Administration INFO 100

CSE100/INFO100, or FIT100, is an introductory class that implements the recommendations of the National Research Council's study Being Fluent With Information Technology [National Academy Press, 1999]. The report describes the knowledge and experience a person should possess to be fluent in information technology, where fluency is a more ambitious goal than computer literacy.

For more information on the goals of this class and the report, read the vision statement written by Professor Larry Snyder.

Literacy vs. Fluency

Computer literacy has traditionally meant proficiency with a few contemporary computer applications such as email, word processing and the like. Though such literacy instruction enables students to use computers directly, it does not have the staying power needed to accommodate the rapid changes in Information Technology.

To use computers effectively over time, people must become lifelong learners, continually expanding their knowledge and upgrading their skills. The NRC report adopts the term "fluency" for this more fundamental understanding of IT. The term connotes the ability to synthesize, to express oneself creatively, and to manipulate the medium to achieve one's goals.

Components of Fluency

The NRC report identifies three types of knowledge that are essential for fluency:

Skills - competence with contemporary computer applications and tools; this component approximates traditional computer literacy. An example is learning to use a word processor, or transfer files across networks.

Concepts - fundamental principles on which information technology is founded, including basic ideas related to computers, networks, etc. An example is the understanding of the digital representation of information, or how networks operate.

Capabilities - the ability to apply information technology in complex and sustained situations, which encapsulate higher-level thinking in the context of information technology. An example is to engage in sustained reasoning.

The report lists the 10 top priority items of each type of knowledge. Notice the three types of knowledge are co-equal and interdependent.

Project Learning
Though skills have been successfully taught in conventional literacy courses, and concepts have been taught in standard computer science and information systems classes for years, the capabilities present an instructional challenge.

In order to teach the capabilities, to provide a context to learn the concepts, and to facilitate the acquisition of skills, Fluency With Information Technology is a project-based course. The main content is delivered through the formulation and implementation of sustained (multi-week) projects using information technology.

Grading Policy

The breakdown of your grade for this class is as follows:

30%    Quiz 1 (an in-class quiz on Part One of the course)
  3%    Part One Web Page (grade assigned by your TA)

30%    Quiz 2 (an in-class quiz on Part Two of the course)
  3%    Part Two Web Page (grade assigned by your TA)

30%    Quiz 3 (an in-class quiz on Part Three of the course)
  4%    Part Three Web page (grade assigned by your TA)

Late/Missed Exam Policy, Coursework and Workload

If something extraordinary happens to you during the quarter and it causes you to miss an exam, contact Terry Brooks immediately. Early, late, or make-up exams will only be administered in extreme circumstances. Be advised that in order to make up any missed exam you must provide a valid reason: documented emergency, illness or standard UW exception (military service, student athletes, etc)--a note from your mother will not be acceptable.

Other than the situations described above, exams will not be rescheduled for any reason and assignments should always make it to class, even if it in the hands of a roommate or classmate.

Attendance at lecture and the assigned computer labs is expected. For each hour of class time you should plan for one 1.5 - 3 hours of work outside of class; so, roughly, 8 - 15 hours of outside work each week.

Computer Lab

Each computer lab section meets two times a week. Attendance is required. The labs are integrated with the lecture material. Hands-on computer skills needed to complete the projects will be taught in the labs. Your TA will help do the lab assignments and create your web page for each part of the course.

If you miss a lab, try the lab on your own and check with your classmates. If they can't help you, ask your TA.

Diskettes:
You will need diskettes to save your work or to carry it from place to place. Your TA can show you how to save and retrieve files to and from your UW account.

How to Communicate with Others in the Class

Because not everyone has access to email during the weekends, official announcements will not be sent out past 2 PM on Fridays. Likewise, do not expect an immediate reply from staff on the weekends. During the week, Monday - Friday, you will hear back from one of us within 24 hours.

Getting Unstuck

In the real world, successful people who find themselves stuck do several things such as:

(1) systematically play around with the technology,
(2) ask a co-worker or friend for help, or
(3) ask an expert for help.

Hopefully you'll explore all three means to get unstuck in this course. Here are some suggestions:

Debugging

We'll talk more about this sort of strategy called "debugging," during the course.

Ask a classmate!

Consult with the Instructors/Teaching Assistants

You may also email your question with a full explanation of the problem, not just a vague request for help or the answer!

Disability

If you wish to request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact Disabled Student Services, 448 Schmitz, 543-8925 (V/TTY). If you have a letter from Disabled Student Services indicating you have a disability that requires academic accommodations, please present the letter to your instructor so that we can discuss accommodations that you might need for the class.

Course Administration

What is the Fluency Vision?