Start Here...

Welcome to the online version of CAB135: Introduction to Spreadsheeting! This class will be delivered online using the Desire2Learn platform (D2L). This course offers hands-on instruction in the use of the Excel spreadsheet software package.

The following information will assist you in making the CAB135 a successful experience. Please take a few minutes to read the following information very carefully. The following will give you answers to questions most often asked by online students in the CAB135 course.

How to Communicate:

• All communication will be conducted through email within the online platform- Desire2Learn (D2L). It is strongly recommended that the student check email as often as possible.

Contacting the Instructor:

• If you have any questions about something you don’t understand in the course contact your instructor via the D2L email. The online D2L email is checked daily and you will be sent a response within 24 hours.
• Office hours are posted on the syllabus, which students have access to by clicking on the Content Link and then clicking on " Start Here: Important Information."

Materials Needed for CAB135:

• You must purchase the following book: New Perspectives, Comprehensive, Microsoft Excel 2010, Parsons /Oja/Ageloff/ Carey, ISBN# 978-0-538-74291-7
• The CAB135 online course cannot be completed without the book. It is recommended that the book be purchased prior to the beginning of the course.
• CAB135 cannot be taught without using Excel 2010 prior versions of the software are NOT advisable, because the book is a 2010 version prior versions are completely different. The student is advised if you do not have the software you can utilize the college resources.

Make Working in the Desire2Learn (D2L) Online Environment a Success, by:

Preparing yourself before the course begins by getting acquainted with the D2L online course environment. You do not want to struggle with the environment once the class begins. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that prior to the course start date you log into the CAB135 online course and become familiar with important links.

The following provides an explanation of the Links that will be used most often by the online student within the CAB135 course. These Links are also referred to throughout this reading. It is important that the online student become familiar with these areas of the online environment.

Content Link:
The Content Link offers the student a hierarchy of helpful information and tools that will aid the student in making the CAB135 online environment more successful. Information found within this link will provide students with: Start Here Information (schedule of due dates; supplemental reading material for tutorial 1; and the syllabus). Additional, Links within the Content area provide access to: PowerPoints notes for each tutorial; Data Files needed in order to complete each tutorial reading; and Exam Hints.

Dropbox Link:
The Dropbox Link allows users to submit assignments online by uploading their files. All course assignments, quizzes,  and Exams that are associated with uploading files are located in the Dropbox. Students must go to the Dropbox to get their assignments as well as the files needed for successful completion of course work. Additionally, once graded feedback on assignments will be accessible through the Dropbox.
Note: The practical portions of the Midterm and Final Exams are also located in the Dropbox. Both the Midterm and Final Exams will also include multiple choice questions which are located and only accessed through the Quizzes/Exams Link.

Quizzes/Exams:
The Quizzes/Exams Link will only offer access (as explained above) to the Midterm and Final Exam multiple choice portion of these exams. Unfortunately, this tool only allows for multiple choice question exams and no uploading of exam files.
Note:
This link refers to all exams as "Quizzes"- the midterm and final are exams not quizzes.

Necessary Supplemental Reading Material:

• This material is not in your book, for your success in this class it is imperative that you read and study this material. It should be studied with Tutorial 1.
• The supplemental material-"Supplemental Reading Material (Tutorial 1)" can be found by clicking on the Content Link and then clicking on " Start Here: Important Information." The supplemental material will be listed as one of the informational items.
• The supplemental material covers the following; A Planning Analysis sheet along with an example-discussed in Chapter 1 and needed for your Excel Project; Starting the worksheet; Documentation-an example of the documentation format to be used with your spreadsheets; and a worksheet development checklist.

Class Structure:

• I hope you have considered your academic strengths and weaknesses when enrolled in an online environment. The on-line version of “Introduction to Spreadsheeting” is heavily dependent on textbook reading and working on your own at the computer.
• CAB135 is an 8 week on-line class it is NOT an independent study course; we will work through this course week by week, and conclude in 8 weeks.
• The Syllabus will give you a thorough explanation of the class structure and requirements. The Syllabus can be found by clicking on the Content Link and then clicking on " Start Here: Important Information." The Syllabus will be listed as one of the informational items.
• It is the student’s responsibility to read the syllabus and honor all course requirements. Failure to do so may result in misunderstanding and loss of a grade.
• The “Schedule of Due Dates (Topics)” is available to all students it provides an outline of the 8 week reading responsibilities along with: homework assignments; quizzes; and exams. The “Schedule of Due Dates (Topics)” can be found by clicking on the Content Link and then clicking on " Start Here: Important Information." The schedule will be listed as one of the informational items. Additionally, the Dropbox offers all the assignments and assignment due dates.
  

Note: The students are responsible for checking the Dropbox for all work that will need to be submitted.

Reading the Tutorials:

• Absolutely! You MUST read each tutorial in your book. The CAB135 course will cover Tutorials 1-6 in the course of 8 weeks.
• Each tutorial is divided into sessions that combine reading and hands-on, step –by-step work. In order to be successful with the homework assignments it will be the student’s responsibility to complete the tutorial reading and hands-on instruction prior to beginning homework assignments. Each tutorial includes a data file, which will be needed to successfully complete the tutorial reading- please see below for further information.

Making the Tutorial Reading Successful- Data Files

• Data Files: Each tutorial reading refers to a data file; these files can be found by clicking on Content Link and then clicking on "Tutorial Reading- Data Files."
• You will need to download the data file onto your home computer first. Once the download is completed you can open the file through Excel. It is strongly recommended that you organize your CAB135 files accordingly in case you need to refer to them in the future.
• Please keep your tutorial reading files separate from your assignment files.

Note: Homework Assignments
Each homework assignment will also refer to a file. These files are separate from the Tutorial Reading Data Files. The files needed for each homework assignment are located in the Dropbox (which is explained below).

Homework Assignments, Quizzes, Tests, and the Excel Course Project:

Homework Assignments:
There are two case studies that are assigned for homework for each tutorial each week. These case studies (homework assignments) are found by clicking the Dropbox link. Please check each assignment for page numbers, instructions, and downloading the case file. You will not be able to complete the assignments without your book!

• All homework assignments, unless stated otherwise, are due each Monday by 10:00 PM.
• All quizzes are due on Monday by 10:00 PM.
• Check your DUE DATE, which is listed in the Dropbox.
  
• In order to get credit, all homework assignments must be submitted through the Dropbox and must be submitted on time!

Quizzes
There will be three quizzes for the CAB135 course.

• The quizzes will be administered on-line.
• Quizzes will be released within the Dropbox.
• The Dropbox has due dates and times for all.

Exams: Midterm and Final
There will be a Midterm Exam and Final Exam.

• The midterm exam and final exam will be administered on-line.
• Exams will be released within the Dropbox.
• Hints for these exams are provided in the Content Link section.
• The Dropbox has due dates and times for both exams.

Please note: the midterm and final exams are split into two parts.
Both exams will contain a Multiple Choice portion that will be accessed by clicking on the Quizzes/Exams Link.
The practical portions of both exams; Midterm and Final will be accessed through the Dropbox.

The Excel Course Project:
The student will also be responsible for completing and submitting an excel course project, which is NOT in your book. The project is found clicking on the Dropbox link.

Be Advised: Lab assignments, projects, quizzes, and exams are individual work; help from or to other students is inappropriate and will result in Standards of Academic Progress (SOAP) sanctions. This also includes borrowing previous semester course work. It is extremely important that the student be very aware of the ramifications of any collaborative work.
Simply saying I was not aware of this policy will NOT excuse the student!

Late Work:

• Absolutely NOT. All homework is given a due date and must be submitted on or before the due date. Any work submitted late will not be accepted and you will receive a “0.” All the homework assignments and due dates are listed in the Dropbox. The same policy is held for quizzes and exams.
• I strongly encourage all students to be mindful of the due dates and the class policies. This policy will NOT be argued or negotiated.

The Grade Scale:

• A full explanation is provided in your syllabus. The syllabus can be accessed by going to the Content Link- "Start Here- Important Information."
• There is a total of 330 points that can be earned for the semester, each homework assignment is worth 5 points, each quiz 10 points, the midterm exam 100 points, and the final exam 100 points.
• The grade scale; 297-330=A (90%); 264-296=B (80%); 231-263=C (70%); 198-230=D (60%); anything below 197 is an F.

Be Advised: Absolutely NO Incomplete "I" grades are assigned or granted in the CAB135 online course.
Additionally, your ending grade results in the number of points that you earn, there will be absolutely NO negotiations of grades or negotiations of late work.

Feedback Regarding Graded Homework:

• When I grade your files if you have any errors I will do my best to let you know what your mistakes are. If however, you have done a perfect job I will not send you back a file. I do however, comment on your work. Please take a look at any uploaded graded file in your Dropbox that I return to you, the comments provided are important for avoiding future mistakes.

Course Lecture Powerpoints:

• A PowerPoints slide presentation is provided for each tutorial (1-6). This is a summary of the tutorial reading, often found helpful to the students to review prior to reading the tutorial. The PowerPoints' are located by clicking on the Content Link, under "Course Lectures- PowerPoints Presentations."

Free Tutoring:

• Free tutoring is offered from the Instructional Support Services at Oakton. Once the tutoring schedule is posted I will email you the schedule.