Introduction To Computer Productivity

Course Description

Productivity applications such as Microsoft Office and Google Docs are among the most useful and popular computing tools. Whether software or web-based, there is seemingly little they cannot do, from document creation and editing, spreadsheet management, presentations and website design. In this course, we will explore several components of the productivity application of your choice, from among Microsoft Office (2007 or later), Office 365, Office for Mac (2012 or later), Apple Productivity Apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote), Google tools (Docs, Sheets, Slides and Sites.) We will focus on word processing, spreadsheet offerings, presentation creation, website searching, webpage development. We will reflect on how we use these tools in our personal and professional lives and consider additional possibilities. Our goal is to develop facility with these individual applications as well as a familiarity with the entire suite.

Course Learning Goals

After completing this course, you will be able to:

Course Competencies

In this course, you will develop the following competence:

Competence

Competence Statement and Criteria

S1X

Can use current information technology for integrated solutions to problems.

FX

Can use modern information technology as tool to address a business problem.

This course introduces common information technology tools and their various uses in the solution of simple problems. All students will become familiar with their choice of suite of productivity applications from Microsoft, Apple or Google. We will build our knowledge of these tools in order to understand how they allow us to work more efficiently.

If you are taking the course for the FX competence, you will demonstrate this competence by initially identifying problems within the field represented in your focus area of study to which an application of information technology would provide solutions. Students will address these problems by researching, reviewing and using the applications that provide the most appropriate possible solutions to pre-identified issues, demonstrating an understanding of the range of capabilities of the chosen tools.

Assessment Criteria

This course can be graded Pass /  No Pass. If you wish to receive this grade type, please contact the instructor by the beginning of the third week of the class. The following are criteria for receiving a passing grade. The criteria for passing require that:

Course Resources

Consult a web-based resource for your choice of productivity application. Consider creating an account to use the free instructional videos at Lynda.com. See https://offices.depaul.edu/information-services/services/technology-training/Pages/online-training.aspx

See https://support.office.com/ for Microsoft Office and https://support.google.com/docs for Google Docs and http://www.apple.com/support/mac-apps/ for Apple Apps.

Required Reading:

No textbook is required.

Course Grading Scale

A = 95 to 100

A- = 91 to 94

B+ = 88 to 90

B = 85 to 87

B- = 81 to 84

C+ = 77 to 80

C = 73 to 76

C- = 69 to 72

D+ = 65 to 68

D = 61 to 64

F = 60 or below

INC

Please note: Grades lower than a C- do not earn credit or competence in the School for New Learning.

Course Structure

This course consists of 5 modules. The estimated time to complete each module is one week.

Week,  Module # and Title

Assignments

Week 1, Module 1:

Searching Essentials

1.1 Introductions Discussion

1.2 Project

1.3 Discussion

Week 2, Module 2:

Word Processing Essentials

2.1 Project

2.2 Discussion

Week 3, Module 3:

Spreadsheet Essentials

3.1 Project

3.2 Discussion

Week 4, Module 4:

Presentation Essentials

4.1 Project

4.2 Discussion

Week 5, Module 5:

Website Essentials

5.1 Project

5.2 Discussion

Back to Top

Assessment

Percentage distribution of Assessments

Successful completion and submission of all Tasks 80%
Participation in discussion forum 20%

Grading Policies and Practices

To complete the course, you must complete each of the assignments as described in the course and submit them to your instructor by the assigned deadline.  In addition, you must participate in the course discussion forum by responding to all instructor requests and by interacting with fellow classmates as necessary.

Points are deducted for late work.

Assessment Criteria for Reading and Writing Assignments

General Assessment Criteria for All Writing Assignments

All writing assignments are expected to conform to basic college-level standards of mechanics and presentation.

Consider visiting the Writing Center to discuss your assignments for this course or any others. You may schedule appointments (30 or 50 minutes) on an as–needed or weekly basis, scheduling up to 3 hours worth of appointments per week. Online services include Feedback–by–Email and IM conferencing (with or without a webcam). All writing center services are free.

Writing Center tutors are specially selected and trained graduate and undergraduate students who can help you at almost any stage of your writing. They will not do your work for you, but they can help you focus and develop your ideas, review your drafts, and polish your writing. They can answer questions about grammar, mechanics, different kinds of writing styles, and documentation formats. They also can answer questions and provide feedback online, through IM/webcam chats and email.

Obviously, the tutors won’t necessarily be familiar with every class or subject, but they are able to provide valuable help from the perspective of an interested and careful reader as well as a serious and experienced student-writer.

Schedule your appointments with enough time to think about and use the feedback you’ll receive. To schedule a Face-to-Face, Written Feedback by Email, or Online Appointment, visit www.depaul.edu/writing.

Discussion Forums

Discussion Forums are an important component of your online experience. This course contains discussion forums related to the topics you are studying each week. For requirements on your participation in the Discussion Forums, please see "Course Expectations" in the syllabus.

A Course Q & A discussion forum has also been established to manage necessary, ongoing social and administrative activities. This is where the management and administrative tasks of the course are conducted, and where you can ask 'process' questions and receive answers throughout the course. Please feel free to answer any question if you feel you know the answer; this sharing of information is valuable to other students.

Assessment Criteria for Online Discussion Participation
Online Discussion Instructions
Online Participation Guidelines

The following guidelines may encourage you to be active and critical in your participation, only together we will make this course a significant and pleasant learning experience:

The role of the instructor, to make it easy for you to interact, to promote significant discussion, to give feedback on your postings and offer help where needed.

This is not an independent study course, but a paced online group learning experience. This study guide indicates 6 to 11 hours per week of your time to be spent on this course for five weeks.

Please accept the challenge to work with others, to construct knowledge in negotiation with others. Working individually on the assignments and just posting them might not lead to significant knowledge and skills.

Some difficulties at the beginning of an online course are quite normal; solving them is part of every distance learning experience.

Course Policies

Heading

College and University Policies

This course includes and adheres to the college and university policies described in the links below:

Academic Integrity Policy (UGRAD)

Academic Integrity Policy (GRAD)

Incomplete Policy

Course Withdrawal Timelines and Grade/Fee Consequences

Accommodations Based on the Impact of a Disability

Protection of Human Research Participants

APA citation format (GRAD)

Additional Course Resources

University Center for Writing-based Learning

SNL Writing Guide

Dean of Students Office

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary. If a change occurs, it will be clearly communicated to students.

Credits

This course was designed and produced by Doug Murphy and staff at SNL Online of the School for New Learning of DePaul University.

© 2010 School for New Learning, DePaul University. All Rights Reserved by SNL during contractual interval with the author.

​​​​​​​​​​​