This course introduces students to logic and
problem solving in the computing environment. Students develop a basic idea of
programming, communicating with data, debugging, and solving computing
problems. Students continue to acquire
the intellectual knowledge as well as the concepts, skills and capabilities
essential to a deep understanding of information technology.
This is the second course in
the three course Information Technology Fluency certificate. The goal of this
course is to allow students to develop fluency in information technology and
allow them to successfully apply this fluency to their professional and personal
lives. The courses will cover the intellectual capabilities, information
technology concepts and information technology skills as laid out in the Being
Fluent with Information Technology guidelines.
This certificate provides students with the opportunity to develop skills in
computers that is beyond the literacy level but is still not the intensity
required to be a computer major. This certificate follows the national
guidelines developed by the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board of
the National Research Council and their goal to "address what everyone
needs to know and understand about information technology".
Fluency with Information
Technology 2nd edition
by Larry Snyder
(3rd edition has
been recently published but since this is a continuation of a fall course we
will continue with edition 2)
Addison Wesley
There will be a lot of
reading, homework assignments, researching for information and projects.
Scheduling information about assignments, projects and exams will be kept on
the Web site. Students are responsible for checking the schedule and doing the
assigned work.
Grading:
Assignments and programs are
graded using either number grades or letter grades based on the following
(A=90-100), B=(80-89), C=(70-79), D=(60-69), F=below 60). The students grade
for the course will use the same scale and will be based on the percentages
explained in the grading section. Plus and minus grades will be given.
Many of the assignments in this class are open
ended - the grading will be based on how well the project demonstrates mastery
of the material. Students who do a minimum of work will be graded accordingly.
Assignments are only accepted if they are credible work and meet the minimum
requirements and standards for that assignment. Assignments that are not
accepted can be resubmitted. Resubmission is allowed on graded assignments,
with permission of the instructor. You cannot earn an A+ on an assignment that
is resubmitted. The instructor will only accept, without penalty, resubmissions
on credible work. Resubmissions must be done within a week to avoid additional
penalties for late assignments.
Note: To achieve an A+, on open-ended assignments, students must have done
sufficient extra work in development or implementation tot make the assignment
standout. In doing assignments, students must do their own work. Relying too
heavily on my examples or working too closely with someone else will be
penalized.
Assignments
are due the week after they are assigned.
Late assignments will be penalized. If the assignment is one week late
it will drop 10%, two weeks late will drop 20%, three weeks late will drop 30%
and anything over 3 weeks late will drop 40%.
For purposes of this class, the week will end at midnight on Sunday. The
new week will start on Monday morning.
Methodology:
The course is being taught as
a distance learning course. The student is responsible for keeping up to date
with assignments, studying notes and presentations and finding additional
tutorials and resources to support their learning. Students will be relying on the information at the Web site for
the information being presented in class with interaction through a variety of
online techniques. Students should read the assigned notes, study the
presentations available and avail themselves of other resources at the web site
in mastering the course material. In addition, students will be working
independently on projects designed to give them additional computer skills and
practical experience in analyzing and solving problems. When appropriate,
exercises and problem solving techniques are used. There will be scheduled open
labs, that students are invited to attend if they want help or
information. Contact the professor for
information.This syllabus is not to be construed as a contract in any way,
shape, manner or form. This syllabus contains a suggested course outline and
will be generally followed, subject to change according to the instructor’s
discretion and needs. Academic flexibility is important!
Interaction Plan:
This is an asynchronous
course with synchronous components if you decide to attend classes.
Communication includes email , blog, IM including voice, and online office
hours and help sessions. Other methods
of online communications may also be used.
In addition open lab help session are scheduled and students may request
in person meetings. Students must
communicate with the instructor at least once a week via email and must turn in
homework and participate in online communication to be successful.
Service Learning Project Opportunity:
Students with a strong
mastery of LOGO, Alice or Game Maker are invited to participate in a Service
Learning project for extra credit. Bristol Community College defines service
learning as: "Service-learning is an unpaid, credit-bearing,
course-specific educational experience for which students participate in a
quality service-learning experience that does the following: meets actual
community needs and requires reflection on the service activity that furthers
the understanding of course content, broadens the appreciation of the
discipline, and enhances the sense of civic responsibility." You would do
this special project, including the reflection activity, as extra credit. It
will involve preparing a project, working with students from a middle school
and then reflecting on the project. I want you to think about whether LOGO,
Alice and Game Maker are a good way to introduce middle school students to
logic, programming and computers and the ways that BCC could set up and
administer a project on a long term basis with young students using LOGO, Alice
and Game Makerto create an interest in the computing field. Your response
should be sent to me via email. Your work in service learning will be noted on
your academic transcript.
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