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INFS 1010 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

INFS 1010 - Computer Applications

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

Computer Applications is an examination of the development of computing technology and terminology. Topics include: identification of the functional components of a computer system; using word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation graphics; the proper handling of computer media; and an exploration of the uses of electronic mail and graphical Internet.

Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

  • Explain computer hardware and software terminology
  • Compose emails and attachments using D2L and the student email system
  • Solve problems using word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

You must have basic typing skills to produce your work in a timely fashion. You must have access to a windows-based computer with an Internet connection, Microsoft Windows 7, 8 or 10, browser software such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, a personal email account, and the software used in the class (Office 2016).

Please see minimal software needs below in this document. You REALLY need Office 2016, not an older version! Some editions of Microsoft Office do not include Access 2016.

Please be sure you have Microsoft Access 2016 on your computer. Some Editions DO NOT come with Access 2016. You may go to your local campus to complete Access assignments if you do not have Access. Please do not expect the instructor to change the assignments to meet your software limitations.

If you need to purchase Office 2016, shop for a Office 365 University-Word, Excel, PowerPoint for $79.99 for four years.

Course Topics:
  • Identification of the functional components of a computer system
  • using word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation graphics
  • the proper handling of computer media
  • and an exploration of the uses of electronic mail and graphical Internet 
Specific Course Requirements:

Prior to taking this course, students should have a basic working knowledge of the following:

  • Windows operating system environment including file management
  • Internet browsers
  • Electronic mail (sending and receiving e-mail)

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

Suggested: Flash drive for saving documents. A Flash drive may be purchased from a local department store and costs approximately $10.00. 

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

Exams will not be proctored, but will be given in specific timeframes that require the student to be present online during that time. Exams are open book and open note.

EXAMS: There will be four "major" timed exams during this course. Exam results will be released after all students have completed the exam. There will be 80 multiple choice, true/false and or simulation questions on each exam and you will have 90 minutes to complete each exam.

Grading Procedures:

Homework Chapter Exercises are to be completed as you read the chapters in the book. The files are to be submitted in MyITLab.

Homework Projects will be submitted in MyITLab.

Homework quizzes will be completed in MyITLab.

There are four exams to be taken in MyITLab.

See Assignments in the Getting Started section for a complete listing of all assignments.

 

Grading Scale:
PercentageAssigned Grade
  90-100%  A
  80-89%  B
  70-79%  C
 60-69%  D
  under 60%  F

Graded Items

DescriptionPercentage
  16 projects @ 100 points each  40%
  29 quizzes @ 100 points each  10%
  22 chapter exercises @ 100 points each  10%
  4 exams @ 100 points each  40%
  Total  100^
Assignments and Projects:
Class Participation:

Log in to the course a minimum of 3 times per week. It only takes a few minutes to check Email and Discussions. Important information that could help with the course material may be missed if students do not check in regularly, at least 3 times per week.

"Discussions" is designed for public posting of information; all students see the postings in Discussion. Different topics have been created in Discussions for specific purposes. Please post comments and questions in the appropriate topic.

Questions about the course material should be posted on the Discussion Board. Other students may have the same question, and other students may have the answer or solution. Students should help each other by using Discussions to answer other students’ questions. Students should not wait for the instructor to answer a student's question.

Private messages to the instructor or to other students should be sent through "Email." Do not post private messages in Discussions.

Late Policy:

Students are expected to complete projects, quizzes and exams in a timely manner. A tentative class schedule is posted in Course Content. Students have until the end of the semester to complete all work. All class work must be complete by the end of the semester.

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021