This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

Course Information|| Introduction || Text and Materials || Requirements || Course Policies || Communication || Course Geography || Tests || Schedule

Introduction

This course is a hands-on introduction to the concepts and resources of the Internet. Students will learn how to use the Internet and the World Wide Web as a research and communication tool. Specific topics such as Web browsers, search engines, e-mail, newsgroups, and a basic web page design will be discussed.

Recommended Text and Materials

Discovering the Internet: A Practical Approach to using Internet
William Moseley, ISBN: 0-9716560-0-2
http://bmoseley.com/consulting/mybook/default.asp

Course Requirements

Think back to the first time you drove a car. You had to learn the rules of the road and remember to adjust the mirrors, fasten the seat belt, use the brake and gas pedal, put on turn signals...it was almost overwhelming. Soon, with practice, driving a car became second nature. Learning the Internet is the same way. We will be covering a vast amount of information. The more you use it, the easier it will become. I am very willing to answer questions before, during and after class. Contact me through email, AOL, or the message board. If you become overwhelmed, talk to me before you decide to drop the class. I'm sure we can work something out! If you do decide to drop, please do the paperwork. I never drop students from my class; it is not my responsibility to do so. I will have to assign a grade at the end of the class.

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.

Course Policies

Current assignments are posted on the class calendar
This may change according to the needs and progress of the class. It is your responsibility to be aware of quiz and assignment due dates. Refer to the online calendar often for current information.

Reading assignments:
From the text book. I would like you to use the book as a reference. It will help you to better understand our discussion if you at least look through the reading assignment before class. The material in the book will back up my lectures.

Homework:
Homework will consist of one assignment per class meeting. Most assignments will require work outside of class on a computer connected to the Internet (either in the computer lab or at home). All assignments will be emailed to me with the SUBJECT line “P050 Your Name Homework # “. Failure to do so may result in a delay in grading your assignment and possibly the misplacement of your message. I usually respond within 24-36 hours, most of the time sooner.

The rule of thumb is that for each hour of class time, a student puts in 2-3 hours of homework time. Even though this is a one unit class, it is offered in a condensed time frame. Using the above, expect to have 4-6 hours per week of computer time. Most of the assignments will take considerably less time to complete.

Communication

The main ways I communicate with students is through the class discussion forum. You are expected to check the discussion forum on a regular basis to stay informed of class business.

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.

I am also available through AOL instant messenger. If you have a computer at home, you can download AIM from the link on the class homepage. Feel free to add me to your buddy list. You can also find me on ICQ, also available for free from the link on the class homepage.

Course Geography

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.

Tests

There will be 3 quizzes, each worth 50 points. The lowest score will be dropped. The quizzes and final exam will cover reading, lecture and homework material. There will be no makeup quizzes or final exams. All tests are take home meaning that the student will usually have several days to complete them. Please do not copy answers from someone else or cut and paste answers directly from lecture notes on lab or test questions. Doing so will result in a zero grade for that assignment.

Extra Credit

There are 2 opportunities for extra credit this semester, each worth the same amount as a quiz.

On the main homepage (http://www.collegeteacher.org/), there is a link to an online article. After reading the article, write a 1-2 page response. On the class homepage (http://www.collegeteacher.org/intro_to_the_internet/), there are daily news articles. You can choose up to 10 throughout the course and write a 1-2 paragraph summary. Make sure to include the title, source, and date of the article. You can choose to do one of these, and either must be typed. Grammar and spelling count. Any extra credit assignments are due the last class meeting.

Schedule of Topics

This schedule is subject to modification at any time.

Orientation
Find your way around the class. Complete orientation assignment.

Week 1 - Chapter 1: The Birth of a Giant

Week 2 - Chapter 6: Internet Communication
Quiz 1 Available

Week 3 - Chapter 2: Surfing the Web

Week 4 - Chapter 3: Evaluating Web Sites
Quiz 2 Available

Week 5 - Chapter 4: Beyond Surfing

Week 6 - Chapter 5: Searching the Web
Quiz 3 Available

Week 7 - Online Shopping

Week 8 - Chapter 7: Designing Web Pages

Week 9 - The Future of the Internet
Final Exam available

Last modified: Saturday, April 5, 2003