BTEC APPLICATIONS BTEC 6613

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A course designed to assist classroom teachers with microcomputer software applications. Software will include electronic spreadsheets, word processing, and accounting/bookkeeping software. Software application relative to data processing, word processing, accounting, and intensive office laboratory classes will be demonstrated. The software packages will be evaluated for possible classroom use.

INSTRUCTOR:Dr. Ralph Ruby, Jr.

EMAIL:

OFFICE HOURS:At your convenience, Room 419C

870.680.8022 [Office]

870.819.1770 [Mobile]

OTHER MATERIALS

It is recommended to have a USB key drive (Jump Drive). Also, you have web access to your “My Documents” folder within your student roaming profile. Browse to to access this resource. Your regular student ID and password is to be used on this web site. (The same as your Astate email)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Lab 1 – Browser Basics

Learning Objectives

  • Move through Web documents
  • Complete on-line forms
  • Print Web Pages
  • Work through a browser tutorial
  • Set BOOKMARKS AND Favorites
  • Save Web pages and images
  • Cite Web pages when conducting research

Lab 2 – Portal Sites

Learning Objectives

  • Set up a portal site
  • Edit a portal site
  • Change your start page
  • Chat in real time
  • Locate email and postal addresses
  • Obtain maps and driving instructions
  • Investigate on-line shopping
  • Obtain the weather forecast

Lab 3 – Basic Searches

Learning Objectives

  • Search using single terms
  • Search using phrases
  • Search using multi-search engines
  • Search in different languages
  • Search using case (UPPER, lower, Mixed Case)

Lab 4 – Electronic Mail, FTP, and Mailing Lists

Learning Objectives

  • Set up a Web-based email account
  • Send and receive file attachments through email
  • Use FTP with client software
  • Create distribution lists for email
  • Subscribe to mailing lists
  • Use FTP with a browser
  • Send Web pages through email

Lab 5 – Advanced Searches

Learning Objectives

  • Search using Boolean expressions
  • Search using Advanced Search forms
  • Search using symbols
  • Conduct title and domain searches

Lab 6 – Directory Surfing

Learning Objectives

  • Surf through directories
  • Search in searchable directories
  • Question directories
  • Conduct general and specific searches

Lab 7 – Web page design

Learning Objectives

  • Create a simple Web page
  • Download clipart and animation
  • Add formatting elements to a Web page
  • Understand HTML tags
  • Validate HTML code
  • Create a personal home page
  • Understand the use of color
  • Understand programming terms
  • Understand Web accessibility

Lab 8 – Legal, Societal Issues, and Government Sites

Learning Objectives

  • Locate government information
  • Search foreign government sites
  • Search for banned books
  • Search the Library of Congress
  • Locate statistical information
  • Search for watchdog groups
  • Search the Bureau of Labor Statistics

BOOKS:

Required:

Lab Activities for the World Wide Web 2002-2003 by Paula D. Ruby and Ralph Ruby, Jr. Text includes a student data disk.

Recommended:

None.

CONDUCT OF THE COURSE:

Description of method of delivery: For this course I will use two major teaching techniques. These hands-on teaching techniques are Directed Discovery and Observation [See handouts describing both methods].

Administrative requirements:

None.

GENERAL GRADING:

Component / Percentage
Class Participation / 10
Student Portfolio [Class Assignments] / -, 0, +
Document Development Project(s) / 10
Advancement Opportunities
[Project 1, 2, 3, Integration and FINAL opportunity] / 76
Ethical Behavior / 4
  • You may receive a maximum of minus 1-point, no points, or add 1-point to your final average for each one of three student portfolios turned into the professor. The point(s) are determined by the professor and are based on handouts provided and the professional presentation of the student portfolio.
  • Course completion requirements:
  • Attend each class session.
  • Read the assigned chapters before coming to class.
  • Complete and hand in assignments. When an assignment is complete, proofread it carefully before turning it in. Assignments should be clearly marked with your name, the lesson number and exercise name. Assignments are due the day of the unit’s written evaluation.
  • Complete all advancement opportunities as required.
  • Computer time:
  • Approximately six to eight hours per week of computer time outside of class is recommended to complete assignments.

DOCUMENTATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:

Class participants, wishing to earn a grade of A [optional for all other letter grades], will be required to report [in written format] on two topics of their choice dealing with the present status and requirements of office computer facilities, innovations and/or spreadsheet software. Each report should be no longer than 10 pages and no shorter than 5 pages.

DUE DATE:

To be handed in at least one week prior to end of semester.

ETHICAL BEHAVIOR:

Ethical behavior means communicating honestly and politely with fellow students and with the professor; it means planning and writing your own projects, and it means relying solely on your own memory to answer test questions. Ethical behavior means obeying the law. Students who engage in unethical behavior connected with this class will receive an F grade for the course and may be referred to other appropriate authorities.

DISABILITY STUDENTS:

If you have a learning disability or physical disability that may affect your performance in the classroom, see the DisabilitiesCenter on campus and bring the appropriate paper work to the professor for appropriate assistance.

ASSOCIATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS

A.I.T.P. is the professional association comprised of career minded individuals who seek to expand their potential - employers, employees, managers, programmers, and many others. The organization seeks to provide avenues for all their members in the IS field, all in an effort to become more marketable in rapidly changing, technological careers. It is the mission of A.I.T.P. to provide superior leadership and education in Information Technology. A.I.T.P. is dedicated to using the synergy of Information Technology partnerships to provide education and benefits to our members and to working with the industry to assist in the overall promotion and direction of Information Technology. For Membership Information, please contact Dr. Paula Ruby, Office 414, OR Dr. Ralph Ruby, Jr., Office 419C, Dues: $40.00 ($35 national, $5 local).