Word Processing Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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

POFI-2301-001 Word Processing

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Computer literacy and keyboarding skill of 30 wpm

Course Description

Word processing software focusing on business applications. This course is designed to be repeated multiple times to improve student proficiency.

Student Resources Student 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, 4 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

MyLabIT Access Code

• Pearson's MyLabIT access code is available for purchase from the AC Bookstore ($187) or directly from the publisher (at a slightly lower cost of $160) using a link provided in the course
• this access code is a required element of the course
• the code is valid for 24 months and provides access to the MyLabIT learning platform where you will view learning materials, complete assignments , and read the electronic version of the textbook (e-text)
• MyITLab with Etext - Access Code, Exploring MS 365:2025
• by Poatsy & Kosharek
• ISBN 0135418712

Supplies

1. Access to a computer with webcam and high-speed internet connection.
   • This technology is used to complete and upload online assignments in Blackboard, Pearson's MyLabIT, and Typing.com learning management systems and to attend tutoring sessions via Zoom.
   • Computer labs are available on the Amarillo College campus if you need internet access, a webcam, or a computer.
      
2. Microsoft Word (2025 version or Microsoft 365) software running on a personal computer.
   • Free versions of spreadsheet software such as Google Docs or Word Online are not compatible with this course.
   • Amarillo College offers students access to Microsoft 365 for FREE; information about accessing this software will be provided in the Blackboard course.
   • Computer labs are available on the Amarillo College campus if you need internet access, a webcam, or a computer with the required software.
      
3. Access to a printer to print, or ability to come to campus to pick up, learning materials, assignments, and review materials if needed.
    
4. Student access to both the Typing.com learning management system (free sign-up) and the Pearson MyLabIT learning management systems (see Textbooks above).

Student Performance

This course is a comprehensive study of Microsoft Word. Word is a word processing program used to prepare, format, and manage documents, including the creation and enhancement of tables to organize data and the use of  mail merge  to produce and personalize letters, labels, and directories.

In addition, coursework includes learning to format and write business documents such as letters and memos, an introduction to Windows 11 operating system, file management in a Windows environment, and keyboarding practice to increase your personal speed and accuracy.

The final exam is the requirement to sit for a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification exam. This will be completed at Amarillo College's Testing Center (in person) and is a requirement for successful completion of the course.

Course outcomes include:

• demonstration of formatting rules for professional memos and letters
• demonstration of skill in drafting a professional memo or letter
• demonstration of foundational knowledge of Windows 11 operating systems, including various processes for efficient navigation on a desktop/laptop and effective file management, both on a device and in the cloud
• demonstration of best practices in word processing using Microsoft Word to create professional documents such as reports, newsletters, flyers, and letters
• demonstration of proper keyboarding technique, improved accuracy, and increased speed
• study and preparation to take the MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) certification in Word

Students 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 Business Technology 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.

Mandatory Tutoring Policy
Any time a student's overall course grade drops below a 75, or two or more assignments have not been completed by the due date, that student is required to attend a 1-hour tutoring session. This session can be scheduled directly with the instructor or with AC's Tutoring Center.

Grading Criteria

Grade Calculations

Course grades will be assigned such that grades scored between:
89.5% and 100% = A
79.5% and less than 89.5% = B
69.5% and less than 79.5% = C
59.5% and less than 69.5% = D
0% and less than 59.5% = F 

Student evaluation is based upon the following assignments and assignment weights:
Introductory Assignments:  5%
Word Training / MOS Skills Training:  10%
Preparing Business Documents (Letters & Memos):  15%
Word Projects / MOS Skills Projects:  25%
Typing Lessons:  10%
5-Minute Typing Assessments:  15%
Final Project or MOS Certification (Word):  20%

Assignment Checklist
An assignment checklist is posted in the Blackboard course identifying when each chapter is covered, when assignments are due, and when the final exam will be administered.

Please take a few minutes and record all due dates on your calendar.

Late Penalties
Assignments will only remain open 7 days after their due date. Assignments may be completed for full credit during that grace period and no credit provided after the grace period expires. Exception: 5-Minute Typing Assessments only receive a 2-day grace period.

Reach out to your instructor as soon as possible if some hurdle is preventing you from completing your assignments on time.

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification Exam (final exam)

Completion of a MOS Certification Exam (Microsoft Word / Microsoft 365 Apps) is required and satisfies the final exam requirement as follows:

• >=700 points = 95
• 600-699 points = 85
• 500-599 points = 75
• <500 points = retake MOS Exam or take a Final Project (see instructor)
• Actual MOS certification is ONLY awarded for an exam score >=700

Attendance

• All Week 1 assignments must be completed by Monday 6/15 @ 11:59 pm, in order to be considered PRESENT in the course. Failure to complete all assignments by this date may lead to an administrative drop from the course.
   
• Check your email, course announcements, and Blackboard Messages 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, announcements, and Blackboard Messages.
   
• Establish the habit of reading/reviewing the e-text chapter(s) of Word BEFORE you begin a Chapter Project. You don't have to know the material fully, but you will be laying an important foundation and establishing a reference to an important resource if you get stuck on a task. 
   
• Complete assignments by the scheduled date/time. The more effort you put into keeping on top of the assignments, the more you will learn, the more you will enjoy the course, and the more likely the workload will not feel burdensome.
   
• Students should plan on spending a minimum of 6-8 hours per week on this course. Actual amounts will vary depending on weekly assignment requirements, your prior experience with the tasks, and topic complexity.
   
• Your instructor, Lynne Kenney, may be contacted by email at lkenney@actx.edu, Blackboard Messages, or text (806-680-4348).
   
• Emails/Texts are typically answered within 24 hours. If you do not receive a response within that time frame, please resend your message as a reminder.

Calendar

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

June 8:                       Summer 8-Week Classes Begin
June 15:                     Census Day (Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance
June 19:                     Juneteenth Holiday (AC Closed)
July 3 - July 4:            Independence Day Holiday (AC Closed)
July 21:                       Last Day to Withdraw from Course
July 30:                       Last Day of Course

Student Help Resources:

• • Center for Teaching and Learning Student and Faculty Help Center - www.actx.edu/ctl/helpcenter
  • Center For Teaching and Learning - www.actx.edu/ctl/
  • Blackboard Student Help Page - www.actx.edu/ctl/blackboard-student-help
  • AskAC - www.actx.edu/contact-us/
  • Academic Success Center - www.actx.edu/successcenters/index.php
  • Advocacy and Resource Center - www.actx.edu/arc/index.php
  • Career & Employment Services - www.actx.edu/career/
  • Advising Home Page - www.actx.edu/advising/
  • Counseling Center Home Page - www.actx.edu/counseling/