CIS105 FTF Welcome Letter

Welcome to CIS105!

I'm glad you have decided to join us this semester. For this hybrid class (a combination of face-to-face and online components), plan on 10-14 hours per week. I am here to help and guide you as much as possible. Feel free to ask for help at any time. I am happy to answer any questions you may have, but you have to ask.

The best way to contact me outside of class is through e-mail. My turn-around time for e-mail is about 48 hoursexcept weekends/holidays), although I may often reply much faster than that. The time it takes me to return your message may depend on several things: I might want to research the answer, I might have several other messages to respond to, or the server might be down. Be patient, and I will respond as quickly as I can. Or, feel free to stop by my office during my office hours (you'll find them on my home web page).

If you have not already done so, (and you want a "head start" for class, one of the first things you should do is set up your MCC Portal email account. This email account will be used during the course (I will not be sending emails to your personal email address.) It's free and easy to do. To set up the account, go the following link: Create an MCC Account. In addition to our class time, you will have access to much of the course information through WebCT beginning Tuesday, August 25 (section 28875) or Thursday, August 27 (section 65454). (Use the same password you set up for your MCC email account).

You will be using MCC's multi-purpose lab to do much of your work. Because of this, you must have a free MCC Student ID to enter the lab (and a reminder that no children/guests are allowed to accompany you).

If you want to complete your lab work from home, you will need access to the Internet, Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2007 Professional (includes Word 2007, Excel 2007, Access 2007, and PowerPoint 2007) for this course (a 180 day trial of the software does come with the the textbook bundle). You will also be using Visual Basic Express 2008 for the Programming section of the course (which is available as a free download through Microsoft). You can also use the MCC lab for any portion. If that is your plan, you must have a free MCC Student ID to enter the lab (and a reminder that no children/guests are allowed to accompany you).

This course is structured to take sixteen weeks (plus the final). Attendance at all classes is highly recommended. You will receive a syllabus on the first day of class with all of the details/requirements for the class. Assignment deadlines are firm and you are responsible for meeting them. Assignments will include reading, projects, lecture questions, presentations, labs, online access, group discussions and projects, exercises, quizzes, and online tests. You can view a sample schedule of assignments here.

Although the emphasis of the class is technical skills and concepts, many of the assignments you will complete promote skills which will help you to be effective in your present and future learning as well as in the community and business world. They include critical thinking, team work through collaborative learning, ethics, interpersonal skills, civic engagement, and organization. Before class begins, check your course info page, and don't forget to check your Net IQ for fun. You may also take the Distance Learning Quiz to check to see if this learning method is for you. If you have any questions before class, please contact me at debweberg@mesacc.edu . Once your course begins, you should use the WebCT course mail to contact me.

If you are on campus, please feel free to stop in and say hello. My office hours are posted on my home page.

The course begins Tuesday January 20, and I will email you before that time (if you have an MCC Email Account). I'm looking forward to a fun and informative semester. I hope you are too!

Deb Fells
MCC CIS Faculty, Business Department

CIS105 Information Page