Welcome to CSIS 202 Online!

CSIS 202 - Networks and Data Communications
3 units - CSU/UC 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: None
This course introduces students to fundamental data communication concepts including voice and data communications, networking hardware, the OSI model, and network design. Network management and security issues are also covered. This course is designed for the student who is interested in learning about data communications and networking as well as the career options that are available in this field.

Hi There!
You must be considering enrollment in Computer Science and Information Systems 202, Networks and Data Communications courses taught by me, Micah Orloff. I will be the facilitator for your journey through this online class. As a facilitator I will be available to assist you when you come upon any stumbling blocks, and when you need assistance. However, as a facilitator, my primary function is to guide you in a direction, but let you choose the path. The path you choose will afford you many learning opportunities and hopefully by the end of the course you will have garnered enough knowledge to improve your understanding on Networks and Data Communications, the industry and the future of it.

The online version of the class covers the same topics covered in the CSIS 202 face-to-face course. The chief difference in the online course is there are no regularly scheduled, face-to-face meetings. All assignments are completed online. Papers are submitted through the Blackboard course website at my.msjc.edu. Discussions, collaborative activities, chats, and surveys/quizzes/tests are conducted within the Blackboard course web-site.
The course materials will be presented on a weekly basis, thus you will not be able to work ahead. This is not an independent study course.


You may, however, work at your own pace and when it is convenient for you to complete the work. Access to course materials is available, via the Internet, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. I will be in the lab/classroom to assist you with the technology issues related to accessing the course materials, to provide lecture/discussions and at times to present video materials.


This course incorporates and takes advantage of the vast resources accessible via the Internet. Many of the web-based materials I use are located within the Blackboard course website and the world wide web.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All students officially enrolled at MSJC will receive an msjc.cc e-mail account. Additionally, each students officially enrolled in a course(s) at MSJC will have access to course website via the Blackboard Learning Management system located at http://my.msjc.edu.

Log in to Blackboard Learning Management System at http://my.msjc.edu:
Logging in to your Blackboard course website requires knowing your username and password. Your username is your first initial of your first name, followed by your last name in all lower case letters and followed by the last three numbers of your student identification, e.g. John Doe with a student identification number of 08257891 would be jdoe891. Your initial password is the (mmddyy) of your birthdate, e.g. someone born on February 26, 1977 would have the password 022677. If you have previously used Blackboard, your password will be the last password you entered.

ANOTHER NOTE: Blackboard is a web based program and you do not need to purchase it. You simply need to have access to the Internet to use Blackboard.


EVEN ANOTHER NOTE:

In addition to a different role than you are accustomed to from an instructor, you may not see any of your classmates throughout the course, as you are electing to complete the course wholly online. Also, most of your contact with your classmates will be text based either in discussion boards, chat, or e-mails.


Because of the anonymity of text based conversation and the inability to discern body language and nonverbal cues, it is imperative that all communication be professional and appropriate for a classroom setting within an institution of higher learning. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in disciplinary action and potential dismissal from the class. Please review the concept of appropriate netiquette for further details.

Required Textbook / Access Code

Resources

If you don't already have these plugins installed, download the latest version of Adobe Reader (for PDF files) and Adobe Flash Player (for the video demonstrations). Audio is also available within these demonstrations, so it's a good idea to have speakers and/or a headset available.

Questions?

 If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me via voice mail, email, or post a comment in the appropriate discussion area and be sure to check the announcements page regularly for any updates.