Research & Information
Technology RIT
Prof. Rob Bobeldyk
IDIS 110h
Calvin Catalog description of IDIS 110
“A first-year introduction to the computer and to
college-level research skills, making full, but
discriminating use of current electronic
information technology and the resources of
the Hekman Library, with a discussion of the
cultural impact of computer technology and the
ethical responsibilities of its users.”
What does that really mean?
The ability to conduct quality college-level
research using new information technologies;
The ability to employ computer technology to
formulate and communicate ideas;
A genuine understanding of the information
systems that operate in so many areas of
the world and our lives.
Key Components
Breakout sessions
Work outside of class
Plenary sessions
Workshops
Wrapup
Breakout Sessions
This is your first breakout session.
– Each breakout will start with a survey in KnightVision.
This is how attendance will be taken.
Discussion of plenary session and reading
assignments.
Hands-on & Group exercises
to encourage critical thinking about information
technology or to prepare for outside of class work.
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Work Outside of Class
All are available from KnightVision
WebBook readings
skills Tutorials
simple assignments
online Portfolio
Work Outside of Class: WebBook
 online (free!) textbook
 7 chapters
Each chapter relates to one of the plenary
sessions.
Required online quiz associated with each
chapter.
Work Outside of Class: Tutorials
 6 Mandatory online tutorials introducing computer skills
– You must pass all 6 quizzes to pass the course.
– You may take each quiz multiple times.
– The sample exercises are not manditory.
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Operating Systems 8/10
Word Processing – Microsoft Word 16/20
Web Authoring – Macromedia Dreamweaver 16/20
Multimedia – Digital camera, scanners, sound 16/20
Presentation Software – Microsoft PowerPoint 16/20
Spreadsheets – Microsoft Excel 16/20
 2 Optional Tutorials
– Email – Webmail (Optional)
– Web Browsing – Internet Explorer (Optional)
Work Outside of Class: Assignments
Various assignments may be assigned in the
breakout session.
These assignments are due the next breakout
session.
Assignments will build upon skills and concepts
introduced in RIT.
Most of these will generate material for
your online portfolio
Electronic Portfolio
An important project for today’s college student
 Web-based information about you and an
exhibition of your abilities:
– Creating documents: introduction and resume
– Presentation graphics or multimedia
– Spreadsheet
Update this over the course of your Calvin career.
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6 Plenary Sessions
These relate to the WebBook reading
Feb. 11:
The Changing Nature of Information:
The Digital Library
Feb. 25: Anatomy of the Computer
March 11: Modeling Reality with Computers
April 1:
Networking
April 15: Moral and Ethical Considerations
May 13: Critical Evaluation of Information
Technology
Plenary Sessions (cont.)
Students must sit with their section at Plenary.
– Seating chart will be on the screen at the first Plenary.
Sign-in sheet for this section will passed
around at beginning of plenary session.
– You must sign in to receive credit for attending.
– Signing in for another student constitutes academic
dishonesty.
– Incidents will be referred to Student Life office.
Online quiz on plenary must be completed
by midnight of the next day.
– You will not receive credit for this quiz if you did
not sign in at the plenary.
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Workshops
These will be held in this classroom during your
breakout time during certain plenary weeks.
Two Research Workshops
One Web-authoring Workshop
Workshop: Research
Conducted by Hekman Library staff.
Hands-on experience with digital research tools
What is college level research?
Use of information technology in research
– Misconception: “It’s all on the WWW…”
– Actually, a very small portion of quality sources is
available on the free, public Web.
Evaluating Sources
– Is the source credible
– Misconception: “It’s on the WWW; it must be true.”
Workshop: Web-Page Authoring
Conducted by CIT staff.
Assistance with creating web pages using
Dreamweaver
Being able to use Dreamweaver is the basis for
your portfolio.
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Grading
Skills Tutorials:
Assignments and Portfolio work
WebBook and Plenary quizzes
Exercises in Breakouts and Workshops:
– attendance and attentiveness
• Email, web surfing, IMing (unless assigned by instructor)
will result in an unexcused absence for the session.
– in-class exercises
Help!
How do I keep this all straight
– Answer: KnightVision
– Send email or call me if you have any questions
Help is available in the “Digital Studio” in the ITC
– 1st floor of the Hekman Library
– Hours are limited. See sign on the Digital Studio.
Login to KnightVision
Review where material is found
Take quiz
Note: In all KnightVision surveys, your answers are
completely anonymous even though KnightVision
will give you credit for completing the survey)