Wake Technical Community College
Computer Technologies Division
Course Syllabus: Keyboard Skillbuilding OST 132, Spring 2015
Instructor:
Office location:
Telephone:
E-mail:
Office hours:
Class
days/times/location:
Required Text/Supplies
Textbooks
Improving Speed and Accuracy in Keyboarding, 1st Edition
Ober, McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., 2014
ISBN: 97880077804749
AND
Keyboard Short Course
Ellsworth, Ellsworth Publishing Co., 2014
No text; access code only
Access code available only online at keyboardingonline.com or at bookstore (ask cashier for it)
Supplies/Software
*High-speed Internet access *PC-compatible computer (desktop preferred) *Anti-virus software
*Windows-based operating system – Windows 7 or higher (no MACS).
*Internet Explorer or Chrome (The software used for this course does not work well with
Firefox or Safari.)
Course Usage of Blackboard
Copies of the course syllabus and major assignments may be found on Blackboard. You are
responsible for regularly checking the online resources, which are accessed through http://disted.waketech.edu (opens in new window).
Course Description
This course provides a complete accuracy- and speed-building keyboarding program using a
scientific, individualized, diagnostic, and prescriptive approach. Emphasis is placed on
diagnostic tests to identify the student’s accuracy and speed deficiencies, followed by
individualized corrective drills. Correct keyboarding techniques are stressed throughout the
course. Upon completion, students should be able to keyboard rhythmically with greater
accuracy and speed.
Student Learning Objectives
1. Analyze errors in typed copy to determine specific keyboarding problems.
2. Improve keyboarding rate by at least 8 wpm beyond course-entry speed on a 5-minute
timing.
3. Decrease error rate to no more than 1 error per minute on a 5-minute timing.
4. Keyboard using correct typing technique.
Prerequisite(s): OST 080 OR OST 131 OR a keyboarding speed of 24 wpm/3 errors or
less/3 minutes
Corequisite(s): None.
Credit Hours: Two (2) credit hours.
Assignments and Grading Policy
Due dates and assignments can be found on the course schedule/outline.
Timed-writing Improvement 50%
Timed Writings 20%
Class Work 30%
A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69 F = 59 or less
Final Exam Date/Time/Location: TBA
College Policies and Campus Resources
E-mail Policy
Wake Tech requires that every student use the provided my.waketech.edu e-mail account for
all school related correspondence. Your instructors will not respond to e-mail from any other
source. Do not forward my.waketech.edu e-mail to other accounts. Replies sent from most
forwarded e-mail will not appear to come from your my.waketech.edu account and will not be
acknowledged by your instructor. This is a strictly enforced school policy. Please review e-mail
information carefully. If you have questions or concerns regarding your Wake Tech e-mail,
contact Distance Education Support for guidance.
Code of Conduct
It is the student's responsibility to abide by the Student Code of Conduct
http://handbook.waketech.edu/files/studentrights.pdf (opens in new window).
Free Adobe Acrobat PDF reader download http://get.adobe.com/reader/?promoid=BUIGO
(opens in new window). Violation of the Student Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary
action. The Code of Conduct includes the Academic Integrity Policy.
Attendance Policy
It is the student’s responsibility to abide by the Wake Tech Attendance Policy
http://catalog.waketech.edu/pdfs/WakeTechCatalog.pdf (opens in new window) (p. 39).
Students must complete the Course Entry Quiz during the first 10% of the course. Students not
completing this quiz by the due date given will be immediately withdrawn from the class.
Disability Support Services
Disability Support Services is available for students who require academic accommodations due
to any physical, psychological, or learning disability. To determine eligibility, contact the office
at 124 Holding Hall or call (919) 866-5670 [TDD (919) 779-0668]. Disability Support Services web
page http://disabilityservices.waketech.edu/ (opens in new window).
Core Values
In keeping with the college’s mission statement, this course will promote Wake Tech’s core
institutional values.
Accountability
Accountability is essential for an environment of learning. Those who are accountable stand by
their words and actions, taking full responsibility for what they create and for what they
contribute to the community.
Respect
Respect is a prerequisite for enhancing learning. Community members who respect themselves
and others help create a safe, yet open, climate of learning.
Responsibility
Responsibility is the root of success. Students who assume personal responsibility for their
education will reach their goals. Responsible students also make contributions to their
communities.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the fundamental purpose of higher education. The ability to solve problems
through the application of the appropriate skills is critical to all disciplines.
Communication
Communication is increasingly the key competency for living and working in the information
age. Communicating effectively in oral and written forms through traditional and new media is
a powerful tool for personal and career success.
Collaboration
Collaboration, by bringing together individual knowledge and talents, creates teams that are
greater than the sum of their parts. Such teamwork maximizes benefits to individuals and the
community.
Syllabus Addendum
1. Participate in at least 90% of all scheduled classes. Online attendance is taken by
assignments being turned in. For this class, this means that you may be absent (or not
submit) four (4) times during the semester. This is a classroom policy as well as a Wake Tech
policy. Students do not learn as well if they do not participate in class.
2. Be prompt—turn your assignments in on time.
3. Be prepared for each class. Read assigned material, prepare homework, and be ready to
turn in any assignment when due. Late assignments will not be accepted. A late assignment
is considered to be any assignment submitted after the assignment deadline. There is no
make-up of tests or graded work. The lowest grade in each grade area (except special
projects) will be dropped before figuring an average.
4. Keep a grade sheet so that you can see how you are progressing at any point in time. Your
grades will be kept in the Blackboard grade book to help with this process.
5. Be respectful of the instructor and other class participants when posting on the discussion
board and sending e-mail messages.
6. Check e-mail on a daily basis, if possible. Changes to assignments and due dates will be
posted there. NOTE: Your my.waketech.edu e-mail address is your official e-mail address for
this class. All e-mail from me will be sent to your my.waketech.edu e-mail address. E-mails
to me from you originating from an address other than your my.waketech.edu address may
not be opened.
Course Outline/Schedule: OST 132, Spring 2014
(Note: Subject to change with adequate notice.)
Week Date
1
1/13
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1/20
1/27
2/3
2/10
2/17
2/14
3/3
3/10
3/17
3/24
3/31
4/7
4/14
4/21
4/28
5/5
Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
Course Entry Quiz
Read pages viii-xv in ISAK and enter access codes
Baseline timed writings
ISAK Lessons 1-5
ISAK Lessons 6-10
Keyboard Short Course Lessons 1-5
Keyboard Short Course Lessons 6-10
Keyboard Short Course Lesson 11-15
Keyboard Short Course Lessons 16-18
ISAK Lessons 11-15
ISAK Lessons 16-20
ISAK Lessons 21-25
Spring Break
ISAK Lessons 26-30
ISAK Lessons 31-35
ISAK Lessons 36-40
ISAK Lessons 41-45
ISAK Lessons 46-50
ISAK Lessons 51-55
Final timed writings