20804206Introduction to Computer Use
Course Information
Description
This college transfer course is an introduction to computers and how to use them. It is a lecture / lab course designed to provide computer skills to help a student in his / her academic career. The major categories of microcomputer software are introduced, including word processor, spreadsheet, database managers, telecommunications (Internet and email), graphics packages and / or presentation software, and programming tools. This course addresses the history and social impact of computers and the computer's role in mathematics and science.
Total Credits
4
Course Competencies
  1. Examine the major components of a computer system
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing and submitting for evaluation all quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, and laboratory work with a passing grade according to the grading scale contained in the syllabus.
    by active participation in class (lecture and lab) discussions and activities.
    Criteria
    explain the logical parts of a computer
    explain the physical parts of a computer
    use the names of specific computer hardware
    differentiate between computer hardware and computer software
    explain the four numeric bases used with computers and specifies why each is important
    convert numeric representations between binary, octal, hexadecimal, and decimal
    use the terms: microprocessor,CPU, RAM, ROM, BIOS
    explain the properties of the computer input devices
    explain the properties of the computer output devices
    differentiate between major microprocessor devices
    explain the characteristics of common computer storage devices
    summarize an operating system and specifying the names and properties of common operating systems used with microcomputers

  2. Produce documents with a word processor
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing and submitting for evaluation all quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, and laboratory work with a passing grade according to the grading scale contained in the syllabus.
    by active participation in class (lecture and lab) discussions and activities.
    Criteria
    perform the procedure for starting a computer, getting into Windows, running application software, closing application software, and correctly closing down windows and the computer
    access Microsoft Word, uses the program, and correctly exits from Word
    design and create a new Word document, save the document, and print a Word document
    access an existing Word document, modify it, save it, and close the document
    perform formatting operations in Word: e.g.: set margins, indents, and tabs
    use the basic typography vocabulary - e.g.: font, typeface
    perform editing tasks by using an appropriate editing toolbar feature
    perform editing tasks by using an appropriate key-combination shortcut
    distinguish between parallel columns (tables) and newspaper columns (columns) - creating either with Word
    create a document in Word that includes special characters, clip-art graphics, or hyperlinks
    employ the dictionary or the thesaurus appropriately as tools

  3. Use computer communication and networking terms
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing and submitting for evaluation all quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, and laboratory work with a passing grade according to the grading scale contained in the syllabus.
    by active participation in class (lecture and lab) discussions and activities.
    Criteria
    use the network
    use the LAN
    use the WAN
    use the Internet
    use a client server
    use simplex
    use half-duplex
    use duplex
    use protocol
    use IP
    use TCP/IP
    use a browser
    use a modem
    use the term bits per second
    use the term baud
    use the term packet
    use the term hypertext
    use HTTP
    use HTML
    use the World Wide Web
    use ISP
    use URLs
    use links

  4. Use the Internet and email
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing and submitting for evaluation all quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, and laboratory work with a passing grade according to the grading scale contained in the syllabus.
    by active participation in class (lecture and lab) discussions and activities.
    Criteria
    explain the structure of the Internet
    explain how an email message travels from one person to another - vocabulary: client, host, server, router
    send an email message to the instructor and receives a response
    send a message including several attachments to the instructor
    use the WWW as a source of information - how valid is the information? how to tell?

  5. Explore data with a spreadsheet program
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing and submitting for evaluation all quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, and laboratory work with a passing grade according to the grading scale contained in the syllabus.
    by active participation in class (lecture and lab) discussions and activities.
    Criteria
    explain how a spreadsheet is used
    explain the function of an electronic spreadsheet
    differentiate between the functions of a word processing program and an electronic spreadsheet
    use the terms: worksheet, cell, cell formula, column, row, function, address, absolute address, relative address, relative copying
    construct a spreadsheet that incorporates worksheet, cell, cell formula, column, row, function, address, absolute address, relative address, and relative copying
    construct a spreadsheet including labels, formatted cells, user-defined formulas, SUM, AVERAGE, ROUND, MAX, MIN, IF, SQRT, PMT, NOW
    construct a spreadsheet including sorted rows or columns, charts (PIE, BAR, LINE)
    construct more complex arithmetic and logical formulas using the order of operations in a spreadsheet with parentheses and other tools
    perform data analysis using a spreadsheet as a tool and answer questions about the data
    display/print the cell formula view of a spreadsheet
    construct a macro to automate common tasks in the construction of spreadsheets

  6. Manipulate data with a relational database program
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing and submitting for evaluation all quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, and laboratory work with a passing grade according to the grading scale contained in the syllabus.
    by active participation in class (lecture and lab) discussions and activities.
    Criteria
    explain the function of a database
    distinguish between a database, a database program, and a relational database program
    differentiate between a spreadsheet and a relational database program
    use the terms: table, record, field, datasheet, select query, query, form, report, SQL, query by example, key field, relationships between tables
    construct a table with Microsoft Access (with input specified and the format of fields specified), constructs a query to produce a datasheet that includes a calculated field from the input table, some of the records, that is sorted as specified
    create a report (with specified format) from the datasheet - the report includes user constructed numerical fields
    construct a database that links several input tables, uses queries to perform calculations and create an output worksheet, and produces a report that includes grouping, subtotals and grand totals of calculated values
    create a complex query (using the SQL language) that produces a datasheet

  7. Produce documents with graphics and presentation software
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing and submitting for evaluation all quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, and laboratory work with a passing grade according to the grading scale contained in the syllabus.
    by active participation in class (lecture and lab) discussions and activities.
    Criteria
    use graphics software to construct freehand images in a document
    add text to the image document
    distinguish between types of graphic file formats: e.g.: vector vs. bitmapped
    use the scanner to scan in an image, save it in compatible format and add it to the document
    use a digital camera and image editing software
    capture screen images to the clipboard - cut & paste to documents
    create animated graphics software
    create a presentation with presentation software (Powerpoint) that integrates text, (calculated) numerical values from a spreadsheet, and graphics in a format that is usable for a presentation
    create views, and edit a Powerpoint presentation, print the presentation, add clip art images, footers, charts, and transitions to a slide

  8. Construct "reports" by integrating components from several of the software packages - eg: word processor & spreadsheet & relational database & graphics
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing and submitting for evaluation all quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, and laboratory work with a passing grade according to the grading scale contained in the syllabus.
    by active participation in class (lecture and lab) discussions and activities.
    Criteria
    construct a spreadsheet in Excel, copy to the clipboard and paste the spreadsheet into an existing Word document as a static object
    construct an Access table and the worksheet output of an Access query and copy and paste these into an existing Word document as static objects
    construct an Access report and transfer this to an existing Word document as a static object
    construct a graphic image using a graphics program and copy and paste this into a Word document as a static object
    construct a chart in Excel, copy to the clipboard and paste the chart into the Word document as a static object
    paste a Web object into a Word document
    convert existing application files to html format
    (optional) use object linking and embedding to "hot-link" an object in a source program into a Word document so that the object in the Word document automatically changes when the source object changes

  9. Construct "programs" to control the computer These may include (but are not limited to) macros, SQL, basic or visual basic, or HTML
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing and submitting for evaluation all quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, and laboratory work with a passing grade according to the grading scale contained in the syllabus.
    by active participation in class (lecture and lab) discussions and activities.
    Criteria
    construct macros in Word or Excel to automate tasks that are done frequently
    compose SQL queries to make (logically) complex decisions in Access
    construct Web pages with the hypertext markup language (HTML) that can be linked and controlled by the viewer

  10. Calculate results with mathematics software
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing and submitting for evaluation all quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, and laboratory work with a passing grade according to the grading scale contained in the syllabus.
    by active participation in class (lecture and lab) discussions and activities.
    Criteria
    solve a mathematics problem with Derive OR
    solve a mathematics problem with Scientific Notebook

  11. Integrate information from text and online sources for research; combine this information into a report
    Assessment Strategies
    by producing several "essays" on specified topics.
    (optional) by constructing a term paper on one of a list of specified subjects that meets specific form and documentation requirements.
    by completing and submitting for evaluation all quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, and laboratory work with a passing grade according to the grading scale contained in the syllabus.
    by active participation in class (lecture and lab) discussions and activities.
    Criteria
    integrate information from the library (both text and online) as a source for answers to questions
    obtain information from Web search engines as a further source for answers to questions
    evaluate the trustworthiness of text and Web sources
    give complete citations for book, periodical, and Web sources
    integrate quotes or paraphrases of sources into a document

  12. Examine the effects and implications of computerization and technology in society
    Assessment Strategies
    by producing several "essays" on specified topics.
    by providing written answers to specified questions dealing with computers and technology.
    by completing and submitting for evaluation all quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, and laboratory work with a passing grade according to the grading scale contained in the syllabus.
    by active participation in class (lecture and lab) discussions and activities.
    Criteria
    answer questions drawn from assigned readings about computers, technology and society
    integrate diverse positions (pro and con) on controversial issues dealing with computers, technology and society
    construct an informed opinion on issues dealing with computers, technology and society
    summarize a short history of computers
    summarize a short history of the Internet
    discusses computers and employment / unemployment
    summarize the health effects of computers and computer use - good and bad
    summarize computer crime issues, privacy issues, personal rights and group rights