WEBCT AND MyITLab:
WebCt/Blackboard: Students will use WebCT and MyItLab in this course. WebCT/ Blackboard Learning System is software that allows instructors to manage an online course--known as a learning management system. For this class, WebCT is the portal (primary access) into the course and contains the majority of the instructor's course materials and instructions. WebCt contains all of the students accessibility to the following:
- Syllabus
- Module assignment schedule
- Concept quizzes for the Technology in Action book
- Grades
- Email feature to contact the instructor and classmates
- Announcements from your instructor
- Discussion board
- Assignment dropboxes (if applicable to the class)
- Specific instructions for activities outside of WebCt
MyItLab - is used in this class as an online assessment and training site for Microsoft Office Applications and concepts. MyItLab enables students to be trained and assessed in introductory computer concepts and software performance skills using: Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. An example of performance skills are actually performing the activities within the software program to save, format, edit, print, etc. documents, spreadsheets, databases, and slide shows. In order for students to have access to the training and assessment within MyItLab, students must have an Access Code. The Access Code is included in a full book bundle or if purchasing used books, the MyItLab Access Code must be purchased separately (Note: if a new edition of the book is being used, then the ability to purchase old books is not an option). Once a student registers in MyItLab using their Access Code, the instructor assigns a Course ID that will be posted within the assignment schedule in the appropriate module. This Course ID, allows the students to enroll in the instructor's MyItLab. For a detailed list of system requirements for MyItLab click here.
COURSE COMPENTENCIES-PURPOSE-OUTCOMES
Purpose: This course enhances a student's computer literacy and the dynamics of technology of the past, present, and future as well as the fundamentals of computer application software. Many of the assignments you are given promote the following aspects that are needed to become effective in your present and future learning as well as in the business world.
Official Course Description: Overview of computer technology, concepts, terminology, and the role of computers in society. Discussion of the social and ethical issues related to computers. Use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software. Includes programming and use of the Internet. Exploration of relevant emerging technologies.
There are no prerequisites for this class; however, it is highly recommended that a student have basic keyboard skills of at least 30wpm, prior experience using the Internet and searching for websites, Windows operating systems experience, adequate writing skills, and Netiquette.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/ MCCD Official Course Competencies
- Identify common hardware components of computer systems and describe their uses.
- Identify different types of software and their uses.
- Describe common uses of networks.
- Describe Website Technology.
- Use the Internet to communicate, collaborate, and retrieve information.
- Explore system security and privacy issues.
- Create macros and understand the basics of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).
- Describe the steps in planning and implementing technology solutions.
- Determine when technology is useful and select the appropriate tool(s) and technology resources to address a variety of tasks and problems.
- Identify terminology and the uses of technology in business and society, including limitations.
- Identify positive social and ethical behaviors when using technology and the consequences of misuse.
- Describe how technology is used in the departments of a business and in various career paths.
- Use word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software.
ATTENDANCE-WITHDRAWALS-GRADES
All assignments, course outlines, schedules, grading requirements, tests, etc. are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
These guidelines are strictly enforced.
Class is completely online and consistent attendance is required. Attendance is monitored through submitting timely assignments, corresponding with the instructor regarding questions and assignments, takings tests, student discussions, etc. To qualify for a withdrawal:
Before the 45th day of the semester:
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If a student has not participated in class activities and/or no assignments have been completed, and/or has had no communication with the instructor for two weeks, a student is withdrawn from class with an excessive absences or academic difficulties code.
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If a student has a specific reason to be withdrawn, the student should contact the instructor via WebCt email to indicate a specific withdrawal code.
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Students will be charged tuition and fees when dropped from classes after the 100% refund period (whether through the purge process for non-payment or instructor removal for failure to attend). Refer to the college's academic calendar regarding the exact dates and refund policy for the semester enrolled.
After the 45th day of the semester: A student will be withdrawn from the class after the 45th day if there is no activity with the instructor and/or classmates for two weeks. An excessive absence code is assigned unless the student notifies the instructor in advance.
A student cannot request an "F" for financial aid purposes, deportations, etc. For a student to receive an F in the class rather than a withdrawal, the student must complete at least 50% of the course satisfactorily and to the best of their ability AND the student notifies the instructor two weeks prior to the end of the semester. If any of these requirements are not met, then the student is withdrawn from class.
Once a final grade is posted, there will be no grade changes for any reason unless it was a CALCULATION error determined by the student/instructor PRIOR to the final grade being posted within WebCt. After the final grade is posted in the Student Information System, no grade changes are given. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor their progress and alert the instructor of any assignments not graded.
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING:
All assignments, course outlines, schedules, grading requirements, tests, etc. are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
Grading is based on total points earned divided by total points possible. Those points are applied to the following grading scale. There are no weighted percentages and all assignments are considered the same level of difficulty.
90%-100% = A
80%-89% = B
70%-79% = C
60%-69% = D
less than 69% = F
EXPECTED TIME DEDICATION: The Arizona Board of Regents has established as a general guideline that this course has outside-class preparation devoted to reading, taking chapter notes, completing assignments, computer work, preparation for activities, tests, quizzes, etc. Therefore, this class takes approximately 10-12 hours per week of your time
Assignments and points: Points can be accumulated through book assignments, tests, quizzes, group activities, discussions, extra credit, projects, and/or other assignments indicated by the instructor. The weekly assignment instructions list the point value for each assignment. It is your responsibility to complete and submit your assignments as indicated in the weekly directions and in a timely manner.
Once an assignment is submitted, received, and graded, you can view the grade in the online grade book identified as MY GRADES. MY GRADES link is located on the course tools menu (left side of screen). page on the WebCT screen. Look at the grade comments for an explanation on your grade. Please allow 7-10 days from the close of the due date for grading. If an assignment is late, it will not be graded until the next week.
Assignments may be a combination of book assignments, special projects, discussions, and/or hands-on and training in MyItLab.
At the discretion of your instructor, book and/or special project assignments may be submitted using the WebCT assignment dropbox. The files are "uploaded" to the designated area in the drop box. Instructions on how to submit files to the drop box are under the Assignments link located on the WebCT Learning System Home Page. MyItLab assignments are generally completed and graded within MyItLab and the grades are manually transferred into WebCT via the instructor.
Labeling assignment files: If applicable, the assignment must be labeled properly when submitted.
Assignments Due Dates: This class has scheduled due dates for assignments. Most assignments are due by Monday 11 PM. Arizona Time. Some assignments are due on other days as well. Refer to the weekly assignment instructions for any changes to this day and time the assignment is to be submitted. There should not be any reasons to miss assignment and test due dates.
Submitting assignments: If your the assignments to be submitted to the assignment dropbox must be uploaded to the appropriate drobpox. If an assignment is submitted to the incorrect dropbox, the dropbox with be returned to you ungraded. Do NOT submit an assignment through the WebCT email feature. Email attachments will NOT be graded. Should you forget to submit the correct file(s), contact the instructor. The instructor will return the dropbox to you where you can resubmit.
Late assignments: Once the due date passes, the drop box remains open but will mark the assignment as LATE. Late assignments will lose 5% of the points for each day late (providing that there are enough points to deduct). If you fall more than one week behind, it is very difficult to catch up and truly grasp the skills learned. Therefore, no assignments will be accepted after one week late. The only exception are extreme circumstances (deemed that by the instructor; proof may be requested). Should this occur, there is an additional one week extension. Should that late assignment not be submitted by the extension due date, no points will be received for that assignment. You are encouraged to pick up where the assignments are at that time once and assignment is submitted, received, and graded, you can view the grade in the online grade book call "MY GRADES". The MY GRADES link is located at the left of the home page under the Course Tools menu. Read the comment section of the grade book to learn why points where deducted (if applicable). Absolutely no late assignments will be accepted after the end of Week 15.
Gradebook: Once an assignment is submitted, received and graded, you can view the grade in the online grade book call MY GRADES. MY GRADES link is located at the left of the home page under the Course Tools menu. Read the comment section of the gradebook to find out why you had points deducted from the assignment.
DISCUSSIONS: You are given discussion questions to be answered during specific weeks. These discussion questions are located in the Discussion Board link in the Course Menu. To get full points, it is important that you post your answer to each discussion in a timely manner and respond to at least one other learner's response. (It is highly recommended that your response to the discussion questions should be posted by the third day of each week and a response to a least one other classmate's posting before the end of week deadline.) Full points may only be given if both components--your initial posting for the discussion and your response to one classmate -- are completed. In addition, except for the Self Intro discussion (in week one), you must include a link to an outside source that you used in researching your answer. It is the responsibility of the student to keep track of the day/time the postings are to be completed. There will be no late discussions graded (student posting and/or responses). Go to the Discussion Guidelines within the WebCt discussion area for more detailed information regarding discussion requirements.
DISCUSSION RULES: Students are expected to communicate using Netiquette. There are more resources for Netiquette within the course content. If the instructor determines that a student is posting inappropriate comments, referred to as flaming, the student's posts will be immediately deleted and the student is issued a warning and loss of points for that discussion. Should a second occurrence happen, the student will be immediately withdrawn from the class as failing. In extreme cases when there are life harming threats, the appropriate police will be notified. Rule of thumb-be professional and courteous when communicating.
ASSESSMENTS: All assignments, course outlines, schedules, grading requirements, tests, projects, etc. are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
Concept Quizzes and Project-Based Assignments:The concept tests can be maintained in the WebCT Assessment feature from the Course Tools menu and some are within MyItLab. The concepts tests include true/false and multiple choice questions. Performance training are generally completed within MyItLab. WebCT tests are automatically graded and entered into the gradebook. MyItLab tests are manually transferred into the gradebook by the instructor. Tests are only available for a certain time period and must complete the tests within this time period. Tests will not be re-opened in any circumstances. There are no make up tests. Tests have three attempts and the highest score is recorded in the gradebook. Projects may be assigned in lieu of performance skills testing.
DISABILITY RESOURCES:
Notice of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act/Title IX , Under the ADA and Section 504, the Maricopa Community College District (MCCD) and its colleges recognize the obligation to provide overall program accessibility throughout its locations for persons with disabilities. The designated ADA/504/Title IX Coordinator at each college will provide information as to the existence and location of services, activities and facilities that are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. Requests for accommodation should be addressed to the coordinator. Likewise, under Title IX, there is an obligation to provide services and program accessibility in a gender neutral manner. Students with disabilities may request catalog information in an alternative format from the college.
Contact the MCC Disability Resources department at 480-461-7449 for more information. If you have a disability, including learning difficulties, you must notify and work through the MCC Disability Resources office at MCC that will notify the instructor. Any special accommodations will need to be initiated and processed through that department. If not, the student will follow the same requirements as all students.
WebCT is ADA/W3C compliant. MyITLab, in its native form, uses Flash, which is not ADA compliant. Alternate materials for those with various disabilities may be available from Pearson-the publisher of MyItLab. For more information, go to MyItLab alternative material website.
NOTE: Alternative materials may take up to three weeks to obtain access. MyItLab may not be conducive to some students with visual impairment. Please contact the instructor and/or your disability resource advisor regarding this issue at the beginning of class and before the 100% refund period of the semester.
MULTI-USE LAB AND SUPPORT:
If you are unable to complete your assignments, projects or tests at home, you are able to come in and use the computers in the Multi-Use Computer Lab on the MCC main campus, located in room BA1S. The equipment is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A MCC student ID may be required for entry. Please adhere to the lab rules available when you first enter the lab. Bring headsets if listening to any audio material. Note: You may not bring friends or children into the computer lab or classroom.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-10:20 p.m.
Friday 7 a.m.-8:20 p.m.
Saturday 7 a.m.-4:20 p.m.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Besides academic performance, students should exhibit the qualities of honesty and integrity. Any form of dishonesty, cheating, fabrication, the facilitation of academic dishonesty, and plagiarism may make you subject to disciplinary action. This includes the copying of other student’s data files turned in as your own work.
Refer to the MCC Student Handbook for information regarding institutional policy and due process procedures. Violation of any provision of the Standards, which are detailed in the Handbook, could result in immediate termination of Maricopa’s computing resources, as well as appropriate disciplinary action. In an effort to have your grade reflect YOUR knowledge and effort in this course, the following procedures have been developed:
If you have cheated, you will not receive any credit; and may be dropped from the course or expelled from the school. Refer to student handbook for more information. No further warnings are issued. Cheating is not doing the work that you put your name on. The homework lab assignments are NOT group projects, unless specifically clarified by the instructor as a group activity. You must do your own work to receive credit for it. If you give your work or disk to another student, you are also guilty of cheating.
Students may be required to work in small teams for various activities at various times throughout the semester. In addition, students are encourage to work with each other to develop solutions to the various assignments. However, every student must develop their own documents and programs, and students should not share soft or hard copies of their work with other students. If very similar assignments are turned in by two or more students, I reserve the right to question who's original work was turned in. In some cases I may ask for the students' storage devices for verification of the softcopy. The first offense may result in a written warning, with subsequent offenses leading to withdrawal from the course for all students involved. If you find yourself in such a situation, and you are not sure how to handle it, please feel free to see me. An instructor may remove a student from class meetings for disciplinary reasons resulting from academic dishonesty or disrupted behavior (MCC Catalog, 2000). Please refer to the college Student Handbook.
GENERAL SCHOOL POLICIES:
Copyright infringement is expressly prohibited by the US Copyright Act. Anyone who infringes another's copyright in a creative work is subject to liability, and could be required to pay large sums in damages. Violations of this law may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion for students.
The General Standards Governing Use of Maricopa County Community College District Computing Resources Handbook with regards to use of Maricopa's computing resources specifically prohibits: "Transmitting, storing, or receiving data, or otherwise using computing resources in a manner that would constitute a violation of state or federal law, including (but not limited to) obscenity, defamation, threats, harassment, and theft." Violation of any provision of the Standards, which are detailed in the Handbook, could result in immediate termination of a user's access to Maricopa's computing resources, as well as appropriate disciplinary action.
The policy of the Maricopa Community Colleges is to provide an educational, employment, and business environment free of unwelcome sexual harassment as defined and otherwise prohibited by local, state and federal law. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion for students.
Many students find that college coursework provides new academic challenges. Students who wish to deepen their understanding of course concepts, extend their skills, and improve their performance in this course are encouraged to use the free tutoring and other support services in the Learning Enhancement Center on the first floor of the Elsner Library and High Technology Complex. Tutors are there to help students with assignments in almost all subject-area courses. If you have any questions about tutoring, you are welcome to call the Learning Enhancement Center at (480) 461-7678.
There are times when the instructor or department may need to contact you by phone or U.S.. Mail. Please verify and update your contact information in the Student Information System using the online records site. From the list of colleges, select Mesa Community College.
MCC EARLY ALERT PROGRAMS (EARS):
Mesa Community College is committed to the success of all our students. Numerous campus support services are available throughout your academic journey to assist you in achieving your educational goals. MCC has adopted an Early Alert Referral System (EARS) as part of a student success initiative to aid students in their educational pursuits. Faculty and Staff participate by alerting and referring students to campus services for added support. Students may receive a follow up contact from various campus services as a result of being referred to EARS. Students are encouraged to participate, but these services are optional.
Early Alert Web Page with Campus Resource Information can be located at: http://www.mesacc.edu/students/ears or
On the MCC Home Page, click on “Current Students” and then click on EARS Student Resources under “Services” which will take you to the EARS Web Page including the MCC Resources Page.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Additional college responsibilities for the students are located in the Student Handbook.
In addition to the school's policies for students, the following are the student's responsibilities for this class:
- Participate at least two-three times per week and submit assignments by the due date.
- Participate in online class group activities ( as applicable)
- Submit your assignments based on instructor's guidelines and in a timely manner. Late assignments submitted without prior instructor's approval may not be graded or counted towards final grade.
- Communicate with your instructor using the WebCT Learning System email feature (correspondence using personal Email accounts such as AOL or Hotmail) will not answered. Instructor complies with the HIPPA act and will not respond to emails from anyone other than you regarding grades, academic standings, etc.
- Maintain a strong desire to learn and a commitment to finish this course.
- Alert the instructor if you have problems with the course as soon as the problems begin.
- Practice courteous and respectful behavior to your instructor and peers (listen, do not interrupt while others are speaking, consider the impact on others of each statement and action, etc).
- Practice Netiquette at all times when dealing with online communication with your instructor and classmates.
- Interact with instructor and classmates to share information by discussing course-related topics in class and through using the Web Discussion board.
- Have a knowledge of the basic computer skills to include upload, download, email, and web browsers.
- Contact your computer or ISP provider with technical support for personal computer problems. The support should include the services such as trouble-shooting hardware problems, dealing with incompatible file format, handling software problems, or Internet provider problems. Your instructor will not provide this support to the students.
- Understand that ongoing technical problems with your home computer or personal problems are not an excuse for incomplete assignments or assignments turned in past the late deadline. Have a back up!
- Read and follow all on-line instructions to complete assignments. Turn in assignments in a timely manner.
- Accept responsibility for yourself and your learning and support the learning of all members of the class.
- Notify the instructor if you are an employee or a relative of the Maricopa Community College// district employee.
- Read the Student Handbook to learn more about the college policies for students.
- Notify the instructor if you are an employee or a relative of Maricopa Community College district employee.
HELP CONTACTS
| If you need HELP with: |
Contact: |
| Course material, assignments, or software questions for assignments |
Your instructor. Use your WebCT email or MCC email (if WebCT is experiencing technical problems). [If that is the case, email me at tabar@mesacc.edu - or call 480-461-7465. Allow 24-72 hours response time] |
| WebCT Learning System access or navigation, email, portal, etc. |
MCC Help Center at (480) 461-7217 or access the MCC Help Center website.
Hours of operation and contacts- M-Th 6:30am - 10:30pm, F 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-5pm Closed Sunday |
| General assistance with online learning |
Go to MCC Online |
| General MCC Help - Tech Help - Tutoring |
Go to FIND HELP NOW |
| General college assistance |
Go to CURRENT STUDENTS - (general help, financial aid, admissions, student services, and more...) |
| Home Internet access or personal computer problems |
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and/or computer manufacturer, or the software's technical support. |
| MyItLab (with Skills book) |
Visit the MyItLab Web site.
Help Request Form: Submit your Support request via our online Help request form.
Chat with a Support Representative 24/7 Note: You first have to log in or create an account before you can start a chat session.
Call Product Support: Toll Free (800) 677-6337 Monday-Friday 12 PM to 8 PM eastern standard time. |
Disclaimer:
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The contents in this syllabus are "subject to change" by your instructor. Such revisions, if any, will be announced in class via Announcement section or Discussion Forum section. The student is responsible to log in often to check for announcements and to make notes of all such announcements concerning syllabus and/or assignment revisions. Changes will be announced in advance before the due dates of the revised assignments.
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In the case of absence, students are responsible to contact the instructor for updated information. Student are also responsible to review the course materials posted inside WebCT/Blackboard to insure that all assignments are completed and submitted by the due dates.
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In addition, students are expected to:
Revised January 12, 2012
