COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduction to Computing I is an introductory course designed to give the student hands-on computer instruction.  Course content will include hardware and software basics, using mouse and keyboard shortcuts, managing files and folders, running multiple applications concurrently, and cut-copy-paste techniques.  There are no prerequisites; however, a formal keyboarding course is strongly recommended. 

 OBJECTIVES/COMPETENCIES

The objectives below, along with others determined by individual students, will be demonstrated through satisfactory performance on assignments/tests and through participation in class discussions. Expectations for each assignment will be explained well in advance of due dates.

1. The student will develop and demonstrate critical thinking skills.
2. The student will develop and demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
3. The student will develop and demonstrate effective problem solving skills.
4. The student will demonstrate college-level demeanor both within and outside the classroom by completing required assignments by the due date, being on time for class, attending scheduled classes, and complying with the college rules/regulations.
5. The student will show sensitivity in everyday relationships based on a fuller understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity.
6. The student will acquire and demonstrate discipline specific knowledge and skills:
   1. Use computer terminology in discussion
   2. Identify computer system components
   3. Use a mouse and keyboard effectively
   4. Navigate the Windows XP environment, including the desktop, menus, dialog boxes, Help
   5. Customize the Windows desktop
   6. Create, use, and delete shortcuts
   7. Identify the parts of the Windows Explorer window and use the window to view contents of a drive or folder
   8. Create and organize files, folders, and subfolders
   9. Search for files and folders
   10. Rename, delete, and restore files and folders
   11. Copy and move files and folders
   12. Create, edit, save, and print simple documents
   13. Work with storage media
   14. Use Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to make the computer operate more efficiently

 REQUIRED BOOKS AND MATERIALS

1. Computer Literacy Basics, published by Thomson Course Technology
2. One USB drive (pen drive/flash disk)
3. Pen or pencil and paper

 CLASSROOM PROCEDURE

Class time will be devoted to instruction, demonstrations, lecture, and hands-on exercises. The class is not taught on an individualized basis, but students will receive individual attention. 

 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

1. Computer homework is assigned to instruct, reinforce, and supplement learning.  Computer skills are learned by hands-on practice.  If you wish to be successful in this course, you must complete assigned homework.  Homework assignments must be turned in at the beginning of the class period on the due date.  Print your homework before class, or it will be considered late.  No late homework is accepted without prior instructor permission.
2. Homework must be assembled in the proper sequence or points will be deducted from the homework grade.
3. An open lab in the Computer Resource Center is available for you to use.  Ask at the help desk for hours of operation.  You are expected to comply with all policies and procedures posted in the Computer Resource Center.

ATTENDANCE

You are expected to be punctual and attend every class.  This class meets for only five (5) weeks (12.5 actual clock hours of instruction).  If you wish to be successful in the course, you must attend class.  Lack of attendance will affect your final grade.  Students will receive daily points for attendance as follows:

                                10 points                                                Present for entire class
                                5 points                                                  Late for class
                                0 points                                                  Absent for entire class

If it is necessary to miss a class, it is your responsibility to determine what material was discussed and what will be expected prior to the next class meeting.  I maintain this web site with posted assignments, announcements, and due dates. You may access the site through the NPCC home page (www.npcc.edu) by clicking on Staff, Faculty Homepages, and following the link to the Linda Stanley web site.

 AUDIT POLICY

Students auditing a course will be wait-listed until the first day of class and then will be registered on a space-available basis. Students auditing will pay all tuition and fees associated with the course. Since no grade is assigned for this audit (visitor) status, it will not transfer to another college or university, it will not qualify a student for Pell Grand or Veteran’s benefits, and it will not be listed on the college’s transcript or count toward full-time status. A registered student may change from an audit status to a grade status only during the specified period of late registration. Once instruction begins, no student may change from a grade basis to an audit status.

 EVALUATION

1. Each student will take a final test on the last day of the class.  This test counts as 60% of your final grade.
2. Homework is due at the beginning of the class period.  Credit will be given for each homework assignment.  If a student fails to submit homework, a zero is recorded for that assignment.  No late homework will be accepted without prior approval from the instructor.  No homework score will be dropped.
3. Weights:

                Test............................................................... 50% of final grade
                Homework.................................................... 40% of final grade
                Attendance.................................................. 10% of final grade

4. Unless you wish to take the class on a Pass/Fail basis, letter grades will be issued for the course.  The grading scale for NPCC Business Division Computer Classes is:

                93 – 100                      A
                85 – 92                        B
                75 – 84                        C
                65 – 74                        D
E.     If you wish to take the class on a Pass/Fail basis, notify your instructor during the first class meeting.

 SPECIAL NEEDS

Students requiring special services or equipment should speak with the instructor about the individual need within the first week of the semester.

 ADA POLICY

National Park Community College is committed to providing educational opportunities to all qualified individuals, and in doing so, complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which states that no qualified person shall, because of their disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of any program or activity operated by the College.  Students having questions about accessibility or requesting reasonable accommodations as indicated in the ADA or Section 504 should contact Ms. Audrey Smelser in Student Services.

STUDENT CONDUCT

1. Expulsion, suspension, or a grade of zero will result from academic cheating or plagiarism.
2. All cell phones/pagers are to be turned off or set to vibrate during class. Students should refrain from text messaging,
   surfing the internet, and checking e-mail during class unless the instructor gives you permission to do so. In addition, students should not listen to personal music during class hours.
3. No smoking, eating, or drinking is permitted in the Computer Resource Center classrooms.
4. No children are allowed in this or any other classroom at any time.

MSDN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE

Software through the MSDN Academic Alliance is available to all Business Division students. You may download various Microsoft applications such as operating systems, Access, and Visio to a CD or you may purchase the software on a CD from Microsoft for approximately $10. If you choose to download files, preferably to a designated computer in the Computer Center, you will then burn the files to a CD that you furnish.

To receive rights to this software, send an e-mail from your NPCC e-mail account to msdn@npcc.edu after the eleventh day of the semester. E-mails from accounts other than a NPCC account will not be accepted. You will have this option until approximately the fifth week of the semester. If you are enrolled in a late-start class, specific dates will be given on the first day of your class.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Office Location:              Business Faculty Office Building, #215
                                        Office hours are posted on my door & on this web site
Phone:                              501-760-4322 (if unavailable, leave me a voice message)
E-mail:                              Lstanley@npcc.edu
 

IMPORTANT DATES

May 29        Class Begins
May 30        Last Day to Drop/Add Classes
June 11        Final Exam for Intro to Computing I
June 12        Intro to Computing II Begins (ZAP 3022)

I look forward to teaching you this semester and hope that you benefit from taking this class. 

Disclaimer
The above schedule, policies, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances or by mutual agreement between me, the instructor, and you, the students.