Welcome to CSI 1002, Business Computer Systems. This welcome letter is for students who have already enrolled in CSI 1002 - section 100 for the Spring 2008 semester. Please read through this letter to discover what the class is all about and learn what to do next.
I'm very excited to be teaching this topic in an online setting. I think it will bring challenges but also great flexibility for both you the student, and for me!
COURSE DESCRIPTION (from the IVCC Catalog)
A course for business majors planning to transfer to a four-year institution. Computer concepts; terminology; equipment; systems analysis and design; management information systems, and applications are surveyed. Business application skills in the microcomputer areas of spreadsheet, database, word processing, and presentation are emphasized. Use of e-mail and the Internet are used throughout the course.
For many of you, this is your first online course. Therefore, your first assignment is to get acquainted with how the course will operate (details about that assignment are not on this page - they are in Blackboard). I want everyone to get exposed to the tools that we will be using and be comfortable with posting, chatting, and participating in the class discussions. My only rule for chats and discussion threads is that I expect you to show respect for your fellow students, their comments and opinions. With a non-threatening, open communication environment, everyone will participate and learn so much from each other.
Just because this is an online class, don't think that it's going to be any easier than a face-to-face class. This is a three-credit hour course. On campus, the class would meet for 3 hours a week for lecture. You should expect to spend a minimum of 3 hours "in class" in this online class. Since you won't have the benefit of an instructor lecturing you, you'll need to read the chapter assigned in the book, plus go over the Powerpoint overheads and other material presented. PLUS, all homework assignments can take as much as two to three times that long to complete. Count on setting aside 6-9 hours each week for this class. We cover one chapter a week and have lab and research activities in each chapter.
To go to class, go to Blackboard (http://ivcc.blackboard.com) and click on your class and section number. You are now "in" the CSI 1002 - 100 class. This class IS NOT a self-paced class. Each week we will be working on a chapter and assignments. Due dates are placed on all assignments. When the topic and due date expires, all work is expected to be completed. If it is not, you will receive a zero (0) for the uncompleted work. No extensions are given.
Begin each week by signing into Blackboard.
1. Check the ANNOUNCEMENTS for any reminders, corrections, etc that I have posted for that week.
2. Go to the course weekly outline to see what topics are to be covered that week. This document is stored under COURSE INFORMATION and can be printed at the beginning of the semester so you know what to expect. Read the assigned chapter and possible supplemental web material. Overheads and sometimes audio files are placed in COURSE DOCUMENTS by chapter. They can help you supplement your reading. If the topic for the week is in the Office book, please DO the step-by-step tutorial that the chapter leads you through. The only way to learn this software is by using it.
3. Take the Practice Quiz located in ASSIGNMENTS. Each practice quiz is worth 5 points. You may take it as many times as you'd like. Only your most recent score is posted in the gradebook. These are not timed and you can go back to them any time during the week to retake. Everyone should receive a 5 out of 5 for these!!!
4. Go to Blackboard's DISCUSSION BOARD and participate in the discussion for the week. I'd like you to check on the discussion thread daily to read what your fellow have posted, add comments and questions. You will receive 5 points for each discussion thread in which you participate. Three points are given for your initial post, and two points are given for your intelligent response to a fellow student's post.
5. Go to Blackboard's ASSIGNMENT area and complete any additional assignments posted.
DON'T FORGET : You'll need to hand in any assignments that are due by the due date/time that is posted. Some weeks won't have any assignments due - others will have multiple assignments due. These due dates are clearly written in the assignment and will be enforced. No late assignments will be accepted.
EXAMS
There are three (3) exams for this class. An entire week is set aside to take the exam. (All exams except the final which is "take home") MUST BE TAKEN in IVCC's Assessment Center. If you do not live in IVCC's District, please contact me. I will provide a list of authorized testing centers that will proctor your exam. We have agreements with most of the public universities and community colleges and you may take the exams in their testing centers. Exams 1 and 2 have hands-on components. You may use your book for the hands on exams. I will post more information about the exams as the semester progresses.
CHEATING
Policies regarding cheating may be found under the heading of “Academic Integrity” in the IVCC Student Handbook. Students should become familiar with these policies and abide by them. Working together on assignments is NOT ALLOWED!! Student peer tutors who are paid by the IVCC Tutoring Office are allowed with my previous permission – provided that they DO NOT do the assignments FOR YOU. Cheating on an assignment will result in partial credit for the first offense and a zero for the second offense. The Vice President of Student Services will be notified of the second offense.
WITHDRAWAL
Students need to notify the instructor in order to withdraw from the course. The last date for withdrawal for the Spring 2008 Semester is April 8. Failure of the student to notify the instructor will lead to the assignment of a letter grade at the conclusion of the course based on the work completed and not completed. Withdrawal from a course can affect financial aid. Students who receive financial aid should see an advisor in the Financial Aid office before withdrawing from a course.
GRADES
Final grades will be assigned based upon the student’s accumulated points. Points will be awarded for two exams, the final exam, quizzes, homework, discussion threads, and other lab assignments. Grading is done objectively taking only the work completed into consideration. The grade book is kept on Blackboard and can be viewed by you so you know where you stand in the class at all times. Letter grades will be assigned using the following scale:
A 100% - 90%
B 89% - 80%
C 79% - 70%
D 69% - 60%
F Below 60%
The Computer Resource Center and Learning Technologies have orientation sessions to cover how to use Blackboard, IVCC's network, and e-mail. These sessions can be taken in a face-to-face setting or online. Click here to find out more information and sign up for either a face-to-face orientation session or online orientation session. During this orientation session, they may instruct you to "enroll" in the Blackboard course. I have already enrolled each of you. That allows you to have access to all the online material in the class.
I will communicate as much as possible via email. Blackboard requires you to enter an valid e-mail address in your profile (attend an orientation session if you don't know how to do this). Failure to check your email or failure to enter a valid e-mail account may affect your success in the class. You may miss correspondence, due dates, and other important information. MAKE SURE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IS VALID.