Introduction to Business Technology

Course Number:
BA 131
Transcript Title:
Introduction to Business Technology
Created:
Jul 26, 2022
Updated:
May 01, 2026
Total Credits:
4
Lecture Hours:
44
Lecture / Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

WR 115 or equivalent placement; placement into MTH 65 or MTH 98

Course Description

Explores computer concepts and information technology used in business organizations including MS Office software applications Word, Excel®, and PowerPoint®. Includes introduction to hardware, software, databases, file management, internet, and email as tools for communication and collaboration. Presents specialized vocabulary and promotes awareness of ethics and critical thinking. Prerequisites: WR 115 or equivalent placement; placement into MTH 65 or MTH 98. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the use of MS Office software to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations for the business environment.
  2. Explain how organizations utilize computer and communications technology to research, collect, process, store, and present data and information.
  3. Identify how businesses use the internet, social media, and other technology to connect with customers and employees, market and deliver products and services, and create competitive advantage.
  4. Apply technology to support business planning, operations, marketing, strategy, and decision making.
  5. Apply critical thinking skills to ethics, environmental responsibility, technology purchases, and privacy issues associated with information technology use in business and society.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Department assessment strategy suggestions: 
Assessment methods can include: class participation, case study analysis, examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, research papers, group or individual assignments and projects, presentations.

 

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Demonstrate the use of MS Office software to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations for the business environment.

  • Word application use and features to format and prepare business letters, flyers, and other business documents
  • Excel® application use and features (including functions and charts) to prepare business spreadsheets
  • PowerPoint® application use and feature (including graphics, backgrounds, and themes) to prepare business presentations

Outcome #2: Explain how organizations utilize computer and communications technology to research, collect, process, store, and present data and information.

  • Hardware components and structure
  • The differences between operating system and applications software
  • File management
  • Database management
  • Windows and Mac navigation
  • Evaluating the reliability of websites
  • Efficient use of internet browsers

Outcome #3: Identify how businesses use the internet, social media, and other technology to connect with customers and employees, market and deliver products and services, and create competitive advantage.

  • Sources and availability of competitive data
  • Social media as a marketing innovation
  • Email use and netiquette

Outcome #4: Apply technology to support business planning, operations, marketing, strategy, and decision making.

  • The similarities and differences between a database and a spreadsheet and when to use each
  • Data presentation format for various users 

Outcome #5: Apply critical thinking skills to ethics, environmental responsibility, technology purchases, and privacy issues associated with information technology use in business and society.

  • Ethical use of technology in business (data use, intellectual property, AI use)
  • Privacy and data security considerations (personal data, organizational responsibility, basic safeguards)
  • Environmental impacts of technology (e-waste, energy use, sustainability practices)
  • Evaluating technology purchases (cost, functionality, scalability, risk)
  • Trade-offs between convenience, cost, and ethical responsibility
  • Business and societal implications of emerging technologies

Suggested Texts and Materials

  • The Shelly Cashman Series® Collection: Microsoft® 365® & Office®, 1st Ed ©2025; Freund/Hoisington/Wilson/Porter/Sebok/Vermaat; Cengage Learning

Department Notes

Coverage of a specific database software is optional. Coverage of database basics and the purposes of databases should be included for Outcomes 2 and 4.