Contact Information
Course Description
Course Competencies
Textbook and Supplies
Computer Access
Attendance
Grading System

Fall Schedule of Activities (08/21)
     Monday/Wednesday Class
     Tuesday/Thursday Class

Download Fall 2009 Syllabus
     printable format (PDF file)

Current Grades
    MW 1:30 Class (11/19)
    TR 11:15 Class (11/19)
    Best viewed w/ Internet Explorer

Grade Calculator Spreadsheet

Academic Calendar
Withdrawal and Incomplete
Academic Dishonesty Procedure
Student Code of Conduct

Steps to success!

EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
      CAMPUS SECURITY: (305) 237-2100
      M-DCC EMERGENCY HOTLINE: (305) 237-7500 (Hurricane and Weather Warnings)

INSTRUCTOR OFFICE HOURS: See Prof. Ballinger's Home Page

E-MAIL AND PHONE MESSAGES: Be sure to include your name (not just your e-mail address!) and your class in every email and phone message.  I try to respond within 2 business days to all e-mail. Remember that e-mail is NOT guaranteed delivery. If you do not receive a response, it may be necessary to leave a phone message. All course email will be sent to your myMDC.net mail box. Send email to the address above; DO NOT use MYITLAB email.

CIS STUDY CENTER (Rm. 9103) : The Study Center in Room 9103 provides computers access for CIS students. You will be asked to provide a current MDCC ID and validated schedule when you enter the Study Center. The hours of operation will be posted on the door of Room 9103 and on the Computer Department web page located at http://www.cis.kendall.mdc.edu/About/Center.asp

C.I.S. DEPARTMENT Home Page:  http://www.cis.kendall.mdc.edu

This is an introductory level course that satisfies the College’s computer competency requirement. Students will learn essential computer concepts and skills as well as knowledge of how to use current software applications. Topics include word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation software, email, Internet, and legal and ethical issues concerning the use of computers and the Internet.

TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLIES (Required by the second class)

Skills for Success Using Microsoft Office 2007* by Kris Townsend
*with several additional booklets and MyITLab included in the bundle below:
All these items are sold together in the MDC bookstore in a single bundle,
ISBN# 0558374190

(Please wait to register at the Pearson Web Portal until you recieve information in class. If you don't follow the registration instructions provided in class, you will not have access to portions of the material.)

Objective Exams:   Each objective exam consists of 20 to 30 questions.  No books or notes may be used.

Performance Exams:   Each performance exam consists of multiple tasks that measure your skills in a Microsoft Office application.  The textbook may be used for reference but there will be a time limit for completing the exam.

Exam Makeup Policy: Only one missed objective exam and one missed myitlab performance exam may be made up.  Missed exams can only be made up during the final exam time. No retakes of exams are allowed.  No exceptions will be made. 

Homework: There will be 4 or 5 required homework assignments. Late homework will NOT be accepted.

GRADING PERCENTAGES AND SCALE:

4    myitlab Performance Exams  70%
5    Objective Exams         20%
4 - 5   Homework                               10%

The grading scale for exams and final semester grade is:
      A = 100-90, B = 89-80, C = 79-70, D = 69-60, F = 59 or below

Extra Credit:  myitlab Training Units and Practice Exams covering Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint must be completed with a score of 85% or higherfor a maximum of 10 extra credit points added to the final grade.

• myitlab Training Units = ½ point each
• myitlab Practice Exams = 1 point each

Monday/Wednesday Class <- click to view
Tuesday/Thursday Class <- click to view

"Putting off an easy thing makes it hard.  Putting off a hard thing makes it impossible."
-- George Claude Lorimer

Course Competencies: <- click to view competencies

Computers are good at following instructions, but not at reading your mind.
- D. Knuth

The college academic calendar is available at http://www.mdc.edu/academic_calendar/. View this web page to determine the last day to drop with a grade of W and other important information.

If you decide to withdraw, it is your responsibility to do so by the date listed in the calendar above. If you stop attending this class, you may be dropped from the course without notice and your record may show a grade of WI (Instructor Withdrawal). All students that are listed on the final grade report will receive a final grade. At all times your registration status is your responsibility.

An "Incomplete" grade or “I” grade is only available at the discretion of the instructor as a result of a documented emergency that prohibits your completing the course. You will be only considered for an incomplete grade if it is beyond the course withdrawal date and you are passing the course at the time of the request.

Students are to work individually during exams. Talking or helping each other during an exam is prohibited and may result in the implementation of the following Academic Dishonesty Procedure. If a student is caught cheating on any exams or work related to the class, the student will receive only one warning before the dishonesty procedure becomes effective. This procedure will be one of the following: (1) a lower grade for the course, (2) a grade of F for the course, or (3) removal from the course.

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Please carefully review the Academic Dishonesty policies in the Student's Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

Please carefully review the Student Code of Conduct in the Student's Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

Steps to Success <- click to view