Innovations in Technology Syllabus Fall 2008

 

 Instructor Information:

Instructor Name: Lori Walljasper
EICCD e-mail: lwalljasper@eicc.edu
EICCD Voicemail: 563.336.5217
Office Number/Location: KEC 410
Office Hours 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. TR
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. F
Faculty Website faculty.eicc.edu/lwalljasper

For class cancellation information call 563.441.4001 or visit www.eicc.edu/students. In case of inclement weather visit our website or call our weather line at 563.441.4144.

Course Information:

Course Number NET 851 - 3 credit hours
Section Number 51312, 51313, 51314
Start / End Time eCollege - Weekly Chat time TBA
Days of Class eCollege - Check in at least three times per week
Class Location The course is delivered over the Internet using the eCollege platform. The web site can be accessed at www.iowacconline.com. A computer lab is available at the Kahl Educational Center in room 230.
Prerequisites Needed At least 50% of major course work must be completed as students will take a post test upon completion of this course. Final course grades will not be released for the course until Post Test has been completed.

Specific Class Information:

Text:

There is no text required for this class.  Students will be using Internet and Library Resources for their research projects. Check out NetLibrary (available at the SCC library) to view eBooks and download audio books.

Software:

ELMS

Scott Community College had an agreement with Microsoft that allows our IT students to download and/or purchase including:

  • Visual Studio.Net
  • Windows XP Pro
  • Windows Vista
  • One Note
  • SQL Server
  • Virtual PC
  • Project

Send me an email message indicating you wish to be a part of this program, and I'll get you set up in the ELMS system.

Course Description:

The Information Technology profession demands constant professional updates. This course allows students to explore current trends in the information technology area and participate in other career-path professional development activities.

General Course Goals:

1. Perform research using the Internet and professional journals.
2. Identify trends in the computer industry.

Attendance/Participation: 

Students should treat the online course like a regularly scheduled course and check in often for course discussion and project postings.

Evaluation:

Your grade is calculated from points earned on projects and exams.

Standards: A=90%-100% B=80%-89% C=70%-79% D=60%-69% F= 60%

 

Class Participation (Threaded Discussion) 160
Projects 140
Total 300

Exam Make-up policy: N/A

Late Assignment Policy:

Projects due dates are spaced throughout the course with an average of one project per week. All projects are due no later than noon on December 12, 2008.  

Course Logistics:

This course does not have proctored exams.

This course is not self-paced. There are specific due dates to keep you on track. However, I realize that we are all adult learners, and that sometimes our schedule allows us to work ahead or forces us to fall behind. If the latter happens, just let me know so we can work on an alternate due date plan. Our goals are the same -- to successfully complete this course.

Feedback Policy:

I will answer all emails and voicemails within 24 hours of receipt Monday through Friday. I ocassionally check emails over the weekend and when the college is closed. All assignments will be graded in the order in which I receive them. You can expect 24-48 hour return on assignments. Exams are multiple choice and receive immediate feedback upon completion. The above policy assumes no computer/connectivity issues.

Incomplete Policy:
Incomplete grades (I) are given for work that is not completed during an academic term due to justifiable extenuating circumstances. To qualify for an "I" grade, you will need to sign an Incomplete Contract Agreement with the class instructor. Work must be completed by the date agreed upon and turned in to the instructor no later than mid-term of the following semester (not including summer sessions). Courses not completed by that time will automatically receive an "F".

Online Tutoring:

The Iowa Community College Consortium has arranged for FREE online Tutoring for our students through SMART THINKING for our eCollege students. Check it out at: www.smarthinking.com.

Helpdesk and Advising

Technical requirements can be found here. For technical support, you may contact the eCollege Helpdesk at helpdesk@iowacconline.com or 303-873-0005. For advising and home college contacts, please visit www.iowacconline.org.

SCC AITP Chapter:
Scott Community College has a Student Chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals. The club has monthly meetings, and is invited to also attend the sponsoring Illowa Chapter monthly meetings (aitp.quadcities.com). You can join at www.aitp.org. Our membership number is 5019.

Assessment:

Projects

You will be required to research innovation topics and present results in the format of a project for a total of 140 points toward your final grade.  Each project is worth 10 points.

All projects must include references/bibliography. You will post your projects (or a link to your project) on the course discussion board under the appropriate week for all to read and to allow a starting point for discussions.

Topics for research projects include:

  • Current events in computer technology, new gadgets, issues in computer security, networking, programming, etc.
  • Evaluation of a software package, operating system, hardware device, etc.
  • Report from attending an Illowa AITP Meeting or Quad Cities Computer Society meeting or other computer-related seminar.

Formats for the projects may include:

  • Research paper (minimum 2 pages, double-spaced at 12 point font).
  • PowerPoint presentation (1 title slide, a minimum 6 slides of content, and a references/bibliography slide).
  • Leading a classroom chat, ClassLive session, Skype discussion or other format of web meeting regarding a topic that you researched.
  • Using Internet webinar technology, demonstrate a software application.
  • BLOG about your research, placing a link on our discussion area -- length should be congruent with requirements for the paper/PowerPoint minimums.
  • Create a podcast our audio recording about your research.
  • Create a video, screencast, or recorded PowerPoint about your research.

Projects should address one or more of the following questions:

1.      What is innovative about this topic?

2.      Why is it important to watch this technology?

3.      How might this innovation affect my future career/life?

Class Participation

Besides posting your project on our discussion board, you will be required to participate in our class through chats, Skype sessions, and threaded discussion board, etc.  This will be worth a total of 160 points toward your final grade. Your grade for each week will include project and discussion grades.

 

Academic Dishonesty Policy:
Policies on Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty are found in the EICCD Student Code of Conduct.

Study Tips:

  1. Check into the course often--every day if possible, but a minimum of three times a week.
  2. Read all discussion postings and student projects.
  3. Actively search for topics of interest and emerging trends in technology.
  4. Research and gather information to prepare projects.
  5. Prepare and post projects on a timely basis.
  6. Ask questions about other students' projects.

Academic Accommodation:
Anyone who feels they may need an academic accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability should contact Mark Anderson 563.336.5210 at the Kahl campus to arrange an appointment as soon as possible. At the appointment, course format, individual needs, and potential accommodations will be discussed. This service is FREE and confidential

 

 Dates to Remember:

August 25 Fall Classes Begin
September 1 Labor Day (College Closed)
September 26 Staff Development Day (College Closed)
October 13 Mid-term
November 11 Advising Day
November 27-28 Thanksgiving (no classes -- College Closed)
December 11-15 Exams
December 17 - January 11 Winter Break

To access the calendar with dates pertaining to the class schedule, go to www.eicc.edu > Current Students > Academic Information > Academic Calendar

Course Schedule

Students should check the course at least three times a week, and post projects once a week.


Disclaimer:
This course outline is believed to be accurate, however, it may contain errors, inaccuracies and/or omissions. The instructor reserves the right to correct discovered errors, inaccuracies and/or omissions at any time during the class.

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Send mail to lwalljasper@eicc.edu with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2008 Eastern Iowa Community College District

Last modified: Friday, August 22, 2008