Course evaluation - extra questions.

Course description

Course goals

• Short-term goal - To help you bag 3 credits and complete a course that is prerequisite for several core courses.

• Medium-term goal - To make you familiar with technology and software applications that you will need throughout graduate schools at SCILS.

• Long-term goal - To dispel the myth that you need to be a nerd to be capable of using technology; to improve your career prospects; to arm you with knowledge needed in the decision-making in your profession.

Course objectives

To understand the role of technology in today's scholarly environment.

• Network infrastructure.
• Software.
• Hardware.
• Network Security
• Wireless alternatives.
• Information distribution and dissemination.

To understand the history and development of the Internet.

• Timeline of the development of the Arpanet.
• Development of the Internet.
• How it all started and where it is going.
• Internet architecture.

Introduction to E-Mail, and remote access.

• Various e-mail applications including server based and graphical.
• POP3 and IMAP differences.
• Web Mail
• Access to Rutgers services.
• Access to the Rutgers Library system.

To understand the development of the world wide web.

• Creation of a web site.
• History of the web. HTML, XML, DHTML and the language of the web.
• Creating and implementing web friendly graphics.

An Overview of scripting and programming languages.

• Use of Perl, AWK, and Java. CGI scripts and the web.
• Shell programming.
• Security considerations of scripting.

Introduction to major search engines.

• Boolean logic and natural language queries.
• Search engines and Meta indexes.
• Comparison of popular search engines.

Class conduct

In graduate school the role of the instructors is to facilitate learning, not to chase the students or to spoon-feed them. It is up to you, the students, to decide how much effort you want to put in the class and you will be rewarded accordingly. I expect you to use the computer lab outwith class hours, or your home computer, to complete the required work. If you are very familiar with a certain topic, you may choose to miss that class. However, you are expected to do the required reading for the class and to complete the homework or assignment. Practical advice. Normally, you will be able to save and access your files in the network account you got when you registered. Just in case the network is down, it is a good idea to have with you a floppy disk with your current work. Note. Don't mis-interpret the image. Food and drink are not allowed in computer labs.

Grading

You will be graded based on assignments, homeworks, project(s) and class participation. Assignment - is work that typically starts in class and you finish at home. You are allowed to discuss with colleagues the objective, the methodology, and resourses for completing it. However, the bulk of work will be yours. Homework - you do it completely on you own, deciding the objective and scope of the work, and the appropriate methodology and resources. Project work - while the previous two types of work are submitted by e-mail, the result of the project work will be presented in class. Class participation - do the required reading before the class and think ! Try to find unusual uses of the technology you read about, or think of possible alternative solutions, ... Bring your ideas to the class.

Grades

• A - Outstanding achievement. Student performance demonstrates full command of the course materials and evidences a high level of originality and/or creativity that surpasses course expectations.
• B+ - Very good work. Student performance demonstrates above average comprehension of the course materials and exceeds course expectations on all tasks as defined in the course syllabus.
• B - Good work. Student performance meets designated course expectations, demonstrates understanding of the course materials and performs at an acceptable level.
• C+ - Marginal work. Student performance demonstrates incomplete understanding of course materials.
• C - Poor work; not enough effort shown.
• F - Fail.
• IN - Incomplete.

The final project

• Build a website for a real or imaginary organization, company, program or group.
  Skills you need to display:
  • Good design of the website, clear layout, easy navigation.
  • Use of a variety of features (from Word or DreamWeaver) and HTML tags.
  • Use of web search engines to identify resources (information, tutorial, icons, ...) to be included in or connected to the website.
  Required: the website made public; a short presentation to the class, indicating the targetted audience, the message and the structure of the website, the technological features employed, and design decisions.

• Do a literature review on a relatively novel technology or Internet related topic.
  Examples:
  • Semantic Web
  • Digital libraries
  • The role of the library and librarian in the digital age
  Required: an essay and a 15-20 min presentation of the topic to the class (using PowerPoint). Explain the topic, its structure, importance, context, foreseeable applications or evolution.

• Discuss and demonstrate some useful and relevant IT application.
  Examples:
  • Desktop publishing (taken by Susan Dalina)
  • Accessibility issues in Web design
  Required: an essay about the design, evolution and use of that technology, plus a presentation (and possibly a demo) in class.

• Give a lecture and lab tutorial on a topic you are very familiar with.
  Examples:
  • Building websites with Dreamweaver
  • Databases and Microsoft Access;
  • Microsoft Powerpoint
  Required: a presentation of the topic, possibly a mediation of discussions, and a tutorial (a task and a set of more or less prescriptive steps to achieve it).

Please read the University's Policy on Academic Integrity for Undergraduate and Graduate Students.