Intro to Office Software

Course Number: CAS 133
Transcript Title: Intro to Office Software
Created: September 1, 2012
Updated: August 26, 2019
Total Credits: 4
Lecture Hours: 30
Lecture / Lab Hours: 20
Lab Hours: 0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement: No
Satisfies General Education requirement: No
Grading options: A-F (default), P-NP, audit
Repeats available for credit: 0

Recommended

RD 115, WR 115 and CAS 121 or keyboarding by touch

Course Description

Introduces the basic features of word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Also introduces computer operating system basics, and file management, Internet and email. Recommended: RD 115, WR 115 and CAS 121 or keyboarding by touch. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes

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

  1. Use school/workplace software to create documents, create spreadsheets, and develop presentations.
  2. Know basic use of computer hardware, software, networks, and the Internet in personal lives or workplace use.
  3. Understand and apply specialized vocabulary associated with computers and school/workplace software. 
  4. Apply critical thinking skills to basic consumer understanding of computer and digital camera purchases.
  5. Evaluate the reliability of web sites.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Assessment may include:  Projects which are textbook based as well as original work which could include flyers/ brochures, spreadsheets, presentations. Journals, and class/forum discussions may also be included along with tests or open ended final projects. 

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 (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Terminology and Vocabulary

  • Parts of computer system
  • Software: Applications vs Operating system

Operating System Concepts

  • Windows/Mac navigation
  • Multi-task applications
  • File-management (reinforce and emphasize throughout the length of the course)

Basic Text Processing Concepts

  • Flyers
  • Business letters with header
  • How to format a research paper with sources

Basic Spreadsheet Concepts

  • Creating a spreadsheet
  • Auto sum, math operations, min, max, and average
  • Create charts/graphs

Basic Presentation Concepts

  • Basic presentation with images/clipart/backgrounds/themes
  • Adding transitions/timings

Basic Internet Skills

  • Browsers
  • Searching
  • Reliability

Basic Communication Skills

  • Email
  • Attachments
  • Netiquette

Basic Consumer Skills

  • Buying a computer
  • Buying a digital camera