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FIT 100, Spring 2002 Fluency With Information Technology |
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SyllabusInstructor Information:Grace Beauchane Whiteaker [gbwhit23@u.washington.edu]
Teaching Assistants: Class Meeting Times and Location:Lecture: MWF 9:30 - 10:20 MGH 389
Lab:
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PrerequisitesNo previous experience with computers is required for this course. Course DescriptionThe Fluency VisionCSE100/INFO100, or FIT100, is an introductory class that implements the recommendations of the National Research Council’s study Being Fluent With Information Technology [National Academy Press, 1999]. The report describes the knowledge and experience a person should possess to be fluent in information technology, where fluency is a more ambitious goal than computer literacy. For more information on the goals of the report, read the vision statement written by Larry Snyder Grading PolicyGrades will follow the University Undergraduate Grading policy. http://www.washington.edu/students/gencat/front/Grading_Sys.html
The breakdown of your grade for this class is as follows: Attendance is a core piece in all of the grade components. It is expected that you will attend all lectures and labs. Mini quizzes will be given at random class lectures on the readings for that day. Coursework, Workload and Late PolicyCoursework entails readings, computer labs, assignments, computer projects, mini quizzes, 2 “midterm” exams, participation and a final exam. Attendance at lecture (M,W,F 9:30-10:20 AM, MGH 389) and the computer lab is required. For each hour of class time you should expect to do one to three hours of work outside of class; so, roughly, 5 -15 hours of outside work each week. One 1-day late policy: You may turn in one project 1-day late without penalty. No other late projects will be accepted. To use this late policy, you must notify your TA by email. Required TextThere is one required text for this course:
Title: Fluency with Information Technology You may purchase a photocopy of this text at: Other Reading MaterialsThese 2 books will be helpful for much of your lab and project work. Required readings will be pulled from them. They are available at the UW Bookstore and copies will be placed on Reserve at Odegaard Library. When readings are required for a lab, they will also be placed on electronic reserve if no other online resource is available:
Title: HTML 4 for the World Wide Web (4th edition)
Title: Computer Programming Fundamentals with Applications in Visual Basic 6.0 Computer LabEach computer lab section meets two times a week. Attendance is required. The labs are integrated with the lecture material. Hands-on computer skills needed to complete the projects will be taught in the labs.In addition, important information about the projects will be discussed and certain labs graded for points. The labs and the assignments that are part of them will be graded; they account for 10% of your final grade. If you miss a lab, do not expect the TA to provide you with an equivalent lab session during their consulting hours. Be prepared to go through the lab on your own and then, if you have specific questions not answered by your classmates, ask your TA. Diskettes: Lab notebook: How to Communicate with Others in the Class…Bulletin BoardEvery student will be able to post to the class bulletin board from the course website. You can post a message or discussion on a particular project, on lecture or on labs.You may also post any question that a fellow student may be able to answer. The Bulletin Board will be the main communication tool between the Instructor, the TAs and all students. Check often for new postings, they may be very helpful. This is different from the class listserv, where the information comes directly to your email account. Anonymous EmailThere is a link from the class Web site that will allow you to send anonymous email to the Instructors, the TAs or both if you wish.Anonymous email means you can send mail without the Instructors or TAs knowing who you are. Getting Unstuck…It is the most common action in IT that users of a particular technology WILL get stuck. It is a given - nobody is immune. However, one of the most useful skills you may learn from this course is "how to get unstuck."In the real world, successful people who find themselves stuck do
several things such as: Hopefully you’ll explore all three means to get unstuck in this course. Here are some suggestions: DebuggingWhen you first "get stuck," take a deep breath! Step back for a moment. Look carefully at the work you have just done. Try changing one thing and see what effect it has.You may also want to check the class bulletin board to see if others have encountered (and solved) a similar problem. We’ll talk more about this sort of strategy – called "debugging," during the course. Ask a classmate…Get to know two or three students in the course; exchange email addresses; ask each other for help when you get stuck – try to share ideas about how to figure out the problem rather than telling your classmate the answer. You’ll learn as much by helping others else find their mistakes as you will by finding your own.Consult with the Instructors/Teaching AssistantsYour Instructors and Teaching Assistants will hold regular office hours each week. You will get more out of your time with the Instructor or TA if you come prepared with a specific question in mind.You may also email your question with a full explanation of the problem, not just a vague request for help or the answer! Appropriate Cooperation and CollaborationIt is valuable to work with a friend or classmate when learning a new application or working out a problem. However, the work that you perform in FIT100 for a grade must be your own work unless "working in groups" is explicitly allowed. Projects in this course are meant to be done by the individual.Copying files or simply copying code from a friend is considered plagiarism and anyone caught will be sent to the University Conduct Committee. The rules concerning plagiarism by the University are outlined at: http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/honesty.htm. If you have questions regarding the class policy, consult the Instructor or your TA. |
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Contact the instructor at: gbwhit23@u.washington.edu |