ACED 4160

Administrative Office Procedures

3 Semester Hours

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College of Education

Valdosta State University

Department of Adult & Career Education

Conceptual Framework:  Guiding Principles

(adapted from the Georgia Systemic Teacher Education Program Accomplished Teacher Framework)

Dispositions Principle:  Productive dispositions positively affect learners, professional growth, and the learning environment.

Equity Principle:  All learners deserve high expectations and support.

Process Principle:  Learning is a life-long process of development and growth.

Ownership Principle:  Professionals are committed to, and assume responsibility for, the future of their disciplines.

Support Principle:  Successful engagement in the process of learning requires collaboration among multiple partners.

Impact Principle:  Effective practice yields evidence of learning.

Technology Principle:  Technology facilitates teaching, learning, community building, and resource acquisition. 

Standards Principle:  Evidence-based standards systematically guide professional preparation and development.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

Cooperman, Susan (2006).  Professional Office Procedures, Fourth Edition. Prentice Hall. (“POP”)

Olinzock, Arney, & Skean (2005). Integrated Business Projects, 2^nd Edition. (“IBP”)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Prerequisite: Completion of ACED 3000 and ACED 3400.

Development of increased awareness of the role and scope of the administrative assistant position. This course will focus on basic and expanded job responsibilities, professionalism, and performance of simulated office activities.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK PRINCIPLES

The following College of Education Conceptual Framework Principles will be addressed in this course:

1.        The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the fields of knowledge s/he teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.

4.        The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies, including the use of technology, to encourage students’ development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

5.        The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

6.        The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques, including technology, to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.

7.        The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates, using qualitative and quantitative resources, the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (students, families, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

9. The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates, using qualitative and quantitative resources, the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (students, families, and other professional in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally).

COURSE OBJECTIVES

(Numbers in parentheses following each objective refer to the College of Education Conceptual Framework Principles.)  Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1.   Determine the importance of utilizing time well, establish effective time management techniques, and identify time wasters. (9)

2.   Identify the role and responsibilities of the office professional. (9)

3.  Identify and use effective decision-making techniques. (1, 4, 6)

4.   Demonstrate proper business etiquette. (1)

5.   Recognize the importance of ethical behavior and identify characteristics of an ethical organization and traits of an ethical employee. (5, 9)

6.   Improve speed and accuracy on timed writings. (1)

7.   Have formatting expertise with a variety of realistic business documents—letters, reports, budgets, electronic calendars, etc.—from a variety of source copies.  (1, 4)

8.   Describe the types of telephone systems, equipment, and features available and use proper telephone techniques. (5, 6)

9.   Identify the responsibilities of the office professional for meetings and conferences. (6)

10. Describe the duties associated with executive travel including travel arrangements, itineraries, and expense reports. (1)

11. Identify the classes and special services of mail and determine which class should be used when preparing outgoing mail. (1)

12. Identify ways to handle stress on the job and to deal with conflict on the job.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS/GRADING PROCEDURE

There will be six evaluation sections in the course, which are as follows

                (1) POP Cumulative  15%

                (2) Notebook check from POP 20%

                (3) IBP activities 40%

                (4) Three timed writings 15%

                (5) Travel PowerPoint Presentation 10%

FINAL: Wednesday, April 23, 5-7:45 p.m.

1. Office procedures topics will be the main focus of this course.  These topics include becoming a successful employee, telephone techniques, processing the mail, meetings and conventions, travel, growing professionally, and business etiquette.  Chapter review questions, activities, human relations skill development exercises, and group discussion projects will be completed for each of the POP chapters listed above and over Business Etiquette. 
2. An integrated Microsoft Office simulation will be used throughout the course. . 
3. Timed writings will be given throughout the course.  Only five-minute writings completed during class will be used for evaluation.  The student’s best three timed writings will be used to establish the final grade.  On timed writings, speed counts two-thirds and accuracy one-third.  Consult the timed writing sheet for a specific grade.  The average of these three best timed writings will count as 15% of the final grade.
4. There will be a PowerPoint presentation on the Travel unit from the office procedures text.  A handout stating the requirements will be given several weeks before the presentation is due.  

ATTENDANCE POLICY

While there may be many excellent reasons why you must miss class, there are no excused absences. An absence is an absence regardless of the reason. Therefore, you do not need to explain why you are absent.

All work is to be submitted on time. If a student misses a class, s/he is still responsible for all material that was covered in the class, and any assignment will have the same due date as the class.   It is the Student’s responsibility to check the daily log of the course, or to contact the instructor, if absent.

Absences will be handled according to University guidelines.  A student who misses more than 20% of class may be dropped from the roll with a grade of an F.  Tardies are also recorded.  Three tardies count as one absence.  For this semester, twenty percent is 9 hours or 3 absences.

If a student is absent, S/HE SHOULD ARRANGE TO HAVE ANY ASSIGNMENT DUE DELIVERED BY CLASS TIME TO AVOID LATE PENALTY. Late assignments will carry a penalty of 50 % (of total assignment value) for each day an assignment is late.

GENERAL RULES AND OTHER INFORMATION

In addition to the text, students will need to purchase three 3 ½ -inch, high-density diskettes or one jump drive for use in class.

Bring your books and disks to class each day.

Do not allow others to copy your work or your disk. Dishonesty can result in both parties receiving a grade of 0 on the assignment, a course grade of "F", or referral to a University official. THIS IS CONSIDERED CHEATING!

Do not access any directory or software other than your own unless permitted by the instructor.

At the end of each class period, make sure the work area is clean. There is never any smoking, eating, or drinking in the classroom.

All written assignments will be typed, double space, 1” margins, unless instructed otherwise.

POLICY STATEMENT ON PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING

The following penalties will be enforced:

FIRST OFFENSE: The student will earn a “0” on the assignment, test, project, etc. 

SECOND OFFENSE: The student will earn the letter grade “F” for the course.            

THIRD OFFENSE: The student will earn the letter grade “F” for the course, and further action involving referral of the matter (with documentation) to the appropriate college (university) officials within the administrative structure will be taken. (Please also see page 39 of the VSU Student Handbook.)

Warning:  Do not turn in someone else’s lab work or class work as your own or allow someone else to copy your work or your disk!  This is cheating.  It is wise to save all of your lab assignments on your disk.  Do not access any files or directories other than your own or those requested by the instructor.

STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER

The Student Success Center (SSC) at Valdosta State University is located in Langdale Residence Hall and is available to all students. SSC provides free professional academic advising, peer tutoring in core curriculum courses, and campus job information in one location. They strongly encourage students to make use of their services. You may contact them at 229-333-7570 or email ssc@valdosta.edu.

SPECIAL NEEDS STATEMENT

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the sex, race, religion, color, national origin, handicap, veteran status, or sexual orientation of the individual. It is the intent of the institution to comply with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent executive orders as well as Title IX and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Students requesting classroom accommodations or modifications because of a documented disability must contact the Access Office for Students with Disabilities located in Room 1115 Nevins Hall. The phone numbers are (229) 245-2498 (voice) and (229) 219-1348 (tty).

Mrs. Cindy Prater

Room 251, Education Center

229-333-5635

mgprater@valdosta.edu

Office Hours:

Monday: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., 1:30 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 9-11 a.m., 1:30-4:30 p.m.