WENATCHEE VALLEY COLLEGE

ONLINE BUSINESS COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY (BCT)

Course Syllabus

Microsoft Publisher
BCT240
2 Credits ~Fall 2011

Contact Information
Instructor:
Location:
Hours:
E-mail:
Google Voice/Text:
Live Messenger:

Jennifer G Harrison

Computer Lab:
Program Website:

1300 Fifth Street, Sexton Hall 6024, Wenatchee, WA 98801

http://commons.wvc.edu/jharrison

1300 Fifth Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801

By Appointment and Elluminate Sessions as Scheduled
jharrison@wvc.edu
(509) 987-5212
jharrison@wvc.edu

Course Description
This Online course will prepare students to apply basic publishing skills while creating
newsletters, brochures, business cards, postcards, flyers, among others for print, email, and the
Web. The course will enable the student to create a publication from scratch or use one of the
business or personal designs available in the current software. Students will create, manage,
revise, and distribute publications. Students also use digital technology to enhance their work.
Prerequisites: Basic Computer Skills, Read the Online Readiness and Technical Skills
Requirements
Course Information and Required Materials

ISBN:

Shelly Cashman Series

Microsoft Office Publisher 2010, Introductory Concepts and Techniques
978-0-538-74617-5

Required Software:

Microsoft Publisher 2010

Course Material:

USB Drive (jump drive, thumb drive, flash drive, etc.).

Personal Computer
Internet Connection
Headset with microphone or speakers

Course Data Files:

Publisher Website:

Cengage Brain
http://cengagebrain.com

Required Textbook:

Course Website:

http://commons.wvc.edu/jharrison/bct240

Course Topics

Creating a Flyer
Publishing a Trifold Brochure
Designing a Newsletter
Creating a Custom Publication from Scratch

Course Outcomes
Learner Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

A. Demonstrate an understanding of creating and

editing a Publisher.

The student will create Publisher publications using the

general project guidelines for newsletters.

B. Demonstrate an understanding of publication

formats.

The student will review knowledge with online

application, end of chapter exercises, tests, and
comprehensive application assessments.
The student will apply emerging technologies to include
(but not limited to) e-mail, browsers, and the Internet
while performing online exercises that reinforce the
Publisher 2010 concepts discussed in the chapters.
The student will create at least one each: Publisher
newsletter, brochure and print business ready articles.
The student will demonstrate appropriate values and
attitudes while participating in online, cooperativelearning activities.
The student will create documents that include proper use
of grammar, spelling, styles, and punctuation.

C. Demonstrate an understanding of emerging

technologies in creating Presentation material.

D. Demonstrate an understanding of Publisher

newsletters, and brochures.
E. Develop interpersonal and group communication
skills.
F. Develop and demonstrate proper use of grammar,
spelling, and punctuation as applied in successful
communication.
G. Demonstrate an understanding of research material
and reports.

The student will create at least one researched newsletter

that uses a works cited display, graphic insertion, and
active links for sources or copyright acknowledgement
which meets course criteria.

Course Rationale
The outcomes of this course are consistent with Wenatchee Valley Colleges mission and the Programs
mission, provide students with technical skills, business knowledge, and personal and professional
development skills valued by employers and essential in todays workplace.

Schedule for Reading and Assignments

*Tentative Schedule
**Printed materials will NOT be graded, electronic submission only

Week

Read

Assignments

Submission Requirements

Scanning
Angel Assignment

Word document with two pictures

Two jpeg (or other image file type) files

Chapter 1
Creating a Flyer
PUB2-PUB51
Chapter 2
Publishing a Trifold Brochure
PUB66-PUB119

Scanning:
Word document with two pictures
Two jpeg (or other type of image) files
Apartment for Rent Flyer (chapter work)
Apartment for Rent Web Flyer (chapter work)
In the Lab #3 PUB62
Spring Break Brochure (chapter work)
In the Lab #2 PUB128

Apartment for Rent Flyer

Apartment for Rent Web Flyer
In the Lab #3 Gift Certificate
Spring Break Brochure
In the Lab #2 Price List Brochure

Chapter 3
Designing a Newsletter
PUB134-PUB191

Bank Newsletter (chapter work)

Apply Your Knowledge PUB 192
Cases and Places #3 PUB 199

Mid-Term Exam (15 MC, 1 Project)

Bank Newsletter
Apply Your Knowledge Math News
Cases and Places #3 Organization

Chapter 4
Creating a Custom
Publication from Scratch
PUB202-PUB255

Computer First Aid Advertisement (chapter work)

Cases and Places #3 PUB264

Computer First Aid Advertisement

Cases and Places #3 Banner

6 - 11

Final Project

See Publisher Final Project Guidelines

See Publisher Final Project Grading Rubric

Final Exam (20 MC, 1 Project)

Note: All Learn it Online Assessment submissions must be greater than 80%. They may be retaken until you accomplish that score.
*Note: Screen Print results, save as Word document, submit with assignments.
Early Submissions will be accepted, Late submissions result in a reduced grade.

Assignments / Graded Activities

I believe that you must practice the new tools and technologies you will be learning in this class so there
will be a number of assignments designed to give you hands-on experience using them. Following is a
brief summary of the assignments and other graded activities you will be completing during the quarter.
There will be 13 assignments, each worth 10 points. Although the assignments comprise 25% of your
final grade, a student can receive a final grade no greater than a D if more than three assignments are not
handed in. Assignments receiving less than a 50% score are considered not turned in.
There will be 2 exams, each worth 100 points. The tests will consist of Multiple Choice, and 1 project.
All test(s) will be completed and submitted in Angel. The tests will represent 50% of your final grade.
There will be 1 final project, worth 100 points that will allow you to demonstrate an ability to create
using scanned images and various techniques learned in the course. The final project will represent 25%
of your final grade.
All the assignments, tests, and final projects will be graded based on the expectations given, but
additionally the content, organization, style, grammar; spelling, punctuation and language mechanics will
be evaluated and included in the grading process.
All the assignments, tests, and final projects have clearly marked due dates and must be turned in on time
unless other arrangements have been made in advance with me. Late submissions will result in a
reduction in the grade.

Grades
Grades can be viewed on the Course Home page in your Angel online course. It is your responsibility to
check grades throughout the quarter and report grade discrepancies to your instructor. Keep all graded
assignments until you receive your course final grade on your WVC unofficial transcript.

Grade Categories

Weight

Assignments
Tests (4)
Final Project

20%
50%
30%

Grade Percentage
95-100 %
90-94 %
86-89 %
83-85 %
80-82 %
76-79 %
73-75 %
70-72 %

Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
C-

Note: All sections must be passed with a minimum of 80% to pass.

I expect students to communicate in a timely manner with me if they have unexpected circumstances that
prevent them from participating in the class and submitting assignments.
An Incomplete (I) is an option that can be considered if the students has communicated with the
Instructor, is passing the course, has completed a significant portion (60%) of the course, and intends to
make up the missing work. If this is the case and you need an I, a contract will be drawn up identifying

the work to be completed and the date by which the work is to be completed. The maximum length of a
contract is two quarters, excluding summer, as stated in Records and Grades for Wenatchee Valley
College. An I grade is changed to an F if the terms of the contract are not met within the time
specified.
The last day to withdraw or change to Audit status is stated on the Wenatchee Valley College Academic
Calendar. If you stop submitting assignments without contacting me you risk getting an F in the class.
Please process an official withdrawal if you cant complete the course. You can withdraw through Web
Registration on the Student Kiosk. You can also download a Drop/Add Form to bring in to the
admissions/registration office.

Communication Methods
Communication is an essential part of learning and is especially important in an online class. Here are
the communications methods used for our courses.

Email I check my email frequently and will respond to your messages within 24 hours,
Monday Thursday.
Elluminate We may conduct sessions with Elluminate, a free web-conferencing tool. If
sessions are held and you are unable to attend, they will be recorded and a link will be provided
for you on the Course Website.
Windows Live Messenger This is the Instant Messaging(IM) software that we are currently
using.
Discussion Forums A Q&A Discussion Forum is open in your course. You may ask
questions of the Instructor or of your peers. Please subscribe to the feed if you would like to be
informed of new posts.

Instructor Expectations
Online courses require students to be more responsible for their learning than traditional courses. I
commit myself to providing clear instruction and high quality resources for you, but how much you learn
will depend on the amount of time you spend on the class.
Plan to spend approximately three hours times the number of credits for this course, per week on the
course assignments. For instance: 3 hours X 3 credits = 9 hours per week.
I am available for virtual office hours using the phone number listed in my contact information. If
you'd like to get answers to questions, discuss coding problems, or get help with an assignment, you can
schedule a time to call me on the phone. This has worked extremely well with former students and I
enjoy talking with students in real time.

I expect you to check your course in Angel and check your email at least 5 days per week so I
can be sure you are aware of any announcements or changes I have made to the schedule.
I expect you to contact me by email and/or voicemail if youre having problems with the course
or encounter an emergency that interferes with your course work.
I expect you to complete the reading and course activities on time.
I expect you to submit your assignments, tests, and final project in the proper format.

I expect you to use the Web and its resources in an ethical way. Please dont steal/borrow
content from other web sites (images, photos, text, etc.) and make sure you get written
permission if you do include someone elses content in your work.
I expect you to follow the Acceptable Use Policy in all communications.
If you copy another students work, you will receive a 0 for the assignment and will be reported
to the Office of Student Affairs.
I expect that you are able to complete the following technical skills to be successful in your
coursework.
1. The ability to use email with attachments
2. The ability to save files in commonly used word processing program formats
3. The ability to copy and paste
4. The ability to work on two browser windows simultaneously

Any student with a documented disability (i.e., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations is requested to contact Disability Services. Your contact
will be Carla Boyd, Special Populations Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall, Room 2133. You can also call
509.682.6854 or TDD/TTY 509.682.6853.