Research & Information Technology RIT

1. Research & Information Technology RIT Prof. Rob Bobeldyk IDIS 110h

2. Calvin Catalog description of IDIS 110 “A first-year introduction to the computer and to college-level research skills, making full, but discriminating use of current electronic information technology and the resources of the Hekman Library, with a discussion of the cultural impact of computer technology and the ethical responsibilities of its users.”

3. What does that really mean? • The ability to conduct quality college-level research using new information technologies; • The ability to employ computer technology to formulate and communicate ideas; • A genuine understanding of the information systems that operate in so many areas of the world and our lives.

4. Key Components • Breakout sessions • Work outside of class • Plenary sessions • Workshops Wrapup

5. Breakout Sessions • This is your first breakout session. • Each breakout will start with a survey in KnightVision. This is how attendance will be taken. • Discussion of plenary session and reading assignments. • Hands-on & Group exercisesto encourage critical thinking about information technology or to prepare for outside of class work.back

6. Work Outside of ClassAll are available from KnightVision • WebBook readings • skills Tutorials • simple assignments • online Portfolio

7. Work Outside of Class: WebBook • online (free!) textbook • 7 chapters Each chapter relates to one of the plenary sessions. • Required online quiz associated with each chapter.

8. Work Outside of Class: Tutorials • 6 Mandatory online tutorials introducing computer skills • You must pass all 6 quizzes to pass the course. • You may take each quiz multiple times. • The sample exercises are not manditory. • Operating Systems 8/10 • Word Processing – Microsoft Word 16/20 • Web Authoring – Macromedia Dreamweaver 16/20 • Multimedia – Digital camera, scanners, sound 16/20 • Presentation Software – Microsoft PowerPoint 16/20 • Spreadsheets – Microsoft Excel 16/20 • 2 Optional Tutorials • Email – Webmail (Optional) • Web Browsing – Internet Explorer (Optional)

9. Work Outside of Class: Assignments • Various assignments may be assigned in the breakout session. • These assignments are due the next breakout session. • Assignments will build upon skills and concepts introduced in RIT. • Most of these will generate material for your online portfolio

10. Electronic Portfolio • An important project for today’s college student • Web-based information about you and an exhibition of your abilities: • Creating documents: introduction and resume • Presentation graphics or multimedia • Spreadsheet • Update this over the course of your Calvin career.back

11. 6 Plenary SessionsThese relate to the WebBook reading Feb. 11: The Changing Nature of Information: The Digital Library Feb. 25: Anatomy of the Computer March 11: Modeling Reality with Computers April 1: Networking April 15: Moral and Ethical Considerations May 13: Critical Evaluation of Information Technology

12. Plenary Sessions (cont.) • Students must sit with their section at Plenary. • Seating chart will be on the screen at the first Plenary. • Sign-in sheet for this section will passed around at beginning of plenary session. • You must sign in to receive credit for attending. • Signing in for another student constitutes academic dishonesty. • Incidents will be referred to Student Life office. • Online quiz on plenary must be completedby midnight of the next day. • You will not receive credit for this quiz if you didnot sign in at the plenary.back

13. Workshops • These will be held in this classroom during yourbreakout time during certain plenary weeks. • Two Research Workshops • One Web-authoring Workshop

14. Workshop: Research • Conducted by Hekman Library staff. • Hands-on experience with digital research tools • What is college level research? • Use of information technology in research • Misconception: “It’s all on the WWW…” • Actually, a very small portion of quality sources is available on the free, public Web. • Evaluating Sources • Is the source credible • Misconception: “It’s on the WWW; it must be true.”

15. Workshop: Web-Page Authoring • Conducted by CIT staff. • Assistance with creating web pages using Dreamweaver • Being able to use Dreamweaver is the basis for your portfolio.back

16. Grading • Skills Tutorials: • Assignments and Portfolio work • WebBook and Plenary quizzes • Exercises in Breakouts and Workshops: • attendance and attentiveness • Email, web surfing, IMing (unless assigned by instructor) will result in an unexcused absence for the session. • in-class exercises

17. Help! • How do I keep this all straight • Answer: KnightVision • Send email or call me if you have any questions • Help is available in the “Digital Studio” in the ITC • 1st floor of the Hekman Library • Hours are limited. See sign on the Digital Studio.

18. Login to KnightVision • Review where material is found • Take quiz • Note: In all KnightVision surveys, your answers are completely anonymous even though KnightVision will give you credit for completing the survey)