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M&IS 24053 Fall 2007 Steinberg

Fall 2007: M&IS 24053: Computer Applications 
Dr. Geoffrey Steinberg
  • Sections: 002  & 003 - Tuesday & Thursday 9:15-10:30 AM University Auditiorium
  • Office: A-418 BSA
  • Hours: Tuesday 10:30-12:30 & Thursday 11-12:30; 2-3:30
  • Email: drgsteinberg@gmail.com

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 Data and Information, Steinberg, Geoffrey, Kendall-Hunt. ISBN Fall 2007 978-0-7575-4244-2. Use the course weekly schedule (at end of syllabus) 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 many 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.

Jump Drive

You should use the jump drive which is packaged with the book. The drive has sufficient space to complete your assignments and can also be used for your other course work.

Handouts

You will find additional course material in the Handouts page of Orion.

Orion

Most 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:

  1. Start a web browser: You must use Internet Explorer
  2. Go to this web address: http://orion2.kent.edu
  3. Select Courses
  4. Enter your log on information.

Homework

There are 12 regular assignments. To view specifics about assignments use your ID and password to log on to Orion and find Requirements on the Orion menu: 
  • All regular 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 recorded is what you earn on your last attempt (which may or may not be your highest score).
  • The grade on record at the due date is your grade.
  • The "Requirements" option also shows the due dates for each assignment.
  • If your score goes lower when you resubmit an assignment then the lower score is what counts toward your grade.

Submitting Regular Assignments

You will complete most of your regular assignments using a storage device such as the one included with the text.
> <br> Some of your assignments will be graded by Excel using ORION.XLS Orion will provide it for you when you need it.

Asking for Help

If you need assistance please ask the instructor. There is no value in holding back. If you ask for help do so before the due date for an assignment. The instructor will not answer email (or phone calls) about the homework on the due date.

Quizzes

  • There are 5 objective quizzes (multiple choice, true-false, fill in the blank) this semester. The Requirements option gives you access to the schedule and quizzes.
  • Each quiz is administered in the College of Business Lab during a "quiz period" (one week -- five weekdays only).
  • Quizzes are not curved.
  • Each quiz contains material covered in class during the three weeks prior to the beginning of the quiz period.
  • There is no final exam. The last quiz is also non-comprehensive 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. This prohibition includes electronic communication of any sort.
  • You may submit a quiz only one time.
  • You must make a reservation on Orion to take a quiz. On Orion you may make a reservation for a quiz start time (in the College of Business Lab) two days before the quiz's period begins. Check Orion's Requirements page to make a reservation.

Prerequisites

  • You may not begin any quiz until you demonstrate your understanding of the syllabus by completing the Syllabus Contract (see elsewhere in syllabus).
  • Each quiz has other prerequisites (see elsewhere in syllabus) and it is your responsibility to be aware of the schedule.

Taking a Quiz

  1. Bring your student ID to the College of Business Computer Lab (2nd floor) during the quiz period. No quiz may be started less than X minutes before a proctor is due to leave the lab Where X is the length of the quiz - see the study guide. Each quiz is of different time length - it is your responsibility to check this.
  2. Log on to Orion and select the "Requirements" option (see above).
  3. Select the quiz you want to take. Make sure it is now the time of your quiz reservation.
  4. READ EVERYTHING IN THE INSTRUCTIONS.
  5. Open any programs you will need BEFORE you begin the quiz.
  6. Read ALL dialog boxes.
  7. 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.
  8.  

Viewing Results

Once a quiz period has ended you may view your quiz (all questions and answers) for up to seven days by locating the quiz in your status report.

Instructor Review of Your Quiz

You may request that your instructor review a quiz up to seven days after the end of the quiz period. Quizzes will not be examined after the seven days have elapsed.
Pop Quizzes

Study and Practice 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 "Study" option.

Prerequisites

Several quizzes require that you successfully complete practice exercises first. You may attempt the exercises as often as you wish until you accomplish the required grade of 100. To learn what the specific prerequisites are click the icon on the course home page.

Syllabus Contract

This syllabus is a contract between you and the instructor. Your responsibilities are described in this document. Before you are permitted to attempt any of the course quizzes you must demonstrate that you understand the contract (syllabus) by earning a perfect score (100%) on a syllabus survey. Check the course schedule for the survey dates. You will find it on the Prerequisites menu.
  • You are permitted to attempt the Syllabus Contract Survey as often as you like until you reach 100%.
  • You may attempt the Survey from any Internet connected computer using Internet Explorer.
  • It is strongly suggested that you print this syllabus (use the Print All option) and use it while completing the survey.

Extra Credit

You may earn up to 5.5 extra-credit points during the course this way:
  1. Pop Questions -- 4.5 points possible:
    • At various times when logged on to Orion you will be given the opportunity to answer questions about course content.
    • Each correct answer will result in an award of 0.10 credit points.
    • During the semester you will receive up to 45 extra credit pop questions for a possible 4.5 points.
    • The pop extra credit questions are all objective (multiple choice, true-false, fill in the blank).
    • Points earned from correctly answering pop extra credit questions are available for Gift Catalog purchases (see below).
    • There will be additional opportunities available to those who attend class.
    • Tip: attending class and completing reading assignments on time will help you earn extra credit points.
  2. Extra Credit Assignment -- 1 point possible:
    • During the course three extra credit homework assignments are available.
    • Completion of all assignments is worth a maximum of 1.0 extra credit points.
    • These points are not used for Gift Catalog purchases.

Gift Catalog

You may purchase gifts from the Gift catalog by using pop extra credit points that you earned. Click the "Tokens/Gifts" option to view the Gift Catalog. Gifts available include:
  • A due date extension
  • An additional homework submission
  • Erase a grade and start over

Rewind

You may complete overdue assignments late by using the "Rewind" option. Look for the movie projector on the course home page.
When you use this option you will be assessed a late fee. This is different from the Gift Catalog because with rewind you do not spend extra-credit to begin a late course requirement but you are assessed a penalty for lateness.

Early Bird Special

Get rewards for completing assignments early. Look for the Early Bird on your Orion menu for details.

Pay Per View

Use this option to view class lecture notes for classes that you miss or notes that you just want a second look at. In some cases there is a fee (pop extra credit points) to view lecture notes again.
> <br> If you miss a class due to a legitimate absence the instructor will grant permission for you to view notes without charge. Contact the instructor.
> <br> Find this option on the course home page.

Your Grade

Each time anything is graded a fresh copy of your grade status report will be put on the Internet for you to access. See the Status Report menu for access to your personal grade report. 

How your grade is computed:

  • Your semester grade is the weighted average of the 5 quizzes + 12 homework assignments.
  • Each quiz and homework is to be completed on time by the due date. Penalties apply for lateness.
  • Up to 5.5 points of extra credit may be added to your quiz and homework average.
  • Nothing is curved: not homework assignments, not quizzes and not the semester final grades.
    > This grading scale is used: <li>
90+
80-89
70-79
60-69
0-59
A
B
C
D
F

  • > Grades are rounded, so 89.5 becomes an A. <li>

Tutors and Proctors

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. 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 to obtain permission to begin a quiz. The proctor/tutor schedule will be announced by the instructor.

Rules

In order to be fair to all students the following rules are enforced:
Review a Quiz Grade
You may ask the instructor to review any specific questions on any quiz or homework assignment. You must make the request not more than one week after the quiz or assignment due date has passed. Requests after that deadline will be automatically rejected.

Excused Absence and Lateness

The following are the Kent State accepted excuses for absence and late homework submission 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

> No other excuses for lateness are accepted. If you miss a homework or quiz due date then you may purchase an extension from the gift catalog or use the rewind option if you wish to complete that assignment. Here are some excuses that are invalid and will be ignored: <div>
  • your Mom will call me to let me know why
  • your alarm didn't go off
  • your kids were sick
  • your parents needed your help
  • you had to work
  • you forgot the due date
  • you check your email, but you don't check Orion
  • you HAVE to get a good grade in here
  • your computer died
  • you went to a movie
  • you cannot access Orion
  • your diskette will not work
  • there was no lab assistant to proctor
  • the lab was in use by a class, etc.
  • your car quit
  • you had an accident
  • you had to watch a television show
  • you are lazy
  • you did not want to do the assignment
  • any new excuse we haven't heard which you come up with as your contribution to next semester's syllabus

Lecture Attendance

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! Laughing at or ridiculing another student is grounds for dismissal from this course with a grade of F. 
> <br> 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. On occasion attendance is taken during class. While you are not required to be present during class those who are may be eligible for special in-class awards and are eligible for help by email concerning material discussed that day in class.
> <br> Students absent are not eligible for in-class extra credit awards unless their absence is covered by one of the Kent State accepted excuses for absence (see list above). There are no exceptions. If you miss class the day of a pop quiz your score is automatically zero unless you have an excused absence.

In-Class Special Awards

In-class extra credit awards are given to students directly by the instructor. These awards are known as tokens. Only students present in class (see attendance above) are eligible for these awards. Any student claiming an award obtained from other than the instructor is dishonest and will be dealt with according to Kent State University regulations concerning student conduct. Additionally, possession of a token not directly received from the instructor is grounds for failure in this course.

Lateness to Class

If you arrive late:
  • You may be denied permission to participate in In-Class Awards
  • You may be required to sit in the front row.

Cheating

Cheating is grounds for immediate dismissal and automatic failure from this course with no opportunity to complete any further assignments. Cheating includes, but is not limited to:
  • Submitting work (homework, pre-requisites, quizzes) that is not yours.
  • Providing answers to (homework, pre-requisites, quizzes) to another student.
  • Possession of a token not personally received from the instructor.
  • Giving a token to another student.
  • Possession of a copy of quiz questions in any form.
  • Illegally copying software.

e-mail

You are encouraged to communicate with your instructor using e-mail. There are some rules, however, that you must observe to use e-mail effectively:
  1. Make sure that your spelling and grammar are correct.
  2. Get to the point. Do not be long-winded. No jumbled verbiage.
  3. Be organized. Be clear.
  4. Be honest.
  5. Use proper English - no slang.
  6. DO NOT TYPE IN ALL CAPS!
  7. Be respectful.
  8. Say who you are.
  9. Identify the class section you are in.

> Little tolerance is granted for email messages that violate these guidelines. In fact, if your e-mail is unacceptable you may receive no response! <br>
> If you miss class on days when attendance is taken you will not be given help by email for material covered on those days. Help will be provided (for the classes you missed) during the instructor's office hours only. <br>
> The instructor will not answer email (or phone calls) about a homework assignment on the due date for that particular assignment. <div>

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. Behaving otherwise will not be tolerated and is grounds 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 toward the instructor and other students (see respect above). Use of a cell phone or pager during class is grounds for dismissal from this course with a grade of F.

Other Information

Students with Disabilities

In accordance with University policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which accommodation 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 Information Systems?

Enrollment in the initial courses (24060 - Systems Analysis and 24070 Principles of System Development) requires permission. Ask your instructor for information.

Daily Class Schedule and Reading Assignments

  • The daily schedule indicates the topics covered during each class session.
  • For sections that meet once a week the Tuesday and Thursday material are covered in one class meeting.
  • You are expected to complete the reading assignments prior to each class meeting: (pages shown in (); KB=Knowledge Base (see Handouts) 
  • The Quiz column indicates what quiz covers the material shown to the left.
Week
Tuesday
Thursday
Quiz #
1
8/28
> Introduction (1-8)<div>
8/30
> Windows&nbsp;(11-23) <div>
1
2
9/4
> Windows &amp; Word&nbsp;(287)<div>
9/6 
> Word<div>
3
9/11
> Hardware &amp; Software&nbsp;(65-106)<div>
9/13
> Hardware &amp; Software&nbsp;<div>
4
9/18
> Data &amp; Information (37-51)<div>
9/20
> Data &amp; Information &amp; Excel (293-337)<br> Functions, Formulas, Formatting, Analyzing Data, Importing Data
2
5
9/25   
> Excel <div>
9/27 
> Excel <div>
6
10/2 
> Internet &amp; Communications (121-172)<div>
10/4
> Internet &amp; Communications<div>
7
10/9
> Excel (361-381))<br> Copy/Move Cells, Cell Addressing, Logic
10/11 
> Excel<div>
3
8
10/16    
> Excel <div>
10/18 
> Security &amp; Privacy (221-243)<div>
9
10/23
> Security &amp; Privacy and PowerPoint (421-440)<div>
10/25
> PowerPoint <div>
10
10/30
> Excel (349-354, 384-391, 394-402)<br> Merging Tables & Linking Sheets,
> Charts &amp; Presentation, Statistics<div>
11/1  
> Excel<div>
4
11
11/6
> Excel<div>
11/8
> Excel<div>
12
11/13
> HTML &amp; XHTML (Handouts)<div>
11/15 
> HTML &amp; XHTML <div>
13
11/20   
> Access (Handouts) &amp; Database Design<br> Introduction to Database and Queries
11/22 
> Thanksgiving - No Class<div>
5
14
11/27 
> SQL (193-244)<div>
11/29   
> SQL <div>
15
12/4   
> Access (Handouts)<br> Creating a Database, Adding Tables and Records,
> Importing Data, Reports<div>
12/6
> Access<div>
 
Finals Week
Finals Week
> &nbsp; <div>
 
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