This Internet-enhanced course emphasizes professional office skills, especially in oral/written communication,

computer applications, telecommunications, and records management.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able:

• To write effective business correspondence, using proper business format, and showing improvement in English usage. /a,b,c

• Assessment will be by a grading rubric. /a,b,c

• To make and to critique a group presentation based on a presentation rubric./a

• To use effective teamwork techniques while completing assignments./a

• To demonstrate knowledge and skills on topics covered by course objectives above. /a,b,c

• Assessment techniques will include two online exams, class participation, and individual exercises./b,c

These goals will be measured using a combination of:

a. Turn in completed documents, workbooks, databases and slide shows solving business-oriented problems.
b. Take hands-on subject tests.
c. Take hands-on quizzes

Office Skills, Third Edition, provides up-to-date, real life, practical information for the office of tomorrow. The emphasis is on practical applications, everyday skills, and the knowledge needed to be successful. The text presents an overview of technological skills and examines attitudes and human relationships. The textbook highlights the "people skills" vital to a successful career. The text is organized around the following sections - we will not be covering all chapters in the book.

 

Part I Your Place in the Modern Office

Chapter 1 - The Office Environment

Chapter 2 - Career Opportunities in the Office

Chapter 3 - Your Attitude and Work

Chapter 4 - Getting Along with People

Part II Technical Skills and Knowledge

Chapter 5 Office Computer Systems

Chapter 7 Computer and Equipment Issues

Part III Office Support Skills

Chapter 8 Telephone Procedures

Chapter 9 Filing and Managing Records

Chapter 10 Processing Business Documents

Chapter 11 Accounting and Other Financial Activities

Chapter 12 Sending and Receiving Mail

Chapter 13 Managing Office Activities

Part IV Communication and Problem-Solving Skills

Chapter 14 Essentials of Office Communication

Chapter 16 Business Math Skills

Chapter 17 Communicating in Groups and Problem Solving

Part V Employment Skills

Chapter 18 Choosing Your Office Career

Chapter 19 Finding and Applying for a Job

Chapter 20 On the Job: What to Expect

• Objectives. A study aid to help students develop a mindset conducive to learning the main points of the chapter.

• New Office Terms. A listing of the most important vocabulary terms in the chapter. Terms are boldfaced and are defined in the glossary at the end of the book.

• Before You Begin. A chapter-opening feature with questions to help spark student interest.

• Recall Time. Study questions within the chapter to reinforce important concepts.

• Tips. Short, marginal features with tips, facts, and interesting practical information.

• Ethics on the Job. A special marginal feature that deals with ethics, responsibility, work ethics, etc., followed by critical thinking questions.

• Industry Focus. This feature presents the perspectives and advice of real-life managers from some major corporations.

• Making Office Decisions. Features focusing on real-life office problems; students are asked to come up with realistic solutions for these scenarios.

• What’s Your Attitude? Brief office situations in which attitude determines the course of action.

• Human Relations. Case studies involving interaction with co-workers, supervisors, and customers.

• Large Office/Small Office. Comparing the tasks and environments in large and small offices help students evaluate their career interests and objectives.

• Technology in the Office. Information about emerging technologies, various technology related job titles, and new or future equipment is of each chapter.

• Before You Leave. The same questions as those found at the beginning of the chapter in "Before You Begin." Students can see how their knowledge and opinions have changed as a result of reading and studying the chapter.

• Career Portfolio. In an ongoing project located at the end of each unit, students prepare sample items for a portfolio using word processing and other procedures they have mastered.

• Reference Manual. Located at the end of the text, this manual contains grammar and punctuation rules as well as letter, envelope, and résumé formats, report formatting rules, and proofreaders’ marks.

Assignments - Worth 55% of your Grade:

Standard rubric for scheduled assignments:

1. Standard grammar, punctuation, spelling (10%)

2. Professional appearance and formatting (20%)

3. Clear, concise, accurate content (70%)

• All assignments will be turned in through the Assignments area

• Save WebCampus emails and graded work.

• Class work will be assigned through the weekly schedule.

• Class work may involve working with other students.

• Assignments have to be turned in by due date and cannot be made up if missed.

•  Microsoft Word (not Works) has to be used for all word processing assignments.

• Microsfot Excel  has to be used for all word processing assignments.

• All assignments must be typed accurately, but not necessarily quickly.

• You will use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Internet.

• Proofread each paper before handing it in!  Accuracy, correct formatting, and superior appearance of work count toward success on the job.

• Check WebCampus at least two times per week.

 About The Assignment Dropbox:

· Assignment links in the Assignments area are available until their due dates and times. Once an assignment's due date and time has passed, the link will no longer be available.  No late work is accepted.

Academic Integrity Policy:

Discussion Topics (15% of grade):

Reading and posting a reply to the Discussions Topics.

You get to the Discussions on the left-hand-side under Course Tools. Once a Discussions topic's due date and time has passed, the topic link will no longer be available

When posting a reply to a Discussions Topic, be sure to use the Reply button, not the Reply Privately button, so everyone in the class can read all postings.

• Disc 1 - Opens January 19 - Closes February 6

• Disc 2 - Opens February 6 - Closes February 20

• Disc 3 - Opens February 20 - Closes March 5

• Disc 4 - Opens March 5 - Closes March 19

• Disc 5 - Opens March 19 - Closes April 9

• Disc 6 - Opens April 9 - Closes April 23

• Disc 7 - Opens April 23 - Closes May 7

See the Rubric Grading Below

• During the semester, you will have approximately seven graded discussion topics.

• Each discussion is worth a total of 100 points.
• Respond to ALL parts of the question to earn the maximum number of points.
• Discussions count for 15% of your total grade.
• Reponses should be thoughtful, concise, and in your own words.
• Do not post discussion responses as attachments.
• Correct grammar, capitalization, spelling, and sentence structure are expected.
• Responses should not be in the format of a Yahoo chat room or a casual email to a friend. COT 240 is a college-level class taking place in an academic environment.
• Abusive language and profanity is considered disruptive and unprofessional student conduct that will lead to a reduction of points and/or removal from class.
• Responses maybe randomly selected and run through plagiarism detection software.
• Contact the instructor immediately if you suspect that your discussion response has been copied or if you receive class communications that are not appropriate.
• Topics will be posted under the Discussions link on the left-hand-side menu in WebCampus.

• Check the Topics by Week or Calendar for due dates.

 Use appropriate net etiquette. Flaming is not appropriate and is defined as e-mail responses that are considered hostile and as a personal attack.

Flaming occurs when two or more individuals engage in responses that escalate, thus limiting and disrupting the discussion by the rest of the class.

If you have any questions concerning the discussion questions, please contact me through WebCampus email

Weekly Chapter Quizzes - Worth 15% of your grade:

How Chapter Quizzes Work?

• Click on  Assessment on the lefthand side of WebCampus

• Check the Due Dates for Exams

• One hour is allowed from start time for each chapter quiz

• Chapter quizzes are each worth 100 Points each

• All quizzes are due no later than the date listed by midnight -  no late quizzes will be allowed.

• Ten questions in each quiz - Multiple Choice - True/False.

•  All quizzes will be timed and taken through WebCampus - I do not give makeup quizzes. 

Final Projects - Worth 15% of your grade:

·        Final  will consist of creating a Cover Letter, Resume, Job Application, and Interview Questions.

Class Email:

Checking the Class E-mail (on the left-hand side of the WebCampus window).  I will be sending messages during the semester reminding students about due dates. Asking questions when things don't make sense: ask me or other students through WebCampus email or Discussions Board

Grading:  

Assignments Standard rubric for scheduled assignments: Standard grammar, punctuation, spelling (10%) Professional appearance and formatting (20%) Clear, concise, accurate content (70%)	55%
Discussion	15%
Weekly Chapter Quizzes (taken online)	15%
Final Project	15%

This class will be for a letter grade. This class is intensive and requires attendance and work to be completed each week. 

Percentage     Letter Grade

94-100              A
90-93                A-
87-89                B+
83-86                B
80-82                B-
77-79                C+
73-76                C
70-72                C-
67-69                D+
63-66                D
60-62                D-
<60                   F or less or W=Official Withdrawal if done before the withdrawal deadline. There is no curve in this grading scale.

To determine your final course grade, all assignment grades will be calculated on a percentage scale and then recorded as the corresponding grade point value and letter grade as shown above.  If two or more students turn in the same assignment or collaborate on a test, punitive measures as described in the Rules and Disciplinary Procedures for Members of the University Community will be enforced.