Heartland Community College
Social & Business Sciences Division
Course Syllabus for Students Spring 2012
Course Prefix and Number: ACSM 101-02
Course Title: Introduction to Computers
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Days and time the course meets: Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:00 AM -12:15 PM
Meeting Room: WDC 2003
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Introduction to Computers will introduce students from any major to the essential computing concepts
including computer hardware and software, in addition to the Internet and World Wide Web. Students
will work with a current operating system in addition to software packages used in business and
industry. Ethical and social issues will be emphasized. Keyboarding ability recommended. Credit will
not be awarded for students who have taken ACSM 102 and ACSM 103 combined.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Instructor Name: Aaron Hurley
Phone number to contact instructor: 217.737.5737
Instructor e-mail address: aaron.hurley@heartland.edu
Office Location: WDC 2003
INSTRUCTOR'S OFFICE HOURS: After class or by appointment
TEXTBOOKS REQUIRED:
Muir, N., and Verno, A., Guidelines for Microsoft Office 2010, St. Paul, MN: Paradigm Publishing,
Inc., 2011.
ISBN-978-0-76384-212-3 (text)
ISBN-978-0-76384-260-4 (text, CD)
Gordon, J., Lankisch, K., Muir, N., Seguin, D., and Verno, A., Our Digital World: Introduction to
Computing, St. Paul, MN: Paradigm Publishing, Inc., 2011.
ISBN 978-0-76383-750-1
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION AND NEEDED SUPPLIES:
Instruction will take the form of lecture/discussion and lab exercises to reinforce topics covered in the
class. In order to be successful in this course, you must have the required textbooks within the first
week of classes and you must bring your books to class each time we meet. Some hands-on exercises
will be completed in class, per the attached course schedule. This will enable you to receive
personalized coaching as you learn and practice new concepts and processes. You are responsible for
timely submission of assigned assessments, which will require extensive time management outside of
regularly scheduled class meetings. You will not be able to complete all your assigned work during
the 3 hours of weekly class time; it is strongly suggested that you allow 4-6 hours outside of class for
assignment completion. You can use any of the HCC labs to work on your lab assignments. To get
individualized instructions, you may use the Business Technology Center located at Workforce
Development Center (WDC Room 2606).
1
Late assignments will be given only 50% of their point value regardless of the reasons for such
tardiness.
You must save all of your class exercises and assignments on your Heartland personal folder (in the Idrive) and also have some type of secondary storage (e.g., a USB drive) to backup all of your work
for this class. Working on computers for personal purposes (e.g., Facebook, email, Internet) during
the class time is absolutely prohibited.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is required for all class sessions. Students will be required to sign the attendance sheet
upon arrival to class. It will be your responsibility to remember to sign the attendance sheet.
Even if you attend class, but forget to sign the attendance sheet, you will be still counted absent.
Also, if you miss a class, it will be your responsibility to obtain the notes from a classmate.
To prevent class disruptions, the classroom door will be locked after ten minutes from the beginning
of class time. There are no excused absences in this course, so save your absences for emergencies.
However, you will be given 25 attendance bonus points at the end of the semester if you miss
classes/come late/leave early NO MORE THAN a total of three times during the entire
semester.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND TRANSFER:
ACSM 101 fulfills 3 semester hours of elective credit for the A.A. or A.S. Degrees. It should transfer
to most colleges and universities as an elective course. However, since this course is not part of either
the General Education Core Curriculum or a baccalaureate major program described in the Illinois
Articulation Initiative, students should check with an academic advisor for information about its
transferability to other institutions program described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative, students
should check with an academic advisor for information about its transferability to other institutions.
It is a core course for pursuing the A.A.S. degree of Business Technology and for the Certificate in
Business Technology. ACSM 102 and ACSM 103 combined equate to ACSM 101, which fulfills 3
semester hours of elective credit for the A.A. and A.S. degrees.
2
COURSE OBJECTIVES (LEARNING OUTCOMES):
General
Course Outcomes
Education
Outcomes*
Program
Outcomes
Range of Assessment
Methods
Computer Concepts
1.
Identify the basic components
and functions of a computer
system and demonstrate
understanding of their
relationship.
2.
Identify and explain the
process of purchasing,
operating, and maintaining a
personal computer.
3.
Demonstrate understanding and
proficiently use the Internet and
World Wide Web.
4.
Identify and reflect upon the
social and ethical issues
regarding responsible computer
use.
Throughout the
semester,
students will
achieve the
following Gen
Ed outcomes:
CO1
DI1
PS1
CT1
7.
Create and modify documents
using word processing,
spreadsheet, presentations and
database software.
Compose and send electronic
mail in a professional manner.
Workplace
Communication
Workplace
Technology
Workplace
Communication
DI3
Administrative
Skills
Computer Skills
5.
Understand and use operating
system software with emphasis
on file management.
6.
Workplace
Technology
Workplace
Technology
Workplace
Communication
Workplace
Technology
PS1
CT1
DI1
CO1
Throughout the
semester, the
following assessment
methods will be used
to measure the course
and Gen Ed and
Program learning
outcomes:
Quizzes, Exams, and
Assignments
Workplace
Communication
Administrative
Skills
Workplace
Technology
Workplace
Communication
* CO1: Students compose a message and provide ideas and information suitable to the topics, purpose
and audience.
DI1: Students are receptive to believes and values that differ from their own.
PS1: Students solve problems based on examples and frameworks provided by instructors.
CT1: Students gather knowledge, apply it to a new situation, and draw reasonable conclusions in ways
that demonstrate comprehension.
3
COURSE OUTLINE:
1.
The central processing unit and memory
2.
System and application software
3.
Secondary storage
4.
Input and Output
5.
The Internet, World Wide Web and electronic mail applications
6.
Communication and network technologies
7
Social and ethical issues
8
File Management
9.
Word processing
10.
Presentation graphics
11.
Spreadsheet applications
12.
Database management
METHOD OF EVALUATION:
Students will be evaluated by Examinations, Assignments, Quizzes, and on the basis of their
participation in class discussions. I grade all assignments and tests on a total point system. Daily
assignments may be worth a total of 10-20-40 points each, quizzes 10-25 points, and tests 100 point.
You can calculate your grades at any point in the course. You simply divide the number of points
you have earned by the total number of points possible. Satisfactory completion of quizzes, exams
and assignments is required for this course:
GRADING POLICY/SCALE
Grading is based on:
Percentage
Requirements
15%
Quizzes
1.
15%
Exam one
2.
15%
Exam two
3.
15%
Exam three (Final Comprehensive Exam)
4.
20%
Group Project and Presentation
5.
22.5%
Participation/Attendance and bonus
5.
Total Possible Points
Points
150
150
150
150
200
225
1025
GRADING SCALE
A=
90% - 100%
B=
80 - 89 %
C=
70 - 79 %
D=
60 - 69 %
F=
59 % and below
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Required reading includes the texts and supplementary course materials. Students are expected to
write content related to course assignments (approximately 10-20 pages) as specified by the
instructor.
SYLLABI DISCLAIMER:
The syllabus, course policies and calendar are subject to change at any time by the instructor, you will
be informed of changes as they are deemed necessary by the instructor.
4
Course Calendar
Week 1
Mon, Jan 16th
No Class – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Wed, Jan 18th
Course Orientation & Syllabus Review
Lab
Introduction to Microsoft Office 2010 Suit
Log on to Microsoft Windows 7 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 2)
Managing Files and Folders (Guidelines for Office 2010, Chapter 2)
Week 2
Mon, Jan. 23th
The Internet (Digital World, Chapter 2)
Lab
Class Exercise on Internet, E-mail, Microsoft Suite Basics (Guidelines for Office
2010, Module 3 & 4)
Working with Windows Setting, Gadgets, and Accessories (Guidelines for Office
2010, Chapter 3)
Wed, Jan. 25th
Lecture
Computing Essentials (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 1)
Digital Technologies (Digital World, Chapter 1)
Lab
Microsoft World 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 5, Chapter 1)
Week 3
Mon, Jan 30th
Lecture
Quiz 1 on Computing Essentials (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 1) &
Digital Technologies (Digital World, Chapter 1)
Lab
Microsoft World 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 5, Chapter 1)
Wed, Feb 2nd
Lab
Microsoft World 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 5, Chapter 2)
5
Mon, Feb 6th
Wed, Feb 8th
Week 4
Lecture
Computer Hardware and Peripherals (Digital World, Chapter 3)
Lab
Microsoft World 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 5, Chapter 2)
Lecture
Computer Hardware and Peripherals Cont. (Digital World, Chapter 3)
Lab
Microsoft World 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 5, Chapter 3)
Mon, Feb. 13th
Wed, Feb 15th
Week 5
Lab
System Software (Digital World, Chapter 4)
Quiz 2 on Computer Hardware and Peripherals (Digital World, Chapter 3) and
The Internet (Digital World, Chapter 2)
Microsoft World 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 5, Chapter 4)
Exam 1 from (Digital World, Chapters 1, 2 & 3)
Week 6
Monday, Feb 20th
Wed, Feb 22nd
Mon, Feb 27th
Wed, Feb 29th
Lab
Microsoft Excel 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 6, Chapter 1)
Lecture
Application Software (Digital World, Chapter 5)
-Ch. 5
Week 7
Lecture
Quiz 3 on System Software (Digital World, Chapter 4)
Lab
Microsoft Excel 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 6, Chapter 2)
Lecture
Communications and Network Technology: Connecting Through Computers
(Digital World, Chapter 6)
Lab
Microsoft Excel 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 6, Chapters 2 & 3)
6
Mon, March 5th
Week 8
Lecture
Communications and Network Technology: Connecting Through Computers
Cont.
(Digital World, Chapter 6)
Wed, March 7th
Exam 2 on (Digital World, Chapters 4, 5 & 6)
Mon, March 12th
SPRING BREAK
Wed, March 14th
SPRING BREAK
Week 9
Mon, March 19th
Wed, March 21st
Lab
Microsoft Excel 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 6, Chapters 3 & 4)
Lab
Microsoft Excel 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 6, Chapters 3 & 4)
Week 10
Mon, March 26th
Lab
Microsoft PowerPoint (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 8, Chapters 1 & 2)
Work on Group Project paper and presentation
Wed, March 28st
Lecture
The Social Web Opportunities for Learning, Working, and Communicating
(Digital World, Chapter 7)
Lab
Microsoft PowerPoint (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 8, Chapters 3 & 4)
Work on Group Project paper and presentation
Week11
Mon, April 2nd
Wed, April 4th
Mon, April 9th
Lab
Microsoft Access 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 7, Chapter 1)
Work on Group Project paper and presentation
Lab
Microsoft Access 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 7, Chapter 1)
Work on Group Project paper and presentation
Week 12
Lecture
Digital Defense Securing Your Data and Privacy (Digital World, Chapter 8)
Lab: Microsoft Access 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 7, Chapter 2)
7
Wed, April 11th
Lab
Microsoft Access 2010 (Guidelines for Office 2010, Module 7, Chapter 2)
Work on Group Project paper and presentation
Week13
Mon, April 16th
Lab
Work on Group Project paper and presentation
Wed, April 18th
Lab
Work on Group Project paper and presentation
Mon, April 23rd
Week14
Quiz 4 on- The Social Web Opportunities for Learning, Working, and
Communicating (Digital World, Chapters 7) and Digital Defense Securing Your
Data and Privacy (Digital World, Chapter 8)
Work on Group Project paper and presentation
Wed, April 25th
Group Project paper and presentation are due
Group Project Presentations
Mon, April 30th
Week 15
Review Session for Final
Wed, May 2nd
Exam3 - Comprehensive from (Digital World, Chapters 1-8)
May 11 – 17th
Week 16
Final Exam Week (No Classes)
8