Syllabus

BA-325: Competing with Info/ Technology

Winter 2018 - ONLINE - 10 weeks - 4 Credits

Instructor Information

Instructor: Wendy Imel

Office Hours: Wednesday 10am -11am via Google Hangout or by appointment

E-mail: wimel@pdx.edu

If you have a general question check the general question discussion forum another student may have asked the same
question already. Peers are encouraged to answers each others questions if you know the answer. I will check these
questions 2-3 times a week. If you have an urgent or personal issue, please use regular email with 325 somewhere in
the subject line. Please do not use D2L email because it is not real email in that there is no way to respond outside of
the system.

For personal questions or issues specific to you, email is the quickest way to reach me. Please put the course number in
your subject line for a faster response. I can also arrange an online appointment at your convenience.

Course Description

Presents the key steps required to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace through the use of information
technologies. The primary focus is to help students understand the information systems development lifecycle and the
ways that systems can support functional areas of a business. Other topics include communication technologies to
support groups, productivity software, and applications, designing systems for competitive advantage, and systems re-
engineering.

The primary objective of this course is to prepare you to understand and be an effective participant in selecting,
implementing, and utilizing information technologies in the organizations for which you work.

Week Content

Business, IT, Hardware

1
Due: Quiz Week 1

Computer Hardware and Software

2
Due: Quiz Week 2

Intro to Relational Database

3
Due: Quiz Week 3, Case Write-Up 1

Invoicing Database
4
Due: Quiz Week 4

5 Database Queries and Reports

 Due: Midterm, Database Project,
Discussion 1 (Database)

The Internet, HTML

6
Due: Quiz Week 6

E-Commerce, CSS
7
Due: Quiz Week 7,

Social Media
8
Due: Quiz Week 8, Case Write-Up 2

Malware, Google
9
Due: Quiz Week 9, Website Project

No new content
10
Due: Discussion 2 (Website)

Finals Due: Final (covers 2nd half of course)

Course Objectives

We provide a deep level of connection between all of our courses and the overarching goals of the School of Business
Administration at Portland State University.

1) Integrative Learning. This is an understanding and a disposition that a student builds across our curriculum and
then demonstrates by making simple connections among ideas and experiences by synthesizing and transferring
learning to new and complex business situations.

2) Problem Solving. Graduates of the Business Administration Baccalaureate program will have the capacity to
recognize and understand a wide range of common and novel business problems and to follow a systematic
approach to solve them effectively.

3) Business Sustainability. Graduates of the Business Administration Baccalaureate program will possess a holistic
perspective of the impact that business practices have on social, economic, and environmental systems.

4) Business Communication. Graduates of the Business Administration Baccalaureate program will effectively
communicate complex information with a variety of stakeholders.

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES – WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

This course focuses on 1) the many ways that information technology, including computer technology, enhances
business processes, and 2) how this technology creatively applied allows for new possibilities that provide new services
and products. The result is a more competitive, successful business with more satisfied customers. After successful
completion of this course, students will be able to:

Course Objective Description Relationship to SBA Learning

Goal (see above table)

1. Research the internet and world wide web and its relation to business, in the Integrative Learning
past, today and the future.
Business Sustainability

Business Communication

2. Review computer hardware and types of software, including open source Problem Solving
software and some technical considerations in buying new computers
Business Sustainability

3. Illustrate an understanding of database technology and how database Integrative Learning

systems organize and maintain data.
Problem Solving

Business Communication

Business Sustainability

4. Build some MS office and web skills Business Communication

5. Understand how the above technologies work to enhance business Integrative Learning
performance, be able to apply the course concepts to real-life situations.
Problem Solving

Business Communication

Business Sustainability

Course Materials

1. John Gallaugher (2013) Information System: A Manager’s Guide to Harnessing Technology, v4, eISBN: 978-1-
4533-7281-4.

A physical copy of the v4 book should be available at the PSU bookstore or you can go directly to Flatworld, v4 to
purchase a digital version or physical copy of the book, which is Version 4 (not 3, which some other classes use).
FlatWorld offers four options: pasted below.

Compare Our Formats Black and White

Roll over column headers Digital All Print Textbook Color
for more info Access Pass bonus access to Print Textbook
Study online and bonus access to
Pass Most Popular eBooks online book

$24 $42 $69 $134

2. Access to MS Office 2013/16 with Access 2013/16 is used for this course, though earlier versions will also work
(contact me for earlier manuals).

MS Access runs only on Windows computers and is available on all PSU student computers. Access is also
available from third parties running in the cloud, which means you can access Access from any computing device
with a browser. One possibility is AppOnFly, but if you choose this route, the choice of vendor is up to you. I
personally have no experience with any Windows-cloud vendor. More detail in the weekly content for Week 3.

Technology Requirements

The following list of tools encompasses every type of technology you will encounter in this course and all others. It is
your responsibility to obtain access to these in advance of your first assignment.

Functional webcam
Microphone (internal or USB)
Google Chrome browser
Proctorio Chrome extension

Reliable internet connection.

Visit Course Technology Information to verify that your system is capable of using the technology tools required for this
course. If you cannot purchase the necessary equipment, consider borrowing from the PSU library.

If you have technical questions/problems related to using D2L or obtaining an Odin account, contact the OIT Help Desk
at help@pdx.edu or by calling (503) 725-4357.

Grading

All courses in the online undergraduate programs use a 100-point grading scheme. Your final grade will be calculated
based upon 100 points resulting in the grades shown below.

Discussion Forum Rubric

 Graded Criteria Possible Points

Format Compliance: 2

1) Posts do not exceed 250 words each

2) Posted at least once by Wednesday and on two other days

Demonstrated ability to reflect upon and reply in a helpful, constructive fashion to the posts 1
made by others

Quality of writing, thinking and analysis, and application of course readings 1

Total Points 4

Case Write-Up Rubric

Graded Criteria Possible Points

Format Compliance: 2

1) One page single spaced (can exceed one page, but one-page minimum)

2) Submitted by Sunday evening

Demonstrated ability to reflect upon the case and clearly outline recommendations 1

Quality of writing, thinking and analysis, and application of course readings 1

Total Points 4

Video Chat Rubric

Beginning Advanced Exemplary

 Participation Quality Student responds to
20% questions but does not
initiate contribution.
Student may not seem
engaged
Student initiates Student initiates
meaningful contributions meaningful contribution
occasionally. Student regularly and appears very
seems engaged. engaged in the session.

Quality of comments Comments are not
60% especially relevant to the
discussion and don’t
incorporate course
readings/discussions.
Student can’t answer basic
questions about the course
or their work
Comments are somewhat
reflective and mostly
relevant. Student is able to
talk fairly confidently about
the course material up to
this point in the term and
their work turned in or
pending.
Comments are insightful
and relevant, use
appropriate terminology
and include thoughtful
criticisms or contributions.
Student is able to
converse easily about all
course material up to this
point in the term and about
their own work.

On time and prepared Student appears Student logs in on time Student logs into chat
20% unprepared for discussion. and appears mostly session on time, is ready
prepared to discuss for the call, and is
projects and topics. prepared for a discussion
of current projects,
concepts, and topics.

Assignments & Assessments

Each week there is a test of some kind, either a quiz or a Midterm or Final.

Midterm and Final Exam- 14 pts each (28 pts total)

Exams are only open during exam window schedule. Check the weekly content page that corresponds to the exam week
for details on dates and times.

Weekly Quizzes– 3 pts each (18 pts total)

Quizzes are designed to test you on the reading material for the week. Complete the reading as your first step each
week and complete the quiz no later than SUNDAY night by 11:59 pm. We won’t reopen quizzes due to missing a quiz or
failing technology so get in and take them early to be safe. Quizzes will be opened early, so, you may work ahead to
accommodate your schedule

Two Online Discussions– 2 pts each (8 pts total)

Analyzing actual business situations is one of the best ways to learn about the potential benefits, hazards, and
challenges involved in implementing information technologies in firms. You will be applying your work on your Access
and Website Projects in these assignments. Each case study will be based on one of your term projects. Your initial post
is by Wednesday evening at 11:59 pm of the week the assignment is due, and then complete 2 additional posts
commenting, questioning, or encouraging other classmates posts by Sunday evening of that week at 11:59 pm. You must
complete your initial post by Wednesday evening to get full credit for this assignment. This assignment will work to
satisfy the Integrative Learning and Problem Solving learning goals for this course.

2 Case Write-Ups – 4 pts each (8 pts total)

A one-page write-up on a specifically assigned case in the textbook. You will be doing a brief synopsis of the main points
or issues in the case, your reaction to the main points/ issues, and give possible solutions/ improvements that are
relevant to the course concepts for that week. You should expect to provide 3 solid paragraphs the first dedicated to the
synopsis, the second focusing on your reflection, and the third detailing out possible solutions, recommendations, and or
improvements. This assignment will work to satisfy the Integrative Learning and Problem Solving learning goals for this
course.

Three Video Chats– 2 pts each (6 pts total)

Video chats are graded sessions with your instructor and two to four other students. Each session is 30 minutes long and
begins promptly at the designated time, so you may wish to log into the chat a few minutes early to verify that everything
is working correctly. Your instructor will end the chat promptly after 30 minutes. You will be graded on your ability to
demonstrate you are up to date on readings and projects so come prepared!

To sign up for a video chat, in D2L go to the People menu and select Groups.

To access a video chat, go to the following URL at the designated time:

https://hangouts.google.com/hangouts/_/pdx.edu/ba325?hl=en&authuser=0

Computer Projects - 13 pts each (26 pts total): The two Computer Projects require your application of the computer
concepts to a real or hypothetical business. One, two or three students can work on a project. If the students form a team
of two or three students, each team member also turns in a grade for the other team member(s).

The projects require the following software, which you can provide on your own, find in the SBA labs, or find online.

Access Database Project: MS Access on Windows.

Web Site Project: Any text editor, but recommended is the free HTML editor Bluefish.

The documentation for Access applies to the 2013/16 version of the software, but any recent version of MS Access
works with only minor changes from the documentation (which can be provided upon request). See the previous
discussion under Course Materials of how to access MS Access.

MS Access Database Project: The goal is to generate invoices for products sold. You will be compiling pdf printouts of
various features of the database and invoices into ONE PDF document. At the end of this document please write a
reflection on access, and how you feel this tool can be implemented into your current or future work environment. You
will participate in a discussion post discussing access and various companies that use this technology. Full details of the
project are found under Course Content before the midterm.

Website Project: Once you have completed your website, turn in a document with the working link to your website along
with a review of best practices. Then write a brief report on what you learned and how you can use this skill in the
workplace. Once you have posted your project please complete the associated discussion post assignment by posting
your website for your classmates to review. You will also be giving feedback to a minimum of two of your classmates.
The list of the requirements for the Website Project is found in the weekly listings after the midterm.

Weekly Planning
Time management in an online class is essential. The key is to set aside certain days/times to do the required work. To
keep organized this term closely follow the course timeline as it appears in the D2L Course Content.

Course Policies

Late Work Policies

Due dates are important in this class as we move quickly through the material. Also, the professional skill of meeting
deadlines is valuable, and we want to be fair across the board; please plan ahead. If you have mitigating circumstances,
please contact me ahead of time if you cannot make the due date. Without advance approval, material turned in late is
marked down from 10% to 25%.

Academic Integrity Policy:

The following constitutes conduct as prescribed by Portland State University for which a student or student organization
or group is subject to disciplinary action:

Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures or other University activities,
including the University's public service functions or other authorized activities on University-owned or -controlled
property, or any other location where teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures or other University
activities take place. All forms of academic dishonesty, cheating, and fraud, including but not limited to:

Plagiarism,

The buying and selling of course assignments and research papers,

Performing academic assignments (including tests and examinations) for other persons,

Unauthorized disclosure and receipt of academic information and

Falsification of research data.

Plagiarism of any kind or other violation of academic honesty will be grounds for failure of this course. See PSU Student
Code of Conduct for a complete list of policies related to student conduct at PSU. Video chats are a component of
academic integrity in the online program. If there is concern that a student is unable to represent his/her own work in a
chat or neglects to show up for a chat, we will cease grading student work until a chat occurs with either the program
director or the conduct officer from the Dean of Students’ Office.

Netiquette is a basic set of rules for how to behave professionally in online environments.

Even though you are sitting in front of a computer screen, remember you are interacting with humans and need to
be respectful at all times.

Be thoughtful with your posts and comments and respectful of other participants’ time and opinions.

Share your experience and knowledge when it is relevant to the course content. The learning community counts
on students’ ideas as part of the benefit of online coursework. Whenever possible, support your ideas with course
material.

Be forgiving of other people's’ mistakes.

Demeanor & Courtesy

Classes are not instructor versus student. They are the instructor and student trying to achieve the same goal –
preparing the student for the working world. What you put into this class will directly relate to what you get out of it.

Disagreement and diversity of opinions and ideas are encouraged. It is expected that while trying to understand
differences in points of view, the discussion will always be respectful. In this online class, you are expected to:

Treat your peers and your instructor with respect, tolerance, and professionalism. This includes being aware of
“tone” when responding in writings to others in discussion boards and communications.

Be dependable and responsible to your peers if assigned group activities.

Contribute equitably and frequently to any small group & group assignments.

Academic Integrity Policy

Review the Student Conduct Code to become familiar with your rights, responsibilities and the behaviors for which a
student may be subject to disciplinary action. An act of academic dishonesty (e.g., cheating, plagiarism, misrepresenting
or improper/no citing that leads the instructor/viewer of content to believe that the writing and content are original to you,
or unauthorized possession of examinations will automatically result in a grade of “F” for the affected assignment and the
case will be referred to university authorities.

University authorities have the ability to escalate matters to the level of expulsion. Make sure you keep electronic copies
of all your assignments also outside of D2L so that you can produce them should the need arise.

Many of PSU's online courses use the Turnitin plagiarism assessment tool to evaluate assignments. This tool checks
submissions against a database of published works, as well as other students' papers. You can review your Turnitin
report before submitting an assignment and make necessary revisions. If you are still unclear as to what constitutes
plagiarism, please review the PSU Library's Citation Tutorial.

Online courses may also use online proctoring. The software we use is the chrome extension Proctorio. Proctorio works
by recording any combination of video, audio, or screen capture. When you use online proctoring no one is watching
you, but if Proctorio senses suspicious activity it provides an automated report to your instructor who may view the
recorded material. The School of Business covers the cost of this platform. Proctorio provides an ADA compliant user
experience, as well as straightforward tools for identifying student accommodations. Proctorio is 100% FERPA compliant
and uses end-to-end data encryption.

Accommodations Policy

If you have, or think you may have, a disability that may affect your work in this class, register your needs with the
Disability Resource Center (DRC) to initiate an accommodations support process. The DRC can be reached at (503)
725-4150 or drc@pdx.edu. Once you have coordinated with the DRC, please contact me to make sure that I have
received a faculty notification letter and we can discuss your needs for the term.

PSU values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to fostering mutual respect and full participation for all students.
My goal is to create a learning environment that is equitable, usable, inclusive, and welcoming. If any aspects of
instruction or course design result in barriers to your inclusion or learning, please notify me.

Title IX Reporting Policy

As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment for my students and for the
campus as a whole. We expect a culture of professionalism and mutual respect in our department and class. You may
report any incident of discrimination or discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment, to either the Office of
Equity and Compliance or the Office of the Dean of Student Life.

Please be aware that as a faculty member, I have the responsibility to report any instances of sexual harassment, sexual
violence and/or other forms of prohibited discrimination. If preferred, you can instead share information about sexual
harassment or sexual violence with a confidential employee who does not have this reporting responsibility. For more
information about Title IX, please complete the required student module Creating a Safe Campus in D2L.