DR. ROBERT CAMPBELL   CSC DEPARTMENT

HOW TO BEGIN YOUR----ITC117 'ONLINE' CLASS

STEP 1:  On the FIRST DAY OF CLASSES-- (NOT EARLIER) students should log onto:   www.salemstate.edu/mywebcourses/
                  FIRST DAY OF CLASSES FOR:      SPRING 2010 SEMESTER IS:   JANUARY 20, 2010
               
STEP 2:  At the login page enter your USERNAME and PASSWORD
STEP 3:  For NEW students who DON'T currently have a Blackboard account your USERNAME is: Your student ID# preceeded by a capital letter S--for example (S007913).  Your PASSWORD is:   salemstate   (use all lower case letters when you type salemstate)
STEP 4:  For those who have a CURRENT Blackboard account your Username and Password remain the same as last semester. 
STEP 5:  Once you are on the "My Web Courses" page just click onto the name and section number of the  ITC117 course you are taking.  Then, once at the Blackboard  Homepage, click on the ANNOUNCEMENTS button near the top left of your screen and carefully read ALL announcements.  On the first day of classes there will be an announcement telling you in detail how to begin the course. 
STEP 6:   Now please have a 'virtual' meeting with your instructor, Dr. Campbell, by running a short video.  Simply scroll down a little on this Webpage and when you get to Dr. Campbell's photograph, just click onto the photo and it will automatically take you to a YOUTUBE.COM video labeled 'Welcome To ITC117."  After running the video please return to this Webpage and surf the rest of the site for some very helpful information about your course.
STEP 7:   On the FIRST DAY OF CLASSES log onto www.salemstate.edu/mywebcourses/ and you can begin the course and EXPECT to have a good time and to learn a lot.   Thanks very much. Good luck all!!!
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-------ESSENTIAL CLASS INFORMATION-PLEASE READ------

  I'M CERTAIN THAT  YOU’LL BE DELIGHTED WITH THIS ON-LINE COURSE!! Overwhelmingly students tell me they love learning on-line.

  

  CLICK ON ANY HEADING BELOW TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT EACH TOPIC

 

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

TEXTBOOK & COURSE MATERIALS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

GETTING HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT

COURSE MEETING INFORMATION

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

COMPUTER SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS

COURSE COVERAGE

SYSTEM SOFTWARE REQMNT. -WINDOW 7 News

SYLLABUS

APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE & about  (Office 2007)

COURSE POLICIES

VIRUS SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR & LINK TO A VIDEO 

 
DR. CAMPBELL WELCOME VIDEO:  Click on the Photo to see a YouTube.com video titled:     Welcome to ITC117


Dr. Campbell





Though I hope you’ll read ALL the items listed above, it is ESSENTIAL that you at least check out these items; COMPUTER SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS ; SYSTEMS SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS ; APPLICATION SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS and VIRUS SCAN SOFTWARE . Read on! I hope you’ll join me for a great time!

 

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

 

Welcome to the world of on-line education at Salem State College. If you are motivated, self-sufficient and interested in a unique learning experience, then this is the place for you. Together we will go on a journey that will help you discover more about yourself as a student while you acquire great new skills that will enhance your career potential and desirability to employers.  I’m pleased that you are considering signing up for my ON-LINE Microcomputer class.  Please feel free to browse around this WebPage to get an understanding of what’s involved in taking this on-line course and learn about system requirements, skill requirements, grading procedures and more. 

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

ITC117 COMPUTERS IN THE PROFESSIONS---(AND)  Getting  help using BLACKBOARD

Course Description:    This course is an overview of information processing that is applicable to all career areas, with considerations of societal trends and issues arising from the use of computers.  With general computer concepts as a foundation, a major focus will be to increase the students’ personal and professional productivity through the use of various business-oriented software applications.  Topics to be covered include: operating systems, spreadsheets, database management, word processing, graphics, and telecommunications.  Three lecture hours per week. This course satisfies the Computer Literacy core requirement.   
             About BLACKBOARD:  (NOTE:   We are using BLACKBOARD software for all courses including this one.  IN ADDITION we MAY be using SAM software for part of the course.  IF we do use the SAM software it is available to you free and you will get access to it through the Internet.  (SAM is a 'self learning package with audio and video modules and IF we use it this semester I think you'll enjoy it--some assignments MAY be given through SAM).  About BLACKBOARD software---You DON'T have to buy or install any software.  If you have trouble using or understanding BLACKBOARD there's 24 hour help available.  From 8:30am to 5:00 pm call (978-542-2036).  After 5:00pm call (800-569-6505).  Your instructor is also available to help you--e-mail me or call me--contact numbers will be posted on your syllabus which is online in your Blackboard account once classes begin.


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COURSE MEETING INFORMATION

 

 This is an On-Line course.Work whenever you find most convenient.  Also, there are NO 'on-line group meetings' at all.  Just be sure to watch your syllabus and e-mail and the ANNOUNCEMENTS on WebCt for DUE DATES.                                                                                                                                                                    BACK TO TOP

 
                                                                                                                 

 

COMPUTER SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS

 

Introductory Note: All personal computers have TWO kinds of software. First is the SYSTEMS software (Windows X, Vista, or Windows 7) that makes the computer run—most of us don't even care about this because it runs in the background. Second is the APPLICATIONS software that makes the computer useful—it is this software that allows us to do word processing, spread sheeting, database, and to make presentations (Micrsoft Office 2007).  Read about these requirements below.



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PART 1:   SYSTEMS SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS---(IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT 'VISTA' and the 'new' WINDOWS 7)

 

You must have one of the following operating systems:.  WINDOWS XP WITH SERVICE PACK 2, --VISTA, --- or the new WINDOWS 7 operating system.


 ABOUT 'WINDOWS XP'

Although Windows XP is now a bit dated for an operating system you may still use it for this course.   However, you must have SERVICE PACK 2 installed with your Windows XP, or you won't be able to install the REQUIRED Office 2007 software.  The 'service pack' is a FREE download from Micrsoft's homepage website.  Contact Dr. Campbell if you need help on this.  However almost all computers have the Service Pack already installed.   Please be advised that the current textbooks is written and illustrated for the VISTA operating system but it has little impact on the hands-on component of this course.  If you have any difficulties simply e-mail or call your instructor for specific directions.  But Windows XP Professional users should be able to easily manage the differences.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
ABOUT THE VISTA OPERATING SYSTEM:
  You may use the  VISTA Operating System but it is NOT required.  Be advised that the current textbooks is written and illustrated for the VISTA operating system but it has little impact on the hands-on component of this course.  What if you DON'T have Vista as your operating system and are thinking of INSTALLING VISTA on your OLD computer?   CAUTION:  VISTA is a powerful operating system with exceedingly demanding system requirements.  Unless your computer is LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD I strongly advise that you do NOT install it.  It should only be installed on computers that are virtually NEW with appropriate system requirements.  You can 'test' your computer for VISTA Compliance by going to Microsoft's Website.  Don't even THINK about installing VISTA until you've been to that website and run your 'test' for VISTA compliance.  Once VISTA is installed IT CANNOT BE 'UN-INSTALLED' so be certain that you know what you want and that you are confident on the installation process.  Be advised that VISTA has been problematic since its introduction.  You do NOT need VISTA for this course! NOTE:  Microsoft has already replaced VISTA with WINDOWS 7 so if you can SKIP Vista,do so.                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ABOUT THE NEW 'WINDOWS  7' OPERATING SYSTEM                                                                                                                           On November 1, 2009 Microsoft replaced it's troublesom VISTA operating system with 'WINDOWS 7'"  and early reports are that it is indeed an improvement over Vista.  You MAY USE the new WINDOWS 7 operating system for this course.   If you have VISTA and you wish to UPGRADE to WINDOWS 7 then you may do so for this course.  CAUTION:  If you are using the older WINDOWS XP operating system, Microsoft (and your instructor), strongly advise AGAINST doing so.  If you do attempt to do that be advised that you must completely erase your hard drive before installing it and you run a severe risk of catastrophic problems.  Be advised--don't do it.  



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PART 2       APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE

 

                                                                  WE  WILL BE USING  M.S. OFFICE 2007 IN THIS COURSE----YOU CANNOT TAKE THE COURSE WITHOUT IT.  If you do NOT have Office 2007 then you can get a FREE COPY installed on your ---LAPTOP----computer by contacting Salem State College's IT HELP DESK at (978-542-2036) for the location, dates and times when installation is available.  Note:  Due to licensing requirements this software is NOT AVAILABLE for installation on DESKTOP COMPUTERS----only LAPTOPS.   Desktop users who do not have Office 2007 should go to www.micrsoft.com and purchase the LOW COST STUDENT VERSION--at about $59.  If you have trouble finding the LOW COST STUDENT VERSION (it's 90% off thenormal cost!) on the Microsoft website then log into your Blackboard account and go to your ITC117 course and click on the COURSE CONTENT button--once there open the FILE FOLDER labeled "SYLLABUS' and once inside open the document labeled "HOW TO BUY STUDENT VERSION OF OFFICE 2007"--complete directions are given there..  Be aware that there are several ways in which Microsoft Office is packaged and sold.  You MUST have the package that contains all the following Applications:  M.S. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.  You may contact the instructor via email if you need help with this matter:     robert.campbell@salemstate.edu
                                                                     OFFICE 2007 USERS CAREFULLY READ THIS SECTION



 
Be aware that there are several different ways in which Microsoft Office is packaged and sold.   You MUST have the package that contains all the following Applications:

 

M.S. WORD

EXCEL

POWERPOINT

ACCESS

 

NOTE!!!  Just because you have Microsoft Office 2007 it doesn’t mean that YOUR VERSION has all the FOUR applications.  Check to be sure that you have all FOUR application programs.

 

                                               WHAT MS OFFICE VERISONS ARE ACCEPTABLE IN THIS COURSE?

 


REPEAT:   You MUST use MS OFFICE 2007 in this course.  NO OTHER VERSION is acceptable because the entire book and all support materials are written and ILLUSTRATED for MS Office 2007.


                                                  HOW CAN I TELL WHICH VERSION OF M.S. OFFICE THAT'S ON MY COMPUTER?


1.  Open up M.S. Word and from the menu list across the top of your screen and click on HELP
2.  From the short 'drop down list' click on the choice option:   ABOUT M.S. WORD
3.  A dialogue box pops up with a 'blue bar' across the top that says:   ABOUT MICROSOFT WORD.
4.  Directly under the blue bar it tells you what 'year' (version) you have.  If it says Microsoft Word 2007 then you've got the REQUIRED version for this course.  


                                                                               WHAT IF I MY OFFICE 2007 VERSION DOES NOT HAVE  ACCESS?

AS STATED ABOVE:   YOU  MUST use OFFICE 2007 and you'll need all 4 application programs and that includes ACCESS..  If you don't haveACCESS in YOUR version of OFFICE 2007 then you'll at least need to have access to a computer that DOES have ACCESS on it.  As a student at Salem State College you are entitled free access to any Computer Lab at the school.  All such Computer Labs have the CORRECT version of Office 2007 (including the Access program).  Call the IT HELP line at Salem State College for Computer Lab locations and hours of operation. 


 


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VIRUS SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

 

This is and ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT of the course. Any Virus Scan software that is ‘up datable on-line’ is acceptable. For example Norton AntiVirus, or McAfee AntiVirus software. Both (and others) are reasonably priced and you can update them weekly on-line without any additional cost.                                                                                                                                    BACK TO TOP

 

                                                                                                      

TEXTBOOK & COURSE MATERIALS

 

                                         TEXT BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SALEM STATE COLLEGE BOOKSTORE: 


 IT IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT YOU  PURCHASE YOUR BOOK AND COURSE MATERIALS DIRECTLY FROM THE SALEM STATE BOOKSTORE, THAT WAY YOU KNOW YOU HAVE THE RIGHT BOOK!  BUYING TEXTBOOKS FROM ONLINE WEBSITES CAN BE A VERY TRICKY  BUSINESS.  THEY OFTEN SEND THE WRONG TEXTS OUT OR CLAIM TO HAVE THEM ON 'BACKORDER' AND THEY PROMISE THEY WILL SHIP THEM SOON---BUT EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT MANY STUDENTS HAVE TROUBLE WITH THESE PURCHASES AND THEY GET A LATE START ON THE COURSE.  


                                                                                     THE TEXTBOOK IS:
                                                                  
MICROSOFT OFFICE 2007, Introductory Concepts and Techniques, Windows Vista Edition.  Authors: Shelly, Cashman & Vermaat.  It is a large book that has separate sections for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007,  Microsoft Office Word 2007,   Microsoft Office Access 2007,  and  Microsoft Office Excel 2007.  Publisher:  Thompson Course Technologies.  ISBN Number:      ISBN-13:  978-1-4239-1228-6


 PLEASE NOTE:  For Fall 2009 we will be using essentially this SAME textbook but it may have a DIFFERENT ISBN# in the Bookstore.  The 'new' ISBN NUMBER IS:  978-0-324-82684-5    BE ADVISED THAT BOTH TEXTBOOKS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME but the new one comes with a CD and the old one does not.  WE WILL--NOT--BE USING THE CD SO FEEL FREE TO BUY A 'USED EDITION' WITH THE OLD ISBN NUMBER.   EITHER BOOK IS FINE FOR THIS COURSE.  I suggest saving money and buying a used one if possible.

                                                           

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GETTING HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT

    You can get rapid response help by contacting your instructor via any of the methods listed below:                                            
                                               (In Person, Phone, or On-line)

Get in-person help by calling your instructor for a personal help session (352-391-1316)
Contact your instructor thru e-mail for a rapid response at:    robert.campbell@salemstate.edu
     A phone conference with your instructor while you are on-line
              Chat line thru Blackboard
                    
 
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TIPS FOR SUCCESS

 

·  Ideally you should be able to type reasonably well. If not you can purchase a “Learn to Type” program like Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing for only about $12.

·  You must be motivated to do your work and keep up with the suggested (and sometimes required) due dates for assignments.  Don’t wait to the last minute to do assignments.

·  Be willing to ask for help if you need it.
* CHECK YOUR BLACKBOARD E-MAIL AND THE ANNOUNCEMENTS PAGE ON BLACKBOARD VERY OFTEN

·  KEEP YOUR VIRUS SOFTWARE UPDATED WEEKLY!

·  Be willing to learn new things in new ways.

·  Have a sense of humor and a willingness to have fun while you learn.


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COURSE COVERAGE


MAC USERS PLEASE NOTE !!!!!       THIS COURSE IS PC ORIENTED.  
MAC USERS:  A SPECIAL NOTE:

This entire course has been developed and designed for all PC based platform computers.  MacIntosh users are advised that even though you may have a Mac with 'dual drive Windows Explorer with PC emulation', NOT ALL PC FUNCTIONS for this course can be performed on the MacIntosh computer.  Mac's are NOT 'truly and completely' compatible with PC's.  All directions and illustrations and videos used in this course are designed for use on PC based computers and those directions and/or videos may not always look the same as the functions on your MacIntosh!   This cousre was specifically designed for only PC based comuters and any Mac user is advised that he/she may enter the course but you are hereby notified that specific support for Mac users is not available at this time.  In the recent past a number of Mac users have successfully completed the course, however, some students occasionally had  to got to a computer lab at SSC to get access to a regular PC to in order to complete some assignments.  So, Mac users are welcome to join but they must accept the few conditions given above. If you have any questions please contact the instructor BEFORE ENROLLING at    robert.campbell@salemstate.edu.

 

This course involves coverage of MICROSOFT OFFICE:  Word Processing, Excel, Access, and Powerpoint.  We will also cover e-mail, the Internet, and active processing and manipulation of e-mail and attachments.  Two electronic (open book) exams will be given.  These are ON-LINE exams.  You will take the exam and submit it electronically where it will be INSTANTLY graded.  You will automatically get a 'grade report' back which shows the correct response to each question along with the response that you submitted. 

 

Computer theory will be covered in the course thru the use a required textbook.  You will be given two exams on this materials .  Both will be multiple choice , open book, online exams.


The course is currently taught using BLACKBOARD software. You DO NOT have to purchase it.  It is already on Salem State College's system and it is used to each the courses so YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY IT.  If you'd like to check it out the BLACKBOARD system currently in use just click on the link here:    
webct.salemstate.edu              
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SYLLABUS

 

 

A copy of the course syllabus will be posted in on BLACKBOARD for you to download and print as soon as you log onto the course.  
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COURSE POLICIES

 

 

 

  1. It is the student's responsibility to COMMUNICATE WITH THE INSTRUCTOR when contacted.  
  2. All course requirements must be completed by the student (himself/herself) who registered for the course.
  3. All assessments are due on the dates designated. There will be a penalty for late assignments
  4. It is the students’ responsibility to attend “on-line” all classes and to keep informed as to possible changes in assignments and course coverage
  5. Due dates for assignments. All work is due on the date(s) assigned. Grading penalty will be give for late assignments.
  6. It is imperative that the reading assignments be completed according to the course schedule which is attached
  7. It is the student’s responsibility to CONTINUALLY monitor his/her BLACKBOARD e-mail account. Assignments and/or updates to the syllabus will be distributed through e-mail. FREQUENT use of e-mail is REQUIRED in this course.  Many assignments will be given and “collected” and graded through your BLACKBOARD e-mail and/or ASSIGNMENTS section of Blackobard.
  8. It is the student’s responsibility to KEEP A COPY OF ALL SUBMITTED WORK IN YOUR ‘SENT MAIL folder in your e-mail account. This includes all copies of exams, papers, assignments and the like. Due to the gigantic amount of server space that would be required to save all students documents it is not possible for your instructor to save copies of all your documents. If a question comes up concerning a paper, assignment, or exam etc. the student must e-mail the copy of the document in question that is stored in your SENT MAIL file folder. The document will then be re-examined and re-graded if necessary.  If  for ANY reason you did not keep a back-up copy of work that your instructor requests then you MUST re-do and re-submit the work!
  9. Salem State College is committed to non-discrimination of handicapped persons as specified in section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Students who qualify as handicapped persons under the definition of this act should notify the instructor at the beginning of the course so that reasonable modification in course requirements may be made when necessary.  
  10. Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated.  All work you submit must be your own and you must never allow anyone to submit work that YOU have done to be submitted as THEIR own work.  Both visual AND electronic measures will be taken to detect and prosecute any individual (s) involved in Academic Dishonesty.  Please be sure to read the Academic Dishonesty policy that is printed in the Salem State Cataloge.  Simply stated:  Do your OWN work and don't allow anyone to submit YOUR work as their own.  Thanks!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 BACK TO TOP

 

                                                                                                                          

 

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

 

Dr. Robert Campbell graduated from Salem State College in 1972 from what was then called the Business Education Department. Upon graduation he became a business education teacher at an area secondary school. After completing his Master of Education Degree at Boston University in 1980 he became an adjunct professor at Massasoit Community College while he continued teaching high school business subjects. In 1985 he returned to Salem State College as a faculty member in the Business Education Department. Upon completing his Doctorate Degree at the University of Massachusetts in 1992 he became department chair and served in that capacity for 5 years.  In 1995 Salem State College phased out the Business Technology Department (as it later became known) and merged it into the Education Department where Dr. Campbell continued to teach business technology courses in the newly defined Business Technologies Program. In the Fall 2005 semester the Business Technologies Programs were transferred into the Computer Science Department.  Dr. Campbell, until recently served as the Co-ordinator of the BTE/ITC Programs within the Computer Scicence Department.  Dr. Campbell retired from SSC in September 2007 but remains on the staff at the college as an Adjunct Professor in the Computer Science Department.  He also is presently an adjunct professor of Computer Science at the University of Central Florida's Community College Division.  Dr. and Mrs. Robert Campbell celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in June of last year. Dr. Campbell is a student pilot, he's shown pictured below with a twin-engine plane in which he just completed a lesson.  He has written an aviation adventure novel which is set in the Australian Outback.  The manuscript is currently under review by a publishing house in Californa for possible publication in 2010
 

                                                  A VIDEO CLIP WELCOME & INTRODUCTION FROM DR. CAMPBELL:  To see a Video Clip welcome from Dr. Campbell just scroll to the top of the webpage and click on Dr. Campbell's photograph.  That will take you to a YouTube.com video introduction to ITC117

                                                                          

                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                 

A photo of Dr. Campbell learning to fly

 


                                                                                        



A photo of Dr. Campbell and his family

 THANKS FOR READING MY WEBAPAGE--HOPE TO SEE YOU IN CLASS!!
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