LIBR 240-10
Information Technology Tools & Applications
Fall 2006

Edward Pai
epai@pacbell.net

Office Hours:
Virtually by e-mail
In person by appointment

GREENSHEET

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.

The course will focus on modular Website 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; and wireless markup language (WML).

To use these tools effectively, we will use system development life cycle methodologies to develop project management skills and techniques. The outcome will be an online portfolio of your work for the class.

In this class students will:

(1) Understand the client server relationship and work with a Unix server

(2) Design conceptual and practical strategies for presenting information on the Web

(3) Create content in XHTML format

(4) Design interfaces using CSS

(5) Incorporate Web design features such as graphics, documents and other information containers, and interactive forms in a cgi directory

(6) Work with JavaScript

(7) Study design, accessibility, and usability issues

(8) Work with XML, XSLT, RSS, and WML

(9) Understand the difference between client and server side processing

(10) Identify and work with user-centered design techniques to develop a website

(11) Use web-based tools to implement a website based on your designs

(12) Understand the system development life cycle model and use it to manage a web-based, information systems project

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the completion of the course the student should be able to:

1. Identify and/or define information communities that he/she wishes 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; principles of good graphics.

5. Understand cgi form design; image maps; JavaScript; internal search engines.

6. Understand XML

This course helps fulfill SLIS Core Competencies required of the SLIS Graduate degree progam in enabling students to:

• 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. 

ASSIGNMENTS and GRADING

There are several components of grading in the class.

Weekly in-class and online exercises will provide you with direct experience using concepts which are being covered in class and online sessions. These exercises are graded are distributed throughout the course.

The assignment and term project will require you to construct web projects of increasing complexity. These assignments are designed apply the concepts and principles you learn in class to a "real world" problem which you will identify. In other words, you will translate theory into practice.

Please note: Late assignments are not accepted unless previously approved by the instructor.

University Recommended Grading Scale for Graduate Students

In general, the following guidelines will be applied to graded work:

• An "A" project does not just fulfill the assignment: it has something original and important to say or handles the work in a creative fashion. It goes beyond the material covered in class.
• A "B" project fulfills the assignment well: it demonstrates understanding and ability to apply the concepts and material covered in class and in the readings. There are no serious errors in fact or interpretation.
• A "C" project is adequate to fulfill the assignment, and and demonstrates a basic understanding of the course material. There may be a serious error or other weaknesses, such as lack of originality or over-simplification of the problem.
• An "F" project does not fulfill the assignment: it does not do what was required. There may be repeated serious errors or ignores the guidelines of the assignment. Plagiarism (use of material without giving credit to the source) will result in an F.

For work graded S/U/F, work that meets the requirements of the assignment and is turned in on time will received a Satisfactory grade; work that either does not meet the requirements (and is corrected within one week) and is turned in on time or meets the requirements but is turned in late will receive an Unsatisfactory grade; work that is late and does not meet the requirements, or is not turned in at all, will received a Failing grade.

Equal Access

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment to meet with me as soon as possible or see meduring office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities register with DRC to establish record of their disability.

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://www.sjsu.edu/senate/F06-1.pdf
  

Top of Page