Course:
IIST 523 - 1988
Scheduled: Mondays, Tuesdays, & Wednesdays 6:00-8:30, June 23–August 1
Location – Draper 0023 (note location changes on weekly outline)
Instructor and Information:
NameCarol Anne Germain
TitleNetworked Resources Education Librarian
Office LocationLI 128 (see map on last page)
Phone;
Office HoursMondays, Tuesdays4:30-5:30 (LI 128); Mondays after class AND by appointment
Course Description:
IST 523 provides a theoretical and practical background in the basic information technology skills necessary for information professionals. Students learn how operating systems, hardware, software, and networks interoperate. Includes an introduction to Office and Web-based applications, online content design, user accessibility concepts, database basics, and information security.
Course Objectives and Student Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students should be fluent and will:
• Have a basic understanding of basic concepts and terminology of information technology and be able to define them
• Have a basic understanding of personal computers and their operations
• Have acquired basic skills and be able to use the main personal computer applications
• Have acquired knowledge of basic web design and development tools
• Have an increased ability to learn and explore new information technologies with confidence
• Be able to identify issues related to information security
Email: Each student is expected to have an email account for this class. Email accounts can be applied for through ITS.*When sending email please include IST523 and your last name in the subject header (ex: IST523 Germain).
Weekly Course Outline Topics, Speakers, Class Discussion leaders (D)(chosen during 1st class session) and class locations:
DATE / TOPIC/SPEAKER(S) / DISCUSSION LEADERS/other
(Fill in - 1st class) / Class Location
6/23 / 1 / Introduction
Germain / N/A / Draper 0023
6/24 / 2 / The Internet/Browsers
Germain / Internet tip exchange / ULIB B048
6/26 / 3 / Research Databases
Germain / N/A / ULIB B048
6/30 / NO CLASS / Discussion work / N/A
7/1 / 4 / HTML
Roger Lipera / N/A / ULIB B14/15
7/3 / 5 / Computer Hardware/Op Systems/Open Source
Germain / Application Swap
D - / ULIB B048
7/7 / 6 / Usability/Accessibility
Germain / D - / ULIB B048
7/8 / 7 / Dreamweaver
Roger Lipera / N/A / ULIB B14/15
7/10 / 8 / Web 2.0/Wikis
Germain / D - / ULIB B048
7/14 / 9 / Information/Internet Security
Germain / D - / ULIB B048
7/15 / 10 / Interlibrary Loan
Peter Bae / N/A / ULIB B048
7/17 / 11 / Blogs/RSS
Elaine Lasda-Bergman / N/A / ULIB B048
7/21 / 12 / Electronic Workspaces /Classrooms /Commons
Germain / D - / Lobby University Library
7/22 / 13 / Digital Divide/Universal Design / D - / ULIB B048
7/24 / 14 / Multimedia
Germain / Brainstorming / ULIB B048
7/28 / 15 / Cascading Style Sheets
John J. Pardavila / N/A / ULIB B048
7/29 / 16 / Class Presentations / N/A / ULIB B048
7/31 / 17 / Class Presentations / N/A / ULIB B048
Guest Speakers
Throughout this abbreviated semester there will be many guest speakers. These professionals are working on their own time; and each is sharing their experiences and expertise with you. Please be respectful. During sessions which include guests, students should:
- listen attentively to guests. They should address guest speakers by their appropriate titles, and respond when asked for questions and opinions;
- act and behave in the class as they would at an interview for a potential job position with that guest speaker;
- be prepared for the guest speaker, this includes reading assigned materials and drafting appropriate questions/comments;
- refrain from eating and drinking.
Student Responsibilities:
Each student is expected to contribute to an environment conducive to the learning of all students. This contribution includes, but is not limited to:
- Respecting the opinion of others
- Being prepared to participate actively
- Taking responsibility for your learning and progress in the course
- Seeking help from the instructor as needed
Policies
1. All assignments are due on the date specified. Written assignments turned in late will be penalized; points will be lost for late assignments. Extensions will be granted in extenuating circumstances only if you petition me before the class session at which the assignment is due.
2. Discussion leaders and presenters of sessions will not be granted extensions, due to the nature of the obligation.
Due to the nature of key assignments in this course, incompletes will not be given.
3. Plagiarism and other academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade, and will be reported to the Office of Graduate Studies. For more information on what constitutes plagiarism, see Academic Integrity, Conduct & Research Regulations at
Course Requirements and Grading
Grading
15%Readings/Discussion questions/Class participation (each class)
15%Class Discussion Leadership (due date set at 1st class)
10%Technology Exploration Proposal (due class 4)
20%Technology Evaluation Assignment (due class 8)
10%Log/paper of Technology Exploration (due class 16)
30%Final Presentation (classes 16 & 17)
Readings
There is no required text for this course. REQUIRED READINGS are on reserve through ERES. To access Reserve readings on ERES go to:
Click on Electronic Reserves & Reserves Pages. In the Quick Search box type IST 523. You’ll see the list of clickable readings. The password is ______. Library staff do not know the course password, so please keep this information for future reference.
Note the grading for readings and discussion leadership (below)– these are required.
Assignments
#Readings/Discussion questions/Class participation [15%]
The background knowledge gained through the required readings is crucial. I will expect that all students will come to class having read the assigned readings for that class. Our discussions will build upon that knowledge. Evidence of familiarity with the readings will be apparent through active class participation as well as the drafting of 2-3 questions relating to the readings (not required for the class where you are the discussion leader(s)) Unexcused absences for these classes will result in the lowering of your grade.
#Class Discussion Leadership [15%]
Small groups of (~3)students will be responsible for directing discussion during a portion of most class sessions. You should prepare by doing at least 1 additional reading and by selecting significant topic points to highlight. However, the purpose is to engage the class in discussion and even debate, and not to make a presentation. Effective creativity will be rewarded!!!
Technology Project
Over the next six weeks, we will review a variety of technologies. In addition to learning about these technologies, you will need to select one specific technology application (e.g., Web development) that you would like to learn more about and also attain a higher level of proficiency than you currently have with this technology. You need to select a technology that is academically rigorous (typing a Word document will not be considered challenging enough at the graduate level).
Since information technologies are constantly changing, the information professional is also required to constantly learn new technologies. The following assignments were created to help guide you through this learning process.
#Technology Exploration Proposal [10%]
In this one-two page proposal identify the technology you would like to explore and the reasons why this is academically/professionally important. You need to describe your current skills with the technology and what skills you plan on learning over the next six weeks (be realistic – six weeks goes by quickly). You will need to outline strategies on how you will learn this technology (i.e., through IMC classes, ITS classes, how-to manuals, Web-based tutorials, application help guides, etc. – other strategies will be discussed in class).
Your proposal needs to include objectives and outcomes. Describe the final product you will create which will demonstrate your expertise with using this newly acquired skill.
# Technology Evaluation Assignment [20%]
Select oneof the following 2 options for this assignment:
I Annotated bibliography
Develop an annotated bibliography, spanning 2003 to present, on your technology. Find 8-10 sources on the subject which include at least one research study. Research studies mean they must have collected data and report on the data found. These do not include “how to” or editorial compositions.
An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, chapters, articles, WebPages, and documents pertaining to your topic. Each complete citation is followed by a descriptive /evaluative paragraph(about 150-200 words).
Here are the steps you should follow to successfully complete this assignment:
·Select a bibliographical style that you will use. Most likely this will be APA or Chicago, but whatever style you choose be consistent (
·For the research study citation you will need to use the research databases the Libraries' subscribe to.
·Examine and review the actual items found. To do this you must read them.
·Write a concise annotation that summarizes the major points and/or findings for each citation. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the key points, relevance, accuracy, methodology, and quality of the source cited. Your annotations should be descriptive and critical, and make the reader aware of the author's perspective, articulation, appropriateness of expression, and authority.
# II.Search Engine Review
In a 3 page essay, review three search engines providing a description for each. Conduct a comparison of these tools by searching a set of 3 different terms relating to your technology exploration topic on each of the search engines. In your essay, clearly discuss the criteria that you are using to explain the similarities and differences among these search engines. Describe your results. Here are some helpful questions, but certainly you can expand :
- Was there any overlap in the results?
- What were the differences among the retrieved hits?
- In reviewing the results can you determine the algorithm (or portions of it) used by the search engine?
- Was the retrieved information helpful with your topic?
- Were there any similarities between any of the 3 search engines?
- Are there any advanced searching options?
- Was the retrieved information helpful with your topic?
Log/paper of Technology Exploration [10%]
Over the six week semester, document your experiences with your information technology project. This one-three page diary does need to be typed. It should include your triumphs, frustrations, and discoveries.
Final Presentation [30%]
In your presentation you will share what you have learned about “your technology” over the six week semester. Basically, your presentation will include:
- What you wanted to learn
- How you learned more about it
- Outline your learning strategy and your project design
- Specific example(s) of what you learned
- If you created a Web page, you’ll need to display sample page(s)
- If you developed a blog – show site with postings, comments, etc.
- Bibliography (you should be consulting additional sources)
- Additional resources to learn more
- …And technology in your future
The presentation will be a 15-20 minute. These sessions will occur during the last two class periods. These presentations may include printed materials, graphics, and additional handouts. All students are expected to attend both sessions.
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