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POFT 1329 This keyboarding course is for students wanting to learn keyboarding by touch (without looking at fingers) and then learn basic formatting of documents, such as memos, letters, reports, and tables. Students learn the basics of MS Word 2013 for creating the documents. Skill building (speed and accuracy improvement) is also included. This course allows you and your professor a unique opportunity to take advantage of the latest technology and techniques in classroom and distance learning. The online format provides flexibility because assignments are completed from the convenience of home. POFT-1329 Beginning Keyboarding is an electronic, interactive class with a professor, students, and assignments. To complete assignments online, you will need Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer (but NOT Google Chrome, which does not work well with the keyboarding software program on the Web). You will also need MS Word on your computer, which is not part of the required keyboarding text kit and must be acquired separately. If you do not have one of the recommended browsers, you can download one from the Internet (or use college computers for your course work). If you do not have MS Word, you can order it at a discount from the SCC bookstore while you are enrolled. You will access the course through the Internet from a computer at home, work, or on campus--anytime, day or night, that you have access to the Internet. Even this Orientation information is online, and there will be NO requirement to come to campus for any assignment. How do I get started? Because your course Web site is in Canvas, you will not have access to your course until classes begin. Once classes begin, go through CougarWeb and follow the login instructions there for accessing your Canvas course site. Once you have Canvas access, all communications and assignments will be guided by the Schedule and Modules in Canvas for your convenience and privacy. However, all your actual assignments will be completed in GDP (Glencoe Document Processing) via your new registration access card, and I will go there to review your work ... meaning you will not submit GDP assignments in Canvas (another nice convenience). You should review everything in this Collin Learning Center (eLC) link, which will include a Contact Information link. Please do take advantage of the tutorials offered there. If you are an experienced online student, the material should be fairly familiar but include a few new tips and the important contact information. Be encouraged that many students take this course as their first online learning experience and do well. Your professor can be more available to you online than within a traditional class that meets on campus only at certain times. You will be expected to check your Canvas course often for announcements, discussions, and messages. Frequent communication between professor and student is important to your success in this course. TEXTBOOK: Important: If you choose to delay acquiring course materials to seek a discount, understand that the academic price will be earning ZEROS for work not completed on schedule. Also, not having materials does not exempt you from completing startup assignments in Canvas. The SCC Bookstore will price match any deal you find on Amazon.com (direct, not a sub-seller) or from Barnes and Noble, IF you provide the price match information when you go to the bookstore for materials. Gregg College Keyboarding & Document Processing (GDP) for Word 2010, KIT 1, Lessons 1-60, 11th Ed., Ober, Johnson, and Zimmerly, McGraw-Hill/Irwin Publishing Company, 2011, ISBN 007-782-4636 (bundle of text, Word 2013 manual, and online software student registration card). Double-check before you purchase that the text is for Lessons 1-60.
Below is a picture of the textbook (how it should
look); the ISBN number would be on the back cover (not shown).
Your online class will be using Web-based keyboarding software that you can use from wherever you have access to the Internet. Your access key (registration code) will allow you to use the keyboarding software on the Web for a generous 2-year period, which means your access could continue through your taking Intermediate Keyboarding, if you do that within the 2 years, so KEEP the access code (and your purchase receipt, of course). The keyboarding software will score your word processing practice, highlighting errors for your immediate feedback, and allowing you to review and edit your work to earn higher grades. YOU must have MS Word 2013 (or 2016) software on your computer. MS Word does NOT come with the bundle. You cannot pass the course without using MS Word, which is available on college library and open computer lab workstations, in case you need that. (If you purchase a used text, you will still need access to the keyboarding software and therefore will need a separate NEW access code, unless you have purchased one recently (codes are good for two years). ISBN 007-731-9443 is for the online keyboarding software access card ONLY. You will also need a separate Microsoft Office Word Manual. If you will be using Word 2013, the ISBN for the manual is 9780073397009. If you will be using other versions of Word (2007, 2010, or 2016), contact the publisher (1-800-331-5094) to purchase the manual that matches your Word software version.
SOFTWARE: The Glencoe Document Processing 11th edition software is now Web based and accessed for 2 years using the access key (code) that is included with the text bundle detailed above. After completing Lesson 20, you will need MS Word for creating and/or editing the document-formatting assignments and for taking the important hands-on skills tests using Word. You cannot pass the course without doing the word processing assignments using MS Word software. This software is NOT included with the text kit and must be purchased separately. Or, you can use workstations in campus libraries, as necessary. Collin bookstores offer discounted academic versions of software for currently enrolled students. Technical support for the Glencoe Document Processing keyboarding software is available by calling 1-800-331-5094 or by going to http://www.mhhe.com/support during the following hours: 6 to10 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Calling while you are at your computer is recommended and is much faster than using email.... SUPPLIES: A portable USB drive for backing up files, as needed. Please save all word processing documents (especially the important skills tests) until the final course grade has been posted. The GDP keyboarding program on the Web will save your other assignments, if they are complete with no need to print or submit. A green check will appear beside each lesson section when you have completed that item, and GDP will save all COMPLETED sections. EQUIPMENT: In order to send and receive assignments from home, you will simply need a good Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, you also have the option of doing all the work for your online course by using equipment provided by the college (at any campus, at your convenience between other classes).
SYSTEM/TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:
COURSE FORMAT: Your class includes a schedule in Canvas to keep you on track for assignments and guide you concerning how to complete assignments and tests in the Web keyboarding software. Your professor will work with you through Canvas to help you with questions or problems. Your GDP performance grades will be manually transferred to Canvas grades, so you will be able to monitor your progress. Please allow reasonable time for the manual transfer of grades for all your hard work. You will have opportunity to communicate with your professor concerning any differences between your records and your grades in GDP and Canvas -- before your final course grade is posted. Most of the course credit depends on your satisfactorily completing all assignments. How do I access the POFT-1329 Beginning Keyboarding class? First, you must be officially enrolled. Once classes begin, go through CougarWeb and follow the login instructions there for accessing your Canvas course site. Your username should be your Cougarmail username, and your password should be the last six digits of your CWID (college-wide identification number). If you experience technical issues, please contact the eLC for help. Once classes begin, you will be expected to check Canvas often for announcements and email. Frequent communication between professor and student is important to your success in this course. What is the POFT-1329 Beginning Keyboarding course like? After registering for the class and obtaining the course materials, you will:
YOU are responsible for scheduling your study time and completing your assignments. You are responsible for keeping up to date with the course schedule, matching the course weeks with your calendar, and keeping a record of the assignments you have submitted. Your professor is available to help you through the course through Canvas; please do not hesitate to contact your professor. Your professor acts as a facilitator to help you master the course goals. Realize that this course requires YOUR motivation, commitment, organization, and self-discipline. YOU must supply those success factors. Effective learning results only when students become active participants in control of their learning and take the initiative to do what is necessary. Learning the skills necessary to communicate in an online course format will be a valuable bonus to you in preparing for working in high-tech offices. POFT-1329 Beginning Keyboarding is a competency-based course. You are expected to meet certain performance objectives, which are found in the course syllabus. The generic syllabus (containing objectives) is posted at http://iws.collin.edu/syllabus. Your professor's syllabus (including how you will be graded) will be posted on the Canvas course site. Your final grade will be based upon your participation and performance. Following instructions accurately and submitting assignments in a timely manner will be important aspects of course success. Again, welcome to the class! |
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Copyright © 2003 Professor Linda Thompson. Collin
County Community College District.
All Rights Reserved. Updated
October 14, 2016.