Course Number:

CIS 70A

Course Name:

Computer Business Applications

Instructor:

Robin Best

Email Address:

rbest@collegeofthedesert.edu

Class Password:

Request Username & Password
Note: Usernames and passwords are generally not available until one week before the start of the semester.

Class Website:

http://desertonline.net/classes/cis70a/rbest/
Note: Classes are generally not available for login until the first day of the semester.

Course Description:

This course is designed for students with no previous computer experience who want to learn how to use an IBM-compatible personal computer with an emphasis on Windows techniques. Using the Windows/graphical user interface approach, students develop basic skills in three applications: word processing, spreadsheets, and database management. Students are also introduced to the INTERNET and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) concepts.

Prerequisite(s):

None

Textbooks & Other Required Materials:

Microsoft Office 2007 Windows Vista Edition - New Perspectives, Thompson Course Technology, USA. ISBN-13: 978-1-4239-0615-5

Required Software: Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007

You must have Office in order to complete this class. Microsoft Works is not equivalent.

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Other:

As you consider whether or not an online class is for you, or if you have general questions regarding online classes, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions.

After you register you will have access to the full course syllabus. Meanwhile, here are the topics we will be covering.

Windows:

1. Identify and describe hardware; including how to properly begin and end each session.
2. Define software; differentiate between applications and systems software.
3. Recognize and properly use icons on the Windows desktop.
4. Describe and use (right-click) context menus on the desktop and within applications.
5. Understand the concepts of creating, saving, and retrieving files.
6. Understand fundamentals of file management.
7. Understand the concept of folders (directories) and subfolders: name, rename, copy, delete, move

Word:

1. Demonstrate college level communications skills (i.e. writing a paragraph that is clear, concise, and makes sense!)
2. Create, save, retrieve, revise and print documents.
3. Properly format a business letter and a business memorandum
4. Understand the basic concept of formatting and revising: select text and then perform an action on it

Excel:

1. Understand spreadsheet concepts, terminology and simple applications
2. With minimal direction, create simple spreadsheets; efficiently revise, save, and print
3. Apply simple formatting changes to values and labels, cells, rows, columns, ranges, page
4. Develop and use the four basic arithmetic operations in simple formulas;
5. Apply simple functions (SUM, AVG, MIN, MAX)
6. Understand difference between relative and absolute addressing
7. Create and format simple charts

Access:

1. Understand database concepts, terminology and simple applications
2. Create a simple name and address database
3. Apply basic data and formatting revisions (as in previous 70A applications)
4. Understand different data types: numeric, alphanumeric, logical, date
5. Efficiently extract information with sorts, indexes, and searches
6. Relationships
7. Understand and create queries
8. Develop simple reports, forms, and forms with subforms

This class meets online, which means that you can do your work whenever you want to. However, the same class taught in a traditional classroom setting requires five hours of class participation per week. Plus, you need to plan on an additional few hours per week to accomplish all the objectives for that week.

You must frequently check the online Class Schedule, Announcements and Forum for weekly reading assignments, class announcements and exercises. Assignments will be submitted by posting to the COD Web server, and you must participate in the Forum discussions on a regular basis.

Each week I will post a reading assignment supported by my lecture notes. I also will assign a series of practice exercises which you will submit to me using our File Upload feature. I will review your work and respond by noting corrections and comments which I will post on the Schedule.

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