstudies/legal-student-intership.