Computer Applications – CAP 100-601 and CAP 100-602

Fall 2011

Location: Old Main G11

Instructor - Dr. Margaret Anderson
Office - Old Main 135
Office hours – Office Hours – M - Th 1:30-4

                          other times by appointment or chance

Phone – 607-753-2048
E-mail – Margaret.Anderson@CORTLAND.EDU

 

 

Course internet address – http://web.cortland.edu/andersmd/CAP100/CAP100home.htm

***** Note that this course does not run on WebCT******

 

 

Changes to this syllabus will be posted on the web site and take effect two days after they have been posted.  You will also be notified about any changes through the course messaging system.

 

 

Text:   Evans, A., Martin, K., & Poatay, M.A. (2011).  Technology in Action, 8th edition.  MyItLab access packet.

Course Description:  Computing applications in various academic disciplines; topics include operating systems, word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, database, communications, the Internet, current topics, and a brief introduction to computers and their impact on society.

Goals of the course:  Students will become familiar with the hardware and software of computing systems.  They will learn how to operate various software packages, when each is appropriate and how to use it.  They will also be exposed to issues related to security of systems, Internet search methods, ethical issues of computer use, and future trends in the computer industry. Specific attention will be given to how these elements relate to the field of Psychology.

Structure of the course: This is a “blended” course.  There are three components of the course: 1) content related to the assigned text, 2) content related to the Office 2010 programs, and 3) lab content related to applying computer technology to psychology.  The first two components are covered through the assigned readings, narrated PowerPoint presentations, and related software packages and on line testing (i.e. students will be responsible for accomplishing the assigned work related to those two areas on their own and on-line within the framework established by the instructor, and with help from the teaching assistant). The material for the third component will be covered in the weekly “lab” meeting.  This means that students will need to be very self monitoring and are responsible for maintaining their own work schedule to accomplish the tasks set by the instructor in a timely manner.  Students will need to allocate sufficient time to meet course demands. Traditional courses meet for three hours per week and expect two hours out of class per hour in class to master course content.  Since there are no lecture hours (lectures are available on line at any time) students should expect to spend approximately 6 hours per week to cover activities related to the first two components listed above, and an additional two hours to complete lab assignments.

Attendance: Students are required to attend all Thursday class meetings and will be responsible for completing all work done during the lab meeting and assigned as a result of the lab.  Students will be permitted one absence – excused or not – without penalty (although students will need to make up the work).  Each absence in excess of the minimum will result in a reduction in the final course grade by one third of a letter grade (e.g. from B to B-).  Students with no absences will receive a final course grade enhancement of one third of a letter grade (e.g. from B- to B).

Tuesday class meeting hours are scheduled for on line testing, working on lab assignments, or meeting with Teaching Assistants.  If students are able to complete all weekly assignments prior to their class time on Tuesday they are not required to attend that meeting.  However, any students who experience any sort of difficulties completing their assignments (either through technological or other issues) will be required to attend the Tuesday sessions. It will not be possible for you to complete all weekly on line assignments during the one Tuesday class session so you need to be sure that you have completed some of the work prior to coming to class on Tuesdays.

** All weekly assignments must be completed by midnight on the Wednesday of the week they are assigned. You will not be able to work on homework assignments during lab times on Thursdays.

***During lab time students will be expected to focus on class specified activities.  Students engaging in any non related activities will be asked to shut down their computer stations and will be required to complete the class activities on their own time.

 

Course requirements: Since this is a blended course, you may only be attending class for one session per week (the lab meeting).  However, the course is worth three (3) credit hours.  This means you are expected to allocate a minimum of nine (9) hours per week to the content for this course.  This time requirement will vary by individual and topic based on your prior knowledge.  You need to plan on blocking out a minimum of nine hours per week (including your assigned lab meeting) to completing assignments related to this course.  If you find that you do not monitor your time well you should plan to attend the Tuesday class to work on assigned weekly activities.

Class web site: The class web site:  http://web.cortland.edu/andersmd/CAP100/CAP100home.htm is the method by which students may access weekly assignments, tests for the text and Office 2010 mastery, and other information related to the course.

Class activities: There are three major types of activities for this course.  Assignments will be listed on the class web site and suggested ways of mastering each assignment will also be on the web site.

        1)  Students are required to complete weekly on line quizzes to demonstrate mastery of text (Technology in Action, 8th edition) material.  These quizzes consist of objective questions and may be taken via the web at any time, (they may be taken ahead of the scheduled due date, but must be completed by the date assigned to receive credit for the quiz - check the "activities" listing on the web site to confirm the final date for each test, it will be the Wednesday for the specified week). 

There will also be a comprehensive final exam based on the assigned text to be administered in Old Main G 11 during finals week.  This test will also consist of objective questions and will be open book. 

The quizzes may be accessed through the link on the class web site or by directly accessing http://www.myitlab.com/. Students will be given information to download the system to their own computers.  You may also take the quizzes from computers on campus.  These computers are located in the Psychology lab – Old Main G-11 and the Computers Applications lab – B 117 - in the library.  If you do not see the MyItLab icon on the desktop, that computer is NOT fully equipped to administer and score the training or tests.  MyItLab is designed primarily for PCs, however this year there is a bridge that has been designed to work on Macs (remember that this is a new development and may not be fully operational – you are still responsible for completing all assignments).

        2) Students are required to complete on line assessments related to the content of Office 2010.  Material related to the Office 2010 activities may be accessed through the link on the class web site or by directly accessing http://www.myitlab.com/.  Training for each of the units is also available through the MyItLab software. When you log into MyItLab you will see that there are training modules and test modules for each of the Office units. The training modules are there to teach you the content for that unit. You may take them as many times as you need to and they will remain available throughout the semester should you wish to revisit them later. The Office test modules must be completed by the date assigned in the syllabus. Note that the Office test modules may only be taken twice.

Remember that you may take each test twice and only the highest score will be counted.  However, as soon as you click on a specific test, it is active and will count for a grade even if you do not actually answer any questions. This means that if you experience any sort of problem with your first attempt you should be sure you take the second attempt in the supervised Tuesday lab session so that a TA can monitor your work.

        3) Weekly lab assignments will be presented in class and all will be grade bearing.

***** Note that all weekly assignments are posted from the web site under the “activities” link. Text and Office tests and lab assignments are due to be completed by the end of Wednesday of the week they are assigned.

Grading: final course grade will be based on a compilation of the points earned from each of the activities described above in the following manner:

13 chapter tests for Technology in Action

1 final exam for Technology in Action
10 weekly assignments related to Office 2007

12 lab assignments

The final course grade will be based on a total of the above points where each of the activities (tests based on Tec in Action, tests based on Office 2007 and lab assignments) will each count for approximately 30% of the overall grade.  The final exam will account for the additional 10%.

Therefore, your course grade will be based on a possible total of points. Your letter grade will be based on a percentage of your grade relative to the possible total in the following manner:

Letter grade conversion
97% - 100% = A+
94% - 96% = A
90% - 93% = A-
87% - 89% = B+
84% - 86% = B
80% - 83% = B-
77% - 79% = C+
74% - 76% = C
70% - 73% = C-
67% - 69% = D+
64% - 66% = D
60% - 63% = D-
BELOW 60% = E

Students with Disabilities:

 

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that all qualified persons have an equal opportunity and access to education regardless of the presence of any disabling condition.  Any student needing an accommodation for a disability should let me know of any disability which requires my attention or a special accommodation.

 

If you think you have a disability, but are not sure, you can obtain an assessment from Student Support Services, 607-753-2066.  If you obtain an evaluation during the semester and discover that you have a disability, you need to contact me at least one week prior to the time or occasion when you need an accommodation.  Student Support Services will provide the necessary documentation.

 

 

Academic Honesty:

 

Honesty is very important. With written work and outside assignments, it can be very tempting to copy answers and share information with others.  This is likely to be particularly true in this course given the nature of the material, and the various assignments.  I will not tolerate dishonesty in any form.  This policy includes plagiarism or written work, doing work for others, lying about the reason for absences, and copying or providing information on in-class assignments and exercises, unless expressly permitted by the instructor.  We will adhere to the college policy “any student thought to be cheating will be confronted and college policies on academic honesty will be vigorously pursued”.  If you are uncertain about College policies on academic dishonesty please consult your College Handbook, p 47.