ISP523

Fundamentals of Information Technology - Syllabus Spring 2006

       
Lecturer: Dr. Guy J. Cortesi [email protected] Office Hours: by appointment

This class teaches fluency with the fundamentals of information technology, from both a practical and theoretical perspective, in today's rapidly changing information culture. During lectures and interactive computer labs, students will explore a wide range of digital and Internet-based technologies, including the PC and PC applications. networking, and web page design, including JavaScript. Tools will include PowerPoint, Excel, HTML editors, e-mail, and FTP applications. This course will examine issues surrounding the emergence of digital technologies in todays information culture in order to provide a critical context for student-centered activities and projects. Attention will also be given to issues relating to the use of information technology including technology selection and evaluation, information security, web content evaluation, and information availability and connectivity.

Fluency is the most important term in the description of this course.  It goes beyond the traditional course in computer literacy.  Traditional computer literacy courses teach how to interact with a particular computer application or piece of hardware,  but not the how and why of its creation and its similarities to other technologies.  Fluency means that understanding the conceptual framework used to build the application is as vital as knowing how to use the application itself.   Thus, the two major goals of this course are to: (1) make you into a life-long learner of Information Technology, and (2) give you the ability to adapt to the technologies you know, those you don’t know, and those not even invented yet.  

This course will teach fluency by helping you acquire three kinds of knowledge: skills (learned by doing), concepts (the why of technology), and capabilities (powers or abilities). The acquisition of these three types of knowledge is what allows people to use reading, writing, and math skills years after their introduction to the concepts in school.

Skills

  • Web page creation and publication;
  • search and evaluation of electronic information;
  • database configuration and usage;
  • use of the JavaScript programming language;
  • Web browsing with Netscape or Internet Explorer.


Concepts

  • how a computer works on the inside;
  • networks and other information systems;
  • digital representation of information and data organization and access;
  • programming and algorithmic thinking;
  • effective use of a broad cross-section of information systems; and
  • social impact of information and IT.

Capabilities:

  • engage in logical and sustained reasoning;
  • problem solve;
  • expect the unexpected;
  • communicate to others;
  • anticipate changing technologies; and
  • think abstractly about information technology.

The course has three modules:

1. The PC and PC Applications;

2. Networks and the Internet; and

3. IT Planning and Management Issues.

At the completion of the course, students will have a general understanding of:

  • Basic function and operation of IT;
  • Personal computing and networking technology concepts and design;
  • Management, selection and planning of IT resources;
  • Emerging/evolving technologies; and IT application in organizational settings.

Throughout the course, new and interesting IT-related issues and applications may come up and be discussed. This course is designed as a technology primer. Thus, students will not receive an in-depth understanding of specific technologies and/or applications. Other SISP courses are available which allow students to gain expert knowledge in particular technologies and/or PC applications.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND OTHER ITEMS:

This course has one required text:

E-mail 

It is important for all course students to have an Internet-based e-mail account for this class. Students may use a university account or their own personal account. During class, you will also be setting up an account on the Internet to post web pages for the HTML segment of the course. Instructions for applying for this special account and web hosting area will be provided during class.

Listserv and Mailing List

For this class, you will need to register for the EDUPAGE listserv. EDUPAGE provides you with a summary (once/twice per week) of the more significant technology events of the week. EDUCAUSE, a non-profit company dedicated to technology issues in education, publishes the newsletter. To subscribe to EDUPAGE, send a message to [email protected]. In the body of the message type:

SUBSCRIBE Edupage YourFirstName YourLastName.

As an alternative you may visit the Edupage site to view the article archives.

Course Website

This course has its own web site, containing assignments and readings. Please consult this site for the latest information regarding this course. It is located on the Internet at:

<https://www.albany.edu/~gc227838/>

Participation and homework 10%

Assignments 45%

Mid Term 20%

Technology Plan 25% - graded using the following criteria

Participation

Participation means attendance of all class sessions AND active involvement in class discussions. This means that students read the assigned readings for each class PRIOR TO THAT CLASS. The students are expected to question, challenge, argue, and discuss issues and topics related to that session's readings. Merely attending class is not sufficient to pass this evaluation criterion. Failure to attend and to participate in class will result in a letter grade of F for this component. If a student cannot attend a(ny) class session(s), it is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor by e-mail before the session at [email protected]. Missing three (3) or more class sessions will result in a student's course grade reduction by one letter grade. If a student has any special needs to participate in course activities/complete course requirements, please inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. It is expected that all work that students submit is original. Students should familiarize themselves with the definition of academic honesty/misconduct contained in the Student Handbook. CAREFULLY proof all of your work prior to submission, checking for mistakes such as spelling, grammatical errors, and typos. Late assignments, h/w, or other work submitted after the due date without permission will not be considered.

Assignments

There are four (4) assignments for this course. The PC Assignment is worth 10% of the course grade, the PowerPoint assignment is worth 15%, and the two Web assignments are worth 15% and 5% each of the course grade, respectively.

(1) PC Summary Assignment (10 points)

Many elements of a PC affect its overall performance, overall security when in use, and its final price. Considering the four major areas of a personal computer discussed in class, select an actual personal computer system from a newspaper advertisment, or a web-based store (dell.com, hp.com, apple.com, etc) and discuss these elements relative to these four areas. Conclude with a summary and recommendation for or against the system you selected. Your 2-3 page write-up should include DETAILED hardware and software descriptions.  Be sure to include DETAILED information relating to the (1) CPU (processor speed, processor type, bus speed, etc), (2) the Memory (RAM type and amount) / Storage (CD-R or R/W, DVD+ or DVD-, dual layer/single layer DVD, etc), (3) the User Interface/Input & Output, such as monitor (flat panel or CRT including resolution & graphic card), peripherals (printer, mouse, keyboard), and (4) Network Interface for Internet connectivity. Also consider software (OS and applications).  This should be typed, proofed, printed, and stapled - a first-class, quality write-up.

(2) PowerPoint Assignment (15 points)

For this assignment, click here.

(3) Web Assignments (20 points) - (two assignments, 15 and 5 points respectively)

For web assignment 1, click here.

For web assignment 2, click here

Technology Plan - Due Last Class 5/8

You are to contact and research an organization for the purpose of creating a technology upgrade plan. You should select an organization that is undergoing significant technological change involving both PC upgrades and network expansion, including a WAN involving multiple physical site locations. You may use a local or distant organization. You may work in teams of two for this assignment if you choose.

The final project should be 15-20 pages, including network diagrams, budget pages, and narrative. You may want to include additional support documentation, such as telecommunications pricing charts, as appendices. The final project is worth 25% of the course grade, graded in accordance with this criteria. See the final project sample for an example and questions.htm for questions.

Each plan is to include the following aspects for both the current and the proposed configurations:

  • Details technology infrastructure selected (e.g., desktops, servers, telecommunications links), to include a listing of the applications loaded on the servers/clients;
  • Maps of the overall network(s);
  • Overview budget. This is a high-level budget that maps out broad cost categories. To get a sense of pricing of various technology(ies), students will need to research the costs of equipment, telecommunications lines/technologies, etc.
  • A narrative describing the objectives of the technology infrastructure, justifications/ explanations for the technology choices made. In other words, explain what you did and why you did it.

Some assumptions/expectations/considerations:

  • Are the organizations computing systems isolated, or do you want users and staff to be able to access it from the Internet?
  • Servers – how many servers are needed and what are their purposes? Consider Internet web servers and Internet access, plus file servers.
  • Desktops - Discuss the type of new computers needed for the varying workers within the organization.
  • Security, Information Management (e.g., filtering software, other concerns discussed in class)
  • The facilities - what upgrades are needed?
  • Staffing. Will you use full-time staff or contractors? Include maintenance contracts for the equipment?
  • Training. Will you provide professional training for the staff on how to use the equipment, the Internet?
  • Budget. Your final budget should clearly identify the total one-time costs and the total ongoing (annual recurring) costs.

Technology Plans submitted after 7:15PM at class on the last class meeting will not be accepted. Please plan accordingly.

CLASS SESSIONS:

All classes meet on Monday, from 7:15 - 10:05PM in DR023. Please read/review prior to class and be prepared for discussion on that topic.

 

Module 1 The PC and Applications

January 23 No Class - Instructor out of town

ASSIGNMENT for next meeting:

(1) Read Snyder Chapter 1, 2; review chapter 13 and class notes web site

January 30 Introduction to Course/The PC

TOPICS: Intro to the course - begin the PC

ASSIGNMENT for next meeting:

(1) Insure you have an e-mail account and register for the EDUPAGE listserv

(3) Do the PC Assignment consulting the Intro to the PC and class notes web sites

(4) Review: PowerPoint XP documentation.

Feburary 6 The PC/ Technology Concepts/Spreadsheet Concepts

TOPICS: Human-Computer Interface/Discuss PowerPoint assignment.

PC Assignment due

ASSIGNMENT for next meeting:

(1) Review http://fcit.usf.edu/network/

(2) Read Snyder Chapter 9

(3)  Begin PowerPoint  assignment

(4) H/W - Prepare a 1 page opinion-paper that briefly summarizes a relevant topic received from EDUPAGE and how it relates to PCs, networking, the Internet, or some aspect of this course.  In discussing your opinion on the topic, consider whether you are in support of or against your selected topic. You will use this as a basis for the PowerPoint  and Web assignment 1. You should review the PowerPoint  assignment before making your topic selection. Do not consider wireless technologies as this will be included in a later assignment. The opinion paper is due at start of class 2/13/06 (graded out of 5 points).

 

Module 2 Networks and the Internet

Feburary 13  Advanced PC Wrap-up and Computer Architecture/Introduction to Networking

ASSIGNMENT for next meeting:

(1) Read Snyder Chapter 3

(2) Complete PowerPoint  assignment

EDUPAGE H/W due today (2/13/06)

Feburary 20 Winter Break No Class

Feburary 27  More Networking - the Internet

PowerPoint assignment due.

ASSIGNMENT for next meeting:

Read Snyder Chapter 4

March 6  Introduction to the HTML - Lab 1

TOPIC: Basic HTML

ASSIGNMENT for next meeting:

Review: http://www.w3schools.com/html/ and http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/General/Internet/WWW/HTMLPrimerPDF.pdf

Begin Web assignment 1 - create pages on local drive (due 4/17)

Study for Mid term

March 13 No Class - Instructor out of town

March 20  HTML Lab 2/Mid Term Exam

Mid Term Exam (second half of class - meet in electronic classroom first half)

TOPIC: Advanced HTML, FTP and other tools

ASSIGNMENT for next meeting:

Locate and setup your website at a web hosting site.  See Free Web Hosting or review your service provider or get a University at Albany account.  (The University at Albany Account is recommended if you do not already have an account).

Please create an index.html page and post it to your site.  Print the page and turn it in - be sure it includes the URL.

READ: Snyder Chapter 5 & 6

Continue Web assignment 1 - finish local pages and incorporate links in pages on local drive

March 27 Search Engines/Online Research/Review Mid-Term

TOPIC: Web search engines and searching, online research

Index page due - turn in printed index.html page

ASSIGNMENT for next meeting:

READ: Wireless Article (PDF format)

Read Snyder Chapter 11, 12 and handout on multimedia

Continue Web assignment 1- post and testing web pages

April 3 Wireless Computing, Multimedia

TOPIC: Wireless, Multimedia, Final project discussions

ASSIGNMENT for next meeting:

H/W - Write a 1 page paper using and citing 3 references on the pros and cons of wireless networking - due April 24

Read Snyder Chapter 17

April 10  IT Spring Break No Class

 

Module 3 IT Planning and Management Issues

April 17  IT Managment/Information Security

TOPIC: Final Project Discussions, IT Management/Security

ASSIGNMENT for next meeting:

Write a 1 page proposal for your final project

READ: Snyder Chapter 18, 19

Read/Review: Intro to Javascript guide

Web assignment 1 due.

April 24 Developing a Technology Plan, Intro to JavaScript

TOPIC: Basic Javascript - Class Notes

One page H/W on Wireless networking and one page proposal on your final project due.

ASSIGNMENT for next meeting:

Begin actual technology plan based on approved proposal - I'll note approval on the course site on the grade page (gradesf05.html).

Start Web assignment 2 (due May 8)

READ: Snyder Chapter 20, 21

Read/Review: Intro to Javascript guide

May 1 Advanced Javascript & Cookies

TOPIC: Advanced Javascript - refer to sample web site code simplebean.html from class, bean.html used in Snyder Chapter 19, and sample code membank.html used in Snyder Chapter 20, and cookies.html and sample code busy.html used in Snyder Chapter 21

ASSIGNMENT for next meeting:

READ: Snyder Chapter 21

Continue Web assignment 2 (due May 8)

Continue technology plan

May 8  Fluency Summary - Last Class

Web assignment 2 due today

Technology Plans Due today

 

Updated 2/19/2006 gjc


UAlbany Home | ISP523 Home | Academics | Research | Computing | Libraries | Athletics
 Contact UAlbany | Calendars | Directories | Visit Us | Site Index | Search

University at Albany - State University of New York