Class Syllabus: Understanding Technology
|  | |
|
Office Hours: |
Dr Yaping Gao is available daily via email.
|
|
Course Meeting Times: |
No required pre-set class meetings; Self-paced
|
|
|
Course Description
This is an introductory technology course on using and understanding information technology for people who use computers as everyday tools both at home and at workplace, not for individuals aiming to learn programming and designing computer systems. This course focuses on communications using computer technology, the digital revolution, the Internet, and the World Wide Web. It covers the fundamental computing concepts surrounding the digital age including software, hardware, data, people, communications, and procedures. It also examines ethical issues in the information age and investigates emerging technologies that could impact individuals as well as businesses and organizations in the future. This course is designed in a logical sequence and format to help the average user to better understand and utilize information technology. If you are also interested in how computers work, I encourage you to take my "Understanding Computers" class as well. If you would like to become well versed in general computing or Internet related concepts and terminology, check out my "Understanding Computer & Internet Terminology" class. If you use online communication a lot or are just starting to use various online communcations tools such as email, chat, instant messaging (IM), and etc, I strongly recommand my "Netiquette, Emoticons, and Abbreviations for Online Communications" class, a fun class that introduces and explains the proper use of netiquette, emoticons, abbreviations, and concepts and terminology for online communications, such as email, discussion forums, chat, and instant messaging. Course Requirements
The only requirement for this class is a computer with Internet access. If you are reading this, you are all set and ready to go.
Course Objectives & Outcomes
At the conclusion of the course, students will acquire a general understanding and fundamental knowledge of: * information technology (computer technology + communication technology), the Internet, the World Wide Web, and the E-world and Cyberspace
* how computers work, types of computers, major components of a computer system, types of hardware and software
* networks and communications: from the analog to the digital age, cyber- ethics in communications
* future of information technology: promises of the digital age as well as concerns and issues Course Materials
Students are not required to purchase any textbooks nor any software. All course materials will be posted and presented to students in the virtual classroom. There will also be plenty of online resources provided.
Grading Policy
Students will be evaluated based on their understanding of course materials, their participation in and contribution to online discussion, and completion of online quizzes and other assignments.
Disclaimer
This is a non-credit course, and is provided by Dr Yaping Gao for informational purposes only. This course cannot be substituted for any state, government, licensing, or educational requirements.
Learning Outcomes By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the Internet and the World Wide Web.
- Describe computer software.
- Describe computer hardware.
- Describe telecommunications.
- Describe files, databases, and e-commerce.
- Describe challenges and promises of the digital age, and
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Other Related Classes in Information Technology - Excel 2007 Microsoft Excel 2007 is a very popular business productivity application for the management and manipulation of data. Microsoft Excel is often packaged as part of Microsoft Office that includes other applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPo...
- Computer Basics 101 Do you find yourself intimidated by computer jargon? Would you like to have a clearer understanding (in non-jargon language) of how your computer works? Computer Basics 101 will both demonstrate and explain how your computer works in an easy-to-follow, ...
- Typing and Keyboarding 101 Today, knowing how to type fast is almost a necessity in the business world. More and more corporate-world employees are being asked to create reports, sales letters, business plans, blogs, web content, forecasts and more. Knowing how to type can sav...
- How to Create Web Pages These days, everyone can benefit from an online presence, and that means developing a website. This course covers a basic introduction of how to create your own website page-by-page using HTML, a common website coding process. From basic HTML defin...
- MS Office 2007: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook MS Office 2007 will provide a comprehensive tutorial of these programs- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. MS Word 2007 It doesn't matter if you're new to MS Word or an experienced user, this comprehensive course teaches the most basic features as w...
- Quickbooks 101 QuickBooks 101 is a course geared for the small business and the small business owner. It contains the features that you loved in Quicken, then goes a step further to give small businesses the accounting software they need to take their numbers from an e...
- MS Word 2007 This Microsoft Word 2007 course is not only designed to give the experienced MS Word user a tour of the new version of Word, but to also introduce new MS Word users to a comprehensive look at the features and utilities that this word processing software...
- Intro to PC Troubleshooting and Repair There is no question that computers offer many benefits to their users. Whether they are used for pleasure or business, computers enable us to connect to the world in ways never thought possible. And to get the most out of them, computers need to be set ...
- PowerPoint 2007 The purpose of this course is to help you understand what PowerPoint 2007 can do for you, whether you are familiar with PowerPoint 2003 or new to the application altogether. One of the most noticeable changes is the new user interface called the Microsof...
- Windows 7 Welcome to Windows 7, the latest operating system introduced by Microsoft. Chances are, you were just getting used to Vista when this came out. And, most likely, some of you are still bound to the old and familiar (now) XP. We know that the though...
- Dreamweaver 101 Whether this is your first time using Dreamweaver or you've used it in the past, this course will walk you through the program step-by-step and teach you how to use its many features and options to create professional web pages with little more than ...
- Electronics 101 Whether performing a minor repair, such as your phone or DVD player, or applying for a new and technology focused career, an understanding of the principles directing basic electronics will prove helpful throughout life. This course in basic electronics ...
- MS Office 2010: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook This all-in-one training course provides comprehensive instruction on four popular MS Office programs: MS Word 2010, MS Excel 2010, MS PowerPoint 2010 and MS Outlook 2010. MS Word 2010 Microsoft Word 2010 is the newest update to their popular word pro...
- Microsoft Publisher 2007 Microsoft Publisher can be an amazing tool. It can help us complete impressive tasks in a fraction of the time, and help to accomplish things that we could never have done on our own. But you have to know how to use this program. This course will sho...
- Quicken Deluxe 2010 Quicken Deluxe is a personal finance management tool that provides features that we all need to keep track of where our money is going. However, this software gives you more than just the power to log your finances and manage your bills. It can also ...
- Virus Removal and Protection 101 It's amazing how many of us own personal computers at home, belong to Internet networking systems in work environments, and yet don't understand the very basics regarding Internet Security. While we've all heard terms like worms, spyware and Trojan horse...
- Internet Specialist 101 The role of an Internet Specialist in today's business marketplace is in exceptionally high demand. The Internet is a global web of interconnected networks that contains an immense amount of information. It has transformed how businesses conduct commer...
- Internet Fundamentals 101 Are you in the dark about how the Internet works? Do you wonder how in the world it is possible to communicate with someone on another continent in the blink of an eye? This straightforward course clearly and plainly lays out the basics of the Internet i...
- Microsoft Project 2007 Microsoft Project 2007 is a project management software that helps project managers better structure, organize, and plan for all their projects. This includes budgets, tasks, resources, assignments, and everything in between. It can create critical pat...
- MS Publisher 2010 Microsoft Publisher 2010 is a desktop publishing software program that comes with the Microsoft Office suite. While Microsoft Word is a word processing program, Microsoft Publisher is used for page layout and design. You can use Publisher to create brochu...
| | | |
| |
| |
