Instructor:

Ken Weimer

Phone:

Office phone: 269-965-3931, ext. 2518

Office Hours:
Online:

Please review the posted office hours on my KCC "Faculty Web Page" at:

http://academic.kellogg.edu/weimerk

OR

By appointment.

It is best to contact me via the course discussion board or email.  I will respond to email within two working days.

Email: weimerk@kellogg.edu

Course Prerequisites:  

Before enrolling in this course, the student should be familiar with basic touch-typing fundamentals and have a basic ability to start and work in a Windows XP/2000/ environment with a mouse.  You will need access to a computer with Office application software and an Internet Browser.  It is also recommended that a student completes an orientation to online learning by visiting the following Web site:  http://academic.kellogg.edu/online/

Textbook

Required:  Discovering Computers 2008 Complete edition by Shelly, Cashman & Vermaat. This text comes with 256 MB Flash Memory stick. This text is published by Thompson / Course Technology and has the following ISBN:1423995023 (bundled # for text, flash drive)

Online Course Features and Requirements

Number of tests:         4     of which   4  must be proctored at an instructor approved testing center (preferably a Kellogg Community College testing center).    

Required on campus sessions:   0

Special lab completion activities using a computer:  18

Online group interaction activities:  8

Online critical thinking postings:  15

Online quizzes:  16

Completion of a “Portfolio” consisting of 4 student selected “Lab Exercises” (or a computer application alternative),  4 student selected “Web  Research” activities, and 4 computer “Projects”.

The “Lab Exercises”, “Web Research” activities, and “Projects”  are selected by the student from the chapter activities appearing at the end of each chapter.

Estimated time per week:  6-9 hours

Scheduled activities or self paced:  The student must complete assignments with a specified due date, each week.

Requirements: 

Students must have access to the following:

• Equipment:  You will need a computer that is able to access and interact with the Web. For best results, a Pentium or PowerMac with a 56 Kbps or faster modem and 256 MB or more of RAM should be considered the minimal system.
• Software:  You will need one of the following Internet browsers: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 or higher; Firefox; Mac users may use Safari or Firefox.
• Internet connection: Home users need Internet access through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that offers a reliable connection to the Internet.

Other requirements:  Microsoft Word

Course Site:

http://bb.kellogg.edu

Course Goal:

Upon completion of this course the successful student will:

1.  Identify and develop a personal definition of computing literacy.

2.  Understand the application of  Information Technology.

3.  Understand and apply personal productivity tools to meet user needs.

4.  Identify computer hardware components and understand the application of them in the work world.

5.  Understand the development of an information system.

6.  Develop a personal opinion on  technological  trends and make technology decisions to address future goals.

Course Description

A course for individuals with no previous experience with information systems.  The principles of information systems are covered including hardware, software, communications, Internet and methods of processing data for the business organization.  Programming concepts and use of application software are introduced by problem development.  Students are expected to spend time working with a microcomputer beyond the assigned activities.

Course Objectives

After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:

·        Explain the importance of computer literacy

·        Define the term computer

·        Identify the components of a computer

·        Explain why a computer is a powerful tool

·        Differentiate among the various types of software

·        Explain the purpose of a network

·        Discuss the uses of the Internet and the World Wide Web

·        Describe the categories of computers and their uses

·        Identify the various types of computer users

·        Understand how a user can be a Web publisher

·        Discuss how the Internet works

·        Understand ways to access the Internet

·        Identify a URL

·        Search for information on the Web

·        Describe the types of Web pages

·        Recognize how Web pages use graphics, animation, audio, video, and virtual reality

·        Define Webcasting

·        Describe the uses of electronic commerce (e-commerce)

·        Identify the tools required for Web publishing

·        Explain how e-mail, FTP, newsgroups and message boards, mailing lists, chat rooms, and instant messaging work

·        Identify the rules of netiquette

 ·        Define application software

·        Understand how system software interacts with application software

·        Identify the role of the user interface

·        Explain how to start a software application

·        Identify the widely used products and explain key features of productivity/business software applications, graphic design/multimedia software applications, home/personal/educational software applications, and communications software applications

·        Identify various products available as Web applications

·        Describe the learning aids available with many software applications

 ·        Describe the components in the system unit

·        Explain how the CPU uses the four steps of a machine cycle to process data

·        Compare and contrast various personal computer processors on the market today

·        Define a bit and describe how a series of bits represents data

·        Differentiate among the various types of memory

·        Describe the types of expansion slots and cards in the system unit

·        Explain the difference between a serial, a parallel, and a USB port

·        Describe how buses contribute to a computer’s processing speed

·        Identify components in a notebook computer

·        Identify components in a handheld computer

·        Describe the two types of input

·        List the characteristics of a keyboard

·        Identify various types of keyboards

·        Identify various types of pointing devices

·        Explain how a mouse works

·        Describe different mouse types

·        Explain how voice recognition works

·        Understand how to input data into a handheld computer

·        Identify the uses of a digital camera

·        Describe the various techniques used for video input

·        Describe the uses of PC video cameras and Web cams

·        Explain how scanners and other reading devices work

·        Identify alternative input devices for physically challenged users

·        Define the four categories of output

·        Identify the different types of display devices

·        Describe factors that affect the quality of a display device

·        Identify monitor ergonomic issues

·        Explain the differences among various types of printers

·        Describe the uses of speakers and headsets

·        Identify the purpose of data projectors, fax machines, and multifunction devices

·        Explain how a terminal is both an input and output device

·        Identify output options for physically challenged users

·        Differentiate between storage and memory

·        Identify various types of storage media and storage devices

·        Explain how a floppy disk stores data

·        Identify the advantages of using high-capacity disks

·        Describe how a hard disk organizes data

·        Identify the advantages of using an Internet hard drive

·        Explain how a compact disc stores data

·        Understand how to care for a compact disc

·        Differentiate among CD-ROMs, CD-RWs, DVD-ROMs, and DVD+RWs

·        Identify the uses of tape

·        Understand how an enterprise storage system works

·        Explain how to use PC Cards and other miniature storage media

·        Identify uses of microfilm and microfiche

·        Describe the two types of software

·        Understand the startup process for a personal computer

·        Describe the term user interface

·        Explain features common to most operating systems

·        Know the difference between stand-alone operating systems and network operating systems

·        Identify various stand-alone operating systems

·        Identify various network operating systems

·        Recognize devices that use embedded operating systems

·        Discuss the purpose of the following utilities: file viewer, file compression, diagnostic, uninstaller, disk scanner, disk defragmenter, backup, and screen saver

·        Define the components required for successful communications

·        Identify various sending and receiving devices

·        Explain communications applications

·        List advantages of using a network

·        Differentiate between a local area network and a wide area network

·        Understand the various communications technologies

·        Identify uses of intranets and extranets

·        Explain the purpose of communications software

·        Understand the telephone network

·        Describe commonly used communications devices

·        Identify various physical and wireless transmission media

·        Understand how e-commerce has changed today’s business practices

·        Discuss the positive impact of e-commerce on global society

·        Differentiate between the various e-commerce business models: business-to-consumer, consumer-to-consumer, business-to-business, and business-to-employee

·        Identify various e-commerce revenue streams

·        Know how e-retailing works

·        Identify e-commerce market sectors

·        Discuss issues associated with building an electronic storefront, accepting payment, managing product delivery, designing a Web site, managing the Web site, and promoting the Web site

·        Understand that computers have made a tremendous difference in daily living

·        Explain how computers are used at home

·        Describe how computers change the way society interacts with  education, entertainment, finance, government, health care, science, publishing, and travel

·        Recognize the issues associated with the digital divide

·        Understand how e-commerce affects the way people conduct business

·        Identify ways virtual reality, intelligent agents, and robots are being used in daily life

·        Learn how to prevent health-related disorders and injuries due to computer use

·        Understand how to design a workspace ergonomically

·        Recognize symptoms of computer addiction

·        Explain green computing

·        Understand ethical issues surrounding computer use

·        Identify the various types of security risks that can threaten computers

·        Recognize how a computer virus works and take the necessary steps to prevent viruses

·        Describe ways to safeguard a computer

·        Understand how to create a good password

·        Identify various biometric devices

·        Recognize that software piracy is illegal

·        Explain why encryption is necessary

·        Determine why computer backup is important and how it is accomplished

·        Discuss the steps in a disaster recovery plan

·        Understand ways to secure an Internet transaction

·        List ways to protect your personal information

·        Explain why data and information are important to an organization

·        Identify file maintenance techniques

·        Differentiate between the file processing and database approaches

·        Discuss the advantages of using a database management system (DBMS)

·        Describe characteristics of relational and object-oriented databases

·        Explain how to use a query language

·        Understand how Web databases work

·        Discuss the responsibilities of the database analysts and administrators

·        Identify the qualities of valuable information

·        Describe the various types of information systems

·        Understand the concept of a data warehouse

·        Explain the phases in the system development life cycle

·        Identify the guidelines for system development

·        Recognize the responsibilities of various IT professionals

·        Discuss the importance of project management, feasibility assessment, data and information gathering techniques, and documentation

·        Describe how structured tools such as entity-relationship diagrams and data flow diagrams are used in analysis and design

·        Differentiate between packaged software and custom software

·        Identify program development as part of the system development life cycle

·        Discuss techniques used to convert to a new system

·        Understand how IT professionals support an information system

·        Explain the six steps in the program development life cycle

·        Describe top-down program design

·        Explain structured program design and the three basic control structures

·        Explain the differences among the categories of programming languages

·        Describe the object-oriented approach to program development

·        Identify programming languages commonly used today

·        Identify the uses of application generators, macros, and RAD tools

·        Describe various Web page development tools, including HTML, DHTML, XML, and WML

·        Identify uses of multimedia authoring packages

·        Describe career opportunities in the computer industry

·        Discuss how to prepare for a career in the computer industry

·        Define the term certification

·        Describe types of IT certification

·      List the benefits of certification

·      Explain considerations for choosing a certification

·      Describe methods of preparation for certification

·      Discuss features of certification examinations and recertification   requirements

·    Understand how to keep informed about changes in certification

Grading

Computer Access at KCC

It is assumed that students enrolled in this course have at their disposal appropriate equipment and software to complete the course work and communicate with other students.  If there are problems with your equipment and/or software, it is possible to come the KCC's Campus and use the open computer lab in the Learning Resource Center.  See KCC's web site for campus maps and lab times. 

Online Submitting Materials

Students will be expected to use the course Web site features or email to submit materials and/or turn in work at a designated testing center..

ADA Statement

Kellogg Community College does not discriminate in the admission or treatment of students on the basis of disability.  KCC is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.