BASIC KEYBOARDING

BOT 100

Fall, 2005

Linda Snider, Instructor

e-mail: Linda.Snider@gcccd.edu

Voice mail: 644-7816

Office:   70-220

Office hours:  M, W-Friday 10 am-11 am or by app’t

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a course in beginning keyboarding techniques for students who wish to use keyboarding skills for inputting information into computers. This course is taught on computers using appropriate software. Emphasis will be placed on the development of speed and accuracy by use of touch keyboarding methods, development of touch skills on the 10-key pad, understanding of basic vocabulary and concepts used in keyboarding operations for inputting and retrieving information, and composition at the keyboard.

The main focus of this course is to learn to key by touch, using the correct fingering, without looking at the keyboard. The goal speed is 30 Net Words Per Minute.

Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify their instructor and contact Disabled Students Programs and Services (Room 110, 644-7112 or TTY 644-7119) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible.

TEXT AND SUPPLIES

Van Huss, Duncan, Forde, Woo, South-Western College Keyboarding, Keyboarding Course, Lessons 1 - 25 South-Western Educational Publishing.

Two 3.5" high density disks

notebook

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

All classwork, tests and quizzes are to be the individual work of the student. Cheating and plagiarism can result in any one of a variety of sanctions. Such penalties may range from an adjusted grade on the particular exam or assignment to a failing grade in the course at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor may also suspend the student for the class meeting when the infraction occurred as well as the following class meeting; extreme cases can result in extended suspension or expulsion. For further information regarding these issues, consult the college catalog and/or contact the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.

Talking during tests and/or quizzes will be construed in this class as cheating and will be sanctioned as such. All tests and quizzes are closed book. Each case, if any, will be handled on an individual basis and judged on its own merits.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Roll will be taken at each class meeting. If the student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to make up the missed work. I expect each student to be in his/her seat and ready to work at the start time for each class. Students are entitled to a break of approximately 10 minutes which can be taken at the discretion of the student unless a class lecture is taking place. Please do not abuse this privilege by taking longer than 10 minutes or more than one 10-minute break.

It is the policy of Grossmont College that when absences exceed the number of hours that a class meets in one week (6), the instructor may drop the student from the class. All withdrawals must be initiated (by student or instructor) prior to the end of the twelfth week of classes.

Because we cover a great deal of material during each class meeting, your success depends upon your regular attendance. I expect you to attend every class and will work with you to insure your success. If you must miss a class–or wish to speak to me for any reason–call and leave a message on my electronic mailbox or send me an e-mail.

Keep in mind that attendance is one of the competencies of the OPT program.

If for any reason, you decide to stop attending this class, it is your responsibility to withdraw officially. Failure to do so may result in a "fail" grade.

DISKS

Your disk contains data which is important to your grade. Safeguard this data by making a backup copy of your disk on a daily basis. It is also recommended that you print a copy of your Lesson Summary Report each day so that you will have a hard copy record of your completed work in the event of a lost or damaged disk. OPT students will leave their disks in the classroom.

TECHNIQUE

Technique is an important part of your grade. Pay attention to your technique as you work through your lessons. The instructor will individually evaluate your technique several times during the semester. See the Technique Evaluation Criteria in this syllabus on Page 7.

As a beginning keyboard user, you will make errors when you are learning. Do not be overly concerned about typos when you are practicing the keyboard or drilling for speed. Avoid using the backspace key to make corrections. It is more important to your technique that you use an even, rhythmic stroke and keep your eyes on the copy as you key. You will be penalized for uncorrected errors on timed writings but not on practice drills.

INTERACTIVE LABS

Before you begin the assignments, you must complete the three interactive labs that will familiarize you with the computer. No disks are required for these exercises.

Starting the software:

1.      Double-click on the Interactive labs icon located on the Windows desktop.

2.      Use the ARROW keys to select the appropriate lab as listed below. You can also select the lab by clicking the title.

3.      When you have selected the lab, press the ENTER key or click the Start Lab button to begin the Lab.

4.      Complete all three Interactive Labs and Quizzes. As you work through the Labs, answer the quiz questions and submit them for grading

5.      Record your scores in the spaces provided.

KEYBOARDING PRO MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE

1.      In your textbook, read the Preface, the Welcome to Windows, and the Welcome to Keyboarding Pro sections on Pages iii – xiii.

2.      If your disk is not already formatted, please format it now. If you need assistance, ask the instructor. Always remember to put your name on your disk.

3.      Insert a formatted disk into the "A" Drive of your computer. Double-click the BOT items folder located on the desktop. Double-click the Keyboarding Pro Multimedia icon. On the Login screen, follow the "New Student Registration" directions on Page xi in your textbook. Input the following information:

1. Class ID:   (to be announced)
2. Password:  Please use your birth date. You cannot enter the software again without this password.
3. Data: Always make sure the data location is set to A:\ so that your data will be stored onto your disk and not on the computer's hard drive.
4. Preferences: Do not make any changes.

4.      Click the OK button to complete the registration process. The next time you login, the software will have your name. Simply click OK to login.

ASSIGNMENTS

The following is a suggested schedule of dates to turn in assignments to keep you on task and enable you to complete the course by March 18. These dates are suggestions only. All assignments can be turned in either earlier or later without penalty. Only complete assignments will be accepted. Please write the assignment number on all packets turned in.

If you find that you are falling behind, go to the BOT Lab not the FLEX Lab. The hours the BOT Lab is open will be posted. Be sure to check in with Trudy and sign in so that you will get lab credit. Availability is on a first come, first served basis.

ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE

Fall 2005

The following is a suggested schedule of dates to turn in assignments to keep you on task and enable you to complete the course by the end of the eight weeks (March 18). These dates are suggestions only. All assignments can be turned in either earlier or later without penalty. Only complete assignments will be accepted. Please write the assignment number on all packets turned in.

If you find that you are falling behind, go to the BOT Lab not the FLEX Lab. The hours the BOT Lab is open will be posted. Be sure to check in with Trudy and sign in so that you will get lab credit. All work must be completed in our classroom. You will not be permitted to do BOT 100 assignments in the Flex Lab. NOTE: Timed writings for a grade must be taken during class time

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GRADING SCALE

A = 290 - 261 Points

B = 260 - 232 Points

C = 231 - 203 Points

D = 202 - 189 Points

TECHNIQUE EVALUATION CRITERIA & GRADING SCALE

20 POSSIBLE POINTS

NOTE: This evaluation is not timed!

Item 1:  Body  (4 points)

Back kept straight, seated completely back in chair, faces computer squarely, a handspan away. Feet apart, flat on floor. Arms almost motionless, elbows kept close to body and relaxed. Head held erect, facing copy. Shoulders level and back relaxed.

Item 2:  Eyes  (6)

Kept on copy.

Item 3:  Fingers (4)

Kept curved, A or F and J or Semicolon anchored on home keys. Uses correct finger for each letter.

Item 4:  Hands (2)

Bounce only slightly, palms and wrists to not touch keyboard or machine.

Item 5:  Stroking (2)

Rhythmic, unhesitant, continuous.

Item 6  Enter/Return Key, Shift Key, Tab Key (2)

Strokes quickly with correct finger; keeps eyes on copy while stroking enter/return key, the shift key and the tab key.

TIMED WRITING PROCEDURES

1.      Request a timed writing booklet.

2.      Make sure to change the Preferences section to allow backspacing.

To change Preferences:

1. Click Edit at the top left of your screen
2. Click Preferences
3. Make sure Backspace Allowed is checked
4. Click OK

3.      You may backspace to correct errors as you type. Backspacing will not count as an error and you will not be penalized for it. You will only be penalized for the errors you do not correct.

4.      Use the Open Screen for your timings. When you take a timed writing in the Open Screen, click the Timer button, set the timer for 1, 3, or 5 minute timings, then click OK. Take as many 1, 3, and 5 minute timed writings as you want.

5.      The software will calculate your gross (before deducting errors) words per minute. To calculate your Net Words Per Minute (NWPM) deduct two words for each error from your Gross Words Per Minute (GWPM). No more than one error per word, no matter how many characters are wrong. Incorrect spacing or punctuation also counts as one error. I accept either one or two spaces after sentence ending punctuation, but you must be consistent. PROOFREAD CAREFULLY AND CIRCLE ALL ERRORS. THREE WORDS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR ANY ERRORS I FIND THAT YOU DID NOT!

6.      GRADING SCALE:          30 NWPM = 50 pts.

25 NWPM = 40 pts.

20 NWPM = 30 pts.

15 NWPM = 20 pts.

10 NWPM = 10 pts.

7.       Print and submit your best 1 minute, 3 minute and 5 minute timings. You will be submitting three timings total. Write your NWPM on each timing at the bottom of each page. Make sure your name appears on each page. The three timings will be averaged together to arrive at your timed writing points.

8.      OPT Students who attain 30 NWPM or better will receive OPT competency credit for this portion of the program.