Course Information|| Introduction || Text and Materials || Requirements || Course Policies || Communication || Course Geography || Final || Evaluation
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Debby Kilburn |
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Email: |
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Telephone: |
791-2467 |
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Office: |
SM-104 |
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Course URL: |
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Chat Info::
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AIM (fourhweb) / Yahoo (goatweb) / ICQ ( 127174826) |
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Computer Lab: |
Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm |
The Internet is a HUGE place! There are millions of web pages, tons of information, lots of resources. The trick is how to find what you need, when you need it, without spending hours and hours chasing dead end links. The world is at your fingertips - you just need some tools to help you find your way around.
This 2-unit course provides the framework for learning how to do research on the Internet and the World Wide Web. It is designed to help people first learning about the Internet and the Web. The main topics of the course are learning browser and bookmark essentials, email, formulating search strategies and understanding how to form search expressions in various types of search tools, finding people on the Internet and participating in discussion groups. The course requires the student to go through the hands-on activities and perform the exercises and projects provided in the textbook.
You don’t have to be a computer expert to participate in this class. You do need to be comfortable using your computer and you should know how to use your word processing program. Your computer should have at least a 28.8k modem and 16 MB of RAM to access the Internet.
Students are expected to be active participants in this class. This is a short-term, 2 unit class, so you will need to log-in to class at least 2-3 times a week. One unit translates into 18 hours of "class" time and 36-54 hours of "outside" class time in a regular face to face (f2f) class. Learning is all about discovering, exploring, and investigating. Take the initiative to try things out, push buttons, and look around. You aren’t going to break anything, and you might just have fun!
Like most classes you will take online, this is not a self-paced class. There are assignments due almost every week. By the end of this course you will be a confident Internet researcher!
Searching and Researching on the Internet and the World Wide Web - Ernest Ackermann
There is one prerequisite for this class. Students are expected to be competent in personal computing. This means that you are able to function within a Windows environment. Students must take responsibility to hone their own personal computing skills. We don't have time in class to do so.
Upon completion of this course, you will:
- Become familiar with the nature of the Internet and the World Wide Web
- Gain an exposure to using the Internet and the World Wide Web as resources for information
- Know some of the key concepts and terms related to using the World Wide Web and the Internet
- Know some of the different file types and formats used to represent information on the Internet
- Understand some of the issues involved with using information found on the Web and the Internet
- Become familiar with the features commonly found in a Web browser
- Learn the techniques and methods necessary to use a Web browser effectively
- Become introduced to using a search engine and browsing the Web
- Learn the ways to effectively use and manipulate bookmarks
- Learn email basics
- Become familiar with using white pages services for finding email addresses, street addresses, and maps.
- Learn about how to use email discussion groups and to search their archives.
- Understand the difference between browsing and searching the Web and when to use each mode
- Know the difference between a directory and a search engine
- Know how to browse a hierarchical directory to find resources
- Know how to locate subject guides, reference works, and specialized databases, and understand the differences between them
- Learn how to retrieve the most relevant results from the search engine one has chosen to use
- Understand the importance of developing a search strategy before typing a search request
- Develop a firm understanding of the different search features and how to translate the topic into a useful search expression by the search tool one is using
- Know how to use several of the major search tools available on the Internet and Web today.
All assignments are due by midnight on the dates listed on the calendar. There will be a 5 point deduction for each day late. The Topic Selection Exercise, Internet Hunt, Evaluation Exercise, Citation Exercise and Final Project are mandatory assignments. Failure to complete any of them will result in a grade no higher than a "C".
There is one prerequisite for this class. Students are expected to be competent in personal computing. This means that you are able to function within a Windows environment. Students must take responsibility to hone their own personal computing skills. We don't have time in class to do so. It helps to have at least a working knowledge of the Internet and email.
If you find that you are having difficulties with an assignment, please let me know. I am always willing to help in whatever way I can. However, if you find that you must withdraw from class, please do the paperwork. I never drop students from my classes. It is not my responsibility to do so. I will have to assign a grade at the end of the semester.
The main way I communicate with students is through class message board. This is how I will notify the class of any schedule changes, remind about deadlines, etc. You are expected to check the class website on a regular basis to stay informed of class business. This means checking in at least 3 times a week.
If you do not already have one, you will need to sign up for one of the free email services. See the class homepage for links. All messages to me must have the following subject line: "P055: Your Name: Topic". Messages without this subject line may be lost or ignored.I am also available through AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and ICQ. Refer to the top of the syllabus for user names. If you see me online, assume my office door is open and feel free to contact me.
Course Website:
This class is conducted online in a platform called Blackboard. It is very easy to navigate. A short guide to getting around Blackboard can be found on PortervilleCollegeOnline.com.
You can login to Blackboard by going to http://cvc.blackboard.com. If you enrolled prior to the first day of class, you will be able to login on the first date. Late enrollees will have their accounts activated in 24-36 hours.
This will be an annotated bibliography. You will pick a research topic, determine what resources are available, and evaluate what you have found. If you have a research project in another class, you may use the same topic. Your bibliography will have 10 sources and will include the following information:
You must include resources from the following tools (you can also use others we have covered in class):
As we get closer to the final project, I will hand out examples and specific details.
