SYLLABUS FOR
OFFC 2209
SPREADSHEET FOR THE OFFICE I (2-2-3)

Fall 2008

UPDATED: 8/05/08
 

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

Private mail in WebCT Vista is the preferred method of communication, but the Clayton e-mail or phone may be used if you are unable to connect to WebCT Vista.

Name: Lou Brackett
Office: T103
E-mail: loubrackett@clayton.edu
Phone: 678-466-4634
 

PREREQUISITES/COREQUISITES:  OFFC 1101 with a minimum US grade of D (can be taken concurrently).  See note below concerning financial aid.

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all OFFC courses to meet program requirements.  In addition, before attempting a course that has any prerequisite courses, students must first complete all prerequisites for that course with a grade of C or better.

Note: It is the student's responsibility to drop this class during the drop/add period if he or she has not properly satisfied the prerequisite requirement. If the student has not satisfied the prerequisite requirement and does not drop the course during the drop/add period, the instructor will advise the registrar's office to drop the student from the course. The student will receive a grade of "W" and no refund will be given. The student alone will be responsible for any loss of funds or financial aid that may result.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Hands-on computer applications of beginning and intermediate spreadsheet topics using Microsoft Excel.  Emphasis is on using basic functions, applying formatting, writing formulas, creating charts and links.  Credit by exam is available for this course.  See advisor for information. (2-2-3)

NUMBER OF REQUIRED ON-CAMPUS MEETINGS: None.  This class is 100% online.

UNIVERSITY ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will:

(1) identify the terms and concepts associated with Microsoft Excel 2007.

(2) demonstrate the ability to use Microsoft Excel 2007, a spreadsheet package.

(3) develop critical thinking skills by completion of assigned work.

In addition, the content of this course should prepare the student to take the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist exam in Excel 2007. However, it is recommended that students also take OFFC 2210 Spreadsheet II before attempting the Certified Application Specialist exam.  Information on the Certified Application Specialist exam can be found at http://www.certiport.com/Portal/desktopdefault.aspx?page=common/pagelibrary/mbc_mcas.html. 

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

University policy states each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program  (as part of the registration process, students agree to this). See ITP Choice at http://itpchoice.clayton.edu for full details of this policy. Your computer should meet the given minimum specifications for the Advanced level listed at http://itpchoice.clayton.edu.

This particular class has the following technology requirements:

1.  You must have Microsoft Office 2007 installed on your computer. 

2.  You must have access to the Internet, either through the local area network on campus, or through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) of your choice (the costs for the ISP are your responsibility).  The main communication tool for this course will be WebCT Vista, which is available on the Internet at http://www.clayton.edu/.   No excuses will be accepted for inability to access the Internet.

COMPUTER COMPETENCIES

This is a beginning level course, but since it is 100% online, you must know how to manage files and access the Internet. 

WebCT Vista is used as the course delivery method.  To log into the course, go to http://www.clayton.edu/ , click on WebCT Vista, click on the Login button, and enter your User Name and Password. Follow the on-screen login instructions.

You will also be working with SAM, both online and on a CD that the instructor will provide, and with Casegrader, which is also online.  For clarity, I will refer to the SAM CD or to SAM Online in all correspondence.  Instructions for getting started with either SAM product or Casegrader are in WebCT under the Getting Started icon.

Using the SAM CD is optional.  If you want to use it you must be able to set the screen resolution.  Instructions for this are included in SAM CD hints on WebCT under the Getting Started icon.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Course requirements are designed to demonstrate completion and understanding of all objectives. The student will satisfactorily complete all assignments, objective tests, and performance tests.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

The class will be conducted using individualized instruction and online assessments. Students are encouraged to ask questions in discussion postings anytime they don’t understand something, or follow the steps listed below in Getting Help.

GETTING HELP

1.      If you need help on an exercise in the text, check WebCT for course notes.  I try to post answers to problems that students or I have had there.  You will also find the solutions to the homework assignments posted there.

2.     Read the discussion postings.  If a problem keeps recurring, I will post a message in the discussion forums.  If you see a posting from a fellow student and you know the answer, please feel free to jump in and post your answer.

3.     Send an email to me with “Help” in the subject line. Describe the problem and attach the file you are having trouble with so that I can see exactly what you are talking about.  I try to respond to “Help” messages within 24 hours unless I am out of town.

4.     Free on campus tutoring is available.  Check WebCT for more information.

5.     Call me.  This is the least desirable method for contacting me but use it if you really need to.

FULL SEMESTER EVALUATION

There may be other assignments throughout the semester that are suggested but not graded.

MIDTERM PROGRESS REPORT

The mid-term grade in this course, which will be issued between 9/23 and 10/7, reflects approximately _50%_ of the entire course grade.  Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of “W.”  Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar or online at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/registrar/, by mid-term, which occurs on 10/10/08.  

Your midterm grade will be calculated as follows:

All assignments are due on the date assigned by the instructor. Work handed in late will receive reduced credit. See policy below under class expectations. All work must be completed successfully to obtain a grade of C or better in the course.

TEXTBOOKS

New Perspectives Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Comprehensive by June Jamrich Parsons, Dan Oja, Roy Agelhoff, Patrick Carey, 2008, Course Technology

BUNDLED WITH

Casegrader: Ms Office Excel 2007 Casebook  With Autograding Tech by Thad Crews and Chip Murphy, 2008, Course Technology

The ISBN for this bundle is ISBN 1428329188.  Please purchase the bundled package!

In addition, you must purchase a SAM access PIN at the university bookstore.  ISBN 1-4239-9793-X.  This PIN is good for using SAM for your entire career at CSU, so don’t lose it!

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

(1) Attendance is expected. Since this is an online class, attendance will be defined as regular and timely participation in assigned activities.

(2) All homework is due on the date assigned. Each student will start with 100 points for homework. Ten points will be deducted for each tutorial not turned in at all, and five points will be deducted for each lesson that is late, incomplete, or unacceptable.  Plan ahead - if you are going to be out of town, you should work ahead and turn the homework in before you go. 

(3) Homework will be due at midnight on the date assigned.

(4) Homework should be submitted electronically in WebCT Vista.  Send all homework for one tutorial on one e-mail in WebCT Vista.  Put the tutorial number in the subject line of the e-mail. Example: the subject line should read Tutorial 1 and the e-mail should have attachments for the Review assignment and cases 1-4 for Tutorial 1.  Do not send any homework for Tutorial 2 on the Tutorial 1 e-mail.

(5) Tests will be available online for 2-3 days, including at least one day of a weekend.  Since this should be ample time to complete a test, NO EXTENSIONS OR MAKEUP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN unless the instructor is notified before test time by e-mail or phone and a very good, valid reason is given for missing the test.  

(6) I have assigned Casegrader at the end of each tutorial for use as a checkpoint to see if you mastered the tasks in the tutorial.  However, since we are working with new technology I am not going to count the grades on the Casegrader assignments for the first tutorial and I will drop the lowest Casegrader grade from the remaining tutorials.  So you will do eight tutorials but only six of those will count toward your grade.  Casegrader grades count as 20% of your final grade.

For tutorials 1-4 you will have three attempts to complete each Casegrader assignment.  For tutorials 5-8 you will have only two attempts.  It is strongly recommended that you complete an attempt at Casegrader in one continuous sitting.

 (7) Only under certain extenuating circumstances will any exceptions be made toward the grading policy and procedures of this class.

(8) Academic misconduct will not be tolerated. Please read your student handbook if you have any questions on what constitutes academic misconduct. Students must abide by the policies in the University Catalog, Student Handbooks, and, if applicable, program handbook.  Students should also read and understand the Basic Student Responsibilities policy posted at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/registrar/forms/BasicUndergraduateStudentResponsibilities.doc.  These responsibilities should be considered part of this class syllabus and should be adhered to.

 (9) A student who stops attending class will receive a grade of "F". To receive a "W" grade, the student must officially withdraw from the course by 10/10/08.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students with disabilities who require accommodations need to register with Disability Services.  Contact them at DisabilityServices@clayton.edu or visit their office in the Student Center Room 255.  If you do qualify for services, please give your letter of accommodations to your instructor as soon as possible.

FINANCIAL AID

Financial Aid, including grants, scholarships and loans, can only be used to cover the costs of courses that are required for your currently declared major. If you are declared as a certificate major, your financial aid cannot be used for courses in an AAS or BAS major (or any major other than what is declared). It is your responsibility to contact the Office of Financial Aid to request an adjustment to your award if you register for courses that cannot be covered. If you do not do so, you will eventually be billed for any financial aid that you have received for courses that were not required for your declared major. It is also your responsibility to re-apply for financial aid each academic year; applications become available January of each year for the following fall semester.  If you are unsure about your major, go to the Duck to see how it is listed. If you are unsure about what is covered under financial aid, please call them or make an appointment with someone in financial aid.

APPLYING FOR GRADUATION

For a student to graduate from a program, he/she must apply to graduate by the dates indicated below. To obtain an application for graduation, see the secretary in T-211 or the AVMT Office or contact your advisor. This form must be completed for each certificate and/or degree in which the student plans to graduate. For students graduating at the end of Fall Semester, the graduation application is due to the registrar's office no later than June 1. For students graduating at the end of Spring Semester, the graduation application is due to the registrar's office no later than September 15. For students graduating at the end of Summer Semester, the graduation application is due to the registrar's office no later than January 30.

CENTER FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Students are encouraged to visit Clayton State ’s Center for Academic Success (CAS).  CAS offers a variety of personalized academic services to all Clayton State University students, including staff and peer tutoring in a variety of subjects and multimedia instruction. CAS tutors not only can help students understand the content of their classes, but also can help them develop the skills and strategies necessary to continue learning throughout their lifetimes. CAS Hours are Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.  Call 678-466-4070 or visit the website at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/caa/.

IN CASE OF CAMPUS EMERGENCY

If there is an emergency on campus, please contact the Clayton State University Department of Public Safety. They are fully trained for emergency responses and they will contact 911 if necessary. The CSU Department of Public Safety can be reached by dialing 770-961-3540. Please program this number into your cell phone. You can also use one of the Emergency Blue Light Network phones located around campus. To activate one of the Blue Light phones pick up the phone and press the black button. You will automatically be connected to the University Police Communications Center.

DATA COLLECTION SURVEY

Students are asked to complete the Data Collection Survey every semester to comply with requirements from the Department of Technical & Adult Education.  The survey is located at https://secure.clayton.edu/advising/data.htm. You may be asked to provide a confirmation form.