Bill Gates: From a computer programmer to co-owner of Microsoft

Bill Gates: From a computer programmer to co-owner of Microsoft

Course Description:

This course will profoundly educate the student on the roles of Bill Gates as a computer programmer and later own as the co-owner of Microsoft. The students in turn are expected to research further on Bill Gate, upbringing and achievement, and major challenges she faced throughout pursuing his dreams. Additionally, this course will broadly introduce to the students the life of Bill Gates from the time he was in senior high school at the age of 15 till he sold off his stake in 2019. The lessons other than learning how to heed the lessons of failure will further understand key values such as perseverance, patience, and humility.

Student learning outcomes:

1. Learn the historical background of Bill Gates
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the Expectancy Theory of Motivation for success in life and business.
3. Understanding the journey of Bill Gates to becoming a Co-owner of Microsoft.
4. Learning the major reasons behind Bill Gates stepping down from the chairman of Microsoft.

Required text:

• Becraft, Michael. Bill Gates: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies) Illustrated Edition. Greenwood; Illustrated edition (August 26, 2014) ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781440830136

N/B: The class assigned notes, films and texts are accessible via the course schedule page in the Folio.

Assignments

Final Exam

Following the completion of the set class objectives and goals which includes sitting and discussion tests, all categories of students are expected to take part in the set examination.

Final Exam: 8^th November 2021

Transnationalism Paper:

Students are expected to write a minimum of four pages; the assignment involves an analysis of Bill Gates’s transnational dimensions. For further directions and information, students should visit the class Folio.

Motivational Theories for Success in life and business Due Date paper: 1^st November 2021

Discussion Boards

It is mandatory that students fully participate on the classroom set discussion boards. The sets which include three modules are vital for the successful completion of the set course. For more information, students should visit the class Folio.

Online assignments

Following the completion of each module, there will be quizzes. Each of the module quizzes will have a due date {11:59 PM}.

N/B: Late assignment submissions will not be accepted.

Grade Breakdown:

Final Exam: 50%

Online Assignments: 20%

Discussion posts: 15%

Motivational Theory Paper: 20%

Course Policies:

Folio Policy

Every student to submit in the Folio dropbox recommended assignment as PDF or word files. Every student has the mandate to understand how to apply the recommended to submit their assignment successfully.

Accessibility Policy

Students to rely on Accessibility Resource Center for any accommodation information who will assist them in any information needed depending on their interests. Following the latter, they will be invited to schedule virtual appointments and discuss with me their accessibility needs which include accommodation.

Make-Up Exam Policy

A student must contact the instructor if there is any conflicting schedule with an examination. This should be done a week before the set examination date and thus sit for a make-up examination.

N/B: To sit for a make-up exam, the student must provide written proof of valid scheduling conflict.

Also, in cases where the student is critically ill, they should rely on the instructor a day before the scheduled exam.

Plagiarism Policy

Bibliographies are not part of the class materials as the course requires no additional research beyond assigned course materials. Incases students borrow information from other texts, they should incorporate citations. The citations should meet APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago format. Any students having problems with the various citations should ask the instructor for further assistance.

Copying or resubmitting from another person’s previous work is not acceptable. All students should present their original work as expected from the course.

Course Schedule:

Week 1                     

Introduction: The first week of the course will introduce students to the historical background of Bill Gates. Other than noting that Bill Gates was born on 28^th October 1955, in Washington, Seattle, the student will note his social and historical background and means of success. In summary, they will not Bill Gates as one of the business leaders, technologists, and philanthropists and, his road to riches as of 13 years old.

Listen: Students will listen to a YouTube Video about Bill Gates; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6UIlptvJAc

Watch: Students will watch Bill Gates journey to success; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4s_0pNZvnc

Contribution: Every student following the set and completed objectives of week one will thereafter participate in discussion board 1. Other than responding to the set discussion post, they will respond to at least three of their classmates’ posts.

Take Way: Online Assignment 1

Week 2

Motivational Theory: In the second week, students will be introduced particularly to the expectancy theory of motivation. Other than being taught in essence as psychological theory posed in 1964 by Victor H. Vroom, the students will understand its effect on Bill gates specific achievement and action.

Listen: To understand the concept of expectancy theory more, students will listen and take notes on this YouTube link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIXUg6N-eOs

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCFq2ibunvY

Read Becraft, Michael. Bill Gates: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies) Illustrated Edition. Greenwood; Illustrated edition (August 26, 2014) ISBN-10: ‎ 9781440830136

Contribution: Students to participate in discussion board 1. They will answer the set discussion question particularly to the concept of Expectancy Theory of Motivation as applied in the case of Bill Gates.

Take Away: Online Assignment 2

Week 3

Bill Gates as a Co-owner of Microsoft

In the third week, students will learn the journey of Bill Gates to become a co-owner of Microsoft. During week 3’s lesson, we will analyze Bill Gates, a computer programmer, philanthropist, and businessman as the co-owner of Microsoft. We will not only learn about Bill Gates as co-owner of Microsoft and vast personnel having an interest in the internet, but also his contribution to Microsoft World. Among his major discussed contribution is the development of enterprise and consumer software solutions for the internet.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q49DnoSTV6E

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6UIlptvJAc

Contribution: Discussion post 3

Take Away: Online Assignment 3

Week 4

Learning the major reasons behind Bill Gates stepping down from the chairman of Microsoft

In addition, students will analyze some of the remedies behind the issues surrounding Bill Gates’s steps down.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyAGLOf5mzY

Read Becraft, Michael. Bill Gates: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies) Illustrated Edition. Greenwood; Illustrated edition (August 26, 2014) ISBN-10: ‎ 9781440830136

Contribution: Students to participate in Discussion board 4 on some of the lessons learned following Bill Gates stepping down from the chairman of Microsoft.

Take Way: Online Assignment 4

Week 5

Conclusion: In week 5, students will conclude on the historical background of Bill Gates, the major focus under Expectancy Theory of Motivation for success in life and business. Also, they will provide their understanding of the journey of Bill Gates to become a Co-owner of Microsoft and some of the reasons behind Bill Gates stepping down from the chairman of Microsoft.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tpB8I56WJU

Read Becraft, Michael. Bill Gates: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies) Illustrated Edition. Greenwood; Illustrated edition (August 26, 2014) ISBN-10: ‎ 9781440830136