William M. Pegram
Home | Courses | Web Design | Office Software | Client-Side Scripting | Server-Side Scripting | About Me

Revised: August 25, 2009

Northern Virginia Community College - Annandale Campus

ITE 115 - Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts, Fall 2009 (3 credits)

Section 011N : TTh12:30-1:45pm, CT 209
Section 012N: TTh2-3:15 pm, CT 228
Instructor: Dr. William M. Pegram, wpegram@nvcc.edu, (703)-486-0952 (home)

Web Site for Class: www.billpegram.com

Course Description:

This course is a hands-on introduction to Windows and the four primary programs in the Microsoft Office suite - Word (word processing), Excel (spreadsheet), Access (database), and PowerPoint (presentations) and an introduction to computer hardware, communications technology, operating systems, history and computer careers, ethics and security, web authoring and publishing, and software development. The goal is to make the Windows/Office portion approximately 50% of the course, with the remaining topics the other 50%.

Homework

For some assignments, you will submit a printout. For others, where I need to see your file, I will normally have you submit the file to me. Homework may be completed in a version of Office earlier than 2007 however the in-class quizzes and final must be completed in Office 2007

Software:

The software component of the course is Office 2007 which is available in all computer labs on campus. The differences between Office 2007 and Office 2003 are much greater than between previous versions of Office. Should you wish to obtain your own copy of Office 2007, here are some options:

Attendance:

If you miss class, please check the class website for any changes to the schedule, including new assignments.  When class is cancelled due to inclement weather or instructor absence, assignments will be pushed back to the next class date.

Office Hour Schedule:

Before or after class or by other arrangement with the instructor.

Communication with Instructor:

In addition to office hours, most class periods will have time for one-on-one questions with the instructor.  Asking questions in this way is generally more efficient than email.  

Texts: 

Recommended: Microsoft Office 2007 Brief Edition by Nita Rutkosky, Denise Seguin, and Audrey Rutkosky Roggenkamp, EMCParadigm Publishing, 2008.

Recommended: Computers Understanding Technology Comprehensive, Third Edition, by Floyd Fuller and Brian Larson, ISBN 978-0-76382-935-3, EMC Paradigm Publishing, 2008..

Email Address:

I will email you at your official VCCS email address. Unlike the previous VCCS email, you can use an email client like Outlook to read your VCCS email. Another alternative to reading yoiur VCCS email through a web browser, is to set up your VCCS email address to forward to an email you check more frequently. I will show you how to do this the first day of class. Please remember to include your name in all emails to me.

Grading Policy:

There will be 4 quizzes, each worth 14%, and a final worth 19%. Homework is worth 25%. The best way to prepare for the exams is to give your best on each assignment and do it in a timely fashion so that you get feedback from the instructor. If you miss an quiz/exam, I may let you take it at the testing center but you must take it quickly and you can only take one exam there.

Assignments

Assignments will receive a 10% grade penalty for each class period they are late.  Assignments that are more than 1 class period late, will either not be accepted (if I have discussed the solution) or will receive an additional 10% off for each additional class period late. 

Academic Integrity

In general, students are expected to follow the Information Technology Student/Policy Ethics Agreement as posted in computer areas and academic integrity standards as set down in the Student Handbook.

In addition, I want to give you specific guidance regarding the following issues: On homework assignments and projects, students may ask for and receive some assistance from others, unless otherwise directed by the instructor.  Yet those helping a student should avoid "doing the work" for the student.  If students receive significant assistance from others, the student should give credit to these individuals.  No assistance is permitted on exams and quizzes.

If students submit written work, it is very important that you avoid plagiarism by appropriately referencing sources

Dropping and Withdrawal from the Class:

Thursday, September 10 is the last day to drop the class and get a tuition refund.   Monday, November 2 is the last day to withdraw or to change to audit. Practically all of the people who get an F as a final grade from me are those that stopped coming to class and doing the work but didn't withdraw by this second deadline, even sometimes after email and telephone reminders.

Learning Environment

NVCC is a place for learning and growing.  You should feel safe and comfortable anywhere on this campus.  In order to meet this objective, you should: a) let your instructor, his/her supervisor, the Dean of Students or Provost know if any unsafe, unwelcome or uncomfortable situation arises that interferes with the learning process; (b) inform the instructor within the first two weeks of classes if you have special needs or a disability that may affect your performance in this course.

Fire/Emergency Evacuation Procedures

Students should familiarize themselves with both the primary and secondary routes that are to be used, in case you need to evacuate the building, as well as other evacuation procedures to be followed.