Introduction to Computers and Information Technology

Introduction to Computers
and Information Technology

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introduction to the basics of personal computing and information technologies intended primarily for students majoring in humanities, social and behavioral sciences, or business management. Topics include principles of personal (single-user) computer systems, office automation, and information in a modern, networked (multi-user) computing environment. May not be taken for credit in addition to EST 100 or after any CSE or ISE course.

COURSE TOPICS

• Introduction to IT
• Computing Basics
• Creating Documents
• Numeric Processing
• Managing Information
• Digital Images
• Digital Audio
• Data Communications & Networks
• The Internet
• Data Compression
• Computer Security
• Emerging Digital Technologies

COURSE GOALS

At the end of the course you should have the following knowledge and skills:

• Provide a conceptual understanding of how computer hardware and software work.
• Introduce students to important classes of software applications such as text editors, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Explain the basic architecture and technologies of the Internet.

TEXTBOOK

Exploring the Digital Domain - An Introduction to Computers and Information Fluency, 2nd Edition
by Kenneth Abernethy & J. Thomas Allen
ISBN: 0534407072 

MONDAY	FRIDAY
9/3 LABOR DAY	9/7 Lecture 1 Introduction
MONDAY	FRIDAY
9/10 Lecture 2 A Brief History of Computing	9/14 ROSH HASHANAH
MONDAY	FRIDAY
9/17 Lecture 3 Essential Computing Concepts	9/21 Lecture 4 Essential Computing Concepts (continued) Lab 1 Lab Web Page Setup
MONDAY	FRIDAY
9/24 Lecture 5 The Internet	9/28 Lecture 6 The Internet (continued) Lab 2 WYSIWYG Web Page
MONDAY	FRIDAY
10/1 Lecture 7 XHTML	10/5 Lecture 8 XHTML (continued) Lab 3 XHTML Web Page
MONDAY	FRIDAY
10/8 Lecture 9 Software	10/12 Lecture 10 Software (continued) Lab 4 Word Processors
MONDAY	FRIDAY
10/15 Lecture 11 Managing Data	10/19 Lecture 12 Managing Data (continued) Lab 5 Spreadsheets
MONDAY	FRIDAY
10/22 Lecture 13 Databases (watch 1-9, from599CD)	10/26 Lecture 14 Databases (continued) Lab 6 Databases (Steps 1-16)
MONDAY	FRIDAY
10/29 Lecture 15 Exam Review	11/2 MIDTERM EXAM NO LAB
MONDAY	FRIDAY
11/5 Lecture 17 Programming	11/9 Lecture 18 Programming (continued) Lab 7 CASE Tools (e.g. using TGE for making terrain)
MONDAY	FRIDAY
11/12 Lecture 19 More Programming	11/16 Lecture 20 More Programming (continued) Lab 8 Programming
MONDAY	FRIDAY
11/19 Lecture 21 More Programming (continued)	11/23 SLEEPING DAY
MONDAY	FRIDAY
11/26 NO LECTURE	11/30 Lecture 23 Web 2.0 Lab 9 Wikis & Google Bombing
MONDAY	FRIDAY
12/3 Lecture 24 Internet Technologies	12/7 NO LECTURE OR LAB