M&IS 24053: Computer Applications - Fall 2002
Dr. Catherine Bakes
cbakes@bsa3.kent.edu
College of
Business A405, Office Hours:
Tues & Thurs 3-4 pm & 6:45-7:15
pm; Wed 2:30- 4:30 pm
PHONE: (330) 672-1162 |
Dr. Geoffrey Steinberg
gsteinbe@bsa3.kent.edu
College of Business A418, Office Hours:
Tue: 11-1:30; Thr:
11-12:10 & 1:10-1:40; Also by appt.
IM & Yahoo screen name:
drgsteinberg
|
Course Theme
Solving information related problems using computers,
networks, software and data.
Course Objectives
The fundamental objective is for you to develop an
appreciation for the contribution that computers and software can make to your
life as a student and as a professional. It is expected that during this term
you will develop competency in the operation of the hardware and software to
which you are exposed. It is further expected that as you master the course
material your confidence in your ability will increase.
A secondary objective is for this to be an enjoyable and fun learning
experience.
Textbook and Other Materials
The course's text book is Computers and
Information Systems, Steinberg, Geoffrey, Paperclip Productions
Most of the text's material will be covered. Use the course's weekly schedule
as a guide so that you read the appropriate chapters before that material is
covered in class. You should read the material before coming to class so
that you are ready to participate in the class discussion.
Class Slide Presentations
Copies of the instructor's classroom slide
presentations are included with the textbook. You will find these copies very
handy when you take class notes. The textbook has exact images of most of the
slides used by the instructor. Take your notes directly on the copies. It will
make note taking easier and more accurate. You will find it easier to study for
quizzes too.
Class Notes
The textbook provides pages for your class note taking. You
are encouraged to use these pages so that your notes, the text material and the
classroom slides are kept together. This too will help you master the material
and prepare for quizzes.
Floppy Disk
You should use the floppy disk which is packaged with the
book. Although not required, you may wish to purchase a 3.5" floppy disk to use
for backing up your homework.
Orion
Many of your course activities are interactive and involve using
the Orion server. Quizzes and homework are administered and graded by Orion.
Follow these steps to log on to Orion:
- Start a web browser: Explorer or Netscape.
- Go to this web address: http://orion.kent.edu
- Select this option:
- Enter your log on information:
Homework and Extra Credit
There are 11 regular homework assignments. To
view specifics about assignments use your ID and password to log on to Orion and
use the option shown below:
All
homework assignments are graded automatically by the Orion System. Each regular
assignment must be completed by the due date. You may submit any regular
assignment three times until the due date. The grade on record at the due date
is your grade.
Extra Credit
There are 5 extra-credit assignments. Extra-credit
assignments may be submitted only once. Each extra-credit assignment is worth 1
point added to your final course average.
Schedule
The schedule (available from your Orion menu - see above) shows
you the homework and extra credit due dates. TIP: Complete the regular
assignments early so that you have time to re-submit if necessary.
Submitting Homework
You will complete most of your assignments using a
disk such as the one included with the text. To submit assignments use the
"Quizzes, tests ..." option from your personal Orion System menu (see above).
Each time an assignment is graded a fresh copy of your grade status
report will be put on the Internet for you to access. See menu above for access
to status report.
WARNING!!!
If you submit an assignment with a computer virus then
you fail the course. No exceptions! It is your responsibility to ensure that
your work is clean.
Quizzes
- There are 8 short objective quizzes through the semester. The schedule
(available from your Orion menu - see illustration below) shows you the quiz
due dates.
- Each quiz score is computed as a percent correct. (a perfect
score is 100% )
- Each quiz is curved up to an average of 75% if necessary. Averages
are not curved down! This means that if the class average is 72 then 3
points are added to eveyone's quiz score to bring the average up to 75.
- Each quiz is administered during a quiz period. Each quiz period is
one week (weekdays only).
- You take the quiz in the College of Business Computer Lab
(2nd floor) at any time during the week when a quiz proctor
is in the lab. You must begin a quiz at least 60 minutes before the end of a
quiz period.
- Each quiz is a self-contained unit. That means that the quizzes are
not comprehensive. Each quiz contains material covered in class during the two
weeks prior to the beginning of the quiz period (the first Quiz is an
exception - it covers just one week).
- There is no final exam. The 8th quiz is also
non-comprehensize and is taken during finals week.
- Quizzes are open notes and you are permitted to use other software
while taking a quiz. You are not permitted to discuss anything with anyone
while taking a quiz - violations are grounds for receiving a grade of 0 for
the quiz in progress.
Taking a Quiz
To take a quiz follow these steps:
- Bring your student ID to the College of Business Computer Lab
(2nd floor) during the quiz period.. No quiz may be
started less than 60 minutes before a proctor is due to leave the lab.
- Log on to Orion and select the "Quizzes, tests, ..." option.
- Select the quiz you want to take.
- Request that a proctor (look around the lab for one) check your id
(name and picture). You may not begin a quiz without proper identification.
Study Tools
Study tools are available for each quiz. To view a study
guide or try a practice quiz: Log on to Orion and select the
"Quizzes, tests, ..." option.
Your Grade
Rules
- You semester grade is the weighted average of the 8 quizzes + 11 homework
assignments.
- Each quiz and homework is to be completed on time by the due date. You
receive no credit for quizzes or homeworks incomplete after the due date.
- Up to 5 points of extra credit may be added to your quiz and homework
average. The 5 extra credit assignments have due dates as well.
- The Kent State grading scale is used:
| 90+ |
80-89 |
70-79 |
60-69 |
0-59 |
| A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
Grades are rounded, so 89.5 becomes an A.
Grading Example
Your grade is based on 8 quizzes (worth 11 points each)
and 11 homeworks (worth 1 or 2 points each) and 5 extra credit assignments
(worth 1 point each).
Here is an example of 8 quiz grades and 11
homework grades:
87.57
points would be a B grade. This grading scale is used:
How extra credit works
If this student earned 2 extra credit points then
a total of 89.57 points (87.57 + 2) was earned. The letter grade becomes A
because grades are rounded (89.57 rounded to 90).
Important Notes:
- Grades are rounded (see above)
- On each quiz the final average for the class will always be at least 75.
If the average is below 75 when all students have completed the quiz then the
average will be increased to 75. If the average is at least 75 when all
students have completed the quiz then the average is not changed. Quiz
averages are never rounded down! Here is an example:
Suppose
the class average for Quiz 3 is 70. To curve up to 75 each student is given 5
extra points for their individual Quiz 3 score. So if you received a Quiz 3
score of 72 then your score becomes 77 after the curve is applied.
- Final semester averages are not curved.
Weekly Class Schedule Fall 2002 and Reading Assignments
The weekly
schedule indicates the topics covered during each class session.
You are
expected to complete the reading assignments (pages shown in ()) prior to
each class meeting.
| Week |
Tuesday |
Thursday |
Quiz # |
| 1 |
8/27
Introduction |
8/29
Data and Information (1.1-1.13) |
1 |
| 2 |
9/3
Windows (3.1-3.17) |
9/5
Windows & Word (5.1-5.7) |
2 |
| 3 |
9/10
Hardware & Software (4.1-4.10) |
9/12
Hardware & Software |
| 4 |
9/17
Excel (6.1-6.12) |
9/19
Excel (6.16-6.31) |
3 |
| 5 |
9/24
Excel |
9/26
Information Systems (2.1-2.6) |
| 6 |
10/1
Email & Communications (9.21-9.23 & 9.1-9.21) |
10/3
Communications |
4 |
| 7 |
10/8
Graphics/PowerPoint (7.1-7.11 & Appendix A) |
10/10
PowerPoint |
| 8 |
10/15
Excel (6.37-6.40) |
10/17
Excel (6.41-6.49) |
5 |
| 9 |
10/22
Excel (6.53-6.59) |
10/24
Excel |
| 10 |
10/29
Internet & HTML (10.1-10.17) |
10/31
HTML (10.9-10.17) |
6 |
| 11 |
11/5
Societal Issues (11.1-11.6) |
11/7
Systems Analysis (12.1-12.10) |
| 12 |
11/12
Excel (6.63-6.67) |
11/14
Excel (6.67-6.69) |
7 |
| 13 |
11/19
Excel (6.73-6.76) |
11/21
Database (8.1-8.16) |
| 14 |
11/26
Database (8.31-8.33) |
11/27
Thanksgiving |
8 |
| 15 |
12/3
Database (8.18-8.30) |
12/5
Database |
Lab Tutors Fall 2002
Lab tutors are available to help you during certain
hours each week. They can be found in the College of Business Computer Lab on
the building's 2nd floor.
Hours will be posted HERE as soon as
the schedule is arranged.
The tutors are also proctors for your quizzes.
Bring your ID to the lab to take a quiz. You must present yourself to a proctor
at least 60 minutes before the end of a quiz period to obtain permission to
begin a quiz.
etc.
Computer Virus
WARNING!!! If you submit an
assignment with a computer virus then you fail the course. No exceptions! It is
your responsibility to ensure that your work is clean.
Excused lateness
The following are the only accepted excuses for late
homework or permission to take a quiz late:
- sickness with medical note
- athletic event - with coach's note
- religious observation
- military responsibility with documentation
- death in family with documentation
Lecture, attendance, cheating, etc
You are
expected to respect the other students! This means never ridicule anyone for
asking a question. There is no such thing as a stupid question but it is stupid
not to ask questions! No early mass exodus from the lecture hall. If you plan to
leave early then don't come to class. There are other students who want to be in
class and it is not fair to disrupt them by the noise and disturbance of early
departures.
Attendance is not mandatory but it is strongly recommended. You are
responsible for all material presented. It is not reasonable for you to ask for
special consideration claiming that you miss material because you were not in
class.
Cheating is grounds for automatic failure in the course so don't do it!
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying from another student during an
exam, submitting the same homework as another student, and illegally copying
(really stealing) software.
Respect
You are expected to act in a proper
fashion at all times during the semester. Being respectful of other students and
the instructor is essential. Behavior otherwise will not be tolerated and is
ground for dismissal from the course at any time during the semester. Dismissal
results in a grade of F.
Cell Phones and Pagers
Use of a cell phone or
pager during class is grounds for removal from the class. Use of such equipment
is rude and disrespectful towarde the instructor and other students (see respect
above). Use of a cell phone or pager during class is
ground for dismissal from this course with a grade of F.
Students with Disabilities
In accordance with University policy, if you
have a documented disability and require accomodations to obtain equal access in
this course, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester or
when given an assignment for which accomodation is required. Students with
disabilities must verify their eligibility through the Office of Student
Disability Services (SDS) in the Michael Schwartz Services Center (672-2972).
Thinking About a Major or Minor in IS?
Enrollment in the initial courses
(24060 - Systems Analysis and 24070 Principles of System Development) requires
permission. Click here for details.