Instructor: Virginia Findley, B.S., M.A.
Business Education Division
Email: vfindley@cuesta.edu
This letter contains important information—please read carefully!
Classes for Spring 2010 semester
· CAOA 246, CRN#31839—Beginning Word Processing Microsoft Word begins January 19, 2010 and ends May 21, 2010.
The mandatory class date is: Saturday – January 23, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the San Luis Obispo campus in Room 3413
My name is Virginia Findley. I will be your instructor of record for this online class—Beginning Word Processing – Microsoft Word 2007. You will be contacted prior to the start of this class (Spring 2010 semester), at which time I will submit to you more information about accessing the Blackboard web site.
This course is being taught using Blackboard, a web-based tool to facilitate teaching online classes. For more information about Blackboard, and to access the user’s guide, see the following site: http://blackboard.cuesta.edu//
Student Requirements:
· Be a dedicated and consistent learner;
· Check your email for class announcements a minimum of 3 times/week;
· Be self-motivated with the ability to engage with this class on a
· regular basis;
· Post weekly responses on the Discussion Board in Blackboard;
· Log in and activate your account within one week after the start of the
· program – students who fail to do so will be dropped;
· Be knowledgeable of computers, saving files, attaching files, and browsing on the Internet.
· Be prepared to work diligently and consistently.
Class Requirements:
You will need the following:
· A Cuesta College email address upon registration for this course.
· Software: Microsoft Word 2007 (Word 2007 is included in Office 2007 and can be purchased separately).
· Important information: Word 2007 is new software, and must be installed on your computer before you start this class. A 180-day trial of Word 2007 will be bundled with your new textbook.
·
Textbook—Microsoft
Word, Benchmark Series, Word 2007-Levels 1 & 2 by Nita Rutkosky. If you want a trial version of Word 2007
included with your textbook purchase, your textbook must be NEW and not a used textbook,. If you already have
Word 2007, then a used textbook will be okay to purchase. ISBN 978-07638-32735
(Includes a 180-day trial of Word 2007). Keep
your receipt when you buy any textbooks.
This textbook is required and, can be purchased online at the Cuesta College bookstore http://bookstore.cuesta.edu/
Computer Requirements:
Minimum Requirements:
· Windows XP or higher
· Pentium III or better with at least 256 MB of RAM, 1 GB of free disk space
· Microsoft Office 2007 (including Word, Excel, Access)
· Adobe Acrobat Reader
· Internet Explorer 4.0 or Netscape 4.0—JavaScript and Cookies must be enabled
· A Cuesta College email account
· A reliable Internet connection
· Adobe Acrobat Viewer must be loaded on your computer. See http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
· Enable Activate Active X controls and plug-ins (http://www.emcp.com/product_catalog/resourcefile.php?ID=52)
Netscape or the Internet Explorer Web browser can be downloaded to your computer
at no cost.
Hotmail Users: Your mailbox may not be set to accept “group” emails. In order to be successful in an online course, you must have reliable and available technology for email communications. Hotmail does not always fulfill this requirement. Yahoo and G-mail are free email providers and work well with online learning.
If you are using a web access email account or an account with high spam settings, it is likely that you might not receive some initial emails that detail important class information.
Add my name and email address to your contact list to ensure that my emails are not blocked and you are able to continue in the class without missed deadlines or being dropped.
Assignments & Tests:
The assignment sheet posted on the Blackboard website will have due dates. All assignments are due no later than 11:30 p.m. on this date. It is strongly suggested that all assignments are completed several days in advance before the due date.
Late assignments will be accepted only one week after due date and will be penalized 20% of total points possible. After the one week late date, assignments will not be accepted. Assignments will not be accepted after a Unit test or the final exam.
All tests will be submitted on the date posted. Make-up tests are not allowed—no exceptions. To avoid calendaring problems, it is suggested that you mark your calendar for all assignment due dates, tests, and final date at the beginning of the semester.
The first week of school (prior to the orientation date), I will email you (via your Cuesta email) an assignment to complete and send back to me.
The course syllabus and assignment sheet will detail the schedule for all homework assignments and tests. This will be available when you access the Blackboard site on or before the beginning of Spring 2010 semester.
Office Hours:
I am available by appointment. Email is the best way to get in touch with me. If you have any questions prior to the first day of class, please feel free to contact me via e-mail. I look forward to meeting and working with you.
Print this letter for future reference.
Virginia Findley
Instructor