1. TREASURE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE - CALDWELL
BA 131 / CS 120
Winter 2012
Mondays & Wednesdays: 9-11:30am or12-2:30p
Caldwell Campus, Room 310
Instructor: Carol Billing Office Hours: Mon & Wed, 11:30-Noon
E-mail: cbilling@tvcc.cc before and after class, or via
Credits: 4 Elluminate Virtual Classroom
Office Location: Computer Lab, 310
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will provide an overview of hardware components, operating systems, e-mail, Internet, networks,
and application software. No pre-requisite classes or computer skills are required.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLIES:
Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics, 5th Edition
Optional: Storage device of their choice (memory stick, etc.) & notebook
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:
A combination of recorded lectures, class discussions, and hands-on learning will be used to cover the
curriculum. Throughout the course, there will be assignments related to textbook information and lectures. The
computer lab assignments will assess comprehension and test skills.
OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
 Discuss the major uses of a computer, hardware & software
 Describe and efficiently use computer software applications
o (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Prezi, Internet Explorer and more)
 Send and receive e-mail, attach and send documents, understand and use e-mail etiquette
 Quickly & succinctly retrieve information from the Internet
 Efficiently use all aspects of Blackboard&Elluminate, the programs used to teach many online courses
OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT:
Student Performance Outcomes
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the use of:
A computer‟s functionality, as well as the purpose and use of an operating system
Internet Explorer, the Internet ande-mail
Microsoft Word to perform basic document formatting
Microsoft Excel to perform basic computations and formatting
Microsoft PowerPoint to present and communicate ideas
Student Performance Assessments
Students will complete the following assessments:
In-lab assignments in Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Exam over general technology terms and concepts
Create an e-portfolio in Prezi
One self-defined assignment in a technology area of choice

2. Student Portfolio
Students will complete ae-portfolio demonstrating their competency in Word, Excel& PowerPoint. The
portfolio will include:
 Portfolio Cover
 Flyer
 Cover Letter
 Resume
 Hit The Road Workbook
 Budget Workbook & ABC Landscaping Workbook
 PowerPoint Project
 You define assignment based on your interest within chapters 16-38
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Office Hours
I am willing to work with you individually during lab or before and after class. My official „office hours‟ are
Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:30am to noon in the lab (room 310) or via Elluminate. Additionally I am
always available for questions via e-mail. If you‟d like me to call you to discuss an issue or assignment, please
include your phone number in the e-mail. I will return the e-mail or call within 24 hours.
Attendance Policy
I have high expectations for the work submitted. Although the lectures are online and available anytime, you
must show me your assignments for credit during lab time. Attendance is not collected for this course, but you
need to pay attention to deadlines and come to the lab for assistance before you run out of time for an
assignment.
Students that cannot complete the course should drop the course. I cannot drop students.
Required Assignments
Assignments are completed using information from the textbook and lectures. A course calendar with the
assignments and due dates is available on Blackboard. All assignments will be checked in class and
thensubmitted to Blackboard, unless directed otherwise. If you do not see the assignment link in Blackboard,
the assignment is late and cannot be submitted. Unless required by the assignment, I will not accept
assignments that are e-mailed to me.
Late Work
Late work will not be accepted and students will receive a grade of “0” for assignments not submitted before
or on the due date. If an assignment is due at the start of a class, you must arrive on time with the assignment
complete to receive credit. If you are absent and an assignment is due, you must arrive with it complete at the
next class meeting or take a “0”.
Plagiarism
Students are expected to be honest in all aspects of their college education. All work is evaluated on the
assumption that the work presented is the student's own. Anything less is unacceptable.
Examples of dishonest practice include but are not limited to:
Cheating - The improper use of books, notes, other students' tests, or other aids during an examination.
It is the responsibility of the student to obtain approval for the use of such aids prior to the time of the
examination; otherwise, they will be considered improper. An "examination" is defined as "any testing
situation in which the score will be used for credit in a course."

3. Plagiarism – Submission or presentation of a student assignment as one‟s own in which substantial
portions are paraphrased without documentation or are identical to published or unpublished material
from another source (including another student’s work). An assignment is defined as “any materials
submitted or presented by a student for credit in a course.”
Discovery of plagiarism will result in a failing grade for that assignment. If a student is caught a second time
that student will receive a failing grade for the class.
WHAT I EXPECT FROM YOU
I expect you to ask questions
If you do not understand something, chances are others will be in the same situation. Ask! If I don't
know the answer, I will do whatever necessary to find the answer. If you don’t ask questions, I will
assume that you understand the information being presented.
I expect everyone to be treated with courtesy and respect
Please treat your classmates and me the way you would like to be treated. Your behavior must not
disrupt another student‟s ability to be successful in class. Please be aware that this is an educational
setting and people are here to learn. You may not eat or drink in my class. You may not bring your
children, boyfriend, husband, friend or pet to class.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME
You can expect my help in reaching your educational goal.
You and I have a common goal, your success. I will do everything possible to help you reach that goal
and will do nothing to hinder you.
You can expect me to provide all information necessary for an assignment
You can expect me to be fair
Since I am a human being, I make mistakes. For example, I may have the wrong due date on an
assignment. If it is my fault, I will make whatever changes necessary to be fair to you.
You can expect me to be available for help
I am always available 11:30-Noon on Mondays & Wednesdays. I am available to help you via e-mail.
If you may e-mail me questions, I will reply within 24 hours during the week (M-F).
Class Cancelation Policy
If there is an emergency and I am forced to cancel class, I will post an announcement on Blackboard and e-mail
that announcement to you.
GRADING PRACTICES:
Testing Procedure
The only quiz in this course is over the general technology terms. The quiz will be given in class using
Blackboard. All other assessments are hands-on practical assignments.
Grading
A combination of the assignments listed on your course calendar and the quiz over general technology terms
will determine your course grade.Students should plan on spending at least five to eight hours on homework
each week.Your final score is a total of all points earned. It is imperative that you do the assignments.
The final grade will be based on the following percentage:
90 - 100% = A
80 - 89% = B
70 - 79% = C
65 - 69% = D
64 - 0% = F

4. As a general rule I do not give Incompletes. However, to be eligible for an Incomplete, a student must have at
least 90 percent of the course work completed. I will only consider awarding an Incomplete if a student meets
the above criteria and has some extreme emergency situation. In such cases, a student requiring an incomplete
must submit a written appeal with full rationale to the instructor by Monday of finals week.
DROP POLICY
It is the student’s responsibility to drop the course. Students are responsible for adding and dropping courses.
Students who stop attending a course without filing a drop request will receive a grade of F.
TVCC E-MAIL AND BLACKBOARD ACCOUNTS
E-mail is the primary source of written communication with all students. Students automatically get a TVCC e-
mail account when they register for courses. Messages from instructors and various offices will be sent to the
students‟ TVCC accounts (NOT their personal e-mail accounts). It is the students‟ responsibility to check their
TVCC e-mail accounts regularly. Failing to do so will result in missing important messages and deadlines.
Students use the same username and password to login to all TVCC technology: computers, email, Blackboard,
and MyTVCC.
For details about how to log on, visit http://www.tvcc.cc/ISS/student_login.cfm. TVCC uses a Microsoft email
product, so the login page is the same for Hotmail.You MUST add “@students.tvcc.cc” to the end of your
username in order to reach the TVCC server.
CAMPUS COMPUTER USE
Students have access to computers in the student computer lab. This open lab is located on the 1st floor.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT:
It is the policy of the TVCC that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color,
sex, marital status, religion, national origin, age, or disability in any educational programs, activities or
employment. Persons having questions about equal opportunity and non-discrimination should contact the
Human Resources Director located in the Student Services Center on the south side of the Four Rivers Cultural
Center Building. Telephone (541) 881-8822, ext. 226 or TDD (541) 881-2723.
SPECIAL NEEDS CONTACT STATEMENT:
Persons having questions about or requests for special needs and accommodation should contact the Disabilities
Services Coordinator at Treasure Valley Community College, 650 College Blvd., Ontario, OR 97914.
Telephone (541) 881-8822, ext. 234 or TDD (541) 881- 2723.