Discipline: Business
CAT-Office Technologies
 Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Business 52


COURSE DESCRIPTION
52 Introduction to PDAs
Same as: CAT-Office Technologies 52
 Units: 1.50
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
An introduction to Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices using the Palm OS. This course is designed to teach students the use of PDAs in maintaining electronic calendars, scheduling appointments, creating address books, communicating via e-mail, connecting to the Internet and working with MS Office Applications. 27 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Survey of software and accessories needed for personal, business, and teaching uses of Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs). PDAs provided for in-class use.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Describe three types of PDAs and PDA operating systems.

2.   Explain the purposes and functions of PDAs a. Recall terms that
      relate to PDA features. b. Identify the common functions features,
      and built-in applications of PDAs.

3.   Demonstrate skills in initial set up, contact/address list creation,
      sending and receiving email, scheduling appointments, surfing the
      web, synchronizing information with a desktop computer, 
      displaying electronic presentations, beaming files, and backing
      up/restoring data.

4.   Analyze the categories of third-party software applications for
      personal, business, and teaching uses. c. Identify at least three
      personal uses. d. Identify at least one software application for
      personal, business, and teaching uses.

5.   Create a plan for purchasing a PDA, accessories, and software.

6.   Discuss future developments related to PDAs and Smartphone
      technology.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Coverage of topics by instructors should include an overview of the      development of handheld computing and PDAs. In addition, topic       coverage should include a description of the major types of      operating systems and an explanation and demonstration of how      to synchronize PDAs with computers and personal information management software such as Microsoft Outlook.
  2.    Students should be guided through common functions and built-in  applications of PDAs including using date books/calendars,  address/contacts lists, to dos and tasks, and memos. Instructors  hould also focus on topics such as portable office sharing documents, spreadsheets, and databases.
  3.    Topic coverage should also include a discussion of how to expand PDA usage through accessories such as memory, modems, and third-party software. Instructors should also guide students through the various Web-related and library resources so as to assist decision making about future purchases of PDA’s and related software and accessories for personal, business, or      teaching uses.
  4. Instructors should guide students through Web-based and library  resources in preparation for discussions regarding the future     developments in PDA and Smartphone technologies.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Present in-class and online lectures/discussions/demonstrations in order to describe the major types of PDAs and PDA operating systems.
  • Present in-class and online lectures/discussions/demonstrations in order to explain the purposes and functions of PDAs.
  • Develop and assign simulation exercises in order to help students master skills such as initial set up, contact/address list creation, sending and receiving e-mail, scheduling appointments, surfing the Web, synchronizing information, displaying electronic presentations, beaming files, and backing up/restoring data.
  • Create and have students participate in cooperative learning tasks using case scenarios such as beaming data in order to help students master basic PDA skills.
  • Invite guest lecturers to present to the class in order to provide information regarding PDAs, accessories, and third-party software applications thereby assisting students with developing information needed for creating plans for purchasing these items.
  • Develop and assign web-based/web-enhanced/online/distance learning tasks/activities such as web quests in order to expose students to the categories of third-party software applications for personal, business, and teaching uses.
  • Develop and assign web-based/web-enhanced/online/distance learning tasks/activities such as web site reviews in order to help students evaluate information needed to create plans for purchasing PDAs, accessories, and software.
  • Develop and assign web-based/web-enhanced/online/distance learning tasks/activities such as Internet presentations, discussion board postings, and online paper submissions in order to discuss future developments related to PDAs and SmartPhone technology.
  • Instruction may take the form of online hybrid, TV, and other distance learning modes.
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Written summaries designed to describe the major types of PDAs and PDA operating systems.
  • Quizzes/examinations designed to allow students to explain the purposes and functions of PDAs including assessment of their recall of terms related to PDAs, and test their ability to identify common functions, features, and built-in applications.
  • Individual projects designed to demonstrate mastery of skills such as initial set up, contact/address list creation, sending and receiving e-mail, scheduling appointments, surfing the Web, synchronizing information, displaying electronic presentations, beaming files, and backing up/restoring data.
  • Written reports to allow students to demonstrate their analysis of the categories of third-party software applications for personal, business, and teaching uses.
  • In-class or online presentations in order to demonstrate an understanding of the future developments related to PDAs and Smartphone technologies.
  • Final examination designed to summarize purchasing plans, demonstrate synthesis of information of various Web and library resources, and reflects how the course influences future PDA uses and purchases.
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Barksdale, Karl. PDA Activities for the Pocket PC Using Microsoft Outlook (10 Hour Series). South-Western Educational Publishing, 2005.
  • Barksdale, Karl. PDA Activities for the Palm OS (10 Hour Series). South-Western Educational Publishing, 2005.
  • Johnson, Dave and Brodia, Rick. How to Do Everything with Your Palm Handheld. 5th ed. McGraw-Hill Osborne Media, 2005.
  • McPherson, Frank. How to Do Everything with Your Windows Mobile Device. 4th ed. McGraw-Hill Osborne Media, 2006.
  • Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) will be provided for in-class use.
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