Welcome to CNIT 100: Introduction to Computers Using PCs ONLINE!

SAM & TOM Online Training

I am Sam Bowne, your instructor for this course. This class will teach you how computers work and give you experience using Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, the most popular software packages in the world. You will also learn how to use e-mail and make a simple Web page.

You do not need any previous computer training to take this course, but if you have never used a computer at all before I recommend that you take the face-to-face version rather than the online version of this course. I estimate that this course will require 5 - 10 hours per week of your time.

The First Week

• You will not be able to log in or start online classwork until Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004.
  
  
• During the week starting Aug. 18, or shorly thereafter, familiarize yourself with the WebCT interface. Make sure you have been through these two pages:
  • How To Use WebCT
  • How to Login to Your Online Course
  
  

• Orientations

  • If you have problems logging in, or other questions, or you just want to meet me, you are welcome to attend an optional face-to-face orientation session from 3:00-4:00 pm on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004, in Cloud Hall room 203, Phelan Campus, CCSF.
    
    
  • If you cannot attend that one, there will be another orientation session for all online students from 7:30-8:30 pm on Monday, August 23, in Rosenberg Library, Room 209. You can get help logging in at that session, but I won't be there.
  
  

• Textbooks

  • Read the syllabus, and purchase the textbook. There are two items you need: the book "Computer Concepts", and the CD-ROM "SAM & TOM". You can purchase them together online by clicking here. You can also purchase them bundled together at the CCSF bookstore, at the Phelan campus. If you want to purchase just SAM&TOM, and plan to purchase the textbook separately, click here.
    
    
  • If you want more details about the Computer Concepts book, you can see the table of contents by clicking here.
    
    
  • All the Microsoft Office training and homework will be done online using the SAM&TOM online training and assessment tools. No Microsoft Office textbook is required. However, if you prefer to have a textbook to refer to, you may want to purchase this optional supplementary textbook:

    Microsoft Office XP: Introductory Concepts and Techniques, Enhanced by Gary B. Shelly, Thomas J. Cashman, and Misty Vermaat; ISBN: 0-619-20002-2

The First Two Weeks

• In the first or second week of the semester, post an introduction of yourself to the class Discussion Board (see instructions here). When posting your introduction, please click the topic, Introductions, and fill in your name as the subject. The posting may include your background, work experience, reason for taking the class, future goals, your interests, or anything you want people to know.
  
  
• Read Chapters 1a and 1b in the Computer Concepts book to prepare for the first quiz.
  
  
• Install the SAM&TOM software on your computer as explained in the SAM&TOM Instructions. Take the Windows Practice Exam -- if you are familiar with computers it will be easy. Then start training for the Word Exams.

The Rest of the Course

The whole course follows the same pattern: reading, quizzes, and homework using SAM&TOM, as detailed on the schedule.

Last modified 10-23-04