Course Syllabus
Introduction
to Computers -- COMP 1123
Course Description: This is a study of
(A) computer hardware, software, its applications, and terminology, and (B)
introductory Windows 98, Microsoft Word 2000, Excel 2000, Access 2000, and
PowerPoint 2000. Course contents are attached. General education components
(problem solving, critical thinking, decision-making, and group activities)
have been incorporated.
Rationale: Introduction to Computers
provides the student with fundamental concepts, theories, and applications of
computers, which are necessary for success in college courses and beyond.
Course Objectives: After the completion
of this course the student should be able to:
1) Understand basic functions of
computer hardware, software, their applications, and terminology.
2) Understand basic operations of a
microcomputer and perform those operations.
3) Understand the basic concepts of
using the Internet.
4) Understand basic word processing
concepts and techniques and utilize them.
5) Understand basic spreadsheet
concepts and techniques and apply them.
6) Understand basic database concepts
and use them.
7) Understand presentation software and
how to use it.
Required materials: 1) Textbook: Essential
Concepts: Fourth Edition, P. Norton, Glencoe, McGraw-Hill, 2001.
2) Lab Manual: Office 2000:
Third Edition, P. Norton, Glencoe, McGraw-Hill, 2000.
Five floppy disks (3.5" DS/HD)
Method of evaluation: Tests, projects,
and assignments must be used for evaluation. The following grading scale of
SEARK College as mentioned in the catalog should be used.
Grading scale
A
90 -- 100%
B
80 -- 89%
C
70 -- 79%
D
60 -- 69%
F
59 -- Below
Note: Tests, projects, and assignments
should be reflective of general education components -- critical thinking,
problem solving, writing, speaking, and group activities as appropriate for the
situation.
Introduction to Computers
Course Contents
Lesson 1: An
Overview of Computer
Lesson 2: Interacting
With the Computer
Unit 2. How Computers Work – Alone and in Groups
Lesson 3: Manipulating
and Storing Data
Lesson 4: Networking
Basics
Unit 3. Introduction to Software
Lesson 5: Operating
Systems
Lesson 6: Productivity Software (Database Pages 126-133).
Unit 4. The Internet and Online Resources
Lesson 9: Internet
Basics
Lesson 10:Getting Online, Working Online
Unit 1. Windows
98
Unit 2. Microsoft
Word 2000
Unit 3. Microsoft
Excel 2000
Unit 4. Microsoft
Access 2000
Unit 5. Microsoft
PowerPoint 2000
Introduction to Computers
Learning Objectives
A. Computer
Hardware, Software, Their Applications, and Terminology
Goal: After the completion of this
lesson, the student should be familiar with basic components of a computer
system and their functions, and different types of computers.
Objectives: After the completion of
this lesson, the student should be able to:
1. Name the four parts of a computer
system.
2. Identify four types of computer
hardware.
3. List five units of measure for
computer memory and storage.
4. Differentiate the two main
categories of computer software.
5. Differentiate the five most common
types of computer systems.
Goal: After the completion of this
lesson, the student should be able to understand basic input output devices
that are used to interact with a computer system.
Objectives: After the completion of
this lesson, the student should be able to:
1. Identify the five key groups on a
standard computer keyboard.
2. Identify the five essential
techniques for using a mouse.
3. List three categories of alternative
input devices.
4. Name two categories of computer
monitor.
5. List the four criteria you should
consider when evaluating monitors.
6. List the three most commonly used
types of printers.
Goal: After the completion of this
lesson, the student should be able to understand briefly the inner-workings of
a computer system.
Objectives: After the completion of
this lesson, the student should be able to:
1.
Explain why
computers use the binary number system.
2.
List the two
main parts of the CPU and explain how they work together.
3.
List three
hardware factors that affect processing speed.
4.
List four
common types of magnetic and optical storage devices.
5.
Explain how
data is stored on the surface of magnetic and optical disks.
Goal: After the completion of this
lesson, the student should be able to understand the basic concept and purpose
of computer network.
Objectives: After the completion of this lesson, the student should be able
to:
1.
List the four
benefits of using a network.
2.
Differentiate
between LANs and WANs.
3.
Identify
three common network topologies.
4.
Name four
common network media.
5.
List four
examples of network operating system software.
Goal: After the completion of this
lesson, the student should be able to define operating system and understand
its major role in driving the computer system.
Objectives: After the completion of this lesson, the student should be able
to:
1.
Identify four
components found in most graphical user interfaces.
2.
Describe the
operating system’s role in running application programs.
3.
Explain how
the operating system enables users to manage files.
4.
List three
ways the operating system manages the computer’s hardware.
5.
Identify one
key feature of each common PC operating system.
Goal: After the completion of this
lesson, the student should learn the
definition, functionality, and importance of database in a modern business
environment.
Objectives: After the completion of this lesson, the student should be able
to:
1.
Differentiate
between the terms database and database management system (DBMS).
2.
List three
basic tasks that a DBMS enables users to perform.
Goal: After the completion of this
lesson, the student should learn the definition, the basic concept, and purpose
of the Internet.
Objectives: After the completion of this lesson, the student should be able
to:
1.
Name the two
organizations that created the network now known as the Internet.
2.
Explain the
importance of TCP/IP to the Internet.
3.
Describe the
basic structure of the Internet.
4.
List the
eight major services the Internet provides to its users.
Goal: After the completion of this
lesson, the student should understand the functionality and basic applications
of Internet.
Objectives: After the completion of
this lesson, the student should be able to:
1.
List six ways
to connect a computer to the Internet.
2.
Describe the
process of connecting a PC to the Internet through an ISP account.
3.
Explain why
businesses use firewalls.
4.
Define the
terms intranet and extranet.
5.
Explain what
is meant by “e-commerce.”
B.
Introductory
Windows 98, Word 2000, Excel 2000, Access 2000, and PowerPoint 2000 Hands-On
Exercises.
Unit 1.
Goal: After the completion of this unit, the
student should learn basic operation of a microcomputer using Windows 98.
Objectives: After the completion of this unit, the student should be able to:
1.
Define the
Microsoft Windows 98 operating system.
2.
Start your computer
system.
3.
Use the mouse
to point, click, double-click, right-click, drag, and display objects.
4.
Activate and
move desktop icons.
5.
Identify the
common window elements.
6.
Size,
minimize, maximize, restore, and scroll windows.
7.
Run more than
one program, switch back and forth between programs, and close programs.
8.
Use menus and
dialog boxes.
9.
Set a default
printer.
10.
Find help on
Windows 98 topics.
11.
Format a
floppy disk.
12.
Use Windows
Explorer to view and modify the structure of a disk; create folders and
subfolders; and rename, delete, copy, and move files.
13.
Change
attributes of files and folders.
14.
Quit Windows
98 and shut down your computer.
15.
Search the
Internet for online support.
Unit
2.
Goal: After the completion of this unit, the
student should be able to enter, manipulate, edit and produce documents using
Microsoft Word.
Lesson
1:
Objectives: After the completion of this lesson, the student should be able
to:
1.
Explain word
processing.
2.
Use your
mouse to point, click, double-click, right-click, select, and drag.
3.
Start and
exit Microsoft Word.
4.
Name the main
components of the Word window and display and hide toolbars.
5.
Open, scroll,
view, name and save, preview, print, close, and reopen documents.
6.
Create a
folder.
7.
Get help from
Word’s Office Assistant, ScreenTips, Answer Wizard, Contents, and Index.
8.
Find words
and phrases and insert new text and AutoText.
9.
Select,
overtype, delete, insert, and use the Undo, Redo, and Repeat commands to edit
text.
10.
Name buttons
on the Web toolbar and navigate a Web site.
11.
Connect to
and disconnect from the Internet.
Lesson 2:
Objectives: After the completion of this lesson, the student should be able
to:
1.
Open
templates and replace variable text to create a new document.
2.
Check
spelling and grammar as you type.
3.
Use
AutoCorrect.
4.
Select and
delete sentences, lines, and paragraphs.
5.
Cut, copy,
and paste text using the Office Clipboard and the drag-and-drop method.
6.
Embed an item
in a document using the Paste Special command.
7.
Change page
and section breaks, margins, horizontal and vertical alignment, indentations,
and character, line, and paragraph spacing; also set tabs.
8.
Change font
style, size, attributes, and color.
9.
Add special
effects to enhance document appearance, including highlighting, shading, and
borders.
10.
Use the
Format Painter and apply styles.
11.
Prepare and
print labels and envelopes.
12.
Create
hyperlinks to pages, documents, and Web sites.
Lesson 3 (Pages
118-142 excluding Creating Objects with Drawing Tools):
Objectives: After the completion of this lesson, the student should be able
to:
1.
Insert, draw,
fill in, and move tables.
2.
Change table
structure and cell formats.
3.
Add a border
and shading and use Table AutoFormat.
4.
Insert, edit,
and format graphics.
Lesson 4
(Spelling and grammar check, Pages 178-180 excluding Thesaurus; Numbering
pages, and headers and footers, Pages 187-192 excluding using footnotes):
Objectives: After the completion of this lesson, the student should be able
to:
1.
Use Spelling
and Grammar and check readability scores.
2.
Insert and
modify page numbers.
3.
Create and
modify headers and footers.
Goal:
After the completion of this unit, the student should be able to create
a simple worksheet using Excel 2000.
Lesson 1:
Objectives: After the completion of this lesson, the student should be able
to:
1.
Explain
worksheets and demonstrate their use.
2.
Use your
mouse to point, click, double-click, right-click, select, and drag.
3.
Start and
exit Microsoft Excel.
4.
Name the main
features of the Excel window.
5.
Understand
the menu bar and toolbar.
6.
Open and
close workbook files.
7.
Explore the
worksheet.
8.
Get help from
Excel’s Office Assistant and ScreenTips.
9.
Print a
worksheet.
10.
Troubleshoot
printing problems.
11.
Connect to
and disconnect from the Internet.
12.
Explore the
Web toolbar and access a Web site.
Lesson 2:
Objectives: After the completion of this lesson, the student should be able to:
1.
Enter data,
including text and numbers.
2.
Edit the
contents of single cells.
3.
Use the
AutoCorrect feature to correct common mistakes.
4.
Use the Spelling
tool to verify spelling of text entries.
5.