Credit Hours: 2
Instructor: Dr. Daniela Marghitu
Virtual Hours: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. - Wednesday

Delivery Systems:

This course requires a computer with Internet access. You will need to be able to adjust settings, install software and plug-ins, and be able to create files on the computer you will be using. Please be advised that public\lab computers often prevent these types of activities. You should check to ensure that you have these capabilities before participating in this course.

1. Exploring Microsoft Office 2007 with Microsoft SharePoint Designer , Custom Edition for Auburn University (Microsoft Office 2007, Volume I by Robert T. Grauer & al; Getting Started with Microsoft SharePoint Designer by Daniela Marghitu) (The package consists of a text book, Prentice Hall MyITLab package with CD for training, student access code for MyITLab online. The package can be purchased from Auburn University book store).



2. Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Office 2007 and Microsoft SharePoint Designer software (Can be purchased on student discounted rate from Auburn University book store)
   
   Additionally, SharePoint Designer is offered to our AU students free of charge.
   
   
3. Prentice Hall MyITLab login and password at http://www.myitlab.com (The access code will be included in the course custom textbook.
   

Recommended Materials: The Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/ is a very rich and comprehensive source of information. It offers training, technical support, software updates, discussion groups and technical support.

This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge, skills and experience required to utilize personal computers effectively. It is for future end-users of computers who will use computer technology to solve problems and to make decisions. The use is precipitated by the miniaturization of computer technology. The processing power and storage capacity of personal computers (PCs) have increased tremendously since their introduction in the mid-70's. Currently, PCs are being used at all levels in progressive organizations, ranging from clerical workers to top-level executives. In addition, the use of computers is not restricted to any particular field; their use is beneficial to any area where decisions need to be made and problems need to be solved. Hence, it is crucial that learners gain knowledge of and experience with computer technology as it becomes an integral part of the work place.

COMP 1003/1004 is a two-credit course composed of 129 sessions of instruction including 4 examinations. In this course, students will learn how to use an IBM PC, its operating system, and several application packages. Each student will be required to complete a series of assignments on Windows Vista, Internet and World Wide Web (WWW), Microsoft Word 2007 (word processor), Microsoft Excel 2007 (spreadsheet), and Microsoft Access 2007 (database management), Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 (developing Power Point professional presentations) and Microsoft SharePoint (developing and maintaining a web page and a web site). The application software will be made available to the learners by the Auburn University bookstore or the Distance Learning department. The COMP1000 custom package is formed by: Exploring MS Office 2007 and Windows Vista by Robert Grauer et al., Exploring Getting Started with Microsoft SharePoint Designer by Daniela Marghitu plus the MyITLab, Prentice Hall Publishing Co. ISBN: 0536520283.

There is an optional self test available in the course website on WebCT. The pre-test is designed for the learner to know his/her level of computer knowledge and skills before taking the course.

The topics in this course provide a thorough knowledge of the skills on the following topics.

1. Essential Computing Concepts - An overview of what is a computer; the hardware of a PC; computer software; and an introduction to networks.



2. Introduction to Office 2007 - Get you acquainted with the common intergace among the Microsoft Office 2007 software applications and universal tasks including the us of office 2007 help.



3. Microsoft Windows Vista – Explains the principles of the Microsoft Windows Desktop; the Anatomy of a Window; how to use the Help and Support Center; the difference between Files and Folders; how to use Windows Explorer; and how to increase productivity.
   
4. Internet Explorer and WWW – Discusses the importance of the World Wide Web (WWW); how to connect to the internet; and the differences between search engines.
   
5. Microsoft Word 2007 – How to change font attributes through the font dialog box; copying formats using the format painter; formatting a paragraph such as: paragraph tabs, borders, lists and columns; create table of contents and indexes.
   
6. Microsoft Excel 2007 – An introduction to spreadsheets; how to modify and format a worksheet; how to create graphs and charts; practice the use of functions and formulas in a spread sheet; use relative and absolute cell addresses; and dealing with large worksheets.
   
7. Microsoft Access 2007 – Introduction to Microsoft Access and concepts of a relational database; and how to create and modify tables, forms, reports, and queries.
   
8. Microsoft Power Point 2003 – Covers the basic concepts of creating and enhancing a presentation by the use of Design Themes, slide transitions, and slide animations; SmartArt, WordArt, a Photo Album; and movies.
   
9. Microsoft SharePoint Designer – An overview of creating and designing Web pages and Web sites using Microsoft SharePoint Designer.

The objectives of this course are to:

1. Describe components of a computer system; Distinguish between system software and application software; and define a local area network; distinguish between a server and a workstation.
2. Describe the objects on the Windows desktop; explain the significance of the common user interface; identify the elements that are present in every window.
3. Differentiate between a program file and a data file; explain how folders are used to organize the files on a disk; use the View menu and/or the Folder Options command to change the appearance of a folder.
4. Copy and/or move a file from one folder to another; delete a file, then recover the deleted file from the Recycle Bin.
5. Define the Internet and give a brief overview of its history; explain how the World Wide Web differs from the Internet.
6. Describe the structure of a Web address; explain why backing up within the address may lead to other relevant documents; Distinguish between the http and https protocols; define a cookie and explain how it is a potential threat to individual privacy.
7. Identify common interface components in Microsoft 2007 and how to use office 2007 help.
8. Applying font attributes through the font dialog box; copying formats using the format painter; formatting a paragraph such as: paragraph tabs, borders, lists and columns; create table of contents and indexes.
9. Enhancing a word document by inserting, formatting and editing of tables; converting text to table; sorting and applying formulas to tables; inserting clip art, images, or symbols in a document; formatting graphic elements.
10. Insert comments into a document; compare and combine documents; create and edit footnotes and endnotes; track changes in a document; modify document properties.
11. Describe a spreadsheet and suggest several potential applications; identify Excel window components; enter and edit data in cells; display cell formulas; insert and delte rows and columns; manage and format worksheets; practice the use of copy, paste, paste special, and AutoFill.
12. Pracitce the use of functions and formulas in a spread sheet; use relative and absolute cell addresses; create and modify a chart in a spread sheet; enhancing a chart by using graphic shapes; embedded charts.
13. Dealing with large worksheets: freeze rows and columns; hide and unhide rows, columns and worksheets; printing large worksheets; sort data; filter and total data.
14. State Microsoft Access; describe and navigate among objects in an Access database; define th eterms field, record, table, and database.
15. Create table and queries; understand tables' relations; share data with Excel; specify criteria for different data types; copy and run a query.
16. Start PowerPoint; open, and modify an existing presentation; applying Design Themes, slides transititions, and animations; use PowerPoint views and slide layout; add a table; insert a clip art
17. Create a presentation using a template; create and modify: SmartArt, WordArt, and objects; insert and modify a picture; create and set options for a Photo Album; insert movies.
18. Use SharePoint Designer to create, modify and enhance Web pages and Web site.

The course consists of 4 units with 8 topics spread across 16 sessions including four proctored examinations. At the beginning of the course, the students will view a welcome video from the instructor where they are introduced to various components of the course. At the end of each unit, there is an examination. At the end of each topic, there is a MyITLab skill module. For each topic, the learners are required to study from the PowerPoint lecture notes, and do the assigned reading, training sessions, homework assignment and the MyITLab skill module. Occasionally there might be discussion questions posted on the course website in Blackboard and the students are expected to post their answers. More information is given about these activities in the ‘Course Requirements’ section in this syllabus. All examinations are proctored examinations. The proctors for the examinations should be recognized by the Distance Learning & Outreach Technology (DLOT) office of Auburn University. More information about the proctors is given in the ‘Examination Process’ section in this syllabus.

A variety of media will be used to communicate among class members and with the instructor. Most of these media will be part of the software Auburn University supports for distance course delivery, that is, Blackboard software. Blackboard includes many types of communication tools, including online submission of assignments, email among class members, online discussions, and chats. The students will use some or all of these to complete class requirements.

1. Mandatory Training

The training is available at Prentice Hall MyITLab website. You are strongly advised to work on these training sessions in order to receive your grade. The website address is http://www.myitlab.com. A student access code is necessary to register for MyITLab online which will be provided in the textbook package.

2. Homework Assignments

There are two types of homework assignments - Hands-on and Practice Exercises. These are available in the Text book and submitted using the course website on Blackboard. Each assignment is worth 5 points. At the end of each topic (application) students will be asked to complete a skill module. It is required that the student read the assignment and also take the required MyITLab training before doing the homework assignments.

4. Case Study 1 & 2

There are two case studies available and submitted in course website on Blackboard. An integrated Case Study with Microsoft Office 2007 and the other is a SharePoint Case Study. Each case study is worth 25 points. More information about the studies is available in the course website on Blackboard.

5. Examination 1

There will be proctored Examination 1 at the end Unit 1 and is available on Blackboard. The examination will cover the material from topics 1 – 4 of Unit -1. This is designed to give an opportunity to review all that the students have learned until this point in time. It includes 50 multiple-choice questions for 50 minutes. Answering the multiple choice practice questions at the end of each chapter, skill assessment tests from the MyITLab as well as the On Line practice tests available on Blackboard will be helpful. More information about the proctors is given in the ‘Examination Process’ section in this syllabus.

6. Examination 2

There will be proctored Examination 2 at the end Unit 2 and is available on Blackboard. The examination will cover the material from topics 5 – 6 of Unit - 2. This is designed to give an opportunity to review all that the students have learned until this point in time. It includes 50 multiple-choice questions for 50 minutes. Answering the multiple choice practice questions at the end of each chapter, skill assessment tests from the MyITLab as well as the On Line practice tests available on Blackboard will be helpful. More information about the proctors is given in the ‘Examination Process’ section in this syllabus.

7. Final Examination

There will be a proctored final examination at the end of Unit 3 that will be available on Blackboard. This final examination will cover the material from topics 1 – 8. The examination is designed to give an opportunity to review all that the students have learned from the beginning to this point in time. It is comprehensive and it includes 100 multiple-choice for 2 hours. Answering the multiple choice practice questions at the end of each chapter, skill assessment tests from the MyITLab as well as the On Line practice tests available on Blackboard will be helpful. More information about the proctors is given in the ‘Examination Process’ section in this syllabus.

Final Examination

There will be a proctored final examination at the end of Unit 4 that will be available on Blackboard. This final examination will cover the material from topics 1 - 8. The examination is designed to give an opportunity to review all that the students have learned from the beginnning to this point in time. It is comprehensive and it includes 100 mulitple-choice for 2 1/2 hours. Answering the multiple choice practice questions at the end of each chapter, skill assessment tests from the MyITLab as well as the On Line practice tests available on Blackboard will be helpful. More information about the proctors is given in the ‘Examination Process’ section in this syllabus.

After the first session, you must select a proctor to supervise your examination. Distance Learning and Outreach Technology (DLOT) approved proctors are academic administrators in the student’s locale: school superintendent or principal, academic dean or department head at a college, another independent learning office test supervisor at a college, or an education officer at a military installation. All proposed proctors are verified for appropriateness by DLOT student service staff at 334-844-3106 or audl@auburn.edu. Examinations are given under the same circumstances as they would be on campus, e.g. closed book, no notes, for specified time. The students are expected to get the Examination Proctor Information form properly filled in and signed by the proctor, just before sending it to the DLOT office. Then the DLOT office will verify the proctor and lets the student know about it. After the proctored exam is done, the proctor will sign a document and sends it to DLOT. The exam will be graded by the instructor. Copies of the completed grade report form are distributed to the instructor, the DLOT office, the registrar, and the student.

The students work in this course will be evaluated on the basis of the assignments, Skill Assessment Tests and Examinations. Typically, exams will be given as an open computer test composed by multiple choice questions requiring you to have a basic understanding of the software and hardware that you will be using. Exams will include material from the assigned readings in the text, the assigned exercises, and class lectures. You should expect to do well on the exams only if you read, study and understand the assigned reading in the text and complete the assigned exercises. The Skill Assessment Tests will be administered at the end of each course section/application. You should expect to do well on these tests if you carefully study and understand the required Train IT training modules. The final course average will be computed as follows. Detailed information about exams and Skill Assessment Tests can be found on the Exams and Skill Assessment Tests Info web page.

The final course grade will be determined by the final class average using the scale below, with the following constraint: to earn a passing grade in this course, a student must earn a passing grade for the assignment average. An assignment average below 60% will result in an F in the course.

Students are not allowed to redo quizzes and examinations. Therefore, they should check their work carefully with criteria statements before turning in assignments or examinations. The students will be required to complete the online Course Evaluation Questionnaire before the final course grade is officially recorded.

A computer with Windows XP operating system, Microsoft Office 2003 and Front Page 2003 and an internet connection is necessary. Basic computer skills with experience using email and the internet is necessary. A microphone and speaker is optional.

The class will be fully web-based and semi-self-paced. Each week assignments will be due. Students should stay on track, especially since the self assessment tests will be focused on each week's topic.

This type of course allows quite a bit of freedom, for instance, in determining at what time of day and where they do their coursework. It does, however, as you can see, entail quite a bit of self-discipline and determination in order to keep up with assignments.

As a distance education student, it is the responsibility of the student to share a significant responsibility for preparing and discussing course material. All the required readings must be completed prior to class. If a serious situation arises and the student anticipates, he/she will not be able to meet a deadline, it should be discussed with the instructor, before the due date.

If the instructor is contacted, regarding the problem at least several days before the due date, and judges it to warrant special consideration (usually due to illness or injury) the instructor and the student will negotiate an alternate due date.

If the instructor has not been contacted and special consideration has not been granted, assignments turned in after the due date will be penalized 10% of total possible points for each day late. Assignments completed later will receive a no credit.

Make-up exams will only be given with a valid university excuse. This means a Doctor's statement (not an In-Out slip) or other documentation must be provided. All make-ups will be given at the end of the semester on dead day unless other arrangements are made with the instructor. The student is responsible for informing the instructor prior to missing an examination or no later than one week after the examination or skill assessment test official date.

The total grade for the course will be assigned as follows:

Homework Assignments: up to 54 points (54 points would require 6 superior performances, which is very unlikely)

Midterm Examination: up to 25 points

Final Examination: up to 25 points

Grading Policy:

Points will be summed up and grades will be assigned on the basis of the following percentages of total points:

A = 90 - 100 points
B = 80 - 89 points
C = 70 - 79 points
D = 60 - 69 points
F = 0 - 59 points

Auburn University is committed to providing accommodations and services to students with documented disabilities.  Students who have questions or need special accommodations to participate in distance education courses should contact The Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, Auburn University, AL 36849; PH: (334) 844-2096; FAX: (334) 844-2099; E-Mail: haynemd@auburn.edu; URL: http://www.auburn.edu/disability.  

Plagiarism is the act of presenting directly or indirectly someone else's work as your own. Plagiarism is a major type of academic dishonesty and will not be tolerated. Similarly cheating on tests in any way, falsifying bibliographies, fraudulent quotes, and similar practices are intolerable forms of academic dishonesty. The University's policy for academic misconduct in the Learner Code of Conduct will be followed for this course (Tiger Club, pp. 83 and 92). If you have any questions regarding its contents, they are suggested to contact the instructor.