In-class presentation grading

I realize some of you won't care becuase it is exam week - but some of you will!, so here is the rundown of how the inclass presenation was scored.

This email is going to be crossposted to the class blog so you can access it whenever needed.

In WebCT, for the in-class presentations, you'll see some numbers like this:


35 22


The first number is how many points (out of 36) you earned from me. The second is the average number of points you received from your fellow students who were grading you. I have also pasted in any comments your fellow students (and myself) made about your presentation.

Here's the details.
---------------------------------------------------------------

I took the grades from your fellow students and averaged them.

Could you understand the presenter?
The Slide Designs guided your eye.:
The presenter made it interesting.
Overall Design works to support the message:
You learned something from this presentation.

There were 25 points possible. (5 pts. each)


------------------------------------


I was grading you as well. It was based on the following:

36 Points Possible
5 Slides: 8 + Title + Biblio + Jobs: All, 8+2, 8+1, 8+0, <8
3 Sound: Well, Badly, Not
3 Graphics Well, OK, Poor choices, Not much, none
4 Slide Transitions Present, well done, average, badly
2 Master Slide Two, One, None
3 Points built up Well, AVG, Badly
3 Speaker Notes Yes, no
5 Interesting Slides 5,4,3,2,1
5 Interesting Present 5,4,3,2,1
3 Research 3,2,1

------------------------------------------

To calculate your grade:
1. Average up all the student responses.
2. Calculate the percentage.
3. Calculate the percentage of my grade.
4. (Student percentage * .25) + (Instructor percentage * .75)

That's your grade.

Excel WebCT project comments

As I'm grading the Excel WebCT projects, some comments come to mind.

1. I am deducting for format issues - i.e. the intructions call for a total to be in a specific format, but you didn't follow that instruction. Why? Because in real like, formatting matters. The way data is presented really makes a difference on whether it will be readable, understandable, and make an impact.
2. Never Ever manually type in a conclusion - for ex. look at a column and type in that highest number. Have Excel calculate that for you ALWAYS (even if it's easiy to glance at the data) - because you never know when the data will change.
3. Use your common sense - if a result doesn't make sense, then you've probably made an error somewhere. For example, the average of 15, 20,25 35, is probably NOT 1500!
   

Home network Possibilities

A quick description of the network I have at home. I will hopefully flesh this out later. The purspoe is to demonstrate the possibilities - and reasons to setup an home network. "Outhouse" is an outbuilding I have in the backyard, wired for electricity and phone.

Machines:

1. mac mini in outhouse
2. iMac DV inhouse
3. WinXP machine in outhouse
4. Apple laserwriter select in outhouse
5. HP inkjet printer inhouse
6. Apple powermac in outhouse
7. playstation 2
   

The need: Get everything talking to each other so any machine can print to either printer, and all can access the highspeed itnernet from Cox. The cable drop is, of course, 30 feet away from the nearest computer.

Networking hardware: I'm using powerline adaptors from macWireless.com to connect the outhouse, inhouse iMac, and the playstation to the highspeed internet. The outhouse machines are all connected to a gigabit switch I got cheap on eBay, which is in turn connected to a powerline adaptor. The playstation 2 and the cable modem are connected to a second gigabit switch. The inhouse iMac DV is connected direct to one of the powerline adaptors.

The wrinkle: I need to be able to work on the Win XP box for class, but there is no physical space to really put it anywhere convenient. So I use Remote Desktop Connection - free from microsoft. This allows me to sit at one of my Macs, connect to the Win XP box, and control Windows as if I was sitting there. in fact, this entry is being typed on a 5-year old iMac DV machine, controlling the Win XP box - which is running Firefox over the highspeed connection.

Fairly cool, if you like this sort of thing!

Microsoft Office alternatives, Threats

1. This article from eweek.com discussed alternatives to Microsoft Office that may be interest to you. It won't help you in this class (which requries Office) - but this inof may still be useful to you.

Some of these alternatives are free!

2. There are several ways Office can be attacked by malware. Read this article, from eweek.com, about how some of them. BTW - keep your copy of Office updated!

The first disk drives

There is a photo gallery at
http://content.techrepublic.com.com/2346-10877_11-31979-1.html

showing the first hard disk drives. My, how far we've come in terms of storing data.

50 of these platters could hold 2 iTunes songs.


There is more info HERE on a Yahoo news site (original article from PC World). (Thanks, Michael, for passing this on).

The original pricing:

Prices have dropped dramatically. The RAMAC 305's cost per megabyte was approximately $10,000--that's about $70,000 in today's value. Today, a typical desktop hard drive can deliver that same megabyte for 3/100 of a cent.

Notice that's $/meg.

Computer Parts notes - Tues 8/29/06

Hardware
Software
Operating System
CPM (really old)
Win XP, 2000
Mac OS X
Linux
Unix
BeOS

Sits ‘tween you & hardware

Application –
1. Commercial
2. Shareware
3. Donationware
4. Freeware

Hardware:
1. Motherboard
2. RAM – temp storage - Cheapest way to speed up CPU

Permanent Storage
1. HD
2. Flash ram
3. Optical
a. CD
b. DVD
c. R vs RW

Processor: Pentium
2 things to deal with:
Processor Type
Speed

Kilobyte=1024 bytes
Megabytes=1024 kilobytes etc
Gigabyte
Terabyte
Petabyte
Exabyte
Zettabyte

Click here for details.

On blackhawk, inside my folder is an Excel file comparing how much CD quality audio will fit in one megabyte, one gigabyte, etc.etc

Spring 2011Syllabus

CSC125 Intro to Computing Syllabus

 

Tom Rule Fall 2010

 

CSC 125.006 TR 0925-1040 CSB100

 

How to contact me - see the full syllabus inside myitalb

Facebook: Tom Rule, in the Mercer group (YOU MUST be in the Mercer network. Go make this happen now!)

 

Online form: http://www.tomrule.info/ or http://www.maconmacguy.com/

 

Mailbox in Computer Science office

 

Cell phone: ______________ (announced in class)

 

Office: I’m adjunct, and so do not have an office or office hours. Cell & Email are the best ways to contact me. You can also leave a message in my Computer Science Department mailbox.

 

Prerequisites: none

 

 

 

Handy URLS:

 

www.myitlab.com - you’ll be doing a lot of work here

 

csc125.blogspot.com - the class blog – announcements, tips, ideas, etc. SUBSCRIBE to it now!

 

MyItLab will be used for online training and testing. The blogspot address is a blog I setup for use with this class – I strongly suggest you subscribe to it. There is also a Facebook group for the class – you MUST be in the Mercer “network” to see it. Once you are, search for the group and request to join.

 

Essential knowledge, skills, abilities needed: common sense. Some computer experience is nice because it will make learning and doing the projects faster. Time and sweat will make up for lack of experience (just like in the “real world”). Yes, it’s nicer to have your own computer – but there are machines available all over campus where you can get your work done. Think of it as the computational equivalent of the Laundromat.

 

 

Course objectives: This course is designed to fill in some computing gaps you have (and probably don’t know you have). It is centered on Microsoft Office 2007, but will deal with a plethora of other computing and technology-related subjects. While no prior computing experience is required, students in CSC 125 are expected to read at the college level and also demonstrate math competency.

 

Upon completion of this course, a student will demonstrate competence in each of the following areas:

 

1. Describe the hardware components of a computer system and be able to explain the role of each component in the integrated computer system,
2. Describe the components of a computer network and explain how each piece functions in connecting one to other computers on the network and to the Internet and WWW,
3. Use the WWW in a sophisticated manner to conduct research on a given topic,
4. Use the Windows operating system,
5. Use Office application software for word processing, spreadsheets, database systems, and (optionally) WWW page generation.
6. Use Office application software to carry out common tasks in academic and business environments. This includes, but is not limited to, research papers, graphing, and financial calculations.
7. Understand the very basic function and purpose of a high level programming language through the use of instructional tools used to teach object oriented programming.

 

What you’ll need:

• Exploring Microsoft Office 2007 volume one (by Grauer et al). [POSSIBLY OPTIONAL]
• A login code for myITlab [MANDATORY]
• Access to Office 2007 (Including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access). Available at a discount through Mercer University (mercer.edu/tss – click on “Student computer purchases”)
• A computer capable of running the above programs (Windows 2000SP4, XP SP2, Vista, Windows 7) – available oncampus, especially in the CS building, downstairs.
  
                   Ask me about Macs – YES, it’s possible
• An Internet connection
• A thumb/flash/keychain/whatever-ya-wanna-call-em drive [ MANDATORY!] 

A Bargain:

 the Windows OS through the Computer Science Department. DIRT CHEAP!

 

 Electronic Submission of Assignments:

 Students bear sole responsibility for ensuring that papers or assignments submitted electronically to a professor are received in a timely manner and in the electronic format(s) specified by the professor. Students are therefore obliged to have their e-mail client issue a receipt verifying that the document has been received. Students are also strongly advised to retain a copy of the dated submission on a separate disk. Faculty members are encouraged, but not required, to acknowledge receipt of the assignment.

 

 Cell Phone and Pager Usage: The polite, official version:

 

Out of courtesy for all those participating in the learning experience, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off before entering any classroom, lab, or formal academic or performance event.

 

Cell Phone and Pager Usage: The real life, colloquial version:

 Turn the flippin’ cell phone off, for pete’s sake. Your mother would be ashamed! Have more consideration for your teacher and fellow students.

 

 Reasonable accommodation from students with disabilities will be welcomed.

 

Students requiring accommodations for a disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible. The instructor will refer you to the Disability Support Services Coordinator to document your disability, determine eligibility for accommodations under the ADAAA/Section 504 and to request a Faculty Accommodation Form. Disability accommodations or status will not be indicated on academic transcripts. In order to receive accommodations in a class, students with sensory, learning, psychological, physical or medical disabilities must provide their instructor with a Faculty Accommodation Form to sign. Students must return the signed form to the Disability Services Coordinator. A new form must be requested each semester. Students with a history of a disability, perceived as having a disability or with a current disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are also strongly encouraged to register with the Disability Services Coordinator and request a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester. For further information, please contact Carole Burrowbridge, Disability Services Coordinator, at 301-2778 or visit the Disability Support Services website at http://www.mercer.edu/studentaffairs/disabilityservices

 

 Grievances

 “Students have the right to bring grievances against faculty members concerning academic or behavioral matters.”

 You might try talking to me first when something bothers you – it’ll likely get resolved faster.

 

 Grading:

 

Final Exam: 10%
Capstone Projects: 35% [Graded on a 4 point scale]
MyItLab projects/exams 35%
Misc Projects: 20%

I do NOT use the built-in gradebook on myITlab for calculating averages. Use it ONLY to see what your scores are for individual items. There is a downloadable Excel spreadsheet available in myITlab you can use to track your grades & average.

 

Grading Scale: 90-100 = A 87-89=B+ 80-86=B 77-79=C+ 70-76=C

 

Attendance policy: You are strongly encouraged to attend every class. Much of what you will learn in this course will be learned in class through lectures and hands-on experience with the computer. Some assignments will be completed and submitted in class. Changes to schedules and assignments will be announced in class [and probably on the facebook group and blog]. I will not give private lectures to students who miss class. At 6 unexcused absences, you will lose 10 points from your final grade. Each additional unexcused absence deducts an additional 2 points from your final grade. For example, if you had a 95 average in the coursework, with 6 absences it become an 85. With 7 absences your average becomes an 81.

 

 If you are granted excused absences from Mercer University for university-related activities, please let me know ahead of time [a quick email is fine!] - especially if there's coursework due. Athletes: do NOT assume the Athletics Dept. has let me know about your excused absences. Let me know – a quick email is good!

 

  

Policies as to late, extra-credit, make-up, and “perfectible” work: Extra credit work is not something I do [with one exception, listed below]. If you get into some trouble (life happens), communicate with me! On rare occasions I will grade Late work for partial credit. EXTREMELY late work won’t even be looked at. Exceptions are allowed, but are rare. Talk to me about it!

 

  

Extra Credit: The Computer Science Department Colloquium is normally held each Friday at 10:00 AM in CSB room 204. When you attend, make sure you sign in (there’s a sign-in sheet – NOT SIGNING IN means you weren’t there) and pick up a Colloquium Review Form. Fill out the form with enough info to prove to me you were there and didn’t sleep through it. Turn it in by the next class meeting (either in person or in my CS mailbox – in the Computer science office). You will receive 1 point added to your final average for every Colloquium attended and paperwork done – up to 7 points.

 

 

 Honor Code:

 

All suspected violations of the University Honor Code will be forwarded to the Honor Council.
Yes, I’ve done it.
YES- THEY LOST

 

Common Sense:

 

If you receive a failing grade during the course, contact me and discuss the work/assignment(s) in question.

 

 

Final notes, advice, and various miscellany:

 

1. It will ALWAYS take longer than you think. Plan ahead!

2. You are in this class to develop skills – this takes time. Make working on this stuff a regular part of your schedule.

3. The computer WILL crash – and it will be at the worst possible moment. The closer you are to a deadline, the more often it will crash – it can sense these things

 

You think I’m lying right now – but you’ll see the truth of these words about mid-semester, when you waited until the last minute and you lost everything at 11:59 pm.

Yes, it’s happened before.

 

Yes, the student lost points.

 4. BACKUPS are critical. I have no compassion on people who can’t turn in an assignment because their only copy hosed.


5. MAKE MULTIPLE COPIES. Thumb drives are cheap. Even cheaper: Email a copy to yourself as a backup.


6. DO YOUR OWN WORK. NEVER give someone else access to your work. NEVER. This is not only dishonest and wrong – but will be referred to Honor Council. Do you really need the hassle?

 

If you turn in someone else’s work as your own, you will be assigned a grade of F for the entire module – i.e. you will receive an F for each myITlab test AND Capstone for that section of the class.

 

7. However – DO ask questions, confer with a fellow classmate on how to solve an issue, eyeball their work to doublecheck it. Ask me about the Fortran story involving me and my now-sister-in-law.


8. Re: MyITlab – there are 2 types of things to do in myITlab – training and exams. There are 2 paths you can take to get these done – Skill-based, and Project-based. Ask me about these if you still aren’t clear after I talk about it in class.

 

9. You CANNOT multitask, and have a snowball’s chance in Macon of getting what we’re covering in class. Stay out of Facebook/MySpace/Email/News/Sports/Chat/Shopping/fill-in-your-own-distraction-here while we’re in class. The stuff was online before you sat down, and it’ll be there when you leave.

 

 

List of assignments

All requisite files and instructions will be available for download in myITlab.

This list may change, but probably won’t.

myITlab tests:

PPT 3, 4, 5, 6

Excel 1,2,3,4

Access 1,2,3,4

Word 2, 3, 4, 5

 Tests taken in myITlab

 

Capstones:

 PPT 1, 2

 Excel 2, 3

 Access 1,2, 3

 Word 1, 2, 3

 Download the Doc, create the files

 

Misc Projects:

 What’s in your Computer?

 Useful Thing of the Day

 Alice

 Others may be added

 Download the instructions and follow them

 

 EXTRAORDINARILY Tentative schedule

 

Date Material Project Deadlines

 

Jan11 Get files off webpage, 1cl vs 2cl, facebook group, online virus scan,  ram, os updates, malware updates, blog subscribe

 

13 Email org, attachments, zip, thumbdriveuse, search process PPT intro

 

18 Search cont. PPT intro

 

20 Measure Data, Moving Data PPT design, usage

 

25 Disks/format/eject PPT1

 

27 file formats PPT2

 

Feb 1 OS vs app, App types Alice Intro

 

3 PPT to Dev Graphics PPT 1,2, all myITlab PPT DEADLINE

 

8 Alice XL intro

 

10 Alice XL design, usage

 

15 Parts overview: Hw/Sw

 

17 Processor XL1

 

22 Alice XL2 EXCEL 2 DEADLINE

 

24 Alice XL3

 

Mar 1 Cards/Busses

 

3 EXCEL 3, all myITlab XP DEADLINE

 

SPRING BREAK

 

15 Network 1 DB intro

 

17 Network 2 DB intro

 

22 Alice DB1

 

24 Monitors/connections/graphics cards DB 1 DEADLINE

 

29 Alice DB2

 

31 Printers/Sharing/Types DB3

 

Apr 5 OS Compare

 

7 DB 2,3, all myITlab DB DEADLINE

 

12 WP Intro, WP1, WP2

 

14 Mail Merge

 

19 WP 1,2 DEADLINE

 

21 Presentations WP3

 

26 Presentations

 

28 Presentation WP 3, all myITlab WP DEADLINE

 

All Deadlines are listed in the myITlab calendar. Check there!

 

 

The Final Exam will NOT be a traditional exam taken during a specified time. It will be partly done online and partly on the computer using Office, and will be open book / open notes but MUST be done by yourself. It will be due to be turned in electronically no later than Saturday May 7 by Noon – NO EXCEPTIONS. More details as we get into the semester.

 

Important Dates

 

SPRING 2011

 

First Day of Class January 11

Late Registration & Drop/Add January 11-14

Last Day for Late Registration, Drop/Add, and to apply for the Georgia Tuition Grant January 14

Holiday – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 17

Mid Term March 2

Spring Break March 7-11

Last Day for Course Withdrawal March 24

Deadline for submitting Graduation Applications (for Fall 2011) March 25

Advising/Priority Registration  (for Summer & Fall 2011) March 30 - April 15

Holiday – Good Friday April 22

Request Grade Mailer via BearPort April 25 - May 15

Last Class Day April 29

Reading Days April 30, May 1, 4

Final Examinations May 2, 3, 5-7

Commencement Saturday, May 14