I n t r o d u c t i o n

E x p l o r i n g

I n t r e p i d

How this Class Works

You will spend most of the in-class time working on the assigned Tutorial and Case material from the text book. Your instructor and peer tutor will provide any help you need during this time. Each Tutorial and "Case" involves:

• Computer work on your part,
• your verification that it is correct, and
• an instructor/tutor "check off" to assign points.

Solutions to the lab assignments are available for you to check your work prior to the instructor check off. Therefore, your work will either be correct or incorrect. You will typically receive one point per printout per assignment or as noted in the Tutorial Notes.

Tutorial and Case assignments that are not completed in class are completed outside class (as "homework"). Before the next class, complete and print the assignment. At the beginning of the next class meeting turn in the printed work to the instructor or peer tutor. Make sure all work clearly identifies you and the assignment. Staple multiple printouts together by assignment and in the order printed.

If you complete the assignments and have additional time in class, feel free to explore the unassigned exercises. This is not extra credit.

Tutorial Notes

You are provided with a "Tutorial Note" for each of the textbook Tutorials. These will help you succeed with the lesson and are based on prior class teaching with this textbook. These tutorial notes also indicate what you need to present for grading and the number of points available. Read the notes before starting the lesson. As the lesson proceeds, check off the items for grading.

Methods of Evaluation

Assessment

Attendance

You are asked to make a commitment to arrive in class on-time. Important information is typically given at the beginning of class and we would not want you to miss it.

You will have two personal days for absence should you need it. (This is equivalent to missing an entire week of class). For each additional class period missed, if it is an unexcused absence, your course grade will be reduced by 4%.

You are responsible for all material, assignments, and notes handed out or assigned during any class, whether or not you are present. Check with another student in the class; class content can't be summarized via an email or a phone conversation.

Make-Up Policies

Writing Assignments: Late work may only be accepted with the instructor’s approval. Assignments will not be accepted once the exam for that material has been administered.

Lab Assignments: Lab assignments are divided into three categories: "in-class", "due", and "late". IN-CLASS: All lab assignments will be started in-class and may be completed during the class period. Your instructor or peer tutor will assign points as you complete parts of the assignment in class. DUE: Lab assignments that have not been completed in class are not late. They are due at the beginning of the next class period. (It is expected that you will need extra time to complete a lab. There is no penalty for this.) If a "due" assignment is not submitted at the beginning of the next class period, it is late. You are responsible for submitting a "due" assignment whether or not you attend the class period. LATE: Late work is work that has not been completed in class and not turned in at the beginning of the next class period. Late work will not be accepted and receives no points without prior approval of the instructor. Assignments will not be accepted once the exam for that material has been administered.

Teaching/Learning Methodology

• The overall knowledge goal of this course is for you to gain proficiency in using a database system as a tool to help you solve problems. You will be using Microsoft® Access 2003.
• Your instructor will serve as the work facilitator as you work independently.
• Class periods consist of a combination of short lecture/demonstrations and active learning experiences.
• To benefit from this course, you should actively do the following:
  • Review assigned material before each class.
  • Use open lab time to complete your assignments.
  • Provide adequate time outside of class for this course. You should budget two hours outside of class time for every class period.

Computer Labs

Peer Tutor

Other Information

• Have a good attitude and come to class ready to learn! If you already know the material, complete the assignment and then actively seek more challenging aspects of the software.
• No smoking, eating, or drinking in the computer class.
• Turn off cell phones and pagers. If you must have them on, it must be work-related or an emergency and the ringer should be set to quiet mode.
• You are encouraged to develop your active listening and question asking skills in this class.
• Each student is responsible for adhering to the copyright restrictions pertaining to all software.

Assessment of Writing Assignments

Evaluation of each assignment will use the specific criteria discussed in this syllabus and discussed in class. The following rubric will be used to evaluate the semester project as well as the papers (i.e., one page reflections and retrospectives) that are assigned:

An Outstanding Project/Paper (grade of A) is a well organized paper that can be understood without explanation from the author, is well-written, clearly conceptualized, addresses all stated criteria, reflects a great deal of time investment in the assignment, is carefully crafted, and adds at least one additional criteria.

A Good Project/Paper (grade of B) is well organized, can be understood without explanation from the author, is well written and clearly conceptualized, and addresses all the stated criteria.

A Satisfactory Project/Paper (grade of C) is organized but not especially well organized, can be understood only with some effort or explanation from the author, addresses most or all the stated criteria. If your assignment merely meets the requirements you will receive a C.

Poor Project/Paper (grade of D or below) is unorganized, poorly written/conceptualized, is missing criteria.

In order to encourage the development of good communication skills which are essential in the business environment, sloppy or incorrect English in any assignment will adversely affect your grade.

Reporting Format for Writing Assignments

Writing assignment requirements: typed, at least 4 pages in length, 1" margins, 8.5x11" paper, Times New Roman 11 point font, double spaced. Note: There should be at least 4 pages of text. This does not include the figures, graphs, tables, reports, etc. Since you final report will have these figures, etc., your final report will be longer than 4 pages.

Academic Integrity Policy

Absolutely no form of cheating or plagiarism, electronic or otherwise, will be tolerated in any aspect of this course. A grade of 0 will be given on the assignment or exam. See Student Responsibilities - Academic Honesty at http://www.unca.edu/catalog/academicregs.html#grading.

In-Class Conduct

You are expected to contribute to the creative learning atmosphere of our classroom.

Team Work

Homework

You should budget at least 4 hours outside of class per week for completing assignments, study and reading for this course. Use these 4 hours to complete any "due" assignments, scan the material to be covered during the next class, and work on the writing assignment.

Email Communication

Your instructor may need to communicate with you through email to your bulldog account (yourName@bulldog.unca.edu). You should frequently (daily) check this e-mail for messages, and to insure that new messages can be received (i.e., that your mailbox is not full). You may email your instructor as needed for course-related questions - see my email address in the "Instructor" section.