CIS101 – Navigating a Digital World
Assignment 1: Using Digital Tools to Virtually Communicate Due: Week 5
Points: 90
Skill(s) Being Assessed: Technology
What to submit/deliverables: Microsoft Word document that addresses all assignment requirements
(submitted in Blackboard – Week 5).
What is the value of doing this assignment? We communicate virtually all the time—through email, text messages, web conferences, etc. Attending online classes makes it even more important to find ways to connect with your professor and to use the right tools to do it. This assignment gives you an opportunity to practice the digital proficiency process (DPP) by using digital tools to communicate with your professor. You can also use your digital proficiency skills to empower you at work and in life!
Your goal for this assignment is to: Use digital tools to draft, format, and edit a five-paragraph letter to your professor about your experience as a college student so far.
Steps to complete: In Week 5, complete and submit your assignment in Blackboard using the following steps:
Step 1: New Word Document
o Name the file: Lastname_CIS101_A1
Step 2: Navigate, Select, and Use (Paragraphs 1–4)
Remember: Your goal is at the center of the DPP because it’s what each step in the process (Navigate, Select, Use, and Review) is working toward. Before beginning the first step of the DPP, you need to identify your goal, which is provided for you above in the “Your goal for this assignment is to” section.
CIS101 – Navigating a Digital World
● Paragraph 4: Search the Internet for two digital tools that are used for communicating virtually—one web conferencing tool and one instant messaging tool. Describe both tools and make sure you also share links to both websites. (2–4 sentences)
Step 3: Review (Paragraph 5)
● Navigate to Blackboard (Week 5 – SUBMIT section), upload your document, and submit
your assignment.
CIS101 – Navigating a Digital World
Assignment 1: Using Digital Tools to Virtually Communicate
Due: Week 5
Points: 90
Skill(s) Being Assessed: Technology
What to submit/deliverables: Microsoft Word document that addresses all assignment requirements
(submitted in Blackboard – Week 5).
What is the value of doing this assignment? We communicate virtually all the
time—through email, text messages, web conferences, etc. Attending online classes makes it
even more important to find ways to connect with your professor and to use the right tools to
do it. This assignment gives you an opportunity to practice the digital proficiency process
(DPP) by using digital tools to communicate with your professor. You can also use your digital
proficiency skills to empower you at work and in life!
Your goal for this assignment is to: Use digital tools to draft, format, and edit a
five-paragraph letter to your professor about your experience as a college student so far.
Steps to complete: In Week 5, complete and submit your assignment in Blackboard using the
following steps:
Step 1: New Word Document
● Open Microsoft Word.
● Create a new blank document.
● Type your name at the top of your letter.
● Type the date below your name.
● Address your letter as “Dear Professor,”.
● Save your letter in your Documents folder. (Note: It’s important to save your file before
getting too far into your writing so that you don’t inadvertently lose any work. Then, Word
will autosave for you—if you have Word set to autosave, that is!)
o Name the file: Lastname_CIS101_A1
Step 2: Navigate, Select, and Use (Paragraphs 1–4)
Remember: Your goal is at the center of the DPP because it’s what each step in the process
(Navigate, Select, Use, and Review) is working toward. Before beginning the first step of the
DPP, you need to identify your goal, which is provided for you above in the “Your goal for this
assignment is to” section.
● Paragraph 1: Share a little bit about yourself. (2–4 sentences)
● Paragraph 2: Share your experience, thoughts, and feelings about being a college
student so far. What have you liked? What have you wished was different? What are you
learning across your courses so far? (3–4 sentences)
● Paragraph 3: Share any lessons learned or goals that you have as they relate to
pursuing a college degree. (2–4 sentences)
CIS101 – Navigating a Digital World
● Paragraph 4: Search the Internet for two digital tools that are used for communicating
virtually—one web conferencing tool and one instant messaging tool. Describe both
tools and make sure you also share links to both websites. (2–4 sentences)
Step 3: Review (Paragraph 5)
● State how learning the digital proficiency process has helped you to think about and use
technology. (2–3 sentences)
● Conclude your letter with “Sincerely,”.
● Add 4 blank lines and then type your name.
Step 4: Use – Formatting
● Right-align your name at the top of your letter.
● Right-align the date in the paragraph below your name.
● Left-align the rest of your letter.
● Single space the paragraphs of your letter.
● Bold the date of your letter.
● Select all of the text and change the font to Times New Roman.
● Select all of the text and change the font size to 12.
Step 5: Use – Editing
● Use the Check Document feature in Word to find and correct any spelling errors.
● Proofread your letter and correct any grammar or capitalization errors.
● Save your letter.
Step 6: Submit Your Assignment
● Navigate to Blackboard (Week 5 – SUBMIT section), upload your document, and submit
your assignment.
Grading for this assignment will be based on the following rubric:
CIS101 – Navigating a Digital World
Points: 90 Assignment 1: Using Digital Tools to Virtually Communicate
Criteria Unacceptable
Below 60% F
Needs
Improvement
65% D
Satisfactory
75% C
Competent
85% B
Exemplary
100% A
1. New Word
Document.
Create a new
Word document
with your name,
date, addressee
name, and the file
name.
Weight: 10%
Did not
submit a
response or
submitted so
little work that
no credit can
be given.
There are 3 or
more errors
present.
There are 2
errors present.
There is 1 error
present.
There are no
errors present.
2. Navigate,
Select, and Use
(Paragraphs 1–3).
Share information
about yourself,
your feelings
about being a
college student so
far, and lessons
you have learned
or goals you have
set in college so
far.
Weight: 15%
Did not submit
a response or
submitted so
little work that
no credit can
be given.
Shares
information about
yourself, but 2 of
the following
elements are
missing: your
feelings about
being a college
student so far and
lessons you have
learned or goals
you have set in
college so far.
Shares
information about
yourself, but 1 of
the following
elements is
missing: your
feelings about
being a college
student so far and
lessons you have
learned or goals
you have set in
college so far.
Shares
information about
yourself, your
feelings about
being a college
student so far,
and lessons you
have learned or
goals you have
set in college so
far, but specific
information is
missing.
Shares specific
information about
yourself, your
feelings about
being a college
student so far,
and lessons you
have learned or
goals you have
set in college so
far.
3. Navigate,
Select, and Use
(Paragraph 4).
Describe 2 digital
communication
tools (1 for web
conferencing and
1 for instant
messaging) and
share working
links to both
websites.
Weight: 25%
Did not submit
a response or
submitted so
little work that
no credit can
be given.
Describes 1
digital
communication
tool (1 for web
conferencing or 1
for instant
messaging) but
does not share a
working link to the
website.
Describes 2
digital
communication
tools (1 for web
conferencing or 1
for instant
messaging) but
does not provide
a working link to
either website.
Describes 2
digital
communication
tools (1 for web
conferencing
and 1 for instant
messaging) and
shares a working
link to 1 of the
websites.
Describes 2
digital
communication
tools (1 for web
conferencing and
1 one for instant
messaging) and
shares working
links to both
websites.
CIS101 – Navigating a Digital World
4. Review
(Paragraph 5).
State how the
digital proficiency
process has
helped you with
technology.
Conclude with
“Sincerely,” four
blank lines, and
your first and last
name.
Weight: 10%
Did not submit
a response or
submitted so
little work that
no credit can
be given.
States how the
digital proficiency
process has
helped you with
technology, but
the explanation is
unclear.
Concludes with
“Sincerely,” four
blank lines, and
your first and last
name, but there
are 5–6 errors.
States how the
digital proficiency
process has
helped you with
technology but
does not provide
a specific
example.
Concludes with
“Sincerely,” four
blank lines, and
your first and last
name, but there
are 3–4 errors.
States how the
digital proficiency
process has
helped you with
technology and
provides 1
specific example.
Concludes with
“Sincerely,” four
blank lines, and
your first and last
name, but there
are 1–2 errors.
States how the
digital proficiency
process has
helped you with
technology and
provides 2
specific
examples.
Correctly
concludes with
“Sincerely,” four
blank lines, and
your first and last
name.
5. Format.
Format the letter
correctly, including
right-alignment of
your name,
right-aligned and
bolded date,
left-aligned and
single-spaced
paragraphs, and
Times New Roman
size 12 font.
Weight: 30%
There are
more than 7
errors present.
There are 5–6
errors present.
There are 3–4
errors present.
There are 1–2
errors present.
There are 0–1
errors present.
6. Edit.
Appropriate
grammar,
spelling, and
capitalization.
Weight: 10%
There are
more than 8
errors present.
There are 7–8
errors present.
There are 5–6
errors present.
There are 3–4
errors present.
There are 0–2
errors present.
