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SAULT COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY
SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO
COURSE OUTLINE
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COURSE TITLE:
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UNDERSTANDING TECHNOLOGY
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CODE NO. :
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OEL803
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SEMESTER:
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PROGRAM:
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Computerized Business Systems |
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AUTHOR:
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Ulrike Landry / Lynn Dee Eason
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DATE:
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Mar 2008 |
PREVIOUS OUTLINE DATED:
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Oct 2004
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APPROVED:
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__________________________________
Dean
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_______
DATE
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TOTAL CREDITS:
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3
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PREREQUISITE(S):
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NONE
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HOURS/WEEK:
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14 weeks/48 hours
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Copyright ©2000 The
Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology
Reproduction of this document by any means, in whole or in part, without
prior
written permission
of Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology is prohibited.
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For
additional information, please contact
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School
of Continuing Education and Business, Hospitality & Programs
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(705)
759-2554, Ext. 2405
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II.
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LEARNING
OUTCOMES AND ELEMENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE:
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Upon successful completion
of this course, the student will demonstrate the ability to:
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1.
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Demonstrate awareness of
the relative size, scope, uses, and variety of available computer systems.
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Potential Elements of
the Performance:
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Explain what it means to achieve IT
competency
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Discuss the scope and impact of
technology on our lives and the impact it will have in the future
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Identify the size, uses, and varieties of
available computer systems
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Describe the capabilities and limitations
of computer systems
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2.
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Explain
the fundamental components and the operational capabilities of a computer
system.
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Potential Elements of
the Performance:
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Describe the purpose and objectives of an
operating system
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Explain common operating system platforms
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Describe the fundamental concepts
associated with the Windows operating environment using appropriate
terminology
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Describe the function and applications of
word processing, spreadsheet, database software, and personal information
management
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Discuss the scope of popular PC
applications for home and family, education, reference, business and
financial management
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3.
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Explain the functionality
of the Internet and how the Internet impacts our daily lives.
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Potential Elements of
the Performance:
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Describe basic Internet concepts,
including how to go online and the makeup of an Internet address.
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Use Internet browsers to access
information on the Internet
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Access and use various types of Internet
applications, including the World Wide Web, FTP, e-mail, instant
messeaging, newsgroups, videoconferencing and electronic publishing
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Discuss critical Internet issues
including hackers, SPAM and stalkers
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4.
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Describe the inner
hardware of a personal computer and how data is used and stored
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Potential Elements of
the Performance:
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Discuss how data are stored and
represented in a computer system.
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Describe the function of and
relationships between the internal components of a PC including the
motherboard, processor, RAM and other memories, ports, buses, expansion
boards and PC cards
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Distinguish processors by their word
size, speed, and memory capacity
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Identify new approaches to traditional
processor design
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5.
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Demonstrate
the ability to distinguish how data is stored on digital media and how
data is moved into and out of a computer system
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Potential Elements of
the Performance:
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Discuss the various types of magnetic
disk storage devices and media, including their organization, principles
or operation, maintenance and performance considerations
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Describe the operational capabilities and
applications for the various types of optical laser disc storage
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Describe the operation and application of
common input devices
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Describe the operation and application of
common output devices
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6.
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Demonstrate an
understanding of data communications, network and Internet terminology and
applications.
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Potential Elements of
the Performance:
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Describe the concept of connectivity
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Describe alternatives and sources of data
transmission that enable networking
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Describe the function and operation of
data communications hardware
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Describe the various types of network
topologies and essential LAN concepts using appropriate terminology
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Identify the scope and potential of home
networking and it’s related concepts
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7.
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Recognize the issues
associated with the widespread use of computers in the workplace today and
in the future.
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Potential Elements of
the Performance:
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Put society’s dependence upon computers
into perspective
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Consider ergonomic and environmental
concerns when designing a workplace
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Recognize considerations critical to
evaluating ethical questions relating to the use of IT
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Identify points of security vulnerability
for a computer center, an information system, and a PC
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8.
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Discuss the emerging
popularity of E-Commerce and the security issues involved.
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Potential Elements of
the Performance:
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Describe the scope of and concepts
related to e-commerce
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Discuss the importance of privacy of
personal information
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Describe the implications of IT crime
including viruses, digital theft, intellectual property rights and abuse
of personal information:
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9.
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Demonstrate an
understanding of the future of computing and emerging technologies.
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Potential Elements of
the Performance:
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Describe AI (artificial intelligence)
concepts and applications, including expert systems, intelligent agents,
and robotics
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Discuss the concepts and long-term
potential of VR (virtual reality)
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10.
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Discuss the different careers available in an information society.
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Potential Elements of the Performance:
- Describe career opportunities that are available requiring IT
competence
- Discuss careers which have become IT dependent and the way they have
become IT dependent
- Discuss the trend toward telecommuting (working from home) and the
pros and cons of telecommuting
- Discuss how IT solutions are changing the current workplace
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