This course introduces students to basic computing concepts and information processing/management skills through practice. Topics covered are organized into four units: 1. How computers work, including topics about data presentation, hardware, software, operating system; 2. The networked information environment including topics about computer network technologies, how the Internet works and practical skills on construction of web sites to organize information resources; 3. Common information management tool: Database management systems; 4. Information storage and retrieval; Library System; XML, Web2.0 and library.

The knowledge and skills conveyed in this course will assist students in applying information technology in various information services, and will pave the way for further related LIS courses. For detailed topics covered in this class, please see the class schedule.

The objectives of the course are to have students to:

• Be familiar with fundamental concepts, techniques and issues in information processing and management.
• Understand the networked information environment, familiarize themselves with commonly used Internet protocols.
• Be able to design, construct and evaluate Web-based information resources.
• Gain practical experience with MS ACCESS and XML language, form a solid IT basic knowledge for further studies in LIS.

This course combines lectures, demonstrations, assignments and lab hands-on exercises in the Computer Lab. Lab exercises will be related to the same or previous week's lecture.

Textbooks:

Don’t Make Me Think! A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability Steve Krug / New Riders / 2005 (2nd Edition) / 216 pages ISBN-10: 0321344758 | ISBN-13: 978-0321344755 Publication Date: August 28, 2005 Book is required. Reserved at Lockwood Library.

New Perspectives on Computer Concepts - Introductory. June Parsons and Dan Oja. Course Technology. Any version after 2006. ISBN-10: 1423925173 | ISBN-13: 9781423925170 Book is optional. Reserved at Lockwood Library.

Optional Textbooks:

• A book or online tutorial or manual about Dreamweaver CS3. You can find a list through the UB library, for example:
  Bruce, B. (2007). SAMS teach yourself Macromedia Dreamweaver CS3 in 24 hours [electronic resource]. Indianapolis, IN: Sams. (Online version accessible in UB Library)
• A book or online tutorial or manual about MS ACCESS. For example:
  Palmer, S. (2005). Access for Starters: the missing manual Sebastopol, CA: Reilly (Online version accessible in UB Library).
• A book or online tutorial about XML. For example:
  W3C School XML tutorial at http://www.w3schools.com/xml/default.asp
• A computer/Internet dictionary (either printed or online)

Additional readings may be available through the Internet or in the course website.

• Assignments (45% of final grade):
  There are five assignments for the course. Each assignment will focus on previous week(s) topics. Assignments will be posted electronically through UBLearns ahead of time. Assignments should be handed in at the beginning of class on the due date following the hand-in instruction. Late submissions will be accepted with a penalty of at least one level lower of the grade the assignment would otherwise deserve.
  • Assignment 1: HTML coding, 8% of the final grade.
  • Assignment 2: Web site design, 8% of the final grade.
  • Assignment 3: Database application, 10% of the final grade.
  • Assignment 4: Information retrieval, 10% of the final grade.
  • Assignment 5: XML document, 9%of the final grade
• Quizzes (20% of the final grade):
  There are two in-class, open-book quizzes.
• Final Project (30% of final grade):
  This is a group project. Each group should contain 3-4 members. You will develop an informational website around: either a library technology topic, or a real organization, company, program or group. As part of this process, you will conduct a usability test of your initial work and improve your site based on the test results. Other types of projects are possible with permission from the instructor. (More detail will be given in week 3 or week 4.)
• Class participation (5% of final grade)

Academic Integrity: Students are expected to abide by the university’s graduate students Academic Integrity Policies, The Graduate Policies and Procedures Manual. Be honest. Students found to be engaging in plagiarism, cheating, and other types of dishonesty will receive an F grade for the course and their activities will be reported to the proper UB authorities.

Assignments Submission: All assignments should be submitted as specified. Generally, you need to upload your work to your own UBUnix space and post the link to your work in the specified UBLearns discussion board.

Assignment Due Dates: The Course Schedule will list specific due dates for assignments, and reminders will be given in class. In general, late assignments will receive 10 point deduction per day late.