Course: 97550 IS101 1006, 3 credits
Instructor: Dave Pollard
Location: LCC, Multi-Purpose Room
Course Dates and Times: September 1 st - December 15 th . Tuesdays from 4pm till 6:45pm.
Textbook and Materials: Technology in Action, 11th Edition, by Alan Evans, Kendall Martin, and Mary Anne
Poatsy; Prentice Hall, Publisher
Software Required: Microsoft Office 2013
Course Description: Introduction to Information Systems is an introduction to computer-based informationsystems management including hardware/software relationships, business applications usage, systems theory, current technology, networking, the Internet, computer security, and privacy issues.
Recommended Course co-requisite: IS201
Course Objectives: To provide students with a working knowledge of technology, primarily computers, as used in modern society and the essentials of both computer hardware and software use in the workplace will be covered.
Expected Learner Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this class, students will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
Measurements of learner outcomes:
Illustrate the relationship between knowledge of technology and the direction our society takes.
Participation in Discussions, Written Assignments, and Weekly Quizzes.
Determine computer and network usage as communications tool.
Show how the knowledge of intellectual property rights, e.g. creative commons, copyright and fair use are used.

4.
5.
6.
Demonstrate the use of and critically evaluate electronic data and the internet as information resources.
Discuss ethical, privacy, and security issues relating to computer use.
Describe a clear understanding of at least two specific technologies.
Participation in Discussions, Written Assignments, and Weekly Quizzes.
Covered in the Class – Check Moodle for more information.
Chapter 1 – Using Technology to Change the World
Chapter 2 – Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts
Chapter 3 – Using the Internet: Making the Most of the Web’s Resources
Chapter 4 – Application Software: Programs That Let You Work and Play
Chapter 5 – System Software: The Operating System, Utility Programs, and File Management
Chapter 6 – Understanding and Assessing Hardware: Evaluating Your System
Chapter 7 – Networking: Connecting Computing Devices
Chapter 8 – Digital Devices and Media: managing a Digital Lifestyle
Chapter 9 – Securing Your System: Protecting Your Digital Data and Devices
Class Policies/Grading: Instruction in this course is provided through demonstration and discussion. Class time will be provided for practicing concepts as well as working through assignments; however, additional time outside of class will be essential to improve skills and complete the assignments.
Homework/Lab Assignments
Attendance/Class Participation
Test 1
Test 2
Final Examination
A = 90–100 B = 80–89 C = 70–79 D = 60–69 F = 59 & less
40%
20%
10%
10%
20%

Note: No make-up tests or quizzes will be given.
Arrangements can be made to take tests early if an absence is anticipated.
Homework/Lab Assignments: All assignments must be completed and handed in on time at the beginning of class. Work must be complete . I will not accept a partially completed assignment. Late work will be accepted on a case-by-case basis only. Your work must be your own.
Cheating will result in a grade of 0 for the applicable assignment; further disciplinary action, including assigning a failing grade (F) for the entire course may also be taken. Missed work will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment. Exceptional circumstances should be discussed with the instructor in advance.
Assignments must be printed out (when appropriate) and properly identified . Each printout must include:

Your Name

The Assignment and/or File Name
Printouts must be stapled together in order exactly as listed in the Assignments section of the syllabus. Save all checked and graded assignments and quizzes for possible future inquiries regarding grades.
Methods of Instruction
• Explanation, demonstration, and examples of information technology concepts using in class and online resources
• Hands-on assignments incorporating information technology concepts
• Reading and written assignments from the textbook, handouts, and online sources, and hands-on assignments
• Individual work
Attendance: Attendance is required. Please make every effort to arrive on time!
Attendance and punctuality are critical to success in the course. If you are unable to attend class, you are responsible for completing the material covered on the syllabus.
Any missed work is due the first day you return to class. Please keep me informed about any extenuating circumstances that may affect your attendance. Absences in excess of twice the number of weekly class meetings will result in the student having to withdraw from the course. If you arrive late for class, be sure to check with me at the end of class to be marked “tardy but present.” Two late arrivals will be considered one absence.
You must arrive for the final examination prior to the beginning of the exam. No one will be admitted after the designated start time.
Student Preparation for Each Class:

Read the text chapters assigned per the schedule.

Review objectives from the chapters.

Make note of any questions you may have to pose during class.
Student Code of Conduct/Civility: At a minimum, you are expected to treat each other (and your instructor) politely and with respect. This includes participating in class, and arriving in a timely manner. Please remember that personal conversations during lecture and lab time are distracting to your fellow students. Collaboration on a project is an exception, of course.
Major Class Objectives:
The objectives for this class are to provide students with a working knowledge of technology, primarily computers, as used in modern society and the essentials of both computer hardware and software use in the workplace will be covered. Some topics that will be covered in this class include:
1. How computers can augment and enhance many traditional human activities, but rarely, if ever, replace such activities;
2. Computers and networks as communications medium, e.g. the Web and email;

3. Enhancing both quantitative and qualitative information analysis, e.g. information systems are useful for collecting, organizing, and analyzing data but only if the assumptions behind the data are understood and the formulas used in their correlation are accurate;
4. An essential of understanding the complex relationships between computer hardware and software;
5. Ethics and confidentiality when collecting, analyzing, and using personal information, e.g. database use and privacy issues;
6. Intellectual property rights, e.g. patent, copyright and fair use doctrine;
7. Health ramifications of computer use, e.g. carpel tunnel syndrome, eye strain, and possibly long term problems;
This class uses Discussion Topics, but includes a significant hands on component in which computers are used to complete Weekly Assignments, Quizzes, Projects and a Presentation. You have to use Microsoft Word 2010/2013 to complete your assignments. For the Presentation you will have to use MS PowerPoint 2010/2013.
Academic dishonest is defined as an act of deception in which a student claims credit for the work or effort of another person or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic work.
Academic dishonesty is a violation of the GBC Student Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated in this class. Any evidence of academic dishonesty/plagiarism in this course will result in a failing grade on the assignment and/or a failing grade for the course. Any evidence of academic dishonesty/plagiarism in this course will result in a failing grade for the course. This is a very critical offense. If you are ever uncertain about your use of another person’s work (ideas, language, data, etc.) you must contact me about it.
Acts of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to the following:
CHEATING – unauthorized copying or collaborating on a test or assignment, or the use or attempted use of unauthorized materials.
TAMPERING – altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and/or documents.
FABRICATION – falsifying experimental data or results, inventing research or laboratory data on results for work not done, or falsely claiming sources not used.
PLAGIARISM – representing someone else’s words, ideas, artistry, or data as one’s own, including copying another person’s work (including published and unpublished material, and material from the
Internet) without appropriate referencing, presenting someone else’s opinions and theories as one’s own, or working jointly on a project, then submitting it as one’s own. (I have a computer program that will search your words on the Internet . . . so do not make the choice to plagiarize).
In addition to degree requirements, the faculty of GBC has established a goal to ensure that all students graduating with either an AA, AS, BA, or BS degree have had the opportunity to develop an awareness of and abilities in specific areas. These areas are detailed on pages 63 and 64 of the 2015-2016 GBC General
Catalog.
IS 101 is a General Education Technology Area class option, and therefore has particular emphasis with the following General Education Objectives.
Students will be responsible for completing weekly assignments involving oral and written forms of communication, including presentations (informal and formal) and discussions. Presentations and discussions will be evaluated on evidence of insight, quest for knowledge, and reflection.
Written assignments will be evaluated on content and mechanics.
Research, comprehension, and analysis of course-related materials will be expected from students throughout the course; materials will be from print and online resources.
Students will give a descriptive oral presentation at the end of the semester. The presentation will be evaluated on preparedness, organization, clarity, content, appropriate length, and delivery.

Accessing Information
Students who complete General Education courses will demonstrate the ability to access information by
• collecting information from electronic, print and live sources;
• evaluating the validity of information;
• organizing information into a usable format; and
•
Documenting sources of information.
The progression of this class through the semester requires creativity, logic, quantitative reasoning, and inquiry as the means toward knowledge.
Throughout the semester students will demonstrate quantitative ability with a variety of class content. A few examples are calculating file sizes, specifying file resolution, creating spreadsheet formulas, and determining bandwidth.
During the class students will analyze multiple information technology concepts including interface design, networking, HTML, algorithms, multimedia, software, and scripting.
Various science-based concepts will be addressed such as digital data representation, artificial intelligence, what-if analysis, scripting, debugging, and principles of computer operation.
The primary tools used in this class will be technology based: computer hardware and software.
Students will use standard computer hardware, and may use a DVD burner, jump drive, scanner, and digital camera.
Students will use a variety of software, which may include file management, word processing, database, presentation, animation, web browser, web page design, graphics, and digital audio editing.
Disability Access:
“Great Basin College supports providing equal access for students with disabilities. An advisor is available to discuss appropriate accommodations with students. Please contact the ADA Officer (Julie
Byrnes) in Elko at (775) 753-2271 at your earliest convenience to request timely and appropriate accommodations

Topics to Be Presented
~ May Be Subject to Minor Changes ~
Week
Week 1
Sept 1
Week 2
Sept 8
Week 3
Sept 15
Topics Presented
PowerPoint
Presentation and
Orientation.
Using Technology to
Change the World
PowerPoint
Presentation
Looking at
Computers:
Understanding the
Parts
PowerPoint
Presentation
Using the Internet:
Making the Most of the Web’s Resources
Reading
Assignment
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Homework/Lab Assignments
(due the following week)
Sound Byte: Questions to Ask
Before You Buy a Computer
Check Your Understanding:
Handout.
Sound Bytes: Binary Numbers
AND Healthy Computing
Active Helpdesk: Exploring
Storage Devices And Ports,
Understanding Bits And Bytes, and Using Output Devices
Active Helpdesk: Doing Business
Online, Using Subject Directories,
Search Engines, and Getting
Around the Web
Sound Byte: Blogging, Finding
Information On The Web, And
Welcome To The Web
Week 4
Sept 22
Week 5
Sept 29
Week 6
Oct 6
PowerPoint
Presentation
Technology In Focus:
The History of the
Personal Computer
PowerPoint
Presentation
Application Software:
Programs That Let
You Work and Play
~ TEST 1: Chapters
1–4 ~
Chapter 4
Multiple Choice questions
Sound Byte: Enhancing Photos with Image-Editing Software
Active Helpdesk: Buying And
Installing Software, And
Choosing Software

Week
Week 7
Oct 13
Topics Presented
PowerPoint
Presentation
System Software: The
Operating System,
Utility Programs, and
File Management
Reading
Assignment
Chapter 5
Week 8
Oct 20
Week 9
Oct 27
Week 10
Nov 3
PowerPoint
Presentation
Technology In Focus:
Information
Technology Ethics
PowerPoint
Presentation
Understanding and
Assessing Hardware:
Evaluating Your
System
PowerPoint
Presentation
Networking:
Connecting
Computing Devices
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Homework/Lab Assignments
(due the following week)
Active Helpdesk: Organizing
Your Computer: File Management
Sound Byte: File Compression
And File Management
Check Your Understanding:
Handout.
Multiple Choice questions
Active Helpdesk:
Evaluating Your CPU and RAM
AND Evaluating Computer
System Components
Check Your Understanding:
Handout.
Sound Byte:
Connecting to the Internet AND
Installing a Home Computer
Network
Sound Byte, under the hood:
Where Does Binary Show Up?
Check Your Understanding:
Handout.
Week 11
Nov 10
Week 12
Nov 17
PowerPoint
Presentation
Technology In Focus:
Under the Hood
Digital Devices and
Media: Managing a
Digital Lifestyle
Chapter 8
Multiple Choice questions
Sound Byte:
Smartphones Are Really Smart
AND Connecting with Bluetooth
Check Your Understanding:
Handout.

Week
Week 13
Nov 24
Topics Presented
PowerPoint
Presentation
Securing Your
System: Protecting
Your Digital Data and
Devices
Reading
Assignment
Chapter 9
Homework/Lab Assignments
(due the following week)
Active Helpdesk: Avoiding
Computer Viruses AND
Understanding Firewalls
Sound Byte: Installing a Personal
Firewall
Check Your Understanding:
Handout.
Week 14
Dec 1
Week 15
Dec 8
Week 16
Dec 15
PowerPoint
Presentation
Technology In Focus:
Careers in IT
~ TEST 2: Chapters
5–9 ~
Final Exam
Multiple Choice questions