North Georgia College & State University
Department of Math & Computer Science

CSCI 1100
Introduction to Computers and Information Systems

Instructor: Judy McHan E-mail: jmchan@ngcsu.edu Homepage: http://radar.ngcsu.edu/~jmchan/index.htm Phone: 706-864-1924

Office:118 West Main Hall Office Hours: T R 4:30 - 5:30pm and after class Other times by appointment and virtual

Course Description:	An introductory course in computers, including an overview of computer hardware, software applications, and the Internet. With laboratory instruction, this course provides a hands-on learning environment for utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Course also includes e-mail, exploration of the Internet, and GeorgiaVIEW Vista. Course not applicable toward a computer science major or minor. 2 credit hours. Prerequisites: none. This course is delivered as a hybrid course. What is a hybrid course you say? Hybrid courses are courses in which a significant portion of the learning activities have been moved online, and time traditionally spent in the classroom is reduced but not eliminated. The goal of hybrid courses is to join the best features of in-class teaching with the best features of online learning to promote active independent learning and reduce class seat time. Using computer-based technologies, instructors use the hybrid model to redesign some lecture or lab content into new online learning activities, such as case studies, tutorials, self-testing exercises, simulations, and online group collaborations (Garnham, C. and Kaleta, R., 2002, http://www.uwsa.edu/ttt/articles/garnham.htm). Some time after the drop/add period, we will only meet once a week face-to-face and will utilize the rest of the course time to online activies and computer lab time. If a 50% online and 50% face-to-face format is not conducive to your learning style, you may want to transfer to another section that has a 100% face-to-face format.
Required Textbooks:	Discovering Computers 2010: Brief, Shelly, Cashman, Vermaat series. Web Enhanced. Brief Edition (has eight chapters). ISBN: 1-423-91196-2 GO! with Microsoft Office: Excel 2003, Volume I. Gaskin, Preston, Preston, & Ferrett. ISBN: 0-13-143420-9  (Without Student Resource CD-ROM packet) ISBN: 0-13-243772-4  (With Student Resource CD-ROM packet.)
Required Materials:	One USB drive, at least 128MB. Use a permanent Sharpie to add your name or initials to both the drive and cap.
Course Objectives:	After completing this course, students will be able to complete at least the following tasks: 1. Use the Internet for Course work online using GeorgiaVIEW Vista Sending and receiving e-mail, with and without attachments  Locating and working with educational resources  Downloading material for class projects Building a web site 2. Use GeorgiaVIEW to: Access personal gradebook  Access homework and project assignments Utilize an on-line calendar Upload homework and projects Take online quizzes 3. Will know the basics of: File management The hardware components of a computer  The processor and memory  Storage devices  Classifying computers  Application software and operating systems  The central processing unit  Input and output devices  Networking computers  The Internet as a resource  Using the Internet as a tool for business 4. Use Microsoft Word to (may be optional): Create, edit and save a document  Format a document with advanced features  Create a table  5. Use Microsoft Excel to: Create, edit, and save a workbook  Format a workbook with advanced features  Format the worksheets  Enter formulas and create charts 6. Use Microsoft PowerPoint to: Create, edit, and save a presentation  Utilize Internet Resources 7. Use Microsoft FrontPage to: Create, edit, and upload a personal web page 8. Complete a Service Learning Project: Learn a specific set of technology tasks Develop a web-enabled FAQ of the task Schedule a peer-to-peer or reverse peer appointment Train targeted college personnel Develop and present a presentation about service learning project 9. Other computing skills, like zipping and unzipping files, converting files, understanding file formats, creating pfd files, developing FAQs, training, etc.

Methods of Instruction:	Class lecture, hands-on computer lab exercises, presentation slides, and Internet-related activities, such as e-mail, online homework, and online tests.
General Expectations:	Inappropriate disruptions in class to either the students around you or to myself will not be tolerated. There will be no instant messaging, emailing, or web surfing while class is in session. Additionally, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class. Violation of these rules will result in your exit from class and an absent mark applied to your class attendance record. All assignments will be due by midnight on the due date assigned. That is, all assignments should be uploaded into GeorgiaVIEW Vista by midnight. Extra credit projects may be assigned at my discretion. Homework and projects turned in after the due date will not be accepted. Some in-class work may be considered gradable material. If you miss a test, it is your responsibility to see me about why you missed that test and to schedule a make-up. ALL MAKE-UP TESTS MUST BE TAKEN WITHIN TWO WEEKS FROM THE MISSED TEST. If you fail to make up your test within the 2-week period, you will receive no credit for that test. Please note that the syllabus or course calendar may be changed as we go along, and assignments may be altered.
Grade Evaluation:	Tests: 20% Labs, homework, and presentation: 55% Final Exam: 25%
Grading Scale:	90 - 100 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 60 - 69 = D Below 60 = F
Academic Integrity Policy:	The North Georgia College & State University catalog states:  North Georgia College & State University is dedicated to providing an educational climate characterized by integrity.  Academic integrity, in particular, must be the cornerstone of an institution of higher learning and must pervade all segments of the NGCSU community.  Furthermore, academic integrity is the mutual responsibility of the various constituencies (students, faculty, staff, and administration) which comprise the University.  The integrity code, "On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth or tolerate those who do." reflects NGCSU's commitment to academic integrity.  Violations of the Academic Integrity Policy will be reported to the Academic Integrity Council in a written incident report.
Class Attendance:	According to the North Georgia Undergraduate Bulletin, "If a student's total number of absences exceeds 14% of the scheduled classes, it shall become the prerogative of the instructor to drop the student from the class roll with a W or WF or to continue the student in class" (60).  Class periods for CSCI 1100 this semester total thirty. If you miss more than four classes, you will exceed the 14% limit and you will be dropped from class. It is your responsibility to see me about any excused absences.
Students with Disabilities	Disabilities and Accommodations. North Georgia College and State University is committed to equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you believe that you have a disability requiring an accommodation, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the instructor and the Office of Student Disability Resources. In this case, contact Elizabeth McIntosh, Coordinator, Student Disability Resources at 122 Barnes Hall, 867-2782, emcintosh@ngcsu.edu.