Frederick Community College

 

CIS116D HYB-1 Office Applications:  Windows (Windows Vista)

 

Spring 2009 – First Seven Weeks

 

Class begins:  1/26/09

Class ends:  3/9/09

Last Day to Drop:  2/16/09

 

Instructor Information

 

 

Name:   Susan Boyne

Office:  C222

E-mail:  sboyne@frederick.edu

Phone Number:  301-846-2410

Office Hours:  Before and after class or by appointment

Campus Mail Box #:  107

 

Course Information

 

Credits:  1

On-campus Meetings:  7:  Monday 5:00-6:15 p.m.

On-campus Exams:  1

Prerequisites:  None

Co-requisites:  None

 

Course Description

 

Covers the basics of the Windows operating system from navigating with the mouse to customizing the desktop to managing files, directories and programs.

 

Core Learning Outcomes

 

1.       Identify elements of a Windows screen.

2.       Manage files, folders, and directories.

3.       Customize Windows desktop.

4.       Use Windows Accessories.

 

 Instructional Methods

 

Lecture and hands-on demonstration and software online activities.

 

Course organization

 

This is considered a hybrid course.  Students are required to attend the weekly on campus meeting for the lecture and hands-on demonstration of the material.  The remaining course components will be completed online, using Blackboard (Bb).  The students must use Bb on a regular basis for complete course information (syllabus, lecture notes, assignments, etc.) and to participate in the discussion board and take quizzes.

 

Text for Course

 

Parsons, June, Oja, Dan, and Carey, Joan & Patrick, Ruffolo, Lisa.  New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista.  Course Technology.  2008.

 


 

Evaluation Methods:

Final Grade Scale

 

 

Hands on assignments                      40% of grade

On-line theory quizzes                     30% of grade

Attendance/Participation                15% of grade

Final Exam                                           15% of grade

 

90% & above                = A**

80% - 89%                     = B

70% - 79%                     = C

60% - 69%                     = D

Below 59%                    = F

 

**NOTE: It will be necessary to hand in every chapter assignment to receive an “A” grade in this course.

 

 Attendance/Participation Policy:

 

Attendance:  Attendance is required for each weekly on campus class.  Fifteen percent of your grade is based on attendance.  If you are absent from class, assignments are still required to be submitted by the due date.  Students are expected to come to class on time and remain in class during the scheduled time frame.  Late arrivals and early dismissals disrupt the class, which already meets for an abbreviated time.

 

Participation:  Students are required to use the discussion board to post questions and tips and provide responses to other students and instructor questions.  Students who encounter problems with their assignments or text are encouraged to post their question on the discussion board first.  Classmates are then requested to try and offer solutions to the question.  There will be several forums posted on the discussion board.  Students are required to post a minimum of five threads to the forums during the semester.  Use of e-mail and discussion board is part of your participation grade and ten percent of your grade is based on participation.

 

 Privacy/Communication Policy:

 

E-mail is an instructional tool essential to student-instructor and student-student communication. In the Bb environment by default, your e-mail address is available to all students in this course.  However, students are permitted to use e-mail addresses of other students in this course only for the purpose and the duration of this course. Students are required to use their myfcc e-mail address for this course. 

 

The instructor can be expected to respond to regular student e-mail inquiries (grades, posted assignments, and tests excluded) within the time frame of 24 to 48 hours. 

 

****Students are responsible for notifying the instructor of any e-mail address changes during the semester.  Students are responsible for changing their personal password and updating their personal information, including email address, in the Bb system.

 

Academic Honesty:

 

Work in this course is subject to the provisions of the FCC Code of Academic Honesty. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. As a student, it is your job to practice academic honesty at ALL times.  Make sure that all sources, particularly Internet sources, get proper credit for quotations, paraphrases, and ideas. 

 

Progress Report

 

Grades will be posted in the grade book section of the blackboard site. Students can monitor their grades throughout the semester.

 

By the end of the 3rd week of the semester, you will have an opportunity to evaluate your progress in this course and decide if you need to make any adjustments (additional study, tutoring, conference with instructor) to assure your success in this course.

 

Notes

 

1.           Class Structure:  Students will attend class on campus once a week where they will participate in an interactive lecture/demonstration.  Attendance is a required component of the course.  This is not a self-paced or independent study course.  It is also not a totally online class.  All assignments, weekly quizzes and additional participation will continue through the online portion of the class using Blackboard (Bb)

2.           Computer Requirements:

a.        Students must use their myfcc e-mail address.

b.       Students should have access to Windows Vista (at home/work or plan to use the FCC computer lab).  Assignments can be completed using an earlier version of Windows (XP, Millennium, 2000, 98); however, there are major differences, and students should be prepared to learn on their own how to complete their assignments using the different version as the textbook and classroom instruction focuses only on Windows Vista.  

3.           Data files:  Students will need a memory stick (memory drive/jump drive).  Please bring the memory stick to each class.  Data files will be downloaded to your disks each week to correspond with the assigned text tutorial.  We will be using the data files to demonstrate and practice the lesson during each class.  This same disk will contain the files needed for your homework assignments. **If you are absent from class or for some reason your memory stick is damaged, it is your responsibility to download the data files from the computer lab or the textbook website.

a.        Assignment files are located in the Assignments section of Blackboard

4.       In order to fully understand the concepts introduced in each tutorial, to successfully complete the review assignments and cases at the end of the tutorial, and to receive the best possible grade in this course, all exercises should be completed.  FYI:  In the past, students were unsuccessful in this course if they did not read the required tutorials and complete the exercises within the tutorials.

5.           Study Guides:   “Quick Check” Questions in the text are not assigned; however, you are encouraged to use the questions as a study guide/practice for the theory quizzes.

6.           Due Dates:  All graded work must be submitted at the beginning of each class or via the Assignments folder of Bb as directed.  It is the student’s responsibility to gather the assignments and due dates from the Bb site and adhere to the schedule.  Late assignments will not be accepted.  Computer problems or failure to connect to the Internet to access Bb/e-mail will not excuse the student from completing the course requirements by the due dates.  The computer lab is available during posted hours.

7.           Quizzes:  Online theory quizzes must be taken each week.  Quizzes are only available on the Bb site during the assigned timeframe.  Quizzes will expire and will no longer be accessible after the due date.

8.           Please notify the instructor immediately of any change in e-mail address, phone number(s), residence address, or any other means of contact.

9.           If you have any questions or concerns, please notify the instructor by e-mail


 
TOPICAL OUTLINE

WEEK

SUBJECT

ASSIGNMENT

Week 1

 

1/26/2009

 

 

Blackboard (Bb) Basics

How to log on
Navigating the Course Site & Where to Find Items
Downloading Data Files
Discussion Board
Email
Taking Quizzes
Grade Book

Bb Assignment

Bb Quiz

 

Week 2

 

2/2/2009

Tutorial 1:  Exploring the Basics:  Investigating the Windows Vista Operating System

Starting & Shutting Down Windows Vista
Windows Vista Desktop
Exploring the Start Menu
Running Multiple Programs
Using Dialog Box Controls
Exploring Your Computer
Getting Help

Tutorial 1 Assignment

 

Tutorial 1 Quiz

Week 3

 

2/9/2009

Tutorial 2:  Organizing Your Files

Preparing to Manage Your Files
Exploring Files and Folders
Using the Search Box to Find Files
Managing Files and Folders
Formatting a disk
Working with New Files
Refining Your Organization:            Sorting/Filtering/Stacking/Grouping Files
Customizing a Folder Window
Working with Compressed Files
Restoring Your Settings

Tutorial 2 Assignment

 

Tutorial 2 Quiz

Week 4

 

2/16/2009

Tutorial 2 Cont

Tutorial 2 Assignment

Week 5

 

2/23/2009

Tutorial 3 – Personalizing Your Windows Environment
Accessing Common Tools on the Desktop
Using the Windows Sidebar
Using Shortcuts
Using Control Panel
Changing the Desktop
Changing Display Settings
Modifying the Taskbar
Working with Taskbar Toolbars
Customizing the Start Menu
Restoring Your Settings

Tutorial 3 Assignment

 

Tutorial 3 Quiz

Week 6

 

3/2/2009

Tutorial 4 – Working with the Internet and E-mail

Exploring the Internet and the WWW
Starting MS Internet Explorer
Opening a Page on the Web
Getting Started with Windows Mail
Setting up Windows Mail
Sending/Receiving E-Mail Using Windows Mail
Attaching a File to a Message
Adding Information to Windows Contacts
Managing Your Schedule with Windows Calendar
Restoring Your Settings

Tutorial 5:  Protecting Your Computer
Using the Windows Vista Security Center
Defending Against Spyware
Defending Against E-mail Viruses with Windows Mail

Tutorial 4 Assignment

 

Tutorial 4 Quiz

 

Tutorial 5 Assignment

 

Tutorial 5 Quiz

 

Week 7

 

3/9/2009

 

Tutorial 5:  Protecting Your Computer (Cont)
Managing MS Internet Explorer Security
Setting Up User Accounts
Controlling Access to Your Computer
Securing and Sharing Folders
Restoring Your Settings

Tutorial 6:  Searching for Information and Collaborating with Others

Developing Search Strategies

Searching in a Folder Window
Conducting Advance Searches with the Search Pane
Using Tags and Other Properties
Using Advanced Criteria in the Search Box
Searching for Programs from the Start Menu
Setting Search Options
Using the Search Folder
Searching the Internet

Collaborating with Other People
Restoring Your Settings

Tutorial 6 Assignment

 

 

 

NOTE:  Your instructor reserves the right to make changes to this outline as needed.