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If you like a class that is web-based, self-paced, and self-taught, you might like this class. I hated it! I believe that it is much harder than it needs to be, especially for a class that is required for GFCOB students! Prepare to do a lot of work.
Let's talk about the assignments first...there are six fairly easy topic labs that are required throughout the semester. These help you learn basic skills (like how to do an Internet search). These are worth 25 pts. each and total labs are worth 15% of the grade. You are also required to design a website worth 100 pts. (15% of the grade).
There are six exams. Three of these are MC concepts exams. He puts a practice quiz on Blackboard and if you take this many, many times, you will see many of the questions on the test (I learned this a little late!). The final is the concepts exam over the last three chapters of the book. The other three exams are case exams. The first two deal with Excel, the third deals with Access. To prepare for these, you should do the six Excel cases and two Access cases assigned. (These do not count for a grade.) Doing these helps with some portion of the exam, but will not cover all aspects covered on these exams! Exams are worth 100 pts. each and each type of exam (concepts/case) is worth 35% of the final grade.
Participation points are given if students do the six Excel and two Access cases, but more importantly, participate in the online discussions. Throughout the semester, Mr. Atkinson will post a question that pertains to a topic (usually around the time you should be reading about it in the book or viewing the e-lectures). He expects each student to contribute to these discussions three times. He will award 1-3 points based on participation. It is very difficult to recieve three points! He expects an article to be referenced and for you to discuss that article to receive three points which he considers and "A". However, he NEVER tells you that this is what he expects. There is a sample of a good answer provided on the syllabus, but it doesn't even fit the guidelines to receive three points!
You don't necessarily need to purchase the book. It is handy if you want to participate in the online discussions. As far as test preparation, you can take the practice quiz and make anywhere from an A to a C, depending on how many times you take the quiz. There are also e-lectures on Blackboard that he expects you to watch; these also help prepare you for the concepts exams.
Mr. Atkinson is a nice guy. However, he is not extremely helpful. Material is expected to be learned from the e-lectures. My e-mails to him were never returned. When you receive your grades on the case exams and website, there is no feedback as to why points were deducted. Everything seems to be subjectively graded.
Unfortunately, I believe that all CIS 343 classes are taught the same way and require the same material (I looked at the syllabi for some other 343 classes). I don't know if there is a difference in the way different professors teach the subject, but I imagine it is all fairly web-based. And, unfortunately for me, I learned how to do most of the Excel functions at my job just AFTER we were tested on it! If I could have taken this class next semester, I probably would have made a better grade!
One important note...
If you read some other reviews of Atkinson, you will see that he had an odd grading system about your final grade being determined by the final. For example, if you have an A, get a D on the final, then your final grade would be no higher than a C. That HAS changed. The points are broken down like I mentioned above.
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