Information Sciences & Technology (IST) 110

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Letitia Strickland
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1 Information Sciences & Technology (IST) 110 Section 002 Tuesday & Thursday 2:40-3:55 Section 003 Tuesday & Thursday 1:15-2: Hawthorn Instructor: Maurie Kelly, Ph.D. Phone: All Contact for this course must be done through Angel. Office & Office Hours: 256 Hawthorn, Thursday Hawthorn, Tuesday 12:15-1:15 9/9/10 NOTE: This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the course. Course Description Information, People and Technology presents the high points of an education in the School of Information Sciences and Technology. It opens an intellectual journey through the ideas and challenges that IT professionals face in the world. It will address major questions such as: How can we use technology to organize and integrate human enterprises? How can technology help people and organizations adapt rapidly and creatively? What can we do about information overload? Three perspectives (or facets) address the core issues: information or the basic science of data encoding, transmission and storage; people or the interactions among technologies, institutions, regulations and users; and technology or the design and operation of basic information technology devices. Students completing the course will be confident users and consumers of information technology. Students will develop research and analytical skills to evaluate specific devices and understand how those devices function in larger socio-technical systems. Students will be able to predict and anticipate the impact of new technologies on human institutions as well as understand the potential impact of institutions on the use and design of information technologies. The course employs an action-oriented approach. Students learn by doing formulating and solving problems drawn from professional contexts, detecting and recovering from errors related to technology use, and locating, reading and studying materials that support their analysis and problem-solving. Students will accomplish this by participating in team-based learning.

2 Course Approach First Questions? If you ever have any questions at all about assignments, reports, exams please let me know immediately. Log on to Angel and send me a note. I will respond in most cases within 24 hours or less. In addition, if you would like to cover topics or discuss IST issues in class that we have not covered, please let me know. Other students may also be interested in covering different material. Each class is different, has different skills and interests. As long as the issue is relevant to IST 110 as described above, we can cover it. More advanced IST courses may cover the topics you are interested in. Approximately mid-semester the IST program advisor, David Barnes, will be coming to our class to discuss courses, scheduling, and more about the IST major at Penn State. Second Guest Speakers We will be having guest speakers during the semester. These speakers will represent a broad range of information technology areas. Attendance to these classes is still mandatory and attendance will be taken. I expect you will treat the guests with respect and actively participate by asking questions. Again, if the class has an interest in a particular subject, please let me know. I may be able to find an expert in that area to come and speak. Finally--A Couple of Don ts Computers are only to be used when instructed. No checking of s, browsing, typing, etc will be permitted unless you have been instructed to do so. No cell phones! When you come to class, turn off your cell phone. This means completely turned off no silent or vibrate. Leave it off until after you exit the classroom. No texting! EVER! Only send to me using Angel ONLY. I will not read s sent outside of Angel. This course will consist of lectures, discussions, and group/individual work. It will require each student to actively participate in all aspects of the course. You will be expected to work in designated groups to complete several assignments. Within these groups each person will play an important role. Discuss what each person will do, write it down, and go to work. Each person will complete a statement of their contribution to the group assignment and all group members will evaluate each other. Repeat---You will be expected to participate in discussions, ask questions, and answer questions. Participation is important.

3 You will be using online resources regularly. These will either be on Angel or I will provide a link to the video, article, or website for you to access. Therefore at least some computer knowledge is expected. You will be viewing videos online. If you experience problems viewing the video as assigned, please contact me immediately and we will find an alternative viewing option. NOTE: We will be using Angel for all communications including and submitting assignments. Our first day in class, you will send an using Angel. This is your first assignment. University Policies Academic Integrity Statement Penn State defines academic integrity as the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. All students should act with personal integrity, respect other students dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts (Faculty Senate Policy 49-20). Dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated in this course. Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students. Students who are found to be dishonest will receive academic sanctions and will be reported to the University s Judicial Affairs office for possible further disciplinary sanction. Disability Access Statement The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified people with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities and is committed to the policy that all people shall have equal access to programs, facilities, and admissions without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation in this course or have questions about physical access, please tell the instructor as soon as possible. Attendance If you must miss class due to illness, family emergency, participation in a varsity sport, or religious holiday, please be sure to do the following: **Let me know in advance by via Angel that you will have to miss a class.** If work is due that day, make arrangements to get it to me. You may contact me via Angel. Work due when you are absent is still due.

4 A quiz or test given on a day when you are absent cannot be made up. It is your responsibility to find out what happened in class on a day when you were absent, including any announcements, changes to the class schedule, or assignments. Plan to get this information from a classmate so that you will be prepared for the next class. For more information see the University policy Senate Policy 42-27, Class Attendance, which states A student whose irregular attendance causes him or her, in the judgment of the instructor, to become deficient scholastically, may run the risk of receiving a failing grade or receiving a lower grade than the student might have secured had the student been in regular attendance. Respect for the classroom environment, including the instructor and other students, is expected. Disruptive behavior in class will not be tolerated; if you do disrupt the class, you may be asked to leave. Disruptive behavior will result in a lower participation grade. Disruptive behavior includes: Coming to class late or leaving early Leaving and reentering the room while class is in session (go to the bathroom before class starts) Using a cell phone (all cell phones must be turned off and put away in class!) Talking or whispering with other students Refusing to participate in class activities, including group work Reading a book or newspaper and/or doing homework Drinking and eating. How to earn a good participation grade: Participation is a significant component of your final grade. Earning a good participation grade is relatively simple, and is necessary in order to earn an above-average grade in this class (it can make the difference between one letter grade and another, for example an A and a B, and it is an excellent way to boost exam and quiz grades). Unfortunately participation is the downfall of many students! IST 110 Course Policies All course-related electronic mail must use Angel. Attendance will be taken at every class. Attendance will be factored into the student s participation grade. Please remember to sign the attendance sheet! Computers and cell phones are NOT to be used during class lectures or discussions special time may be designated for use of these devices during group activities. Quizzes will be given throughout the semester. These will cover the material discussed since the last quiz or exam. Makeup quizzes will not be given. However, the lowest quiz

5 grade will be dropped. Any class material missed by the student is the student's responsibility to acquire. Late assignments will receive a 10% penalty unless prior approval is given. No assignment will be accepted more than 1 week late without instructor approval. Course Objectives & Outcomes This course is an introduction to information, technology, and people. We will begin with an introduction and overview of the history of information technology in its most basic form and the impact technology has on human society. At the completion of this course, you should have a basic understanding of how information technology influences, challenges, and provides opportunities for people as well as more specific understanding of important technologies such as the Internet, GIS, security, and basic software/hardware. This course WILL NOT teach you to be a programmer, web developer, system administrator, or security specialist. There are more advanced courses available that cover those topics. At the conclusion of this course, students will: Understand the history of computing, its impact on society, and the relationship between computing advances and historical milestones; Understand the key technologies in information sciences including basic computing, data, GIS, Internet/web development, security, and ethical considerations; Understand the role of information in contemporary society; Demonstrate the ability to use basic tools for preparing documents and presentations; Demonstrate problem-solving skills regarding information-based situations; Understand the depth and breadth of opportunities in information technology. Course Requirements & Assignments You must have webspace at PSU for our lab assignments. You can do this by: PSU students are able to use Penn State servers to host a personal website. All you have to do is sign up and pass a little quiz, but if you fail the quiz, you can simply retake it. To sign up, go to Once you have passed the quiz, you will have a website at your_psu_userid. Group Assignments There will be two group assignments during the semester. Nerds/Nerds 2.0 and Generations. Groups will be assigned by the instructor. #1 Nerds/Nerds 2.0 Due September 9 th

6 Grading #2 Generations Due November 16th Individual Assignments There will be two individual assignments. Website evaluations and GIS site evaluations. #1 Website Evaluations--Due September 30 th #2 GIS Site Evaluations Due October 28th Exams/Quizzes There will be two exams. There will also be unannounced quizzes. Exam #1 Mid-Term October 14 th Exam #2 Final Exam During Final Exam Week Evaluation of knowledge and understanding will be through exams, quizzes, individual and group projects, and class participation. Group Projects 20 % Individual Project 20 % In Class Assignments, Quizzes, & Activities 20 % Exam 1(Mid-term) 15 % Exam 2 (Final) 15 % Class & Group Participation 10% Grading Scale A 94.0 or above A- above 90.0 and below 94.0 B+ equal or above 86.0 and below 90.0 B equal or above 82.0 and below 86.0 B- equal or above 78.0 and below 82.0 C+ equal or above 74.0 and below 78.0

7 C equal or above 70.0 and below 74.0 D equal or above 60.0 and below 70.0 F below 60.0 Course Schedule NOTE: This schedule may be subject to change based on class/course needs. The first two weeks of class we will be assessing class needs and strengths so the topics and timing may change.you will be notified if the schedule changes and a new schedule will be posted on Angel. Tentative Course Schedule Lect. Date Topic(s) Activities/Assignments 1 Aug. 24 Welcome to IST 110! Discussion: *Introductions. *Review of the syllabus, course overview, objectives, goals. In Class Activity: Using Angel. This activity will be completed in class. In Class Activity: Technology survey. This activity will be completed in class. Readings/Resources: elated Ng&feature=related 2 Aug 26 Discussion: *Understanding Information and its impact on society. Evolution/revolution. In Class Activity: Creating a webspace on work.psu.edu. This is an in class activity. Readings/Resources:

8 3 Aug 31 Discussion: *History of computing.* This Day in the History of Technology Assign groups for Project #1 Project #1 is due September 14th. ng_revolution Assignment: Watch The Machine that Changed the World In Class Activity: Pass Space/PowerPoint Readings/Resources: The Difference Engine: Optional Reading--The Bright Boys Chapter 6 (on Angel) Group Project #1 Triumph of the Nerds & Nerds 2.0 This assignment is a group assignment and will be completed outside of class. It is due September 14th. 4 Sept. 2 Dicussion: *Videos review *Thursday Technology in the News In Class Activity: Power Point 5 Sept. 7 Discussion: Status report & questions on Group Project #1. Each group will report on the status of their project and ask any questions related to the assignment. In Class Activity: Work with groups for group project 1. 6 Sept. 9 *Thursday Technology in the News In Class Activity: Work on Group Project 1

9 7 Sept. 14 Presentations Group Project 1 for Assignment: Must have watched all of The Machine That Changed the World 8 Sept. 16 Discussion: *Finish Third Generation Computing* Bascis of computers* Thursday technology in the News Quiz #1 Individual Assignment In Class Activity: Build a computer Reading/Resources: Individual Assignment #1: Website evaluation. Due September 30th by 10am (upload to Angel). 9 Sept. 21 Discussion: *The Internet & its history. * This Week in Technology History 10 Sept Sept. 28 Guest Speaker: Media Commons at Penn State * Thursday Technology in the News Discussion: *Internet continued * This Week in Technology History Readings/Resources: TBA Readings/Resources:

10 12 Sept. 30 Discussion: *Social Networking *Thursday Technology in the News Individual Assignment #1 Due by 10am. Social Networking in Plain English =channel Twitter hannel Blogs-- related 13 Oct Oct Oct. 12 Discussion: Ethics & Privacy*This week in Technology History Discussion: Guest Speaker IST Advisor (Tentative Date) *Thursday Technology in the News Discussion: Catch-up and review for exam)* This week in Technology History Readings/Resources: Privacy =related Resources/Readings: TBA In Class Activity: Review

11 16 Oct Oct Oct Oct. 26 Exam I: Will cover material up to October 7. Discussion: *Software *Multimedia)* This Day in Technology History Discussion: *GIS, GPS & Mapping Software. *Thursday Technology in the News In Class Activity: PASDA, Google Earth, Google Maps, and Mapping Apps. Discussion: *GIS, GPS, & Mapping Software)* This Week in Technology History Group Assignment #2 Assign Groups In Class Activity: PASDA, Google Earth, Google Maps. Individual Assginment #2: Review of GIS websites. This is an out of class assignment due by 10am October 28th. 20 Oct Nov. 2 Guest Speaker: Joshua Knauer, CEO Rhiza Labs *Thursday Technology in the News m/ Discussion: *Computing Architecture Trends * Cloud Computing * Collaboration* This Week in Technology History Individual Assignment #2: Review of GIS websites. Due. Readings/Resources: computing/what-cloud-computing-really-means- 031?page=0,0

12 22 Nov Nov Nov. 11 Discussion: Programming *Thursday Technology in the News Status Report on Group Project #2. Each group will report on the status of their project and ask any questions related to the assignment. Discussion: System Administration*This Week in Technology History Discussion: *What is information policy? *Why does it matter? *Future Challenges. )* This Day in Technology History Reading/Resources: Readings/Resources: The FBI s scrutiny RFID 25 Nov. 16 Group Project #2 Presentations)* This Week in Technology History Presentations for Group Project #2 26 Nov. 18 Discussion: *Databases *Challenges & Information Sharing. *Thursday Technology in the News No Class Nov. 23 No Class Thanksgiving Break

13 No Class Nov. 25 No Class Thanksgiving Break 27 Nov Dec Dec Dec. 9 Discussion: Security )* This Week in Technology History Discussion: Spyware, bots, malware Security Continued. *Thursday Technology in the News Discussion: IT Project Administration, Management, and Needs Assessment. * This Week in Technology History Last Class: Review for Final *Thursday Technology in the News In Class Activity: Review Exam Dec Final Exam week

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