LIBR 240-01
Information Technology Tools and Applications
Fall 2006 Greensheet
Debbie Faires
E-mail
Office: Clark Hall 418A
Phone: 408 924-2498
Office Hours: Virtually by e-mail, in person by appointment
| Course Links Greensheet Calendar |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials |
Textbooks and Resources | Required Software | Course Requirements
Class begins August 23 on Blackboard. I encourage you to do a few tasks before that time:
- Order text
- Obtain software
- Enroll in the Blackboard site between August 9 and 23. I will send the access code by August 9 via MySJSU. If you'd like, you may begin work early on the first unit (technology preparation).
Course Overview
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.
For the Fall 2006 semester, we will focus on modular Web site design and DHTML (Dynamic HTML). Dynamic HTML uses (X)HTML, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), and JavaScript as the building blocks for Web sites. In addition we will do a little work with XML and its stylesheet language XSLT; RSS; Server Side Includes; and a little PHP. We will also consider blogs and wikis.
Prerequisites: LIBR 202 must be completed before this semester
Course Objectives
LIBR 240 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- design, query and evaluate information retrieval systems;
- 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;
- 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.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the course the student should be able to:
1. Identify and/or define information communities that they wish to reach via the Internet.
2. Create conceptual and practical strategies for reaching various information communities.
3. Understand the modular building block techniques of modern Web site design.
4. Design professional Web sites using XHTML incorporating standards based coding, CSS, tables, frames, and principles of good graphics.
5. Demonstrate form design and processing, use of image maps, JavaScript, internal search engines, and Server-Side Includes (SSI).
6. Demonstrate basic use of XML and PHP.
Textbooks and Resources
Required Text
Callihan, Steve. HTML: CSS, JavaScript, and DHTML. St. Paul, MN: EMCParadigm, 2004. ISBN: 0763816531
Do not get an older edition of this book.
You should order this book directly from the publisher as soon as possible so that you have it before August 23. The best way to order is to use a credit card and call (800) 535-6865. Be sure you have the ISBN number when you call. The cost is around $49 plus $5 shipping/handling if you use a special code (which I'll post to you via MySJSU) when ordering. Otherwise it is more expensive.
Recommended Text
The following is an excellent reference book. I highly recommend that you obtain it. Students have found it to be very helpful and many have said I should require it. A new edition (the 6th) is being released on August 11. I haven't seen the new edition yet. Either the 5th or 6th editions would be helpful for this class.
Castro, Elizabeth. (2006). HTML for the World Wide Web with XHTML and CSS (6th ed.). Berkeley: Peachpit Press.
Required Software
You must have image editing software for this class. I'll be providing instructions for Photoshop Elements, a reasonably priced product you can purchase with an educational discount through the SJSU Bookstore (see details below). The current version is 4 but I also have instructions for v. 2 and 3 and they will be fine for the needs of this class.
Other software options include:
- Photoshop (any version from 5.5 on is fine)
- Paint Shop Pro
- Fireworks
- The GIMP (open source available from http://www.gimp.org/ )
Any of the above programs will perform the required tasks for this class (cropping, resizing, changing resolution, adding text to an image). If you already have access to one of these programs, you don't need to purchase Photoshop Elements. Note that I will have some instructions available for Photoshop Elements, Photoshop, and Paint Shop Pro but not a lot for the others.
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Not only will you use it for the class, but you will also enjoy using it if you ever deal with digital photos. The cost is around $69 (with the educational discount) through the SJSU Bookstore.
To order:
E-mail Lindsay Ledesma
OR
Phone 408-924-1842
You must pick up the software in person (they will not mail it out) and remember to bring your student ID. I suggest that you order it in time to pick it up on August 29 before our class meeting. We won't be using the software for class until late September but I encourage you to play with it before then.
Or, you can purchase it online. To do so, go to http://www.adobe.com and select the link for "Education." Select the "Buy Online" option and read about how Adobe establishes your status as a current student. Then select "all education products" > Adobe Photoshop Elements.
Another option to consider for purchasing this software: E-Bay or used software stores. Be sure you are getting Photoshop Elements version 2, 3 or 4.
Course Requirements
Course Demands
This class demands a very large amount of time and work (at least 8-10 hours a week, more if this technology is new to you). You must have ample time to devote to it if you want to be successful. If you can't make this commitment, please drop the class now so that another student can add.
Course Format
We will meet on August 29 and September 26 from 6-9 pm. Location: CL 322 on the San José campus. The meeting on September 26 is optional but I believe you will find it helpful. The rest of the class will be online. It is very important that your computer meet the SLIS home computing requirements. You need a high-speed Internet connection.
Assignments
There will be weekly assignments. Each will be worth 5 points.
There will be a final project worth 30 points.
Total: 100 points
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+ |
Late Assignments
Assignments that are up to one week late will only receive half credit. I will not accept any assignment more than 1 week late. I will not accept late final projects. Procrastination and late work will severely hurt your grade in this class.
Incompletes
Incompletes will not be given in this class except in the case of substantiated medical need or personal/family tragedy.
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 are required to report all infractions to the Office of Judicial Affairs. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/F06-1.pdf
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/
School of Library & Information Science
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
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