Dear Students,
Happy New Year! That time is rapidly approaching! The start of the Spring 2016 semester.
Classes begin on Thursday, January 14, 2016. I am writing this to provide everyone in my class sections
information for beginning the class. I am teaching 3 sections of CSI-1002 this spring, a daytime face to
face (section 01), a nighttime face to face (section 300), and finally an online offering (section 100). This
email announcement is going out to all sections and there will be things that may not apply to all
sections, so please pay attention.
Introduction to Business Computers is just what it sounds like, an introduction. You will be
exposed to computers, networks, servers, file maintenance tasks, and the four standard Microsoft Office
programs in use in a business environment. We will be studying computer concepts, as well as an
introduction to Microsoft Office 2013 products, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. You will
be responsible for chapter readings, homework assignments, and examinations. All of this work will be
accomplished online.
There is no paper textbook. We use an e-text in the course, and the access code is sold in the
IVCC bookstore. You will use that to register for McGraw-Hill’s SIMnet online access. This will provide
you with access to the e-text, which will provide you the Chapter readings and graded assignments, and
will also provide you with access to the Chapter projects and examinations that you will be taking. I will
be posting some screenshots of the registration process to assist you if needed.
The readings are to be completed by a specified date. You will earn points for completing the
readings and small tasks involved in the readings titled Let Me Try. The readings also contain additional
information and will also provide you with tips on how to complete the tasks. The tasks can be
completed more than once to maximize your points. The gradebook will automatically record your
highest grade. The scores to the readings will freeze after the due date. You will be able to read the
material, but not get a grade for the tasks after the due date. These readings and tasks do not require
the Microsoft Office software.
The homework requires you to be using the Microsoft Office products. You will need to either
have the software installed on your computer, or be using a computer that uses the software. All of the
lab computers at the college have Office 2013. The labs and homework that you will be doing may not
be completed with older versions of Microsoft Office, as they do not contain all of the features in the
latest version. You will be learning the use of many of these features. The face to face class will have
time to work on the homework in the lab. You will download the homework package, including
instructions, data files, and other materials as required for the project. Once you have completed the
project you will upload the project to the website and it will be graded. These homework projects are
graded by the McGraw-Hill software. This means there can be errors, however we did not see much this
fall. You will get immediate feedback with your grade, and be able to see what you did incorrectly. You
will have a chance to correct your errors if you wish and improve your grade. You will be able to
complete and turn-in your homework a total of three times. The gradebook will record your highest
grade.
Examinations must be completed prior to or by the due date. Examinations will be taken on the
computer. They will not require the Microsoft Office products. The examinations will contain simulations
that will be loaded on your computer and you will do the work from there. The examinations will have a
time limit, and they can only be taken once. The gradebook will record your score. You will be taking a
total of 6 examinations. One each for Concepts, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and the final
examination. The final examination is a comprehensive examination covering all of the topics covered in
the course Failure to complete the due date will result in zero points. For the face to face classes,
requests for makeup examinations will only be entertained if made prior to the due date. Requests after
the due date will be denied.
Grades are included in the SIMnet gradebook. Each item you are required to complete, including
the readings, projects, and examinations will receive an individual grade. The grades are weighted, with
the total course grade being 100%. Readings are weighted as 5% of the total grade, projects are
weighted as 10% of the total grade, the section examinations (1-5) are weighted as 65% of the total
grade (13% for each exam), and the final examination is weighted as 20% of the total grade, resulting in
the 100% total.
Access to the SIMnet website is at https://ivcc.simnetonline.com. You may type that directly
into the address bar of your web browser. Or, you can find a link to SIMnet on my faculty website
www.ivcc.edu/jauch as well as a link for your class website. There is also a link for you to print out a
class syllabus. This will be the only way that you will get your syllabus, there will not be a printed copy.
An important note for the night section (300). You should get your registration information as soon as
possible before class, as you will have requirements soon after the first class meeting. If you have any
questions about the class, registration, or the class syllabus, please send an email to me, via your IVCC
student email account.
Christian M. Jauch, Jr.
Adjunct Professor
Business Technology Program
Workforce Development Division
Illinois Valley Community College
815 North Orlando Smith Road
Oglesby, Illinois 61348
Web Site: www.ivcc.edu/jauch