Tentative Syllabus

CNT 117A - Windows Workstation OS

2 Cr.

Fall Quarter 2009, Centralia College

Instructor: Jim Daniels

Phone: (360) 736-9391 ext. 407 (Use email instead.)

Email: jdaniels@centralia.edu

Office: WAH 231

Office hours:

Mondays: 9:00-9:50am in WAH 205

Tuesdays: 10:00-10:50am in WAH 205

Wednesdays: 9:00-9:50am in WAH 205

Thursdays: 10:00-10:50am and 11:00-11:50am in WAH 205

Fridays: 9:00-9:50am in WAH 205

Classroom: WAH 205

Lecture: 10:00 - 10:50 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

Required Text:

Windows XP: Concepts & Examples (ISBN# 1-887902-81-3)
By Carolyn Z. Gillay

Required Materials:

Some type of storage media compatible with the classroom computers, a Thumb/Pin Drive, USB Hard Drive, etc.

Course Description: An introductory course on the use of the Windows Workstation (Pro) operating systems:  Course includes coverage of; Windows use, architecture, organization, basic management and configuration.  Specific topics covered will include; the classic and new user interfaces, the Explorer in depth, file management, getting useful help, basic user account management, disk management, partitions and formatting, backups and archives, locating and accessing network resources, basic security and privacy issues.

Objectives (Students will be exposed to...)

• Basic Windows Skills
• Starting and Stopping Windows and Windows based applications
• Basic Mouse Skills
• Using and changing the menu system
• Using and changing the taskbar
• Customizing Windows
• Using Windows Help
• Using the file system for routine tasks
• File System Maintenance
• Backing up and Restoration
• The Fundamentals of Workstation Security

Special Needs Statement

Students with disabilities may contact the Director of Special Services to determine their eligibility for reasonable accommodation. The director’s office is located with the Counseling Center in the student Services Building.

Equal Opportunities Statement

It is the policy of Centralia College to assure employment opportunity and non-discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age (over 40), religion, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

Centralia College does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Designated Title II, IV, VII, IX, Section 504, ADA compliance officer: Christopher C. Bailey, J.D., Vice President for Human Resources and Legal Affairs, Hanson Hall Room 101, Centralia College, 600 Centralia College Blvd, Centralia, WA. 98531-4099, 360.736.9391, Extension 285

Attendance

The Student Attendance Policy of Centralia College permits an instructor to withdraw a student from any class or lab in which the student does not report on the first class day and/or first lab session.

Copyright Notice

Materials used in connection with this course may be subject to copyright protection under Title 17 of the United States Code.

Tentative Course Outline:

Week 1: How it works, in brief. Exploring Windows XP Professional - Reading: Chapter 1

Week 2: Using Help and Dialog Boxes - Reading: Chapter 2

Week 3: Files, Folders, My Computer & The Explorer - Reading: Chapter 3

Week 4: The Windows Applets - Reading: Chapter 4

Week 5: More Files, Folders & Explorer - Reading: Chapter 5

Week 6: More Files, Folders & Explorer - Reading: Chapter 6 & Start Chapter 7

Week 7: Organizing and Managing Disks - Reading: Finish Chapter 7 & Chapter 8

Week 8: Fonts and Printers - Reading: Chapter 9

Week 9: Customizing Your System - Reading: Chapter 10

Week 10: Backups and Maintenance - Reading: Chapter 11

Week 11: Connectivity - Reading: Chapter 12

Rules of the Road - Personal Accountability

• Cheating is not acceptable. Cheating means turning in work that is not your own. Everyone involved in a cheating incident could fail the entire course.
• Feel free to help your fellow students, but please remember there is a big difference between helping someone and doing it for them.
• This is a graded class. This is a Computer Technology class. Computer Technology is only learned with practice. You will earn your grade!
• Extra credit for extraordinary quality or functionality of assigned projects "may" be given at the instructor's discretion.
• A grade of V (vanished) is not an option for this course.
• To get a W you must withdraw by the specified date.
• If you're not in class when roll is taken, you are absent.
• Late assignments will not be accepted without instructor approved justification.
• No remakes of tests/quizzes are allowed unless you have made prior arrangements or extreme circumstances arise.
• When your teacher is talking, it is your responsibility to listen.
• If you miss a class, you are responsible for material covered and any announced changes to course assignments/schedules.
• Computer lab rules posted in the labs apply to this class also.
• Please take advantage of any hands-on practice time provided during class/lab time.
• Students should understand that (sometimes considerable) time outside of class hours may be required to complete assignments.
• Access to a computer outside of class time is required!
• Spelling and grammar errors on assignments will lower your grade.
• Reading assignments and homework are to be completed before you come to class.
• Items which might be considered offensive by your instructor or fellow students are not allowed in this class, on any assignments for this class, or on the computers used in this class. If you are unsure about what is offensive, ask your instructor. Use of offensive material, comments, computer files, games, email, images, etc. will lower your grade dramatically.
• Disruptive classroom behavior may result in disciplinary proceedings.
• Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to: monopolizing classroom discussion, rude, disrespectful comments, posturing or gestures, sleeping, chattering, excessive lateness, interruption of pagers, cell phones or other electronic devices, browsing the Internet or playing games with your workstation when it is even a minor distraction to another student or students, etc.
• All work turned in is expected to be your own. If a tutor or someone outside the course is helping you, that person may not produce any part of an assignment for you, even if provided by the College. Not producing your assignments will be considered cheating and if you are caught cheating full disciplinary measures may be invoked.
• If I use a term that you don't understand and you cannot pick it up from context, please stop me and ask me to define it.

Assumptions

• You have the required familiarity (prerequisite knowledge) with personal computers and software for this class.
• You have a computer at home capable of running a newer operating system or you will have time available to use the appropriate computers in the labs or commons as they are available.
• You at least somewhat enjoy working with computers.
• You realize that with computers comes frustration!!!
• You realize there will be no classes October 9th, November 11th, 16th, 26th & 27th!