MIS 24053 Spring 2012 Steinberg
Computer Applications – Spring 2012
Dr. Geoffrey Steinberg
A418 College of Business
drgsteinberg@gmail.com
Objective
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 computer programs to which you are exposed. It is further expected that as you master the course material your confidence will increase.
Special Message
Read this syllabus carefully and understand the rules and requirements. Take the schedule seriously.
Sources of Information
You have five main sources of information for this course:
· Class lecture / discussion
· The textbook and workbook that comes with it (bring both to class)
· Slide presentations (in class - take notes from these directly into your workbook)
· The E-BOOK (online) portion of the textbook. Read it and learn using its lessons.
· Me (email me with questions)
· Tutors
Tip:
This course is easy if you:
· Stay up to date in reading (textbook and E-BOOK)
· Come to class
· Record notes into the workbook
· Do the work on time
The alternative is not recommended.
BONGOPOWER
All of your course assignments (homework, Question of the Day, and quizzes) are interactive and involve using BONGOPOWER. Your instructor will inform you about how to gain access to BONGOPOWER.
· All assignments are administered and graded instantly by BONGOPOWER.
· The grade on record at the due date is your grade.
· BONGOPOWER is available 24/7.
· Your course grade report is updated on BONGOPOWER each time anything is graded. Click “My Status”.
Class Attendance
Class attendance is recommended. More than half the class sessions include a “Question of the Day” which is part of your grade. Read about it later in the syllabus.
While attendance is optional you may not arrive late. The class begins at 2:15 am. No one is admitted after 2:25 am. No one is admitted more than ten minutes after class begins. No exceptions.
Textbook and Components
· Textbook
The course's text book is Information Technology – 2nd Edition, Steinberg, Geoffrey, Kendall-Hunt, 978-0-7575-9850-0. The textbook is packaged with other components described here.
Use the course schedule (end of syllabus) and know what to read before each class. Read the material before coming to class to be ready to participate in the class discussion.
Prerequisites (discussed later) relate to material from the textbook which is also a source of many quiz questions. Read the textbook according to the class schedule.
· Interactive E-BOOK
The E-BOOK is divided into topic areas. As you read chapters and look at homework assignments (or prerequisites) look at the E-BOOK topic list and open those lessons that relate to what you are doing at that time.
Use the code inside the cover of your textbook to access the E-BOOK. Codes from used books will not work.
The online system that you use provides a link to the E-BOOK.
· Workbook
Copies of the instructor's classroom slide presentations are found in a workbook included with the textbook. Bring the workbook to class. You will find these copies very handy when you take class notes. The workbook has exact (but incomplete) 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.
Many of the quiz questions are based on the illustrations in the workbook.
· 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.
Do not use the same jump drive as another student. If you do, BONGOPOWER will assume you are cheating and you will not get a grade in the assignment you submitted.
Other Materials
· Microsoft Office
For this course you will use software including Microsoft Office (2007, 2008, or 2010). Office may be used on your computer if you have it or in the College of Business computer lab or other labs on campus.
If you do not have Office installed but would like it you can obtain a 60 day trial copy from www.microsoft.com for free. NOTE: many computers have Office without Access. You will need Access for this course.
You can purchase Office for a special price here: http://www.kent.edu/is/helpdesk/microsoft.cfm
· SQL (database)
You will use an online interface to an SQL database. This will be provided for you by a link from BONGOPOWER.
· Notepad
This is a Windows only program. If you have a Mac these assignments must be completed on a Windows computer.
Your Grade
Your grade is the weighted average as follows: This grading scale is used:
Two homework @ 2% each 4% 89.5+ A
Ten homework @ 3% each 30% 79.5+ B
Ten question of the day @ 1% each 10% 69.5+ C
Four quizzes @14% each 56% 59.5+ D
100% 0+ F
+/- grades are not used.
Assignments
The instructor will not discuss an assignment with you for any reason (other than a KSU accepted excuse for lateness) after more than three days from the assignment’s published due date.
· Homework
Log on to BONGOPOWER, click “My Assignments”; select an assignment; follow the directions. BONGOPOWER will guide you to the specific exercises to be completed.
You may attempt each homework up to three times. Your last attempt is the grade of record. Not the highest. Not the average. The last.
Question of the Day
Ten times this semester a “Question of the Day” will be posted on BONGOPOWER. The question will relate to that day’s class presentation and discussion. The instructor will inform those present in class when a Question of the Day occurs.
To answer the question log on to BONGOPOWER; select “My Assignments”; click “Question of Day”; select the correct date. You may answer the question once.
Each Question of the Day may be answered from after class until midnight that day only.
· Quizzes
Quizzes are open book, open notes, and take home. Quizzes are objective questions and administered online by BONGOPOWER. You may attempt each quiz one time only. The content you need to prepare and master for each quiz is listed at the end of this syllabus.
Quiz Reservation is required
You will need a reservation time to begin a quiz. Use BONGOPOWER to make a reservation at the appropriate time. Your instructor will explain how to do this.
DO NOT DELAY in making a reservation - if you delay you may not get the time you want and you may end up not taking the quiz and getting a grade of zero. It is up to you to get a reservation and take the quiz. If you do not find the time you want get a different time. Do not ask the instructor to get a specific time for you. No special deals are made for anyone regarding reservations. No deals – do not ask!
Quiz Prerequisites
Quizzes have prerequisite assignments that must be completed before you may begin the quiz. Most prerequisites are found in the textbook. BONGOPOWER will guide you to them. To learn what the prerequisites are:
1. Click “My Assignments”
2. Select a quiz on the left hand side of the page
3. All prerequisites and homework that related to the selected quiz will then be listed.
Do not wait to do the prerequisites until just before you schedule a quiz reservation. If you wait you are not likely to complete the prerequisites. If any are not completed you will not be allowed to attempt the quiz and you will receive a quiz score of zero.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO COMPLETE PREREQUISITES TO MAKE A RESERVATION!
Lateness
The following are the Kent State accepted excuses for absence and late homework submission or permission to take a quiz late. No other excuses are accepted. No special deals.
· sickness with medical note
· athletic event - with coach's note
· religious observation
· military responsibility with documentation
· death in family with documentation
Quiz with no Reservation
Quizzes 1, 2, and 3 may be started late. You do not need permission other than completing the prerequisites. You do not need to ask the instructor for permission. No reservation is required. You will receive an automatic 20% grade reduction.
eMail Communication with the Instructor – Read Carefully!
Communicate with your instructor using e-mail. There are some rules, however, that you must observe. Little tolerance is granted for email messages that violate these guidelines:
· Use the e-mail address shown at the top of this syllabus. No other e-mail addresses are used by the instructor.
· Do not send attachments of your work to your instructor unless specifically invited to do so.
· Make sure that your spelling and grammar are correct.
· Get to the point. Do not be long-winded. No jumbled verbiage.
· Be organized. Be clear.
· Be honest.
· Use proper English - no slang.
· DO NOT TYPE IN ALL CAPS!
· Be respectful.
· Say who you are.
· Allow 24 hours for a reply.
The instructor will not answer eMail:
· About an assignment on the due date for that particular assignment.
· On weekends or evenings.
· Written in a rude or demanding way.
· That contains “ASAP”.
Office Hours
Appointments by email. Use the address at top.
Class Tutors
In addition to the instructor’s office hours tutoring is available in room A418 College of Business. Tutoring is provided by several experienced students. No appointment is necessary. Drop in. The hours are:
Monday
12:45 - 4:15 pm
Tuesday
9 - 10:30 am
3.45 pm – 5.45 pm
Thursday
3.45 pm – 6.45 pm
Friday
11 am – 7 pm
Class Schedule
After the first three weeks we will meet Thursdays only. The schedule is designed this way to give you ample time to complete homework and prerequisites. There are no excuses (except as noted above) for not completing the quiz prerequisites on time.
Week Day Date Chapter & Topic (in parentheses if not whole chapter)
1 Tue 1/10 Ch. 1 Introduction
Thr 1/12 Ch. 2 Information Systems
2 Tue 1/17 Ch. 3 Operating Systems
Thr 1/19 Ch. 4 Data and Information
3 Tue 1/24 Ch. 5 SQL Introduction
Thr 1/26 Ch. 5 SQL Introduction/ Ch. 6 Excel Introduction and Data Analysis (If time allows)
---------------------------- Quiz 1 to here ---------------------
4 Thr 2/2 Ch. 6 Excel Introduction and Data Analysis
5 Thr 2/9 Ch. 12 Internet and the World Wide Web
6 Thr 2/16 Ch. 7 Managing Data and Using Multiple Tables (Excel Copy/Move & Cell Addressing)
---------------------------- Quiz 2 to here ---------------------
7 Thr 2/23 Ch. 9 Decision Making (Excel Logic)
8 Thr 3/1 Ch. 14 Data Communications and Networks
9 Thr 3/8 Ch. 9 Decision Making (Excel Statistics)
10 Thr 3/15 Ch. 13 Hardware and Software
---------------------------- Quiz 3 to here ---------------------
Thr 3/22 NO CLASS SPRING BREAK
11 Thr 3/29 Ch. 7 Managing Data and Using Multiple Tables (Excel Merge Tables)
12 Thr 4/5 Ch. 7 Managing Data and Using Multiple Tables (Database Theory)
13 Thr 4/12 Ch. 7 Managing Data and Using Multiple Tables (SQL Joining Tables)
14 Thr 4/19 Ch. 8 Access: Database Management System
---------------------------- Quiz 4 to here ---------------------
15 Thr 4/26 NO CLASS
Quiz Schedule
Week Day Date Class: Topic/Chapter or Quiz start/end
3 Thr 1/27 Quiz 1 begins; Reservation required
4 Wed 2/1 Quiz 1 ends
7 Thr 2/17 Quiz 2 begins; Reservation required
8 Wed 2/22 Quiz 2 ends
11 Thr 3/16 Quiz 3 begins; Reservation required
12 Wed 3/28 Quiz 3 ends
14 Thr 4/20 Quiz 4 begins; Reservation required
15 Wed 4/30 Quiz 4 ends
Quiz Preparation
This section should help you prepare for each quiz:
· There are chapters and portions of the textbook to read (see below).
· If you want a better grade, do not forget to complete workbook illustrations as described above before attempting the associated quiz.
· Many questions come from the workbook.
QUIZ 1
· TIP: Learn how to write SQL queries for Quiz 1. You will answer questions about a SQL database while working on Quiz 1.
· Before beginning Quiz 1:
o Open the SQL Lab – the link is in Resources.
QUIZ 2
· TIP: Learn to use the pivot table in Excel. You will do poorly on Quiz 2 without it. You will need to have Excel open before starting Quiz 2.
· TIP: Cell addressing (relative & absolute) is one of the most difficult topics for students in this course. Take the time to learn it! Read the E-BOOK tutorials too.
· You need QUIZ 2.XLSX open for Quiz 2. Do this before beginning Quiz 2:
o 1. If you need it download it from the Resources page.
o 2. Open it and follow the instructions inside it.
QUIZ 3
· TIP: Have Excel open before beginning the quiz.
· Before beginning Quiz 3:
o Download and open QUIZ 03.XLSX – get it from Resources.
QUIZ 4
· TIP: This quiz assumes that you can use any or all software you learned while completing the course material. Excel and Access should be open before beginning this quiz.
· Before beginning Quiz 4:
- Download QUIZ 4 JOBS.ACCDB and QUIZ 4 JOBS.XLSX and open them.
- Your computer must have Microsoft Access to open QUIZ 4 JOBS.ACCDB.
- If your computer does not have Access use a computer in the College of Business lab.
--- Official KSU/Business Information Follows ---
Cheating and Plagiarism
Academic honesty: Cheating means to misrepresent the source, nature, or other conditions of your academic work (e.g., tests, papers, projects, assignments) so as to get undeserved credit. In addition, it is considered to be cheating when one cooperates with someone else in any such misrepresentation. The use of the intellectual property of others without giving them appropriate credit is a serious academic offense. It is the University's policy that cheating or plagiarism result in receiving a failing grade for the work or course. Repeat offenses result in dismissal from the University.
Disabled Students
University policy 3342-3-01.3 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for these through Student Accessibility Services (contact 330-672-3391 or visit www.kent.edu/sas for more information on registration procedures).
Official Registration
Students have responsibility to ensure they are properly enrolled in classes. You are advised to review your official class schedule (using Student Tools on FlashLine) during the first two weeks of the semester to ensure you are properly enrolled in this class and section. Should you find an error in your class schedule it is your responsibility to correct the error. If registration errors are not and you continue to attend and participate in classes for which you are not officially enrolled, you are advised now that you will not receive a grade at the conclusion of the semester for any class in which you are not properly registered.
