September 2009

 

Dear CIS101 student,

 

Welcome to the online version of CIS101: Introduction to Computer Information Systems.  This section of the course will be delivered from the Internet. Class begins September 8, 2009. The class will officially open on that day, but will be available a few days earlier. You can go to the Oakton website for more information about online classes at Oakton.  From home, work, or school, enter: http://www.oakton.edu/online/ in your browser (Internet Explorer preferred).  You will need access to the Internet from home or another location to complete class work.  If you are unsure about your computer, the Oakton online site has technical resources that will walk you through the minimum requirements.

 

TIME COMMITMENT:  This class will have weekly scheduled assignments and require you to spend a minimum of 6 to 8 hours per week working on course material. You can spend those hours at any time that is convenient for you. You should plan to be online at least 3 times a week. There are 2 major tests that will require you to come to one of the Oakton testing centers in Des Plaines or Skokie.  If you do not live in the Oakton service area, arrangements for the tests can be made, with prior notice, at another location. The Oakton campus is open seven days a week during the Fall semester.

 

BOOK PACKAGE: Books are required for this class. The online CIS101 class uses Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 12th Edition, Comprehensive, by Morley & Parker and a Course Technology CaseGrader CD folder. Your book is available in the campus bookstore on the shelves or you may purchase it independently. The CaseGrader CD is a separate purchase from the bookstore checkout desk.  Get your books before class begins.  You will also need access to the Microsoft Office 2007 software. Software is available for use in the Oakton labs if you don't have  it at another location for your use.   There is an optional lab book, Microsoft Office 2007, Illustrated Series, Brief by Hunt and Waxer, which is available if you want step by step help with the Office software.

 

ORIENTATION: The first week of the course will include an orientation to the WebCT environment on Tuesday evening at 9 pm. Other orientation sessions will be scheduled as needed and there are recordings of the Elluminate sessions. I also have on campus office hours Monday through Thursday at noon. Check my webpage for exact times. Scheduled assignments will be due each week. It is essential that you are able to access course materials from the web.  If you have questions or concerns about the class, please contact me as soon as possible. If you need help accessing the web, please contact me or the Oakton online staff before the class begins. Additional instructions will be posted in WebCT and on the web at http://www.oakton.edu/~pamela/.  There will also be a link to your course at the servercc location.

 

Email will be our primary method of contact outside of the class WebCT site.  Please send an email to my Oakton address (pamela@oakton.edu) and include the online class (CIS101 online) in the subject of your email.  Be sure to include your current preferred email address outside of WebCT. Within the course, there will be an email box and discussion boards for questions.  I am looking forward to meeting you and expect this to be an exciting semester.

 

Sincerely,

 

Pamela D Hegg

Professor of CTIS