Skip to main contentSkip to footer

CAWT-101 - Introduction to Computers - Victor Jadaon

Course:Introduction to Computers
Professor:Victor Jadaon
Email:Victor.Jadaon@canyons.edu
Format:
  • Online
  • Hybrid
Course Length:
  • Applies to All Course Lengths

Introduction

My name is Victor Jadaon, and I will be your guide for this learning experience. I come to College of the Canyons with many years of teaching experience. I have taught in several community colleges such as Los Angeles Valley College, Los Angeles Pierce College, Moorpark College, Glendale Community College, and Cal Lutheran University.

In this day and age, we are fortunate to be able to offer online and hybrid education courses in order to accommodate so many of you who may not have the time or resources to always attend classes on campus due to modern societal pressures, including professional obligations, familial responsibilities, and financial or health concerns. It should not, however, be assumed that an online or hybrid education class is in any way easier than an on-campus class. In fact, just the opposite may be true since, to be successful, students in online and hybrid classes must rely more on their own resourcefulness, discipline, good time management and study habits, as well as finding within themselves the means to remain motivated.

This course is either 100% online or a hybrid course.

All correspondence will be carried out using the Inbox in Canvas, Discussion Boards, and email. Students are expected to log in to Canvas often and to read all posted Announcements and Pages as directed.

100% online courses will have no scheduled on-campus meetings.

Hybrid courses will meet in the classroom for a specified number of times. A Schedule Announcement will be sent out prior to the first day of the semester. Should you realize that you cannot meet on-ground on any specified day, you must send me a Message via Canvas Inbox.

If necessary, a Zoom meeting may be made available by appointment.

Whether your course is a hybrid or online format, my hope is to get to know each of you the same as if we interacted weekly face-to-face in a classroom.

Course Description

Introduces computers, including their history, usage, technology, and terminology, as well as their impact on society, ethics, and organizational settings. Provides an introduction to system hardware, networks, telecommunications, operating systems, and popular production software, including spreadsheet, database, word processing, presentation software, Internet, and e-mail applications.

Students will work on a variety of interesting productivity exercises that simulate those projects encountered in a real, modern office environment. Students will be able to assess their progress by using the Cengage Skills Assessment Manager SAM (through MindTap), an engaging and interactive online simulator. SAM (through MindTap) is not only powerful and effective, but it is also fun to use.

The final week(s) of this course are dedicated to projects using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint). In order to correctly and completely accomplish the MS Office tasks, you must use a PC with MS Office installed on the PC. The Microsoft Office Module Projects can be completed at any time during the semester. You do not need to wait until the final week(s) of the course to do the work.

The MindTap assignments can be accomplished on either a PC or a MAC. The only tasks that must be completed on a PC only are the MS Office projects listed on the Weekly Assignment Schedule for the final week(s) of this course.

The course assignments will be submitted online, including all exams. All student assignments will be submitted on Canvas or submitted directly to the MindTap website through the individual assignment links in each module on Canvas.

This course requires proficiency with the operating system of your computer, computer file management, the Internet, a browser (Google Chrome), and the ability to send e-mail.

What to Expect in this Course

Students are expected to spend the appropriate amount of time necessary to complete the weekly assignments.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS -- Prior to taking this course, students should have acquired the following skills:

Proficiency with Microsoft Windows 10 or 11 (especially file management).
Proficiency with the Internet and the browser Google Chrome
Proficiency with e-mail, including the ability to send and receive attachments.
Proficiency with the creation and extraction of zip archives (.zip files)

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS -- Prior to taking this course, students must have in their possession or access to the following:

  • Cengage Unlimited MindTap account which includes access to the MindTap Program and the E-Book
  • The complete Microsoft Office 365, 2016, 2019, or 2021 Suite application. You can Download Microsoft Office for Students through your MyCanyons Email. These instructions walk you through the process step-by-step.
  • Reliable access to broadband Internet
  • A computer with Windows 10 or higher
  • Browser software (Latest version of Google Chrome)
  • Adobe Reader, latest version (free download at www.adobe.com)
  • Izarc, Winzip (free download from www.download.com), 7 zip (free download from www.7zip.com) or an equivalent archive and file extracting utility(a zip and unzip program)
  • Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in archiving utility
  • A media player that is compatible with mpg4, mov, wmv, and swf formats (free VLC media player is recommended: www.videolan.org)
  • A College of the Canyons e-mail account
  • IMPORTANT: Students must have access to a desktop or regular laptop computer to work effectively with MindTap. Use of the Surface Pro, tablets, or smartphones is problematic with MindTap and these devices are not adequate for this class.

NOTE: MAC COMPUTERS WITH MS OFFICE 365/MS OFFICE 2016, 2019, or 2021 FOR MAC MAY NOT BE USED FOR THE MS OFFICE PORTION OF THIS COURSE

Types of Assessments

Online Assessments, Exams, and Discussions.

Textbook Information

Cengage Unlimited is a subscription program from Cengage Publishing. When students subscribe to Cengage Unlimited, they will have access to ALL Cengage digital learning platforms, ebooks, and online homework and study tools, for one price, for the length of their subscription, for any course that uses Cengage materials.

Students will have the opportunity to subscribe for one term, one year, or two years. If students want a printed book, they will be available for rental through the Cengage Unlimited subscription.

When the subscription ends, students can keep up to six textbooks in a "digital locker" and access them anytime for up to a year at no cost. Students may also upgrade to a longer subscription within the first 30 days of their subscription period for the difference in the price of the two subscriptions.

Students will be able to purchase this subscription from Cengage.com directly, ISBN: 9780357700006

Cengage Unlimited is also available at the Campus Bookstore; however, please check the price before purchasing.

Click Here for More Information about Cengage Unlimited: https://www.cengage.com/unlimited

Review the video and scroll down to read all the information about this exciting program.

Other Relevant Course Information

Email:

All students must use their My.Canyons.edu e-mail account created for them by the College. In order to authenticate student identities and comply with FERPA regulations, instructors have been asked by the College to respond only to student e-mail originating from a MyCanyons.edu account. The MyCanyons.edu account is integrated with Microsoft Office 365, which includes a free 1TB OneDrive account for cloud data storage. All students must make sure that they have activated their MyCanyons.edu e-mail account. To activate your account, log into MyCanyons (WebAdvisor) on the college web site and follow the appropriate links related to student e-mail.

Please always insert your course number (101 and course section number) in the Subject header of your e-mails and identify yourself at the end of your e-mail messages with your full name.

For class-related issues, all e-mail correspondence to me should be sent to the e-mail address posted in Canvas (prof.jadaon@canyons.edu) and NOT to my general COC account. If you send your e-mail messages directly through Canvas, they will be routed to the correct account.


Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

  • CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
  • CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 01/09/2023 Sub#: 852