LIBR 240-02
Information Technology Tools and Applications
Spring 2006 Greensheet
Debbie Faires
E-mail
Office: Mod E (San José)
Phone: 408 924-2498
Office Hours: Virtually by e-mail, in person by appointment
| Course Links Greensheet Calendar |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials |
Class begins January 25 on Blackboard. I encourage you to do a few tasks before that time:
- Order text
- Obtain software
- Enroll in the Blackboard site between January 15 and 25. I will send the access code by January 15 via MySJSU. If you'd like, you may begin work early on the first unit (technology preparation).
We will meet on January 31 and February 28 from 6-9pm. Location: Mod D403 on the San José campus. The meeting on February 28 is optional but I believe you will find it helpful. The rest of the class will be online.
This class demands a very large amount of time and work (at least 8-10 hours a week, more if this technology is very 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 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 Spring 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. We will also 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.
Course Objectives
The course supports the following objectives from the School's Teaching goal:
Upon completion of the program the student will know and be able to identify the major theories and important principles as well as demonstrate current practice in:
- Information transfer;
- The application of diverse technologies to information management.
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 and incorporating tables, frames, multimedia, and principles of good graphics.
5. Understand CGI form design, image maps, JavaScript, internal search engines, and Server-Side Includes (SSI).
6. Demonstrate basic use of XML and PHP
Required Text:
Callihan, Steve. HTML: CSS, JavaScript, and DHTML. St. Paul, MN: EMCParadigm, 2004. ISBN: 0763816531
You should order this book directly from the publisher as soon as possible so that you have it before January 25. 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.
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).
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 2.0 or 3.0
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 Kim McKee
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 January 31before 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.
Another option to consider for purchasing this software: E-Bay or used software stores. Be sure you are getting version 2 or 3.
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. It costs around $22.
Castro, Elizabeth. (2003). HTML for the World Wide Web with XHTML and CSS (5th ed.). Berkeley: Peachpit Press.
Course Requirements
Prerequisite: LIBR 202 must be completed before this semester
There will be weekly assignments. Each will be worth 5 points.
There will be a final project worth 30 points.
Total: 100 points
Policy on 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.
Grading Scale:
| A |
95-100 |
| A- |
90-94 |
| B+ |
85-89 |
| B |
80-84 |
| B- | 75-79 |
| C+ |
70-74 |
| C |
65-69 |
| C- | 60-64 |
| F | <60 |
Incompletes will not be given in this class except in the case of substantiated medical need or personal/family tragedy.
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/
University policy on plagiarism: For the official statements of policy on this matter as passed by the Academic Senate, see:
- The SJSU Academic Integrity Policy
http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf
School of Library & Information Science
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
Contact the webmaster
