Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Calendar

Projects

Portfolio

Exemption

SSK 1203 - Computer Skills for Independent Learning

Syllabus

Instructor: F. Bouachrine Sections: 1 & 6 Office: Communications Bldg 2 Office hours: as announced Phone: 20 76 E-mail: F.Bouachrine@aui.ma	Instructor: H. Talei Sections: 4 & 7 Office: Room 103, Building 5 Office hours: as posted Phone: 24 47 E-mail: H.Talei@aui.ma
Instructor: C. Hope Sections: 5 & 8 Office: Room 03, Building 10 Office hours: as posted Phone: 23 19 E-mail: C.Hope@aui.ma	Instructor: H. Belhiah Section: 2 & 3 Office: Room 101, Building 10 Office hours: as posted Phone: 24 78 E-mail: H.Belhiah@aui.ma

Purpose and objectives of the course

This course provides students with the knowledge and skill to effectively use the computer systems of AUI. You will learn to operate email, word processing, spreadsheet and web browser programs and how to use these programs for your learning.

At the end of this course students should have the ability to:

discuss basic computer hardware and software
use the AUI LAN for academic purposes
upload and download files (ZIP, wsFTP)
use iNotes to send and receive emails and email attachments
use the basic word processing and editing tools in Microsoft Word
use the basic spreadsheet and charting tools in Microsoft Excel
use the basic presentation tools in Microsoft PowerPoint
find, evaluate, retrieve and cite credible academic information from the WWW

The topics covered in this course are:

Getting to know your LAN and your computer
Using email to participate in academic coursework and discussions
Writing with a Word Processor
Presenting Research Data with PowerPoint and Excel
Researching Sources on the WWW

No prior computer experience is required. If you experience difficulties in this course, please see your instructor during office hours, or make an appointment. It is your responsibility to communicate to the instructor your needs, as soon as they arise. AUI wants you to have computer skills and the instructor's job is to help you acquire them.

CAD Tutoring Services also provides free tutoring and lab assistance for students taking this course. Information about days and times will be provided by your instructor and posted in the classroom.

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Materials

Binder style notebook(s)
Plastic sleeves for notebook(s)
Highlighters, pens, pencils
White, unlined paper (if possible) for notetaking and for laser printing

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Grading

Exams--45%	A=90-100%
Module Projects--45%	B=80-89%
Attendance, Participation, and Portfolio--10%	C=70-79%
	D=60-69% (D is not considered a passing grade)
	F=59% or lower

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Attendance and Participation

Students will be rewarded for excellent attendance, punctual, neat, and complete assignments, and courteous, cooperative behavior in class.

Bring books and other materials to every class.
Take notes in class and store them in your notebook.
Keep your notebook up to date, including class notes, handouts, assignments.
After three (3) unexcused absences you will be dropped from the class.
If you miss a class, you are responsible for getting class materials from a classmate, or from the web, if available. If you miss a quiz, you must present a medical certificate if you wish to take a make up. It is your responsibility to see your teacher to arrange the make up.
You must hand in assignments on time. No late assignments will be accepted unless you present a medical certificate.
All cell phones must be off during class.

IMPORTANT:

Students may work together in and out of class. However, assignments handed in for credit should be the work of the individual student. Copying the work of others, OR letting someone else copy your work will be considered cheating. Handing in identical assignments is considered cheating. Your grade will suffer accordingly, and you may be subject to other disciplinary action.

Whenever completing an assignment, use your own words. Start practicing the skill of paraphrasing now. Copying from any source--either print or online--will be considered plagiarism, and points will be deducted.

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Calendar

The following calendar is for guidance only. Details may change to meet the specific needs of each section. The objectives of the course will remain constant for each section as well as the assessment instruments.

Week

Module

Assignment(s) Due

Week 1

Week 4

Module 1

Using Computers, LANS and Email for Academic Coursework

Module 1 Tasks

Module 1 Test (Feb. 24)

Module 1 Project (Feb.27)

Week 5

Week 10

Module 2

Using Word, Excel and PowerPoint for Academic Coursework

Module 2 Tasks

Module 2 Test (Apr. 7)

Module 2 Project (Apr. 12)

Week 11

Week 16

Module 3

Finding and Evaluating Information on the World Wide Web

Module 3 Tasks

Module 3 Test & Module 3 Project (May 12)

Module Projects

Each project integrates all of the various skills you will learn in each module of the course. The projects are challenging and will require extra work for you outside of class. You may have to learn additional skills not taught in class in order to complete a project. There are three projects and each is worth 15% of your final grade.

Some of the projects will be printed out (hard copies) on paper; some will be handed in both on paper and electronically. As you complete and hand in each module project, you should put a paper copy (if possible) in your notebook, and make at least 2 backup electronic copies (one in your network partition and another on another storage device).

Project Grading

Your instructor will provide you with a Project Description for each project. The Project Description will include a list of the requirements your project must meet. Your instructor will grade and return each module project after each due date. You should then place the project in your notebook, along with the instructor's grading sheet.

It is important that you hand in your projects on time. NO late work will be accepted.

The module projects are worth 45% of your final grade (15% for each one).

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Portfolio

The portfolio provides evidence of what you learned and how you learned it. Throughout the semester you will collect, in an organized way, all your course materials. Your portfolio should include:

name and contact information
notes
handouts
quizzes
worksheets
homework assignments
drafts
module projects (all versions)
project grading sheets

For your portfolio, your teachers recommend that you buy a binder (ring) style notebook, along with plastic sleeves and 4-holed notepaper. The quality, consistency, and completeness of your portfolio, along with your attendance and participation throughout the course, will count for 10% of your final grade.

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Exemption Test

If you think you already have the knowledge and abilities that students gain from taking SSK 1203 (that is, you are very skilled at using computers and the internet for university-level academic work), you can take our online computer skills test. This online test will tell you if you have any chance at all to be exempted from this course.

If you score more than 70% on the online computer skills test you should go to Building 10, Room 106, and consult with the CAD Director about taking the actual exemption test for SSK 1203.

Click here to take the online computer skills test.

To test out of the couse you must take an exemption test in secure conditions to see if you can obtain the credits for SSK1203 without taking the course. The exemption test takes 2 hours. There is a testing fee of 200 dirhams that must be paid prior to taking the exemption test. Also, if you pass the test and elect to take another CAD course, you must pay a fee of 500 dirhams. Go to Building 10, Room 106, and consult with the CAD Director or the CAD Administrative Assistant to take the exemption test. The exemption test for SSK1203 will be taken during the first week of class.

The exemption test contains three sections: a written section with matching and short answer questions; a practical section testing your web search and evaluation skill; and a practical section testing your ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.