Michael Losacco

Michael Losacco, Professor

Michael Losacco

Professor

Computer & Information Science

losacco@cod.edu

(630)942-3277

BIC 1544C

Professor room number

Office Hours

  • Monday, Friday, NETVIRTUAL 07:00-08:45 a.m.
  • Tuesday, Thursday, BIC1544C 07:00-08:00 a.m.
  • Tuesday, Thursday, BIC1544C 12:00-12:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, NETVIRTUAL 07:00-09:00 a.m.

Professor of Computer and Information Science (CIS) for the Business & Technology Division with expertise in Web Design & Development. 5-time nominee for College of DuPage Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award. Named 2012-2013 Business & Technology Division Outstanding Faculty of the Year. Author of the high fantasy novel RuneCraft.

Teaching Experience

Twenty-five plus years experience teaching a wide variety of computer classes to diverse students with differing developmental levels while accommodating individuals needs.

College of DuPage (1994 - Present)

  • CIS 1120 - The Internet
  • CIS 1130 - Windows Basics
  • CIS 1150 - Computers, Information, and Systems
  • CIS 1160 - Windows Command Shell
  • CIS 1205 - Office Suite Software & Integration
  • CIS 1221 - Introduction to Spreadsheets
  • CIS 1240 - Presentation Graphics - Windows Based
  • CIS 1300 - Web Design Software
  • CIS 1310 - HTML & CSS
  • CIS 2320 - JavaScript & Advanced HTML
  • Special Topic - Web Development in a Business Environment

Computer Learning Center - CIS Instructor

Tandy Corporation - Managing Instructor

Business Experience

Over fifteen years of experience resulting in solid accomplishments in all areas of information technology and end-user community (software, hardware, and end user community).

Lattice, Inc. - Director, Mobile Computing

  • Set company direction
  • Software consultation, development, and implementation
  • Marketing and sales
  • Establish / manage vendor relationships

GRiD Systems - Project Manager

  • Pre- and post-sale hardware support of Fortune 1000 accounts
  • Software application development

Fox Associates - PC Manager

  • Evaluate, purchase and implement systems for six offices
  • Software maintenance

Owner/operator of two businesses since inception, spanning over twenty years.

Michael J. Losacco, FFL Dealer - Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer

  • Over 1700 customers
  • Performed over 7000 transfers

Mystyk Wulf Design - Web Site Design & Consultation

  • Create / maintain multiple websites

Life Philosophy

"Know that the path you walk will not always be straight nor the ground you tread always level. But cherish the time you spend with one another and endeavor to enjoy the journey, for therein lies your happiness."

—MJ Losacco 2011

Teaching Philosophy

Simply put, I will always consider you as my student. Whether we have one class together or several, I want you to know that you can always seek me out. By email, phone or in person; to help solve a problem or just talk; today or any time in the future. My relationships with students are exhibited by listening, patience, showing empathy and displaying respect. I am not only interested in your learning, but also in your welfare.

Teaching Methodology

I have what some consider a relaxed style and believe that learning should be fun as well as challenging.

Recently, there has been a greater emphasis on teachers as facilitators, specially in technology. In that respect, I want you to surpass attaining the goals of the class and achieve real understanding. That is accomplished through active learning: a combination of covering the course material, enhancements to the material that I supply, and proactive participation of the student.

My classes are typically structured in the following fashion:

  • Textbook Material - It is your responsibility to read the material before coming to class and be prepared to discuss it.
  • Discussion (aka lecture) - The discussion of the material, encompassing questions, analysis, and debate of concepts. I encourage questions. If you do not understand, ask. If the explanation is not adequate, say so. An explanation, however eloquent, is worthless unless you understand it. In regard to analysis and debate, there are often times many acceptable solutions to a problem. Being exposed to different tactics, aspects, and opinions, enhances learning.
  • Tutorial - A guided, step-by-step approach to help you gain experience in creating files and performing functions together as a class. I attempt to have the student with the least experience set my pace, assuming they have met any prerequisites and the objectives of the class are still met.
  • Labs - In class assignments that allow you to put into practice the concepts you learned during the tutorial.
  • Projects - At home assignments designed to challenge your skill level and demonstrate your understanding of tutorial and lab concepts.
  • Test/Exam - Used to ascertain if terminology and concepts are being retained.

Aquarist

Keep a 75 gallon aquarium populated with a couple Philippine Blue angelfish (Pterophyllum Scalare) and several different rainbowfish: Australian (Melanotaenia Fluviatilis), Goyder River (Melanotaenia Trifasciata), Kamaka (Melanotaenia Kamaka), Threadfin (Iriatherina Weneri), and Turquoise (Melanotaenia Lacustris). The 75 also houses an Agassiz's dwarf cichlid (Apistogramma Agassizii), a Dragon goby (Gobioides Broussonnetii), four Skirt Tetras (Gymnocorymbus Ternetzi), a False Bandit cory (Corydoras Melini), a couple Green cories (Corydoras Splendens), and a Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus Oblongus).

Author

Wrote RuneCraft, the first book in a trilogy of high fantasy novels that explores deep, metaphysical themes. The story revolves around Peter Uriel, who, after making his transition, is sent to another world to save them from utter ruination. Here they have waited a thousand years for the Destroyer, some in anticipation of being brought to light, others in fear of being enveloped by darkness. But can Uriel master his chosen Path, traversing the chasm between white and black magic?

RuneQuest (Book II) is in process and RuneMaster (Book III) is forthcoming. Volume I (which is planned) takes place about 1000 years before the current story. Volume III (which is also planned) resumes the story shortly after the conclusion of Volume II. The entire first book is online if you would like to read it.

I have also created an online applet in JavaScript called Fantasy Names that allows you to generate random names for use in writing fantasy and/or science fiction works. By entering various constants and variables, you can construct specific patterns of names to choose from.

Coach

Former head coach of the women's soccer team at College of DuPage. Named Division III N4C, Region IV, and District D Coach of the Year for 2003. National Coach of the Year Finalist. Directed the 2003 Chaparrals to 1st Place (tied) N4C, Region IV Championship, District D Championship, and 4th in the National Championship Tournament.

Cook

Enjoy making traditional southern Italian dishes, soups (Italian Wedding, Minestrone), and desserts (biscotti, taralli) the best. Rachael Ray and Giada De Laurentiis are my favorites. You can find a lot of their recipes at the Food Network.

Marksman

Former Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer, supporter of the 2nd Amendment, member of the NRA, and an NRA Range Safety Officer. My firearms of choice are the Wilson Combat CQB (handgun); Noveske N4 18" Stainless Fluted (rifle); and Beretta 687 EELL Diamond Pigeon (shotgun).

Musician

Fronted a couple of heavy metal garage bands, the last of which, ZenArcher (which included a couple of other guys from COD), was actually pretty good. Lyricist.

Photographer / Videographer

Use a Sony a1 with a 16-35mm wide, 90mm macro, and 200-600mm telephoto lenses. I also have a 2x teleconverter lens that I use with the telephoto. My tripod is a Sirui N-2204SK with a Surui PH-20 gimbal. Shoot mainly wildlife, but also architecture, landscape, nature, and portraits. Post-production work in PhotoLab, Photoshop and Premiere. You can view some of my work at https://mikelosacco.com.

Beginning Spring 2013, Professor Losacco began administering anonymous evaluations through Blackboard to all his students completing his classroom courses. Below are the results through Fall 2024.

CIS 1150 - Computers Information, and Systems 1

Very Effective Effective Moderately Effective Somewhat Effective Ineffective
Explanation of course requirements: 430 265 33 7 1
  58% 36% 4% 1% 0%
 
Command of the subject matter: 461 231 29 11 1
  63% 32% 4% 2% 0%
 
Ability to make clear/understandable presentations: 504 177 36 11 3
  69% 24% 5% 2% 0%
 
Use of examples/analogies to clarify course material: 476 192 45 12 1
  66% 26% 6% 2% 0%
 
Use of challenging questions/problems: 319 289 99 17 4
  44% 40% 14% 2% 1%
 
Helpfulness and responsiveness to students: 520 163 36 10 3
  71% 22% 5% 1% 0%
 
Respect for students: 597 113 18 4 2
  81% 15% 2% 1% 0%
 
Willingness to listen to student questions/opinions: 569 136 20 3 3
  78% 19% 3% 0% 0%
 
Information about how you would be graded: 478 194 46 7 5
  65% 27% 6% 1% 1%
 
Overall quality of instruction: 438 249 23 8 3
  61% 35% 3% 1% 0%
 
  Good Mixture More Tests More Projects Less Tests Less Projects
Preference of how assignments were distributed: 465 39 127 119 56
  58% 5% 16% 15% 7%
 
  About Right Very Difficult Somewhat Difficult Somewhat Elementary Very Elementary
Level of difficulty of this course: 384 30 265 42 7
  53% 4% 36% 6% 1%
 
  About Right Very Heavy Heavy Light Very Light
Workload for this course: 460 37 188 38 7
  63% 5% 26% 5% 1%
 
  About Right Very Fast Somewhat Fast Somewhat Slow Very Slow
Pace at which the material was covered: 509 31 176 12 1
  70% 4% 24% 2% 0%
 
 

 

CIS 1310 - HTML & CSS 1

Very Effective Effective Moderately Effective Somewhat Effective Ineffective
Explanation of course requirements: 82 35 6 2 0
  66% 28% 5% 2% 0%
 
Command of the subject matter: 91 29 4 1 0
  73% 23% 3% 1% 0%
 
Ability to make clear/understandable presentations: 81 32 8 3 0
  65% 26% 6% 2% 0%
 
Use of examples/analogies to clarify course material: 71 42 9 1 1
  57% 34% 7% 1% 1%
 
Use of challenging questions/problems: 52 50 18 4 0
  42% 40% 15% 3% 0%
 
Helpfulness and responsiveness to students: 81 32 10 0 0
  66% 26% 8% 0% 0%
 
Respect for students: 99 21 2 2 0
  80% 17% 2% 2% 0%
 
Willingness to listen to student questions/opinions: 102 19 0 1 1
  83% 15% 0% 1% 1%
 
Information about how you would be graded: 69 29 21 4 1
  56% 23% 17% 3% 1%
 
Overall quality of instruction: 80 31 10 2 0
  65% 25% 8% 2% 0%
 
  Good Mixture More Tests More Projects Less Tests Less Projects
Preference of how assignments were distributed: 74 8 35 22 5
  51% 6% 24% 15% 3%
 
  About Right Very Difficult Somewhat Difficult Somewhat Elementary Very Elementary
Level of difficulty of this course: 73 5 42 4 0
  59% 4% 34% 3% 0%
 
  About Right Very Heavy Heavy Light Very Light
Workload for this course: 92 7 17 6 2
  74% 6% 14% 5% 2%
 
  About Right Very Fast Somewhat Fast Somewhat Slow Very Slow
Pace at which the material was covered: 92 3 23 6 0
  74% 2% 19% 5% 0%
 
 

 

Student Feedback

"It speaks volumes of your teaching style and effectiveness that I learned so much…"

"…ended up being the most insightful, and educational experience, I had ever had!"

"I have been in the university setting for five years now and not once has a professor taken the time to do that. I honestly appreciate that. It inspires me."

"…still the best class I ever had. I took your class a few semesters ago and still think about it."

"I can say honestly…that his class was the best class that I have taken here at COD."

"…by far the best experience I have had at COD so far."

"…I thought it was remarkable to have a teacher who actually seemed to care about his students."

"This class overall I will never forget. The [lectures] were two of the best classes I have ever had."

"…quite possibly the most thought-provoking single class that I have attended in my two years at COD."

"…by far one of the best classes I have ever sat through. I’ve never been so determined to soak up every word someone has said."

"The scientist has stepped outside the box to give his students a lesson in life. How brave, I think. How fine, to risk showing that he cares enough about them to tell them now what really matters, what so many of us take a lifetime to learn. He didn’t have to do this. They might not get it. But he knows it may be the most important thing he has to teach them. And so he gives them a gift…I feel lucky to have been in this class, on this day, with this professor, who told the truth. It just may be the best class I’ve ever had."

"This lesson is one of the most valuable lessons that I have learned through my years of schooling. Not one class in the past twelve years has taught me or better yet shown me the values in life and what is truly important."

"For the first time in my existence I was subjected to a profound message…that has never been brought to the forefront of any classroom I have ever been in."

"…the most important class that I had since I came to C.O.D."

"What was done in 2 hours I haven’t seen done in a single year…you are the embodiment of what it means to be a teacher."

"…the most unique experience in any class I have taken at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and here at College of DuPage."

"…definitely the most interesting and life-changing presentation I have ever seen."

"Not since my grade school days have I experienced a Teacher willing to take a time out to just be real, and it was refreshing enough to open the door to reflection."

"…it’s the very few, like yourself, that help to leave an impact outside the classroom and that I appreciate greatly."

"Not many teachers end up making a true difference in students' lives. I can honestly say with 100% certainty that you do make a true difference."

"…I learned something more important than any school book could ever teach me."

"…thank you for being real…for making me want to do a little more with the only thing that's actually going to really matter down the road…"

"…the best two hours I ever had in a classroom."

"I also see why many students have said that the presentation was the best two hours of class they have ever had, and I completely agree…"

"…quite possibly the most thought provoking and emotion blending presentation I've ever heard…"

"…a great instructor that takes the time to answer students' questions and made concepts easy to understand."

"…probably the most professional teacher I have had in my academic career."

"It was truly the most exceptional experience I’ve ever had in a school setting and easily the most educational."

"…the presentation was unlike anything I have seen in my 5 year career as a student at College of DuPage."

"…I don’t think I will ever sit in a better class than this one."

"I've been in post-secondary education for a good portion of my life up to this point, and no professor has provided more helpful resources to succeed than Professor Losacco…this has been the most beneficial course I have taken here at College of DuPage."

"...an amazing person who geniunely cares about his students and shares much of his wisdom and knowledge with. He is not only focused on the course material but also puts an emphasis on shaping us and guiding us for the future with very deep and thoughtful life lessons."

 

 

1 Approximate pool of students answering surveys were 721 (CIS 1150) and 123 (CIS 1310). Not all students answered all questions. Multiple answers were allowed for Assignment Distribution question.

COD

Course Related

CIS 1150 - Computers / Information / Systems

CIS 1300 - Web Design Software

CIS 1310 - HTML & CSS

Other Sites