This class will teach business computer systems via the Internet. Blackboard will be the tool used to post class notes, assignments, and take assessments via quizzes and tests.
If you have any questions that are not listed below, please email me at gina_elias@ivcc.edu.
Is there a time that I can meet face-to-face with the instructor?
What kind of line speed will I need from the computer I'll be working on?
A1) This is the most commonly asked question among students. For each chapter, the student will read the assigned material before the week in which it will be discussed. Then the student will take an practice quiz on the material that the chapter covered. The quiz may be taken repeatedly and is worth 5 points. The student will also have assignments posted in Blackboard to complete. The assignments have due dates that are enforced. No late assignments are accepted. Also, on a weekly basis, a mandatory discussion thread will be posted with questions containing "real world" examples of business applications and how you would address these issues.
The methods of assessment include:
Practice quizzes for each chapter or unit
Participation in discussion threads for each chapter or unit
Three exams (two of which have hands-on components) that must be taken in IVCC's Assessment Center
Lab activities for some chapters
Q2) Is this a self-paced class?
A2) NO !!! You will be responsible for reading the assigned material on your own. But the class has a schedule that will be followed and you cannot fall behind. There are due dates for all assignments and exams. These due dates must be adhered to. On the course weekly outline posted in Blackboard's COURSE INFORMATION the topic of the week is listed. A Monday date (for example, 1/21/08) is listed. All materials for that week will show up in Blackboard on the Friday BEFORE that date (e.g. 1/18/08) and continue until the Monday of the following week (e.g. 1/28/08). Then the material will disappear from Blackboard. This gives you, the student, a window of 10 days - including two weekends - to complete the material assigned.
Q3) Can I work ahead of the schedule?
A3) Yes, to a certain extent, you may work ahead of schedule. A large part of the class is the interaction with your fellow students via discussion threads. If you are too far ahead of the others, you won't get that important element from this class. However, I understand that many of you have business and other commitments that may keep you from class from time to time. I want to be flexible enough to accommodate those situations. Please email me if your schedule will require you to work ahead of the rest of the class, and I'll make sure that accommodations are made.
Q4) Is there a time that I can meet face-to-face with the instructor?
A4) YES. I hold regular office hours at IVCC in room A329. My office hours are posted on my home page. If those hours are not convenient, please email or phone me to set up a different meeting time. I can also set up virtual office hours and be available on nights and weekends through Skype.
Q5) How can I enroll in the class?
A5) To enroll in this class is no different than any other class at IVCC. For enrollment information, see IVCC's registration page. Classes start January 9, 2008 No late enrollment is allowed. Class size is limited so enroll as soon as possible.
Q6) What if I don't have access to a computer at home or work?
A6) IVCC has an open computer lab that all enrolled students can use to do their work. You can come out to the college and do all course work for this class. Your computer must have Microsoft Office 2003 installed. The complete installation is needed. We will be covering Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access. (Many home computer systems do not have Access. Please note that during that section, you must have Access.) You cannot "borrow" a copy of the software from the school. Please note that we are covering Office 2003 as required by the transfer institutions. If you are planning on using Office 2007, your book won't match your software! Plus all testing is done in Office 2003 and it is different.
Q7) What kind of line speed will I need from the computer I'll be working on?
A7) A 56K modem will be sufficient. Cable or LAN access is preferred but not necessary. Any audio files that I post will be slow on a 56K modem but I keep them short and you shouldn't have problems. If problems arise due to line speed, please contact me.
Q8) Is there a required textbook for the course?
A8) Yes, there are two. The required textbooks are Computer Concepts 9th or 10th Edition by Parsons and Oja, and Microsoft Office 2003 Brief Concepts and Techniques, 2nd Edition by Shelly, Cashman, and Vermaat. Both books are published by Thomson Publishing Company. They can be purchased in the IVCC Bookstore. (If you have the previous edition that was used in the Fall 2007 semester, that will be sufficient. However, please email me and let me know if you are not using the current edition of the textbooks.)
This page was last updated on 01/7/08