BA 131 (Online) – Computers in Business

Instructor: Erin Lin

E-mail: erin.lin@pcc.edu

Course Description

          Computers in Business (BA 131) is an online course that covers computer literacy and computing concepts that are part of the digital age. This includes the typical activities computers are used for in business and includes an introduction to computer hardware and software. In addition, the course focuses on educating today's technology consumer by learning the foundational aspects of the Internet, how we communicate in a digital world, the influence of a changing world of technology, general security concepts, and ethical considerations of the new technologies to name a few.

Note: This BA class will NOT cover how to build a computer or how to use Office software such as Word or Excel.

        This course is completed through “Desire2Learn”system. To be successful you must read the text book, participate in online discussions, and complete assignments and quizzes by the due dates. If you have any technical difficulties with Desire2Learn please contact the Help Desk at 503.977.8227

Textbook

         Using Information Technology 9e "Complete" Edition, Williams/Sawyer; ISBN 9780073516776. Textbooks are available at the PCC Bookstore, or they can be purchased online http://www.pcc.edu/resources/bookstore 

Prerequisites

         The first prerequisite is a willingness to take charge of your own learning. It is up to you to study materials, participate in discussions and activities, complete assignments and take quizzes. Since this is online course, you have significant control over when you do your work each week, but you also have the responsibility to get the work done. This is very challenging for some people. You must "attend" cyber class each week, take quizzes, turn in assignments, read e-mail, and participate in the discussion board and pace yourself over the term.

          The second prerequisite is being familiar and comfortable with your computer including Windows, the MS Office environment, e-mail and Internet

          Thirdly, college level communications skills are essential for any college level class. This means you must be familiar with communicating through email using proper netiquette in addition to submitting acceptable written assignments.

Course Activities

         All of your quizzes, assignments and participation are online using Desire2Learn. In this class, the week begins with Monday 9:00am and ends on next Monday 9:00am. Experience shows that student should, at a minimum, log in Desire2Learn at least twice a week and spend three to six hours per week engaged in study, research, and conference-preparation activities. The key to success is not to wait until the last minute to read required course materials, take quizzes, or to begin work on assignments.

• Discussion Board Participation: You are expected to participate in a weekly discussion with your classmates by making two posts per week.

•  Weekly Assignment:You will need Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (2003, 2007 or 2010) to complete all the tasks.

•  Quizzes: There is one required quiz over each chapter. Each quiz is timed at 40 minutes and is open book. Questions are extracted from the text database and when completed is automatically graded by Desire2Learn.

Grade Policies

PCC has instituted a new college-wide grading policy that began this winter 2010.  Students will select their grading option at the time of registration for all their courses.  For all business courses (BA designation), the only grade option will be a letter grade basis only. 

Students may attend this course only if registered. Students who are unable to attend must drop the course online through the Registration Office. To avoid being charged for classes, the last day to drop is the first Saturday (first Friday if drop in person) of the term for all classes that meet for 8 weeks or longer.

•      Letter grade: At the completion of this course you will be issued a letter grade based upon the points received for your quizzes, assignments and participation.

        If you are unable to complete the course it is your responsibility to withdraw from the class by officially withdrawing through PCC Registrars office. If you do not withdraw you will receive a grade based on your work through the last day of attendance.

    Special Need Students   

              The Business Department, in conjunction with the Office for Students with Disabilities, will make every effort to accommodate persons with physical and learning disabilities.  We encourage students to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for assistance in requesting classroom accommodations.  Their number is 977-4341.