Spring 2009
Section 1, Tuesday-Thursday 1:30-2:20pm
Section 2, Tuesday-Thursday 3:00-3:50pm
Section 3, Tuesday-Thursday 12:00-12:50pm
Instructor: Bill Loudon
BUBBS: William T Loudon
Email: william.t.loudon@biola.edu
| Class Website: | nature.wtl.org | (Class outline, calendar, general info) |
| Blackboard: | biola.blackboard.com | (Online grades, reading questions, exams) |
Office Hours: Before and after class and by appointment.
Office: Math/CS Faculty Offices, White 48A (by appointment)
Required Text: Tomorrow's Technology and You, 9th ed. by George Beekman and Michael J. Quinn.
Catalog Description
The history of computing machines. Computer logic and binary arithmetic. Elementary concepts of computers. Elementary BASIC programming. Societal impact of computers.
Course Objectives
- Understand the basics of computer technology including hardware, and software.
- Be able to perform standard tasks with Microsoft Office applications.
- Be able to edit graphics with Photoshop and create animation with Flash.
- Be able to design websites with Dreamweaver.
- Know how to integrate computers and technology with your Christian faith.
Grading Overview
Reading Questions Labs Midterm Exam Final Exam
Grading Scale
A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F
Reading Questions
Check the assignment calendar for the due dates. Read the chapter in the textbook and then go to Assignments on Blackboard.
The questions are open-book and do not have to be finished all at once. Blackboard will allow you to save your work and continue later. Be sure to Submit the questions when you are finished.
Labs
Check the assignment calendar for the due dates. Time will be given in class for working on the labs, but you will not always be able to complete them during class time.
If you would like more assistance than class time allows, I am happy to help you after class or by appointment.
Flash Drives
I recommend that you use a flash drive to save your work for this class. Get one that stores at least 1 GB. You should be able to find a suitable flash drive for under $20 that will give you plenty of storage for this class.
Do not rely on saving your documents on the computers in Biola's labs because they frequently get wiped clean.
Submitting Labs
Use the Drop Box to submit your labs. Please make sure all files you submit follow this naming pattern:
First-Name (as you like to be called) Last-Name Lab # Lab-Name
For example: John Smith Lab 1 Zip
Late Assignments
All assignments are due by the beginning of class on the due date. Please do not work on late assignments or do the reading questions during class. This will distract you from what is going on in class.
Do not leave unfinished labs until the last minute, because computer work often takes longer than you expect, especially if you are doing something new on the computer and there is not someone around to help you.
You will be given two free passes which you can use to turn in a late assignment.
Attendance
Attendance is expected of all students.
In addition to class lectures and activities, I will be demonsting how to use the various software programs while you follow along on a lab computer. Most students find their fellow students and my assistance to be a big help for completing the labs. This means that it may be difficult for you to catch up when you miss a class.
Official accreditation requirements state that students missing more than 25% of the class sessions cannot receive credit for the class.
Working Together
I encourage you to study with other students and learn from each other while working on the computers. This enhances the learning process by making the work more enjoyable and providing help when you get stuck.
However, all assignments turned in should reflect your own understanding and work.
- For labs, you may ask other students for help and answer their questions, but you must do all the work your self and not share your files with others.
- You are on your honor to take the reading quizes on your own. You may study the material in the book together, but not give each other the answers to the questions.
- On the exams you should not use any unauthorized aids.
BUBBS/FirstClass
I will send your lab results to you through BUBBS, along with other class communication as necessary.
FirstClass is a program installed on Biola's computers to give access to BUBBS. Click on the FirstClass icon on the computer. Do not use the web browser for BUBBS if you can help it. You can install FirstClass for free on a computer (PC or Mac) that doesn't have it by following the instructions here.
Blackboard
We will use Blackboard for grades, reading questions, and exams.
Please check Blackboard frequently so any grading discrepancies between your records and mine can be quickly resolved.
Your username is your student ID number, and your initial password is listed on the Biola Portal. Log in to the portal, click the Password link near the top of the page, then click the Blackboard tab. The Portal password is the same you use for Webreg.
For more details on accessing Blackboard, see: Welcome to Blackboard.
If you already changed your password and forgot the new password, go to Blackboard and click on the Forgot password? link for instructions. This will work if the email address Blackboard has for you is correct.
If you still cannot log on to Blackboard, go to the IT Helpdesk in the lower level of Metzger during office hours to request a new password.
To change your password: Click the My Biola tab near the top left, then Personal Information, then Change Password. I recommend changing the password to match the one you use for Webreg and the Portal.
To access this course: Click on The Nature of Computing link on the right-hand side under My Courses.
To check your grades: Click the My Grades button on the left-hand side.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's ideas and work as your own. It ranges from not citing the sources of ideas and textual excerpts to turning in an essay written by someone else. Plagiarism at Biola is not tolerated, and may result in failing the assignment or the course and further discipline by university officials.
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: We are committed at Biola University to ethical practice in teaching, scholarship, and service. As such, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Please see the undergraduate/graduate student handbook and/or the departmental/program/school policy on academic honesty. It is imperative that you present all written, oral, and/or performed work with a clear indication of the source of that work. If it is completely your own, you are encouraged to present it as such, taking pleasure in ownership of your own created work. However, it is also imperative that you give full credit to any and all others whose work you have included in your presentation via paraphrase, direct quotation, and/or performance, citing the name(s) or the author(s)/creator(s) and the source of the work with appropriate bibliographic information. To do otherwise is to put oneself in jeopardy obeing sanctioned for an act or acts of plagiarism that can carry serious consequences up to and including expulsion from the university.
Students With Disabilities
Students desiring accommodations on the basis of physical, learning, or psychological disability for this class are to contact Disability Services. Disability Services is located in the Learning Center in the Biola Library, upstairs from the main floor, and can be reached by calling 562.906.4542 or extension 4542.
How To Succeed In This Course
The secret to doing well in this course is to come to class each each week and keep up with the weekly work. If at any point you feel overwhelmed, please don't hesitate to email me or come and talk to me about how you can succeed.
