What are the main objectives of the course?
See the online syllabus for details of what the course covers. In brief, the purpose of this course is to survey how management information systems can be used to help businesses and other organizations achieve their goals. This includes understanding that information systems are more than just a collection of hardware and software. A significant part of this course involves looking at the different factors that are involved in the decision making process of businesses. The course also covers the use of office application software to solve some business-related tasks such as creating a professionally formatted report, producing a presentation, creating a spreadsheet and database to analyze a problem, and combining the applications in a coordinated manner to solve a single problem.
Is classroom attendance mandatory? Which class sessions are required?
Attending the face-to-face class sessions is optional. They are available for your benefit. Most of the class sessions cover material that is contained within the textbook. Some of the sessions will include demonstrations of specific office application procedures. The class session on artificial intelligence usually includes additional material not in the text. Online notes of what was covered will be available, but the online notes are only an outline of what was covered and do not include details. The midterm and final exams must be taken on campus or at another proctored location. If you can not make it to the scheduled class session time for the exams, then you may request that your exam be available in the LSC. There will be an email sent out in Desire2Learn to remind everyone of the upcoming exams and provide specific dates for when requests for taking the exams in the LSC may be made.
What happens if I can't attend the class session I want to attend?
Check the online course notes or ask via Desire2Learn what was covered. Many class sessions follow topics in the text closely. There are often multiple sections of this course being taught during the same semester. You are welcome to attend one of the other sections. Seating is not usually a problem since many students take the course as if it is totally online, but if the classroom is full, seating priority is given to those students who are attending the section they are enrolled in.
Where are the course materials located?
The course materials are primarily in three locations. The first location is the text book. The second location is the course web site which is a part of the instructor's faculty web site: kermit.kish.edu/~dklick/. A backup of the instructor's web site is available at: klickfamily.com/david/school/. The third location is: https://kish.desire2learn.com/ (Desire2Learn).
Detailed MIS topic discussion is found in the text book and in most of the face-to-face class sessions. Course notes, review materials, assignments, the syllabus, and some other materials are located on the course web site. Online discussion, online questions, course email, assignment submission, grades, and some assignment materials are located on Desire2Learn.
Which edition of the textbook should I use?
The fifth, sixth, and seventh editions cover essentially the same material with relatively minor differences. You could do well with any of those editions. Used copies and the older edition are often available online at a greatly reduced price. The seventh edition has the advantage of having more current references to technology, but the basic concepts haven't changed much.
How do I figure out how to do a particular task in Microsoft Office?
The syllabus lists some inexpensive books that beginners may find useful. The instructor can also answer specific questions online via Desire2Learn discussion or email, and also at the start of face-to-face class sessions. Two class sessions are usually used going over the use of Excel and Access. The amount of coverage for Word and PowerPoint vary more depending on the level of experience of the students attending the face-to-face class sessions. A tutor may be available in the LSC that can help with office application software. Students are also welcome to visit the instructor during his office hours to ask questions.
What part of the course is the most important for my grade?
Check the syllabus. One of the primary reasons for having a syllabus is to tell you how the grade is calculated.
Are the quizzes and exams open book?
The quizzes are online and you take them at your own pace. You only get one try at each question, so answer carefully. Since you are on your own for the quizzes, it is up to you if you use the text or notes or nothing. The midterm and final exam are closed book with no notes.
What version of Microsoft Office should I use?
Office 2010 or later. Get in contact with the instructor if there is a problem with that. Many people who buy Microsoft Office do not get MS Access with it. We have a program in the CIS department which can get you a full version of Access from Microsoft for your personal use at no cost to you. It is also required that you use Microsoft Office - NOT Microsoft Works.
Do I have to show up in class to take the midterm and final exams?
No, but you must take the exams on campus or at another instructor-approved, proctored location. Exams can be made available in the LSC upon request. This usually opens up almost a week of availability for each exam. The instructor will send out an email in Desire2Learn ahead of the exams to remind everyone that the exams are coming and that it is then time to request the LSC option. The last date for the LSC final exam will be previous to the final exam date for the classroom.
What do I need to do to take an exam in the LSC?
Request that option at the appropriate time. Check the LSC website for their testing hours and rules. Make sure you have a current photo ID that the LSC will accept.
Why do I see activity listed on the syllabus during spring break?
The school may be physically closed during spring break, but that doesn't stop an online class. The activities from the previous week are basically held over for an additional week during spring break. The instructor will also still be available online to answer questions. Student activity in the class usually slows significantly during spring break, but it doesn't stop entirely (although you may not have to do anything if you are caught up on everything).
What constitutes cheating?
Working together on the office application assignments or copying files from one another is enough to get you in trouble for cheating. The penalties for cheating are not pleasant. Don't do it. Do NOT post your assignments to Desire2Learn to get help. Just post your questions. If you post your assignment, then someone will likely copy it and get you both in trouble.
How are assignments submitted?
Assignments are submitted in Desire2Learn in the assignment area. Keep a copy. Also keep in mind that it is easy to lose your work on school computers. Common problems include not knowing how to find your file on the computer, submitting the wrong file, submitting the wrong file format, forgetting to click on the submit button after uploading the files, forgetting to include all needed files, and making the mistake of not closing the office application BEFORE uploading or copying your files. You can check the assignment area after submission to make sure the file has the correct extension, has really been submitted, and even open the file to make sure it is the correct version.
One common problem has been to submit a Word document in .RTF format when the assignment requires .DOCX format. You can choose the format when saving the file within Word. Another problem has been students submitting a Windows shortcut (.LNK) file instead of the actual document. A shortcut file only tells the instructor where the actual document was stored on the computer you were working on - but includes nothing gradable. Another problem has been uploading or copying files that are still open in one of the Office applications. This leads to errors such as submitting an Access locking file (.LACCB) instead of the actual Access database (.ACCDB).