IS101 Fall
2008
Sections IS101.001 & IS101.002
Instructor: S.M. Week, MBA
Section IS101.004
Instructor: J.M. Week
Note: Lecture notes and assignments are
found on WebCampus.
IS 101 Introduction to Information Systems
(3 credits)
Introduction to microcomputers,
computers in business and microcomputer software tools including word
processors, spreadsheets and database management systems.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The three main objectives
of this course are:
1.
To provide students with the knowledge of computer-related concepts.
Topics that will be covered include: computer technology (hardware and
software), applications of this technology, its impact on society, careers in
computing, local area networks, the Internet, computer security and controls,
artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, personal privacy, intellectual
property and ethical issues.
2.
To provide students with basic skills in using microcomputers to solve
problems. The student will be introduced to the following applications
and operating systems: Windows operating systems, computer graphics
(Photoshop,) and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and
Access.)
3.
To prepare the student with the information and skills needed to be successful
in the upper division business core and beyond.
4.
To provide the student with the tools and knowledge necessary to increase
personal productivity in study and/or work environments.
Materials
Required:
The ISBN 9780078056642 covers the package for the
book Using Information Technology 7th edition by Williams and Sawyer and SimNet for Office 2007 registration number.
A few notes about the
materials needed: You may share
the Using
Information Technology book with other students, however, you will need your
own SimNet registration number and your own clicker.
* You DO NOT need to buy the applications (Photoshop, Word, Excel, Access
& PowerPoint) used in the course because they are all available on the COBA
Lab computers in AB301 and AB309. You automatically have an account there by
signing up for this course. Note that Adobe has a
30 day free download of Photoshop for Windows users. The Office 2007
interface looks quite different from Office 2003. Office 2007 is the
supported software for this course. If you decide you want to upgrade, or
you wish to buy the programs; it is suggested that you check with the Computer
Den at the ASUN bookstore at UNR and/or check for student discounts when buying
software for educational use.
Student Accounts
The student will use
two computer accounts.
SimNet Account
Your SimNet
account is created for you. See the SimNet
Instructions link on WebCampus for information on how
to log on to SimNet. You will use the registration
code purchased with your book at the first login. If you add the class
late, you should see the instructor or teaching assistant if you are unable to
log into SimNet.
COBA Lab Account
The COBA Lab is located in
AB301 and AB309 in the
Student’s Role and
Responsibilities
Students must take responsibility for learning. Students share with the
instructor the responsibility for providing an environment conducive to
learning. Students should personally:
Course
Policies
1. University policy specifies
that in cases of academic dishonesty, students may either receive an “F” for
the assignment or exam, receive an “F” for the course or be expelled from the
University. Please see the
2.
All exams are closed-book, closed-note. All electronic devices must be
completely turned off during exams. Students with any type of electronic
device found to be in the power on state when in the classroom while the exam is 'in
progress' will receive a zero and will be referred to Student Judicial Affairs.
"In progress" means that any class member is taking the exam.
3.
Students are expected to complete homework individually. Each student
must create his or her own files and must physically input each command into
these files. The student should note that the instructor is able to
verify file integrity. Students that violate this policy will receive a
failing grade for the course and will be referred to Student Judicial Affairs
for the first incidence of cheating.
4.
If English is not the student’s native language, a word for word translation
device may be used during exams with the following stipulations: such device
will be approved by the instructor and will be used by an individual
student. Dictionaries are not permitted.
5.
Assignment of Incomplete for a course grade is solely at the discretion of the
instructor. Note that an Incomplete cannot be assigned if a student is
not passing the course due to University statute. Students with issues
that may result in a request for an Incomplete should see the instructor at the
first sign of a problem.
6.
Students will show respect to others when posting messages to the course discussion
board. Students will refrain from using language and or graphics that
might offend others.
7. Students
will use proper punctuation, and complete words and sentences when emailing the
instructor, teaching assistant, other students in the course and when posting
to the discussion boards.
8.
Students are responsible for assignments and assessment due dates regardless of
technical difficulties. Plan ahead!
9. Students having class and/or work schedule conflicts with all posted office hours should make appointments with the instructor.
10.
If you turn in a partially completed assignment, you may not turn in the
remaining portion at a later date.
11.
Students may turn in assignments (Roster, Business Fair, Word, Excel &
Access) and SimNet Lessons (Vista,
Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access) up to seven calendar days late. Homework
one minute to to seven calendar days late will be
penalized 30%. Assignments are not accepted after seven calendar days
have elapsed.
12. It is not possible to complete assessments after the due date/time.
13. Students will not be given extensions on assignments or assessments for any reason, including failure of computing devices.
14.
Students may bring food and/or drinks into the classroom. It is asked
that students refrain from eating noisy foods and that they clean up after
themselves.
15.
Students may use laptop or notebook computers during class to take notes and
work on IS101 coursework. Students will not share a computer display with
others. Computers are for personal use only. Students using these
devices will refrain from having any material on their screens that others may
find offensive. Students (even inadvertently) showing nudity,
pornography, offensive words or websites will not be allowed to use electronics
in the classroom for the remainder of the semester and will be referred to
Student Judicial Affairs for counseling. To use a computer in the
classroom, students will sit in the "computer zone." You may
not sit in the computer zone without a computer. You may not use a
computer outside of the "computer zone."
16.
Students will not use cell phones or PDAs in the classroom. Students will
not use headphones, earbuds, or any other technology
not otherwise covered in these policies unless used to compensate for a
disability. Documentation from the
17. Students are asked to refrain from talking and other disruptive behaviors when the instructor or a classmate "has the floor."
18. There are no make-up exams. A student who knows that he/she cannot be at an exam may take an exam early. Let the instructor know that you want to take an early exam between ten days and two weeks before the date you wish to take the exam. SA student who misses an exam (for any reason) will have his or her subsequent exam counted twice. For example, if a student misses the first exam, the second exam score will be entered for both the first and for the second exam. The final exam must be taken in class to get credit.
19.
Students may not take the final exam early. If the student has a conflict
with the exam time, i.e. another professor has scheduled exams during the IS101
exam time, please see the instructor approximately two
weeks before the end of the semester.
20.
Students will name all files with the last name then the first name then the
assignment as directed on each assignment. This is very important for
grading accuracy.
21.
Students shall not be late to class as it is disturbing to the instructor and
to other students. If a student is being
held over in a class where he/she is not able to get to IS101 on time; the
instructor will willingly discuss the issue with the professor of the earlier
class.
22.
Students may not leave class and then reenter. It is advised that if a
student must leave class early that he/she should let the instructor know
before class starts. Please remember that attendance is not mandatory for
this course. Therefore, it is expected, as with all professional level
meetings, that students be on time and stay for the duration of the meeting.
If a student has a physical or other problem that will not allow him/her to sit
through a 75-minute class period, he/she must meet with the instructor during
office hours to discuss this issue so that alternate arrangements may be made.
23.
Students home computers and personal laptops are not supported by the
instructor, teaching assistants, lab assistants and/or consultants. The
COBA lab has all programs needed to do all required components of this
course. Installation, maintenance and other computer issues cannot be
diagnosed and/or fixed by the instructor or other staff.
24.
A student that feels he/she has been offended by the instructor or other
students (no matter how minor the offense) is encouraged to visit with or email
the instructor as soon as possible. It is important that all students
feel welcome and safe at the University in general and in IS101 in particular.
SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS
Based on my own experience as a student and those of my students from previous
semesters, I offer these suggestions for success in this class:
· Although many prefer Mozilla and FireFox, use the latest version of Internet Explorer to view the web sites. (WebCampus and SimNet work best with IE.)
· Check WebCampus at least twice a week for new discussion messages, email messages and announcements.
· Read assigned chapter material prior to taking the assessments. The student may open the assessment and view it before reading, then reopen the assessment, enter the answers and submit.
· Complete the WebCampus assessments well before the due date as they are not accessible after that date and time.
· Allow time to deal with “technical difficulties”. Accept that sometimes working with a computer is very frustrating and it’s better to turn it off and come back at a later time rather than continuing to frustrate yourself. This, of course, requires you to not wait until the last minute to do your assignments and assessments.
· Keep backup copies of all materials created. Print out your SimNet reports when assignments are completed.
· Keep all items returned to you until after your final grade is posted on ePaws.
· Turn in assignments when they are due even if they aren't complete. Partial credit is better than no credit.
· Actively participate in the WebCampus discussion board. If you know the answer to a classmate's question - answer it!
· Use the Discussion Board to find study partners and/or others for tutoring groups.
· Be honest with yourself about the amount of time you can or will give to this course. If you are “too busy” to do the assigned work, you cannot be successful in the course.
· This course is time consuming as you are developing a skill as well and learning vocabulary and concepts. To learn a skill takes practice. Practice takes time.
· Read and understand the syllabus and Student Schedule and clarify any questions you have with your instructor early in the semester.
· Trade contact information with others early in the course.
· Use all technology possible to develop study relationships with your peers. The phone, chat, email, discussion board are excellent conduits to support your success in this course.
· Most importantly, contact the instructor at the first sign of trouble. Waiting until the end of the semester limits the options available to you.
·
The COBA Curriculum Committee has considered the
matter of total work and school hours for students and has made the following
recommendations:
|
Work Hours per week |
Total Semester credit hours |
|
10 |
15 |
|
20 |
12 |
|
30 |
9 |
|
40 |
6 |
Course Grading
|
Points Breakdown |
||
|
SimNet |
SimNet Vista |
15 |
|
SimNet Access |
31 |
|
|
SimNet Excel |
59 |
|
|
SimNet Word |
40 |
|
|
SimNet PowerPoint |
40 |
|
|
Assignments |
Roster |
15 |
|
Business Fair |
20 |
|
|
Access |
50 |
|
|
Excel |
60 |
|
|
Word |
20 |
|
|
Photoshop |
60 |
|
|
PowerPoint |
30 |
|
|
Assessments |
Orientation |
15 |
|
Chapter 1 |
10 |
|
|
Chapter 2 |
10 |
|
|
Chapter 3 & pgs 408 - 431 |
20 |
|
|
Chapter 4 |
10 |
|
|
Chapter 5 & pgs
379-387 |
10 |
|
|
Chapter 6 |
15 |
|
|
Chapter 10 |
10 |
|
|
Pages 439-492 |
10 |
|
|
Exams |
Exam 1 |
150 |
|
Exam 2 |
150 |
|
|
Exam 3 |
150 |
|
|
Total |
1000 |
|
Grades will be assigned
according to the following table:
|
Student Score |
Final Grade |
||
|
930 |
to |
1,000 |
A |
|
900 |
to |
929.99 |
A- |
|
870 |
to |
899.99 |
B+ |
|
830 |
to |
869.99 |
B |
|
800 |
to |
829.99 |
B- |
|
770 |
to |
799.99 |
C+ |
|
730 |
to |
769.99 |
C |
|
700 |
to |
729.99 |
C- |
|
670 |
to |
699.99 |
D+ |
|
630 |
to |
669.99 |
D |
|
600 |
to |
629.99 |
D- |
|
0 |
to |
599.99 |
F |
Student Schedules Page
The Student Schedules page breaks down what the student should accomplish
throughout the semester. Students may get ahead, but should not get
behind.
Assessments
Students will complete eight
assessments based on the Using Information Technology book. There is an
additional 15-point course orientation assessment. Assessments are
launched from the Assignments links. Student have
two tries on the assessment. A students having
technical difficulties may have an assessment reset up to 48 hours before the
availability has ended. Students may view the assessment and exit without
submitting in order to view assessment questions before answering. There
is no time limit on assessments. It is not
possible to take an assessment after its availability has ended.
SimNet Assignments
SimNet reviews and enhances students’ knowledge of computer
applications. The student will do SimNet
lessons on Windows Vista, Access, Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Students
should complete all SimNet lessons in the first few
weeks of the course. A student may do a lesson up to seven days
late. One minute to seven days late carries 30% penalty. SimNet Training is not
accepted after seven calendar days have elapsed.
Other Assignments
Students will complete assignments
using Photoshop, Access, Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Turn in instructions are included on each assignment
description. A student may do a lesson up to seven days late. One
minute to seven calendar days late will be penalized 30%. Assignments are not
accepted after seven calendar days have elapsed.
Students may work in the
lab or at home to complete assignments. All software used in this course
is available in the COBA Lab. The
supported software for this course is Microsoft Vista and Office 2007.
Office Professional 2007 includes all four of the MS applications used in this
class, e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access. Please note the difference
between the Standard Office package and the Office Professional package.
The Standard Office package does not include Access software. Students
working on earlier versions of Office will find that they may encounter some
difficulties. Microsoft Works does not have
the functionality needed to complete assignments for this course.
The student will work on
his/her own to complete all assignments. That means that each keystroke
must be input by the student on his/her own
file. Please see Course Policies for information on Academic dishonesty.
Exams
The student will take three in-class
150-point exams during the semester. All exams are cumulative meaning
that all material covered to the date of the exam is testable. Exams are
never given after they have been offered to the class. Therefore, if the student needs to take an
exam at a different time, he/she must communicate that need to the instructor
ten to fourteen days before the exam needs to be taken. Students missing the first or second exam
will have the subsequent exam counted twice.
EQUAL ACCESS
STATEMENT
The Department of
Accounting/IS supports equal access for students with disabilities. If
you are in need of special services due to a disability, please contact the
instructor or the
Disability
Resource Center/079
NOTE ON CHANGES TO
THE SYLLABUS & SCHEDULE
The instructor
reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus and the schedule anytime
throughout the semester. Changes will be
reflected in this document in blue-colored font and will be announced in
class. Changes to the schedule will be
reflected in the Week by Week link and the Calendar in WebCampus. Changes to the schedule will be announced in
class and via the Discussion Board in WebCampus.
Your continued registration in this class
after the initial drop date signifies that you have read and understand the
syllabus for IS 101 Fall Session 2008 and will abide by the course policies in
the syllabus.