Paradise Valley Community College
***** READ CAREFULLY THEN PRINT THIS OUT FOR YOUR FILES *****
Total Course Information and Syllabus
CIS 105 – Survey of Computer Information Systems
Sections #5570 and #5571 - ONLINE
And late start section #5579 - ONLINE
BlackBoard Class Login: http://bb.dist.maricopa.edu/
Online Course Description: http://www2.pvc.maricopa.edu/~patterson/CIS105/
Instructor: James Gordon Patterson
JGPatterson.Online@pvmail.maricopa.edu
http://www2.pvc.maricopa.edu/~patterson
(If you want to reach me, online is the way to go. If you have a question others would benefit
from knowing, post it within BlackBoard. Keep in mind - I live on the Internet!)
PVCC Office: J-122
Textbooks and Supplies:
Discovering Computers 2003 by Shelly, Cashman and Vermaat
Microsoft Office XP by Michael Halvorson and Marjorie S. Hunt
Visual Basic 6 by Shelly, Cashman, Repede, and Mick
You are responsible for completing all work using Microsoft Office Professional XP software.
NO OTHER VERSION IS ACCEPTABLE! You can get a educational discount (full version)
of MS Office XP through many educational software stores on the Internet or through your
school bookstore.
You may purchase all textbooks and software at the PVCC bookstore OR order online at
http://shop.efollett.com/
Internet access and a browser. I have great luck with MS Internet Explorer. You can use any
ISP (Internet Service Provider) you want. I suggest you add the following two sites to your
“bookmarks” (for Netscape) or “favorites” (for Internet Explorer) list so you can go to the sites
quickly.
BlackBoard Class Login: http://bb.dist.maricopa.edu/
Online Course Description: http://www2.pvc.maricopa.edu/~patterson/CIS105/
WinZip. This neat little program will compress or zip your files or uncompress your files. You
can get a free evaluation copy at http://www.winzip.com
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NOTE: You will be posting files and sending files to one another and me during this course.
NEVER send or receive files without having a current, up-to-date virus checker operating on
your computer! Both Norton (http://www.symantec.com) and McAfee
(http://www.mcafee.com/) make good virus checkers. Any file sent me with a virus will be
deleted, unopened and ungraded. So, it is in your best interests to use a virus checker.
Course Objectives:
Fundamental computer concepts and terminology; major applications of computers, database
concepts, telecommunications and networking technologies, history of computers, current
hardware and software.
Basic use of Microsoft Office software for word processing (Microsoft Word), database
(Access), presentations graphics (PowerPoint), Spreadsheet construction (Excel) and how to
design and write a simple computer program using Visual Basic.
What else do I want you to do? I want you to become self-motivated and self-reliant. Instead
of giving up or asking me, first try to figure it out yourself. Re-read the syllabus, the chapter, or
look it up on the Internet. Then, ask fellow classmates. I also want you to be able to effectively
work together in groups for the group projects. You will also have to be willing to take on
learning (for many of you) the new skill of web page development! Don’t worry; it’s fun and
easy. Elementary school kids are posting marvelous web sites. I’m really not looking for much
more than that level.
Who is Jim?
I have a liberal arts background, yet I love technology and computers. I am also an active
(well, I could be MORE active!) and published author of four books. I am always on the lookout
for new book ideas. My writing interests are centered on things related to management,
communication, and instructional technology. I am represented by the Waterside Productions
agency. I’ve made many national conference presentations and conducted training for both
corporate and military audiences. Prior to coming to Paradise Valley Community College, I was
an education specialist with the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence School at Fort Huachuca, AZ.
In my younger days, I was a radio reporter and news director for stations in both Michigan and
Arizona. I started as a college faculty member at Jackson (MI) Community College where I
taught at both the main campus and prison branch, then I moved on to Pima Community College
in Tucson, the University of Arizona, and then the University of Phoenix. I have a B.A.,
University of Arizona; M.A., Eastern Michigan University; a Certificate in Distance Education
from Thomas Edison State College; and an Ed.S. in instructional technology from Valdosta State
University. I'm not done yet; I am now finishing an M.B.A. from Morehead State University.
So, I am an online student just like you! I am the school contact for CompTIA exams like A+,
Network+, and i-Net+ (there are more; just ask me!). I am proficient with many Microsoft
products like Microsoft Front Page and Click2Learn Toolbook Assistant for developing
computer based training products. I am a member of the Toastmasters International (you are
welcome to join our PVCC Toastmasters club that meets Tuesday at 1 pm), CompTIA, and the
Association for Educational Communications and Technology.
Class Procedure, Homework, Absences, etc….
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This is online. Online doesn’t mean easier. It is often HARDER. You must be self-reliant, selfmotivated, and a bit of an independent learner. As an experienced online instructor AND online
student, my best advice is LOG ON EVERY DAY! Do a little each day for this class;
otherwise, you will fall hopelessly behind. Believe me. I know. And read the announcements I
post for the course within BlackBoard for any reminders and changes to assignments. This
course is a combination of a little bit of weekly lecture (I don’t want to bore you or me!), group
discussion on my lecture, group work completing the MS Office assignments, and individual
hands-on stuff (doing a web page).
Do the reading and homework and hand it in on time. No make-ups and no extra credit. I
don’t care what other instructors do, either. That is my policy. Here’s a quote you will hear me
say a million gazillion times: 99% of success is just showing up. Learn to budget your time and
get the material in when it is due. Don’t bother if it is late. Don’t wanna see it. Wouldn’t be
prudent (my crude attempt imitating President #41 – ha ha ha!). Common traits of those who
have failed this course includes a failure to turn in assignments on time, not reading and
following directions, and just not showing up. Common traits of those who are successful
include doing work on time and as assigned, working well with their group, being a persistent
learner who participates fully, and one who goes above and beyond what I want.
You will need regular access to a PC Windows-based computer and MS Office XP. Whether
that is at work, home, or in the PVCC computer lab, it doesn’t matter. YOU are responsible to
turn in the material when it is due. One of the first things you must do within BlackBoard is
click on TOOLS and complete EDIT YOUR HOMEPAGE and PERSONAL INFORMATION.
The personal information area is where you will put in your working email address. This is an
alternate way I have to communicate with you. If you change your email address during the
term, you must go back and change it within PERSONAL INFORMATION.
If you miss something, you are still responsible for it. If you take off for that extended four week
tour of the continent with your relatives, YOU are still responsible to participate in the class and
send in the material ON TIME. I have often gone on vacation AND kept up with teaching or
taking an online course. It is possible. It really isn’t that hard. However, if you must be gone
for any length of time, you might consider retaking the course when you can give your all to it.
Make friends in here. I encourage students to learn from the text, from each other, and maybe
even from me. Do not rely on me to re-lecture or re-explain material I have already covered.
It’s hard to participate in class if you aren’t logging in!
On plagiarism…. Plagiarism is stealing somebody else’s writing or ideas and not giving him or
her proper credit. This is wrong. In the past, students who have plagiarized have received
punishments ranging from failing the assignment in question, failing the course, all the way to
being expelled from the college. Hint: DO YOUR OWN WORK! Don’t cheat. You aren’t the
ex-President. Even for him it was wrong. Learn more about the plagiarism problem from
http://www.plagiarism.org/faq.html Also see the Indiana University’s web page on plagiarism
at http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html.
It is your responsibility to become familiar with PVCC’s drop/add policy. I do not withdraw
students from my courses for non-participation and I do not assign “I’s” or incompletes. If you
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stop participating in class, you must complete an official withdrawal form through PVCC
or you will receive an “F” for the class.
Assignments and Grading:
There will a final exam in this class. The final examination will cover the entire book and be
worth 20 points.
You are responsible for creating a web page for this class worth a total of 20 points (5 points +
15 points). Two sample student web pages (not perfect but close to it) include:
http://www.christianfreebies.com/class/ and http://www.geocities.com/on4leslie
Weekly discussion postings to my lecturette questions, a student question and answer, and
overall participation is worth 20 points. There is a course-long discussion board and assignment
on global information technology, an often overlooked subfield. I will post a lecturette
introducing the topic with some questions you will need to answer. Then you will select a topic
related to global I.T. and write a lecturette complete with discussion questions and references.
Then you will select one other student lecturette and respond to his or her questions. This is
worth 10 points.
Finally, there are three group projects from the Office XP lab book worth 10 points each or a
total of 30 points. Each group will email me (copying each group member) ONE ZIPPED
FILE containing all the lab assignments. DO NOT SEND ME MULTIPLE FILES FROM
MULTIPLE SENDERS! Hint on group work: complete all the group assignments yourself. Do
NOT rely on anybody – that covers you if others do not do their share of the work. Let me know
if that happens and I will grade accordingly. All group members should decide well before the
deadline on what files to zip and send me. Again, I want only ONE ZIPPED file containing all
the assignments for that lab sent to me from EACH group. I DO NOT want gads and gads of lab
files sent to me. Your guiding light on this assignment and all assignments in this course is,
“How can I make my professor’s job as easy as possible?”
CIS105 – A Breakdown of Assignments – All Sections
Starting 3 September 2002 to Ending 13 December 2002 – Complete Final NLT 13
December 2002
NOTE: Late Start Section #5579 starts on 16 September and Ends on 13 December
ASSIGNMENT
COVERING
WHAT?
HOW
MANY
POINTS?
DUE WHEN?
HOW DO I DO IT?
Global
Information
Technology
Research and
response on
global
information
technology
Worth up to
10 Points
A specific, focused Global I.T. lecturette
topic to be approved by me in advance
NLT 10/20 (post your ideas in the
Global I.T. discussion board). Post your
lecturette NLT 13 December to the
First, read the lecturette I
posted on Global I.T. Then
respond to the questions at
the end of the lecturette
within the discussion board.
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discussion board. Post your responses to Your first task is to pick a
another students’ questions by 13
subject related to global I.T.
December.
for your lecturette. Include
questions at the end in the
same format I used for my
lecturette and your
references. Post ideas for
topics within the global I.T.
discussion board. Then post
your lecturette to the global
I.T. board and respond to
another students’ lecturette
questions.
Project
FINAL EXAM
Primarily
covering
chapters 1 to
16 in
"Discovering
Computers"
book.
Worth up to
20 Points.
Every week I
Worth up to Every week and ongoing! Our week will
20 Points.
run from Monday through Sunday.
You will be
graded on the
content and
thoughtfulness
of your
postings.
PARTICIPATION will post a
IN ONLINE
mini-lecture
online with
DISCUSSION
several
questions I
want you to
respond to
within the
BlackBoard
classroom’s
discussion
board.
At the end of the course on the
BlackBoard class site.
Finish no later than Sunday 13
December.
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The “cheat sheet” (two solid
pages of need-to-know
information about the course
subject) and chapter outlines
you will create will help you
prepare for this exam. And,
the cheat sheet and chapter
outlines will be part of the
content of your web page!
Make sure you include
information from the global
I.T. lesson, too! Taking the
online practice tests located
at the end of each chapter
will help you pass this test.
Wait for the announcement
that the test is ready. Make
sure you are using a reliable
Internet connection (one that
won’t kick you off) since
you have to take the test in
one sitting. Clear your
Internet browser cache (in
IE, go to TOOLS,
INTERNET OPTIONS,
DELETE FILES.
Read the mini-lecture for
that week. Post your
answers to the discussion
questions I have asked by
WEDNESDAY of that
week in the discussion area
(include questions and
answers). In addition, post
your own question in the
discussion area based on the
topic of the week. By
Sunday respond to one other
students’ question. For full
credit, do NOT merely
regurgitate information in
the text… add your own
experiences and web sites
for further information.
Don’t be afraid to offer an
additional or counter
argument to the text or
another student IF YOU
CAN BACK IT UP!
At about the
Worth up to 5 Post your URL (web site address) to the
BlackBoard classroom for peer and
instructor review one week before the
midterm examination.
CREATE A WEB midway point points.
PAGE, part one
in the course
you will have
posted on your
own web
page: Outlines
of chapters
covered, a
starting online
annotated
bibliography
of topics
covered, and a
mid-point
"cheat sheet.”
Post a URL for
your site so
others may
comment on it
within the
BlackBoard
classroom and
email me the
URL.
WARNING:
Start on this
WEEK ONE!
You need to
add to this as
the course goes
on. This is not
an assignment
you can do an
hour before the
deadline!
There are many free web
hosting sites. One that I
have used successfully is
AngelFire
(http://www.angelfire.com).
Another one is Geocities
Sunday 10/20
(http://www.geocities.com).
When you are ready for a grade on this Can you find others that you
assignment, EMAIL me your URL at
would like to use? Do an
jgpatterson.online@pvmail.maricopa.edu Internet search on free web
hosting sites and be prepared
to discuss in our classroom.
Whatever hosting site you
decide to use, make sure you
TEST the site prior to
posting the website for us to
review and comment on.
You may use Word,
Publisher, FrontPage,
FrontPage Express, or any
program that will allow you
to produce HTML files. I
encourage you to use color,
graphics, workable links,
sound, etc… to “spice up”
your site, but concentrate on
the web page requirements
FIRST. Do a search online
for help creating your page.
This will get you started:
http://www.webmonkey.com
Also, download the web
page evaluation form from
the BlackBoard site.
What should you include?
As a minimum, full chapter
outlines (NOT your
previous discussion
responses or essays), a
“cheat sheet” for the course
(two page “must know”
exam preparation guides),
and an annotated
bibliography/webliography
(look up the term on the
Internet…. use at least one
or two sources per
chapter) of working URL’s
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and descriptions of the
usefulness of the sites, and
your working email address.
DO NOT CUT AND
PASTE from other sites or
from each other (look up the
term “plagiarism”).
Now, have fun with this!
A week before Worth up to
15 points.
CREATE A WEB the final
PAGE, part two examination
you will have
posted on your
own web
page: Outlines
of chapters
covered, a
complete
online
annotated
bibliography
of topics
covered, and a
"cheat sheet"
for the final
exam. Post a
URL for your
site so others
may comment
on it within the
BlackBoard
classroom.
When you are
ready for a
grade, email
me your URL.
You will be a
Worth up to
GROUP WORK, member of an 10 Points.
part one
assigned
Post your URL (web site address) to the
BlackBoard classroom for peer and
instructor review one week before the
final examination.
Check your web page
against the web page
evaluation form. Do all the
links work? Have you
included all the requirements
When you are ready for a grade on this of the assignment? Does it
assignment, EMAIL me your URL at
look interesting? Is it clear
jgpatterson.online@pvmail.maricopa.edu what the purpose of the web
page is? Is the page easy to
navigate?
Sunday 12/8
Sunday 9/29
group. You
will, as a
group, turn in
assigned
projects from
Word and
Excel.
You or a member of your
group will email me (Make
sure you copy - “cc:” - your
teammates within your email
program) ONE complete
“zip” file of lab assignments.
You can get WinZip for a
free evaluation at
http://www.winzip.com
From our BlackBoard
classroom, locate and
download to your computer
the file CIS105 Lab
Files.zip – Save this file to
your hard drive or to a
floppy. Then unzip it to a
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directory using WinZip.
These are the files you will
need for your group work.
For the first GROUP WORK
assignment:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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Read the introductory
material and “Getting
Started with MS Office
XP” in the Microsoft
Office XP lab book.
For many, this may be a
review.
Unzip lab files for
Group Work Part One
and save to a floppy or
your hard drive.
Read and do exercises
in Unit A (Word) with
data file WD A-1 and
save the document you
will create similar to the
one on page A-17.
Name this file
WD#1.doc
Read and do exercises
in Unit B (Word) with
data file WD B-1 and
save the document you
will create similar to the
one on B-16 and B-17.
Call this file
WD#2.doc.
Read and do exercises
in Unit C (Word) using
data file WD C-1 and
follow directions
through C-16. Save this
file as WD#3.doc.
Read and do exercises
in Unit A (Excel) and
save the document you
will create from EXCEL
A-18. Name it
XL#1.xls
Read and do exercises
in Unit B (Excel) using
data file XL B-1. Print
once without the filter.
After Step 6 on EXCEL
B-12. Name it
XL#2a.xls. Print after
applying the filter as
directed on EXCEL B14. Name it XL#2b.xls
Read and do exercises
in Unit C (Excel) using
data file XL C-1
through page EXCEL
C-16. Save the file as
XL#3.xls
For this assignment,
your group will create, zip,
and turn in seven files:
three from Word and four
from Excel.
*****Include all group
members’ names and copy
(cc:) all group members
when you email the file to
me!
Your group
GROUP WORK, will turn in
part two
assignments
Worth up to
10 Points.
Sunday 11/17
from
PowerPoint
and Access.
You or a member of your
group will email me (Make
sure you copy - “cc:” - your
teammates within your email
program) ONE complete
“zip” file of lab assignments.
You can get WinZip for a
free evaluation at
http://www.winzip.com
From our BlackBoard
classroom, locate and
download to your computer
the file CIS105 Lab
Files.zip – Save this file to
your hard drive or to a
floppy. Then unzip it to a
directory using WinZip.
These are the files you will
need for your group work.
For the second GROUP
WORK assignment:
-
-
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Read and do exercises
from Unit A
(PowerPoint) and save
the document you will
create as PPT#1.ppt.
Make sure you use
HANDOUTS, 3 to a
page.
Read and do exercises
from Unit B
(PowerPoint) using data
file PPT B-1 and save
the document you will
create as a result of page
B-14 as PPT#2.ppt
-
-
-
Read and do ACCESS
Unit A through
ACCESS A-16. Save
file as AC#1.mdb (this
is referenced as Outdoor
Designs Sales Reps).
Read and do ACCESS
unit B through ACCESS
B-14. Save file as
AC#2.mdb
Read and do ACCESS
unit C through ACCESS
C-16. Save file as
AC#3.mdb
For this assignment,
your group will create, zip,
and turn in five files: two
PowerPoint files and three
Access files.
*****Include all group
members’ names and copy
(cc:) all group members
when you email the file to
me!
Your group
Worth up to
GROUP WORK, will turn in two 10 Points.
part three
assignments
Sunday 12/8
from Visual
Basic and a
completed
"Personal
Computer
Purchase
Specification
Sheet" attached
to this
syllabus. Do
some research
and come up
with an ideal
and a down to
earth computer
purchase for a
small company
business of
your choice.
You or a member of your
group will email me (Make
sure you copy - “cc:” - your
teammates within your email
program) ONE complete
“zip” file of lab assignments.
You can get WinZip for a
free evaluation at
http://www.winzip.com
From our BlackBoard
classroom, locate and
download to your computer
the file CIS105 Lab
Files.zip – Save this file to
your hard drive or to a
floppy. Then unzip it to a
directory using WinZip.
These are the files you will
need for your group work.
For the third GROUP
WORK assignment:
-
-
10
Read and understand
“Introduction to Visual
Basic Programming” in
the Visual Basic 6 book.
Do an Internet search
-
-
and locate three
excellent sites on
flowcharting. You can
use your work here for
your annotated
bibliography. Be
prepared to discuss the
sites on flowcharting
you found in our weekly
discussions!
Practice (but do not
turn in) flowcharting on
page VB i.21. This
assignment and the
Internet search for
flowcharting sites will
help you complete the
mechanical man
flowchart.
Using Word’s “Draw”
function, flowchart the
mechanical man on
page VB i.23. Some
students report excellent
results by having
somebody act like the
mechanical man and
another person
recording the
movements. Remember
this is NOT linear; you
will need decision
points. Save the Word
file as Mechanical
Man.doc.
Read and do work in Project
One (Visual Basic). You
will create a working sales
commission calculator.
When finished, save it as an
EXE (executable) file to turn
in ONLY IF you own Visual
Basic. If you do NOT own
VB6, please do the
assignment this way: First,
start Word. Then go to
TOOLS, MACROS,
VISUAL BASIC EDITOR.
You will be creating a
MACRO called “sales
commission.” Your Word
document should be named
“sales commission.doc”.
After you save the Word file
and Macro, test it by:
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1. Opening "Sales
Commission.Doc"
2. On the Menu select
Tools|Macros|Visual Basic
Editor.
3. Select User Form "Sales
Commission".
4. On the Menu Select "Run
Sub/User Form".
- As a group, complete
the “Ideal
Microcomputer
Purchase” project form
at the end of this
document. Save it as a
Word file called Ideal
Computer.doc and
send it in.
For this assignment,
your group will create, zip,
and turn in three files:
either a VB6 executable
(sales commission.exe) or a
Word document with a VB
macro (sales
commission.doc) and two
Word files (“Mechanical
Man” and “Ideal
Microcomputer
Purchase”).
*****Include all group
members’ names and copy
(cc:) all group members
when you email the file to
me!
.
Item
Global I.T. Project
Final Exam
Individual Web
Page, Part One
Individual Web
Page, Final
Online Discussion
and Participation
Group
Lab/Homework #1
Group
Lab/Homework #2
Group
Lab/Homework #3
12
Points
10
20
5
15
20
10
10
10
Total
100
Grading Scale:
90 to 100 = A
80 to 89 = B
70 to 79 = C
60 to 69 = D
< 60 = F
NOTE: By accepting this syllabus, you understand the grading, assignment, and attendance
policies I have for this class. This syllabus is subject to change, but I will announce the change
in advance. You also agree to follow the section on campus computer technology (p. C-27)
located in the Student Rights and Responsibilities in the student handbook.
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(NOTE: Use this Form for Group Work Three – Cut and paste into a Word document and put all
group members’ names on this form)
Ideal Microcomputer Purchase
1. What kind of business are you buying a computer system for?
2. What other peripherals do you plan on getting?
3. What sort of applications would such a business need?
4. You have an unlimited budget to buy system #1. Describe the system in detail
including the price. Where are you buying the system? What is the website
address?
5. Now you’ve come back to earth. Configure a more realistic costing system #2.
Describe the system in detail including the price. Where are you buying the system?
What is the website address?
BASE SYSTEM
System #1: Dream
Computer
MANUFACTURER
MODEL
PROCESSOR/SPEED
OPERATING SYSTEM
HARD DRIVE
MEMORY
FLOPPY
OTHER STORAGE
CD/CDRW
TOTAL PRICE =
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System #2: Realistic Budget
Computer