ITE 115-40 Basic Computer Literacy

If you have enrolled in ITE 115-40 Basic Computer Literacy, then you need to complete the following steps.

1. Read this entire page.
2. Send an e-mail to the instructor introducing yourself. Her e-mail address is msullivan@vhcc.edu.  Please put "ITE 115-40 Introduction" in the Subject line of your e-mail.
3. Your instructor will send you an email telling you how to access the materials located in the Blackboard.  You will need to have a valid Blackboard user name and password to access the materials.  The materials will become available before the semester starts. You will only be able to access these materials if you follow Step 2 above.  If you have any questions about the course materials, the instructor will be available in her office the week before the semester starts. (There will be no formal first class meeting.  Let me repeat that...there will be no first class meeting.  You will start the course by accessing the materials in Blackboard.)

Preliminary Information about the Course

Distance Learning requires that you be organized, able to meet deadlines on your own and have good study habits. It is not for everyone.  Generally, I do not recommend it to a first semester student unless they have taken a distance learning course before.  Studies have shown that students who already have experience in in-class courses and have gained the skill set that it takes to make a good student, do well in distance learning courses.

You will receive a detailed "Distance Learning Guide" via Blackboard. Some of the information is repeated below. More details will be given in Blackboard.

This course is a practical, hands-on course with lots of project work. It lends itself well to the distance learning approach since the best way to learn this material is to practice with it. Your book will include an excellent CD that contains interactive tutorials to teach you the basics. Your instructor will be available (via e-mail, phone, or face-to-face appointments) to help you with your projects during the semester. Tutoring is also available through the Tutoring Center here at VHCC. The Tutoring Center is located within the library.  You are encouraged to make appointments rather than just show up.

We will cover the Windows operating system and Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Access. You will need to have access to this software. Any recent version of Windows will work (98, NT, 2000, ME, XP). For the application software (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Access), you need the 2003 versions which are part of the Office 2003 Professional suite. Note: Access is not included as part of the Standard suite. You must have Office 2003 Professional to get all four programs. To check which version you have on your computer:

1. Start the Word program.
2. Select Help/About Microsoft Word from the pull-down menus.
3. Read the top line. It should indicate that you have Microsoft Word 2003. 
4. Check the other programs in the same way.

If you don't have the right software, you can use the computers in the Learning Lab to complete some of your work. Just make sure to budget some time to be on campus for this purpose. The Learning Lab is located at the far end of the Library.

We will use Blackboard and e-mail to communicate in this course. Blackboard is an e-learning tool that you access through the Internet. The instructor will post all your assignments, due dates, and other information on the Blackboard site. You will put your assignments in an Assignments area in Blackboard on or before the due date. Students are encouraged to work ahead.

If you have any questions, be sure to e-mail or call (msullivan@vhcc.edu, Office phone: 276 739-2415).