Course Details

• 461-001: Information Tools (Tues/Thurs 12:30–1:45) [97033] - schedule - gradesheets (password protected)
  Manning Hall 117
• 461-002: Information Tools (Mon., 6–8:30) [97034] - schedule - gradesheets (password protected)
  Manning Hall 117
• Credits: 3 hours
• Prerequisite: No prerequisites. This course covers the basics of tools and concepts for information use.
• Home phone: 919-968-1626
• Office hours: Before or after class - email me in advance

Topics to be covered during the semester include

• Introduction to information science, operating systems and networks basics
  • understand the basics of how computers operate and connect to each other
  • demonstrate a familiarity of computer concepts and vocabulary
• Linux - UNIX basics
  • understand the functioning of the Linux operating system
  • create and manipulate files and directories using the command line
• Web content creation
  • understand the basic tools underlying the web
  • be able to create web pages by using basic html, basic css, and using html editors
• Debugging
  • understand computer logic
  • use debugging procedures to achieve w3c validation of html and css
• Javascript
  • apply computer logic to create basic javascript programs
• Spreadsheets
  • understand spreadsheet creation and manipulation
  • be able to apply sorts filters and queries to manipulate data and solve problems
• Database concepts and creation
  • understand database creation and table relationships
  • perform both simple and complex queries
  • be able to work with MS Access on a fundamental level

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Prerequisites

No prerequisites, but students are expected to meet the North Carolina public school computer skills requirement.
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/computerskills/

Students will also be assumed to be able to use the Microsoft Windows operating system, a text editor such as Notepad or Wordpad, a web browser, and email.

Learning Objectives

1. To understand the functions and management of computers.
2. To be able to interact with local and networked information collections.
3. To develop skill in preparing computer-based content.

Course Expectations

This course may be quite time intensive, depending on your familiarity with the various technologies. You should plan on spending at least six to nine hours a week working on assignments, readings or projects.

Late assignments will be graded down!

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Schedule - section 001 - days

Subject to change

Quizzes and assignments are due at midnight EST on the last day of the module. example: Module 1 quiz and assignment are due on Aug 31.

Extension: Deadline for both the html/css and javascript assignments has been changed to Oct 19 (after fall break). The html quiz will still be due on Oct 5.
Javascript quiz will be due on Oct. 19.

Schedule - section 002 - evenings

Subject to change

Quizzes and assignments are due at midnight EST on the last day of the module. example: Module 1 quiz and assignment are due on Aug 31.

Required Texts

• Required textbook:
  • Fluency with Information Technology: Skills, Concepts, and Capabilities (3rd Edition) by Lawrence Snyder;
    ISBN: 0321512391
• Recommended or supplementary texts may be accessed through UNC library's online resources:
  • Netlibrary.com
    ebooks and audio books; full text of over 22,000 English-language books from U.S. publishers. These e-books cover all subjects and most were published in the 1990s. This collection also includes older literary classics in the public domain.
    
  • Safari Tech Books Online
    An e lectronic reference library for programming and IT. It contains full-text versions of many technical titles. O'Reilly & Associates and The Pearson Technology Group joined forces to create this joint venture.
  • ebrary.com
    Contains more than 30,000 current e-books from leading publishers including 3,000 titles in computers and information technology.

Login with your UNC PID -
If you need to find your PID, use the PID On-Line Inquiry page.

Software

• Microsoft Windows is the operating system for all course instruction.
• Coursework can be completed using an Apple Macintosh computer, but the instructor is not able to offer support for Macintosh computer users.
• Microsoft Excel 2007 will be the standard working environment for spreadsheets
• Microsoft Access 2007 will be the standard working environment for database

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Assignments and Grading Policy

Grades for this course will be determined by student performance on the assignments and quizzes.

Graduate students will be awarded the following grades:

Undergraduate grading for the course will be as follows:

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The Fine Print

Course changes
The instructor reserves the right to change course content, requirements for assignments, grading procedures and other alterations, as appropriate, to the course. While such changes will be discussed and decided in class forums, under exceptional circumstances, the instructor may incorporate changes without notice.

Grade issues
We are committed toward grades that are fair and appropriate. It is important for students to know that the final grade is an average of several grades that are earned over the semester. Final grades are not negotiable. Doing extra work to improve a final grade is not an option because that would not be fair to other students in the course. If you wish to earn a good grade, work hard from the beginning of the semester.

Honor Code
Remember that as a student of UNC-Chapel Hill, you are bound by the University's Honor Code: "It shall be the responsibility of every student at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to obey and support the enforcement of the Honor Code, which prohibits lying, cheating, or stealing when these actions involve academic processes or University students or academic personnel acting in an official capacity." An especially serious Honor Code violation is plagiarism. If you are uncertain about what is considered plagiarism, please consult your course instructor prior to submitting an assignment!

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Acknowledgments
Many thanks to those who have taught this and similar courses for materials, ideas and inspiration: Catherine Blake, Bill Meyers, Bob Sumner, Lokman Meho, Greg Newby, Ron Bergquist, and to all the previous instructors of the course. This course is built on all their contributions.

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