Attention: Different software and textbooks may be used on other campuses. Therefore, make sure you purchase the correct textbooks and access codes for this course. Detailed information is provided at the course in BlackBoard at the Textbook/Software menu item.

August 17, 2012

Welcome Cyberstudent:

You are currently registered for Keyboarding (OAT121) online, a college keyboarding course for students majoring in Office Administration. Although, the class does not start officially until Monday, August 27, you need to become aware of a few things.

This is one of the most important courses for students majoring in the Office Administration technology. It requires a great deal of reading, time, and effort. One of the objectives of the course is to learn keyboarding, but it also teaches word processing and formatting. It is a required course for Office Administration students. I do not suggest taking it to fill your schedule to be full time. This is not the same keyboarding taught in high school. If you are NOT computer literate and familiar with BlackBoard, Webmail and using software, I recommend taking this course in the classroom. All of the software is installed in the Owens Campus labs and an instructor is able to assist you in person. If you do wish to learn the valuable skill of keyboarding, I recommend taking Basic Keyboarding—OAT110, which is a course taken by students from various majors. It is a two credit course.

The following will be used to complete the course:

Paradigm Keyboarding and Applications I with Microsoft Word 2010: Sessions 1-60, Sixth Edition, with Activation Code, ISBN: 9780763847883

SNAP Online Lab Microsoft Word 2010 (word processing software)

Below is information you need to consider when deciding whether you should or should not take online courses:

Online courses are convenient; however, online learning is not for everyone. It is rigorous and requires a clear commitment. To succeed in such an environment you need to be an independent learner, well organized, disciplined, and constantly on - task.

Online courses are not easy. They are designed for self-motivated students with proficient computer skills who need flexible schedules and/or reduced commuting time to pursue their education.

A student taking an online course will be spending at least the same amount of time completing assignments as a student would in a traditional class. In fact, most students say they devote more time to online courses.

Students must keep up with the work on a weekly basis. Students cannot wait until the last week of classes to cover all the materials or turn in late projects and expect to receive any credit and a passing grade.

When taking online, there will be computer/software problems. That is technology. Computer savvy students are aware such technical issues will happen and, therefore, know to always be working ahead of the scheduled deadlines.

Online students must have patience since the technology will not always work smoothly.

Additional course information will be released on the first day of class. More menu items (left side of the screen in the course at BlackBoard) will become available. It is imperative you take the time to read everything carefully. All of the information remains on the course website for you to access at any time, therefore, print out only those documents which you feel are necessary. The due dates for completing assignments and completing assessments must be strictly followed. Late assignments are not an option. It is important for you to check your DTCC webmail (@dtcc.edu) account throughout the course.

If you are a student with poor keyboarding habits. You have to be willing to take ample time to learn the keys. You have to learn to key without looking at the keyboard. The minimum speed to pass the keyboarding module with a possible C is 35 wam on three minute timings. Those students who begin keying at 28-34 wam, never learn the keys, at the end are still keying 28-34 wam and are not successful in the course. At that point, you have wasted a great deal of time just keying to get a lesson completed. Do

not be one of those students. When applying for office administration positions, you will be competing with applicants that can key 65 wam and higher. Those applicants can produce 5 times the amount of work and will be hired.

I look forward to working with you. Step up to the challenge of learning the most popular word processing tool used today. Take advantage of becoming proficient in using the keyboard proficiently so more employment opportunities will be available to you. Businesses are hiring those students who can proficiently use and apply the knowledge and skills taught in this course. Take advantage of it now!

If you have any questions, contact your instructor using the email address or phone number provided at the Instructor Information menu item located at the course in BlackBoard.

Sincerely,

InstructorOffice Administration Technology

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