LIBR 240-10
Information Technology Tools and Applications
Summer 2007 Greensheet
Diana Bradley
E-mail
Office Location: Portland, OR
Office
Hours: Virtual by email, Skype, instant messaging, Second Life, and Elluminate (office hours on Sunday evenings, 7-8 pm)
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Software Course Requirements Course Calendar |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials Elluminate Student Guide Elluminate Tutorial SLIS e-Bookstore |
Self-enroll in the Blackboard course site anytime between the time you receive the access code (no earlier than May 30) and June 4. A course enrollment access code will be sent via MySJSU no later than May 30, 2007.
Course Description
This course examines the different ways in which we can structure, store, process, access, and present information on a Web site. It emphasizes the tools of information technology.
With the aid of standards-compliant tools and best-practices techniques, we will learn how to develop DHTML (Dynamic HTML) cross-browser compatible Web pages using XHTML for structuring content, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) for presenting content, and JavaScript/PHP for dynamic interaction with content. We will learn how to create and manage images and graphics using good design principles. We’ll review information architecture design concepts along with usability methods, and consider cultural and accessibility issues for developing quality Web sites. We’ll look at server side processes such as basic PHP, SSI (server-side includes) and search engines and search engine optimization (SEO). We’ll learn about and apply selected Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, wikis, social tagging sites like Flickr, mashups, embedded multimedia, syndication with RSS, podcasting, and Plone, a Content Management System (CMS). We will conclude the course with an introduction to basic XML and its stylesheet language, XSLT.
Course Prerequisites: LIBR 202
Course Objectives
Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the course the student should be able to:
- Understand the client-server model as it applies to the World Wide Web.
- Work with files on a Web site located on a Unix server.
- Apply best-practices conceptual and practical strategies in the design and production of a professional Web site targeted to various information communities.
- Demonstrate modular Web site design techniques using standards-based XHTML and CSS markup languages.
- Know how to make Web pages available on different devices using CSS and develop cross-browser compatible Web pages.
- Create and edit images based on good graphic design principles, and know how to include optimized images on Web pages.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of forms applications, interactive JavaScript, iframes, image maps, iFrames, and use of other types of links on Web pages.
- Apply usability techniques and consider cultural and accessibility issues when creating Web sites.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of server-side processing using PHP and server-side includes (SSI).
- Understand basic search engine algorithms and know how to apply search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to improve results rankings.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge and use of XML and XSLT.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge and use of Web 2.0 technologies: blogs, wikis, social tagging using Flickr, mashups, syndication with RSS, podcasting, Content Management Systems (CMS), and embedding multimedia files in Web pages and blogs.
LIBR 240 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- design, query and evaluate information retrieval systems;
- understand the system of standards and methods used to control and create information structures and apply basic principles involved in the organization and representation of knowledge.
- demonstrate proficiency in the use of current information and communication technologies, and other related technologies, as they affect the resources and uses of libraries and other types of information providing entities;
Textbooks and Software
Primary Text
The text is required. Please do not use Castro’s 5th edition because it is missing numerous chapters that we cover in this course.
- Castro, E. (2007). HTML, XHTML &CSS (6th ed.). Berkeley: Peachpit Press.
ISBN: 0321430840.
The text book can be purchased at the SLIS eBookstore at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/courses/books/index.php.This new text book purchasing project is part of the Amazon Affiliates program and will bring in money for student scholarships. The discount price for the Castro text through the eBookstore and Amazon.com is about $20.00, while the full price at retail stores ranges from $24.99 to $29.99.
Required Software
The class requires installation of MS Office, 2 Internet browsers, image editing software, and a text editor. See below for the versions for each operating system.
If you do not already have image editing software installed (Photoshop, Elements, PaintShop Pro, Fireworks), you’ll need to purchase and install Adobe Photoshop Elements, which costs about $69.00 with an academic discount. You can also find older versions for sale on eBay and Amazon. Please complete this before the second week of class begins – the second lesson requires the use of an image editor.
Windows Users
I can support Windows XP, version 5.1, service pack 2 at this time.
- Adobe Photoshop Elements, version 5.0 is required, unless you already have image editing software installed. You can purchase this version with an educational discount online at http://store.adobe.com/store/products/department.jhtml?id=deptEducation. Read the academic eligibility page and the how to order page, then fill out the academic verification form and order online. If you have access to earlier versions of Elements, I can give limited support back to version 2.0.
- Internet Explorer browser, version 6+ or later, preferably version 7
- Firefox browser, the latest version 2 or later
- MS Office 2003 for Windows
- Text editor: either Notepad, Wordpad, Textpad (evaluation copy is free) – you may only use Dreamweaver in code mode. I recommend Textpad because it uses color and indentation when typing in HTML code.
Mac Users
I can support Mac OS X (10.4.9) at this time.
- Adobe Photoshop Elements, version 4.0. is required unless you already have image editing software installed. You can purchase Elements online at Adobe, but the same discount applies if you purchase at the online Apple Education Store, http://www.apple.com/education/ , or if you purchase at an Apple Retail Store, where you will need to present your academic credentials.
- Safari browser for Mac OS X, version 2 or later
- Firefox browser for Mac OS X, version 2 or later
- MS Office 2004 for Mac
- Text editor: either TextEdit, BBEdit (free), or TextMate (~$35.00) – you may only use Dreamweaver in code mode. I recommend TextMate.
Course Requirements
Do the Following Tasks Before the Class Begins
The course will begin on Blackboard on June 4, 2007. Please do the following prior to the start of class.
- Order and receive the textbook.
- Purchase and install the required image editing software and check that you have MS Office, 2 Internet browsers, and a text editor installed.
- A course enrollment access code will be sent via MySJSU no later than May 30, 2007.
- Self-enroll in the Blackboard course site anytime between the time you receive the access code (no earlier than May 30) and June 4.
- I recommend that you immediately begin the initial technical work described on Blackboard prior to the start of class.
- I will be available for help only after you have self-enrolled in the course.
- Elluminate is used for lesson recordings and for live office hours. You will need speakers or a headset to hear the recordings. A microphone is nice to have but it is optional because you can enter text into a chat box in Elluminate in order to communicate. Be sure you have had Elluminate training or have taken a tutorial. For more information, see the Student Guide at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/software/elluminate/students/.
Technology Requirements
This is an online course, and your computer must meet the SLIS Home Computing requirements (see http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/homecomputing.htm). Please do NOT enroll in this class unless you have access to high-speed Internet connectivity such as DSL, cable, or FiOS. Dial-up modem speeds are too slow for this class, even with ‘Turbo’ image loading offered by some ISP vendors.
Course Demands
This is a challenging and demanding online course that requires at least 12 hours (or more) per week of detail-oriented preparation and completion of weekly assignments. The summer semester is shorter than the fall or spring semesters, but we cover the same material; therefore, you’ll need to allot more time to work on lessons. Weekly assignments build on previous assignments, so work must be completed in a timely manner. Please do not enroll in the class if you feel you cannot commit the time and effort required to be successful.
Please do not enroll in this class if:
- you cannot download files and install them on your computer.
- you do not know how to create a folder or directory on your computer.
- you do not have access to MS Office or the required image editing software.
- you are not self-motivated or do not enjoy working independently.
- you do not have strong time management and organizational skills.
- you are not comfortable working and communicating totally online.
Assignments and Grading
There will be 8 weekly assignments, each worth between 3 and 10 points for a total of 70 points. There will be occasional opportunities to earn extra credit points. Assignments will be graded beginning with the full point value with deductions taken for errors or incomplete work. Assignments are due by midnight every Monday during the summer semester.
A final project is worth 30 points. The final project will be graded beginning with 0 points with points added for correct work.
Total: 100 points.
Late Assignments and Incompletes
I will accept late assignments up to one week late. However, you’ll only earn half the number of points on a late assignment. After one week, I will not accept any late assignments.
The final project Web site requires a proposal theme and a design layout, which must be submitted for approval prior to development. No final project will be accepted at all without prior theme and design approval. Once approved, the final project must be turned in by midnight on the due date and no late submissions will be accepted. In order to develop a quality final project Web site, you will need to research the topic, collect related links, define your target audience, and apply technologies learned about during the course. The final project is a substantial part of your grade and will require at least 20 hours of your time to create, so make sure you can commit the time needed to successfully complete the final project.
If you feel you cannot keep up with the demanding pace of the course, please do not enroll.
Grading Scale
The standard SJSU SLIS Grading Scale is utilized for all SLIS courses:
| 97-100 | A |
| 94-96 | A- |
| 91-93 | B+ |
| 88-90 | B |
| 85-87 | B- |
| 82-84 | C+ |
| 79-81 | C |
| 76-78 | C- |
| 73-75 | D+ |
| 70-72 | D |
| 67-69 | D- |
| Below 67 | F |
Academic Integrity
Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San José State University, and the University's Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct.
Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability,
please e-mail me as soon as possible. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires
that students with disabilities register with the Disability Resource Center
(DRC) to establish record of their disability.
No matter where students reside, they should contact the SJSU DRC to register. The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/
Ethics
All assignments submitted must be your own work. The San José State University regulations governing plagiarism will be enforced. Those regulations may be found at: http://info.sjsu.edu search option: Academic Dishonesty; and http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/F06-1.pdf for the current Academic Senate policy.
Course Calendar
*Calendar is subject to change with fair notice
| Date | Topic | Assignment Due by 11:59 on each date | Week |
| 6/4 | Lesson 1 Getting Started Technical Setup, Unix, SFTP, File Types, Client-Server Model, WWW Development, Text Editors XHTML Syntax, Basic Tags, Formatting, Validation, A Taste of CSS Web 2.0 Applications Intro to Using Wikis, Blogs |
Week 1 | |
| 6/11 | Lesson 2 Images Image Editors, Creating, Managing, Optimizing, & Publishing Images Links Anchors, Targets, Image Maps Web 2.0 Applications Flickr, Embedding & Linking Multimedia |
Assignment 1 (10 pts) due Monday, 6/11 |
Week 2 |
| 6/18 | Lesson 3 CSS Syntax, Formatting with Styles, Validation CSS Part 2 Layout, Dynamic Styles, Alternate Stylesheets for Handhelds & Printing |
Assignment 2 (10 pts) due Monday, 6/18 |
Week 3 |
| 6/25 | Lesson 4 Tables & Lists Structure & Styling Forms Forms Design & Processing with PHP |
Assignment 3 (10 pts) due Monday, 6/25 |
Week 4 |
| 7/2 | Lesson 5 Web Site Design Architecture, Usability, Cultural & Accessibility Issues, Final Project Planning Web 2.0 Application Blog Installation & Configuration |
Assignment 4 (10 pts) due Monday, 7/2 |
Week 5 |
| 7/9 | Lesson 6 Client-Side Processing Scripts, JavaScript, iFrames Server-Side Programming PHP, SSI |
Assignment 5 (9 pts) due Monday, 7/9 |
Week 6 |
| 7/16 | Lesson 7 Web 2.0 Social Tagging, RSS Syndication, Podcasting, Rich User Experience, Mashups, and more XML & XSLT Structure & Styling |
Assignment 6 (9 pts) due Monday, 7/16 |
Week 7 |
| 7/23 | Lesson 8 Extras Content Management Systems, Web Hosting Services, Search Engine Optimization |
Assignment 7 (9 pts) due Monday, 7/23 |
Week 8 |
| 7/30 | Assignment 8 (3 pts) due Monday, 7/30 |
Week 9 | |
| 70 pts total for assignments | |||
| 8/6 | Final Project Due | 30 pts Due Monday, 8/6 |
Week 10 |
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