Foundation Course Basic Computing Concepts Foundation programs are designed for those students who need skills at a bachelor degree level. The courses (in some schools and colleges they are also called modules or subjects) in such programs are designed to meet students' practical communicative needs in an academic environment. One of the most important courses in a foundation program is Basic Computing Concepts. It develops students' basic computer operational skills that are needed at a university level.
FOUNDATION 2 (Semester 2)
Basic Computing Concepts
Module Code: F2-BCC
Credit Points: -
Prerequisites:
(1) Foundation 1 final examination and continuous assessment result: 51 points or higher.
(2) Placement test result: 61 points or higher
Aims
To equip students with the basic computer operational skills and file management skills along with the knowledge of usage of spreadsheets to source, process and communicate information related to their higher education or postsecondary studies in a variety of disciplines.
Content
Unit 1. Computer Fundamentals
Fundamentals. Describe the main functional blocks of a computer system and how they work in sequence to process information. Explain the terms ‘hardware’ and ‘software’. Hardware. Identify and describe the function of different hardware components such as CPU, storage systems, types of memories like RAM, ROM etc. and common input and output devices. Compare and contrast different types of computers, including network computers, personal computers, laptops and PDAs. Explain the terms Hertz, (incl. MHz, GHz) and byte (incl. KB, MB, GB, TB). Explain the difference in different types of computers in terms of capacity, speed, cost and other issues. Software. Identify and explain the different types of software: operating systems, application software and programming software. Use different types of software, both application and system. Demonstrate the good practices of downloading and uploading software and data. Working with Computers. The concepts of software copyright, shareware, freeware, and end-user licenseagreement. Clean virus and worm infected systems with necessary cleaners.
Unit 2. Basic Computer Operation and File Manangement
Understand and demonstrate proper Switching-on and Shutting-off of the computer. Open and close files and application programs. Understand the hierarchical structure of drives, files and folders. Understand the meaning and types of file extensions. Understand the different types of menus. Save documents in any permitted location in different formats. Compress files in a folder on a drive. Explain viruses, its different types and demonstrate usage of anti-virus software to clean infections. Explain privacy issues, good passwords and access rights. Understand basic file management operations. Demonstrate how to compress and decompress (zip/unzip) individual files and files in a folder. Demonstrate good password creation practice. Demonstrate searching for files and folders. Demonstrate the use of built-in help menu.
Unit 3. Spreadsheets
Identify the main components of a spreadsheet window. Explain the basic uses of spreadsheets. Create, Open, Save, and Close spreadsheets. Use the help system effectively. Identify and use the different menus and toolbars to set up the worksheets. Demonstrate how to insert, store and manipulate data. Demonstrate how to handle (insert, rename, delete, duplicate, move etc.) worksheets. Generate various formulas using built-in functions and use them appropriately and correctly to solve problems. Demonstrate the formatting of data, cells, rows and columns in a worksheet. Create and manipulate different types of charts/graphs on the worksheet data. Explain usage of formulas and functions in a worksheet. Explain generating various charts and graphs. Explain how to sort, link and consolidate spreadsheets. Demonstrate the understanding of various print options and how to print spreadsheets and charts after appropriate page set-up and pre-view. Demonstrate use of the edit (copy/cut/paste etc) functions. Demonstrates the ability to reproduce a hand written table as an electronic spreadsheet. Demonstrates the ability to perform basic analysis of data using graphs and charts.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the student will be able to
(1) understand the components of personal computer system in terms of hardware and software, data storage and memory;
(2) understand how information networks are used and be able to use computer based software applications in everyday life;
(3) manage files effectively by using a computer;
(4) create good quality spreadsheets, and understand Spreadsheet packages so that they could be utilized for data processing tasks during their studies.
Assessment
This module will be evaluated for a total of 100 marks of which 50 marks will be based on in-semester coursework and the balance of 50 marks will be based on the end-semester examination.
Module Delivery
(1) PowerPoint presentations to explain the fundamental concepts of computers;
(2) Demonstration of MS Excel application;
(3) Practice session for File Manangement and MS Excel applications in the lab.
Teaching Tools and Learning Resources
(1) Greg Perry, Jill T. Freeze, Galen A. Grimes, Matt Hayden, Ned Snell. Sams Teach Yourself Windows XP Computer Basics All in One. Sam, 2003. ISBN-13: 978-0-672-32535-9.2.
(2) Frye, Curtis. Microsoft Excel 2003 Step by Step. Microsoft Press, 2003. ISBN: 0735615187.
(3) Lab resources in the computer lab; online resources recommended by the tutor.
Regulations and Requirements of the Course
Each student must fulfill the following requirements of the Computer Based Learning course:
(1) Take part in computer based activities on various topics by responding to a variety of questions and report to his/her tutor. Class participation is assessed.
(2) Use the learning tools and the Internet materials which are recommended by your tutor.
(3) Self-study (approximately 6 hours per week) includes searching for information, selecting relevant information and preparing PowerPoint presentations. Self-study also includes completion of all assignments given by tutors.
(4) Attend all classes regularly. If a student misses more than two classes without a valid reason she/he will not be allowed to continue the course without a special permission from the tutor.
(5) Attend all examinations and/or tests. Cheating at examinations is not tolerated and students who are caught cheating will be automatically considered as failed (Grade F).
(6) Students are not allowed to walk around or chat loudly with each other during a lesson without a teacher’s permission. If a student ignores the teacher’s remarks, uses offensive words or offensive body language, insults other students and the teacher, behaves in an arrogant manner or in any other inappropriate manner, is late for classes, leaves the classroom early without the teacher’s permission, the student will be sanctioned or disciplined in accordance with college regulations, including expulsion from the College. Expulsion implies that the student should not consider the College for further education.
(7) Students are expected to comply with the college-wide requirements for academic integrity. The College is committed to academic integrity—the honest, fair, and continuing pursuit of knowledge, free from fraud or deception. This implies that students are expected to be responsible for their own work. Presenting another individual’s work as one’s own and receiving excessive help from another individual will qualify as a violation of academic integrity. Plagiarism is cheating. In this course, using another person’s words or ideas as your own without giving credit, producing a memorized piece (either your own or someone else’s), or having someone do any portion of your work is cheating. You are expected to complete your own, original work by using your own words.
(8) The Course Outline is the main document of the course and the topics which are written in the Course Outline must be covered in class every week. The duty of each student is to conduct Internet research, study the handouts, complete and submit all assignments on time and prepare for examinations and tests. The Course Outline is handed in to each student during the first week of the semester.
(9) Any additional questions or suggestions related to the above can be answered or discussed personally by your tutor either during office hours or by email. Each student who approaches the tutor by email must write his/her student ID number, name and the title of the subject: BCC - Basic Computing Concepts. Anonymous emails will not be replied.
Computer Lab Regulations
Students must keep the computer lab clean at all times and be courteous to other lab users. Food, drinks, excessive noise and mobile phones in the computer lab are prohibited. In addition, students are not allowed to
(1) remove any equipment from the lab without a tutor’s permission;
(2) reconfigure the operating systems, network or cables;
(3) download files into lab computers;
(4) transmit unauthorized music or media files;
(5) save personal files or data into lab computers;
(6) browse any prohibited websites;
(7) check e-mail unless requested by the tutor.
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