Course Syllabus

CTA 100 Section 400
Term 1 - 6 Weeks
Tuesdays
6:00 - 8:00PM

Online Synchronous
Course Syllabus – Summer 2021

 

Instructor Information

Professor Steven H. White, Sr.,
Virtual Office: Online
Office Hours: Online-Sync - Tuesday 8:00-9:00PM
Primary Email: Canvas (Prof White)
Secondary Email: shwhite@aacc.edu

 

 Prerequisite

Although there is no computer course prerequisite to this course, I assume students taking this as an introductory gateway General Education Requirements (GenEd) college level course is comfortable with using the computer. Therefore, minimal time is expended instructing student on the very basic functions such as mouse operations, how to access the Internet, printing, copying/saving files etc.

Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101 or ENG 101A. Note: Credit is given for CTA 100 only. Other General Education Technology Courses such as CTP 103 and CTA 107 are redundant and will not be acknowledged for credit.

 Course Description

Learn computing and information technology concepts and skills that are fundamental to social, personal, business, and academic environments. Topics include the Internet, networking, hardware, software, security, privacy, ethics, and emerging technologies. Hands-on lab experiences in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations.

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate their understanding of components of a computer system.
2. Evaluate their needs to buy a computer system.
3. Familiarize themselves with various networks and use of Internet.
4. Discuss capabilities of system and application software.
5. Familiarize themselves with ethical issues in using Internet and programming.
6. Discuss steps needed to keep their computer system secure.
7. Research, prepare and create a presentation on emerging technologies.
8. Create professional looking documents using MS Word.
9. Create, edit, format, and perform calculations on spreadsheets using MS  Excel.

10. Demonstrate expertise in creating databases and producing reports and forms using MS Access.

11. Create presentations using MS PowerPoint.
12. Demonstrate the use of basic operating system tasks.

Course textbooks and other materials required

 Concepts Textbook – Computing Essentials 2019    ISBN 9781307459630

Textbooks are sold at AACC bookstore:

Purchasing Textbooks

 The bookstore has a flexible return policy. Students who buy directly from other sources should read the shipping and return policy prior to purchase.

Required Software: Microsoft Office 2019 or 365

1. Office 365 Pro Plus is available free for all AACC students using the Microsoft Student Advantage Program. Please consult the link on your Myaacc Home Page for details.
   
   
2. Purchase of software, installation of software and necessary add-ins, and troubleshooting software problems, are strictly the student's responsibility. Please be sure to get this done as soon as possible so that you can meet the course deadlines which come quickly after the start of the course.
   
   
3. If you choose to perform any of the course assignments, discussions, labs etc., at locations away from the AACC campus computer labs and desktop computers, please be aware that a reliable Internet connection is required. I will make no offer or effort to diagnose or troubleshoot remote computer problems or intervene on behalf of computing platforms and configurations (i.e., hardware, software, Internet connections, etc.) that are not the property directly maintained by Anne Arundel Community College's Information Technology Support Staff and personnel therein.

Notes

This is not a SELF-PACED course. Students must check both the Course Schedule and Canvas for all due dates. All assignments are opened weekly on Monday mornings prior to the class convening. All module activates can be performed throughout the entire week. All assignments and activities must be completed and submitted via upload by 11:59PM, every Sunday - exactly one week from the day the assignment is published. For example, the chapter readings, assignments, discussions, quiz and labs will be published on Mondays at 12:00AM. All course work, including reading assignments, discussions quizzes and lab assignments will be due exactly one-week later Sunday evening at 11:59PM prior to the next class meeting. This procedure and routine are important to the course progression and there will be no exceptions to this progression. Please be sure that the system of dates works for you before the drop/add period is over as due dates are NOT flexible.

1. If you have a disability that you wish to disclose, please identify yourself to Disability Support Services Staff. They are highly credentialed and qualified to help both you and me to determine best level in accommodations that are enabling to positive learning experiences and achievement of learning outcomes. Please see your instructor with the appropriate documents that are required by the Disability Support Services Staff. See full statement at the end of syllabus.
   
   
2. All PowerPoint Presentations for each chapter are always available for your review and completion in Canvas.  This course uses Canvas as the course training and assessment program. They are used for most concepts work, discussions, labs and all quizzes and exams in this course.
   
   
3. Concepts Homework and Lab assignments have weekly due dates and all due dates are listed in Canvas. All quizzes are operated online from Canvas and they are automatically graded with immediate feedback. Project-based lab assignments and Interactive assignments are manually graded. These assignments will be graded within a week after the due date.  Labs include Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Presentation and Database software. 

ABSOLUTELY NO LATE HOMEWORK or LAB ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. 

Note that because you are enrolled in our online-synch class, you are required to provide the best computing platform that is positive enabling to your online-sync classroom experience. That includes the wide range in interconnecting computing technologies which included (and not limited to):

• • Current state-of-the-art computing desktop or laptop hardware.
  • Current state-of-the-art computer operating system software.
  • Current state-of-the-art computer applications software.
  • Current state-ot-the-art networking infrastructures.
  • Technical capability to implement rudimentary steps to power-on your personal computer and connect to the college website and our Canvas course.
  • Should you have an issue with your own personal computer system or any computer system that you may use off campus, I reserve the right to be free of any responsibility to help troubleshoot your personal computer in an attempt to restore its proper operation.
  • The college Information Technology Help Desk Staff is the best resource for all technical support. They can be reached at (410) 777-HELP (4357.

5. The Midterm and a Final Exams will be administered and proctored on online-synchronously. This semester, the college has acquired a new proctoring service names Honor lock. All due dates are listed in the syllabus. If you know that you will miss an exam for a medical or legal circumstance, you must decide prior to the exam and notify the instructor by email prior to the scheduled exam. There will be no make-up examinations administered following and unexplained absence from an exam that has been administered. 
6.     All communication for this course is required to be performed using CANVAS email. This method is the only way that I can authenticate students enrolled into our course. I will generally respond to most email communiques within 48 hours. Just click on the Inboxlink in the upper right-hand corner in CANVAS.  Please DO NOT use the email tool in Myaacc or your personal private email account such as Gmail. If you do use your personal private email account, I will not acknowledge.
   
   
7. Each student who is enrolled in the class is assigned a grade at the end of the semester.  Therefore, if you cannot complete the course, make sure that you formally withdraw from the class.
   
   
8. Plagiarism, collaboration, copying, etc. will be handled according to The Academic Integrity Policy found in the current 2020-2021 College Catalog. Click here:  https://catalog.aacc.edu/
   
   
9.    All classes are conducted in a formal professional fashion. All email communications shall be professional when asking questions or commenting on class topics. Please avoid casual “texting-like” comments. This is a professional class and I’d like to see it conducted as such. You may want to reread your emails prior to sending them to be certain they contain the proper “tone” that is collegial.
   
   
10. No grades will be communicated via the telephone or through personal private email accounts.   Final grades are available online through MYAACC web access.
    
    
11. COMPUTER AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION RESOURCES POLICY:

Access to computer and electronic communication resources, such as the Internet, electronic mail, computer labs and networks, is a privilege provided at the discretion of the college to:

• • Support teaching and learning and deliver instructional content
  • Serve the information and communication needs of the college community
  • Deliver instructional content
  • Disseminate information about the college
  • Conduct official college business

Acceptable uses of computer and electronic communication resources are those that support the purpose above. Computer, Internet and network usage at the college is governed by college policy as well as federal, state and local laws.  Individuals who inappropriately or illegally use computing and network services may suffer all applicable college and legal penalties for such misuse.

Recapitulation

1. All chapter concepts, assignments, discussion, labs, etc. are to be submitted via in Canvas.
2. All labs will be manually graded.  
3. Perform all activities listed TIMELY in the weekly schedule in Canvas.
4. All due dates will be specified in the Canvas.

Disability Support Services Statement:

The Disability Support Services Office (DSS) provides equal access to educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities. Students interested in course accommodations must provide relevant documentation in order to receive accommodations. For information, please contact the DSS office at 410-777-1411. As an alternative, visit www.aacc.edu/disability. Deaf and hard of hearing students can reach the office by calling Maryland Relay 711 or by emailing dss@aacc.edu.

Canvas ADA Statement

Canvas provides a user experience that is easy, simple, and intuitive. Special attention has been paid to making Canvas screen readable. The Rich Content Editor encourages users to create universally accessible content. Canvas is designed to allow limited customization of colors and schemes to be accessible for all users. The National Federation of the Blind granted Canvas the Gold Level Web Certification in 2010.

SPRING 2020 SYLLABUS SCHEDULE AND LEARNING PROGRESSION

(Tentative – subject to change)

WEEK	DATES	TOPICS	ASSIGNMENTS
1	June 1-6 Tuesday	Student Introductions Canvas Corse Orientation Course Syllabus Review Textbook Survey MS Office Overview Discussions     Module 1 - Chapter 1  Information Technology, the Internet, and You   Module 2- Chapter 2 The Internet, the Web, and Electronic Commerce	Lectures Online Quizzes Discussions Directed/Experiential Labs
2	June 7-13 Tuesday	Module 3 - Chapter 3 Application Software   Module 4 - Chapter 4 System Software	Lecture Quiz Discussions Directed/Experiential Labs
3	June  14-20 Tuesday	Module 5 - Chapter 5 The System Unit   Module 6 - Chapter 6 Input and Output	Lecture Quiz Discussions Directed/Experiential Labs
4	June 21-27 Tuesday	MODULE 7 MIDTERM EXAM  (Chapters 1-6 only)   Module 8 - Chapter 7 Secondary Storage   Module 9 - Chapter 8 Communication and Networks	Lecture Quiz Discussions Directed/Experiential Labs
5	June/July 28-5 Tuesday	Module 10 - Chapter 9 Privacy, Security and Ethics   Module 11 - Chapter 10 Information Systems	Lecture Quiz Discussions Directed/Experiential Lab
6	July 5-11 Tuesday	Module 12 - Chapter 11 Databases   Module 13 - Chapter 12 System Analysis and Design	Lecture Quiz Discussions Directed/Experiential Lab
	July 12/13 Tuesday	Module 14 - Chapter 13 Programming and Languages   Final Exam (Chapters 7-13 only)	Lecture Quiz Discussions   Monday/Tuesday 6:00-8:00PM