Welcome to the Visual Basic course, CIS56. This course will cover an introduction to Visual Basic including the visual development, commands, databases and object oriented concepts. The course will cover a lot of material and help you to become proficient with Visual Basic as a programming language and as a tool for development in Access etc.

If you are taking this as a Web based course it is extremely important that you either own a computer or have daily access to a computer. For students taking the course over the Web, the computer is your only source for information and the way you will communicate with the instructor. If you do not have a computer available and you are not comfortable working on the Web, you should be taking this course using the classroom option (see below).

The Web site that you are currently visiting will contain all information for this course. It is a resource for students in the classroom and the method of delivery for students taking the course over the Web. The class notes, sample VB programs as well as PowerPoint presentations on the material will all be posted at the site as well as the assignments. The site will also list tutorials and other sites on the Web where information can be obtained. The assigned text book will be covered and the copy of Visual Basic included with the text book allows you to program at home. If possible, you should consider acquiring the Professional version of Visual Basic to be able to access help and other features not available in the student in addition.

I want you to read the assigned chapters in the text, but I also want you to use the text as a reference book. Frequently, I will introduce a concept when it seems appropriate in writing the sample programs so you will need to check the index and read about that feature. Other times, I just feel the authors are waiting too long to cover material and I will introduce it earlier. By looking at the PowerPoint presentations and the examples and by looking up things in parts of the text book not yet assigned, you will be able to understand what is being covered. If there are questions, please send me an email. In addition to the list of assignments, there is also a week by week schedule to help the student keep current. I usually update the site four or five times a week, so be sure to check it on a regular basis. Note: Assignments will not be handed out in class, they are available on the Web.

The site for CIS56 also has a bulletin board or boardroom where I can post information that is important and you can post information or questions. Other students can respond to your postings as well as myself. There can be a chat room. We will set up a specific time when students can gather for conversation about any aspect of the course if there is an interest in this. Please note that hackers/spammers/whatever have found the boardroom. I will make every attempt to keep it clean, but unfortunately there has been an instance where the SexHacker left a message. Please let me know if inappropriate messages appear at the site.

On the second page of the Web site, there is a link called Postings/Notes. Here I will post all information that is important to students taking all of my courses. For example, if I cancel classes, I will try my best to post it there.

I have moved my web site to a new domain address. If you find something that does not connect, please let me know about the bad link so I can correct it. Hopefully everything will go smoothly, but perfection I do not expect!

 The way this course works:

Students taking this course have three options:

1. They may choose to take it as a traditional classroom/lecture course and attend all or at least most classes
2. They may take the class entirely over the Web meaning that they will get notes and sample code over the Web and they will communicate with me mainly through e-mail. They may use the boardroom to communicate with students in the class and to discuss problems.
3. Students can blend the two approaches described above. If they have questions about the material, if they are confused about a specific topic, or if they just feel like attending class they are welcome to do so. If it is inconvenient to attend class or they feel that they understand the material and don't need the classroom activity, they can work through the Web site.

All students taking the course must have an e-mail address. If you don't have one currently you can get a free address from the college by going to administrative computing in the middle of the first floor in K-Building. Go up the ramp and ask for the information on an e-mail address. As soon as you have an e-mail address send me an e-mail so I can put you into my system.

There are also sources for free e-mail on the Web. Juno and NetZero are two examples of free e-mail.

For in class students and Web students, assignments should be turned in the same or following week. Visual Basic projects as well as other projects have a specified due date that should be met. I accept late papers with no individual penalty or point loss. The problem is that there is a lot of work and if you get behind you risk completing the course. In addition, 10% of your grade is based on participation, quality of work, getting things in on time etc., so chronic lateness will affect your grade.

Students should send me assignments via email. If there is a problem they may pass in assignments at the end of a class or they may put them under my door or in my mailbox. I strongly prefer to get assignments passed in via email. Students should pass in only one assignment per email. The class code (CIS56), your name and the assignment name should be on the subject line. If you have questions or need help, send a separate email with CIS56, your name and either the word question or help in the subject. I respond first to those emails and file the assignments to be corrected when I have accumulated a group. On most assignments, if you get a bad grade you can either resubmit or do a make-up. If I have heavily corrected the assignment and the answers are there, needless to say you cannot resubmit. You should get approval from me if you want to resubmit an assignment as a double check that it is appropriate for a specific assignment. Make-up assignments will be posted upon request, if appropriate.

If you need help, see me or e-mail me and we will figure out the best response. Better to see me as soon as you see signs of a problem! You can send me drafts of assignments with particular questions over e-mail and I will respond (if appropriate) as soon as possible. With rare exception I check my Web site every day and on days when I am not at BCC, I usually check it multiple times (that means Wednesday and over the weekend). I am willing to set up review sessions or question and answer sessions for in class students, Web students or both. Questions and answers can also be done in the chat room.