COSC1078 Introduction to
Information Technology
Lecture 1
Introduction
James Harland
james.harland@rmit.edu.au
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Overview
 Introduction (and the role of frogs )
 Course Material and Scope
 Assessment
 Questions?
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Introduction
•
•
•
•
•
James Harland
Email: james.harland@rmit.edu.au
URL: www.cs.rmit.edu.au/~jah
Phone: 9925 2045
Office: 14.10.1 (Building 14, level 10, room 1)
Consultation: TBA
What do chocolate frogs have
to do with anything?
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
What is IT?
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Introduction to IT
Course objectives
 Exposure to concepts and language of IT
 Some specific technical knowledge (images, audio,
video)
 Experience in talking and writing about IT
 Some practice in research on IT topics
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Introduction to IT
1 Introduction
2 Images
3 Audio
4 Video
WebLearn Test 1
5 Binary Representation
Assignment 1
6 Data Storage
7 Machine Processing
8 Operating Systems
WebLearn Test 2
9 Processes
Assignment 2
10 Internet
11 Internet Security
WebLearn Test 3
12 Future of IT
Assignment 3, Peer and Self Assessment
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Lectures
 24 hours during semester
 Should be “inspirational”
 Will not cover every technical detail in the course
 Aimed to give an overview and motivation
 “Big picture”
 Time for questions !!
 Will follow the book
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Book
 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(3rd Edition) CUSTOM PRINT, Pearson, 2011
ISBN 978-1-4425-5658-4
 Custom printed combination of two other books
 Designed especially for this course
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Tutorials
 Start this week
 Classes of up to 24
 Tutor will answer questions related to materials
 Good place for individual feedback
 Peer and self assessment
 Peer learning groups (5 or 6)
 Assessed on process, not product
 Assessed in last tutorial
 Trial assessments in weeks 4 and 8
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Tutorials
 Tutor as “guide on the side”
 Will answer questions and provide guidance
 NOT “sit down and listen”
 “re-arrange desks, sit down and get to work in groups”
Lecture 1: Complexity
Computing Theory
Lab Classes
 Start in week 2 (next week)
 Work on practical exercises and sometimes assignment
materials
 Lab assists present to help and an answer questions
 Details will be in the Learning Hub
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Assessment
 Assignment Part1 (Images & Audio)
10%
 Assignment Part 2 (Hardware)
10%
 Assignment Part 3 (Research and Reflect) 20%
 Online tests (3 x 5%, 2 best)
10%
 Peer and self assessment
10%
 Exam
40%
Need to pass both exam and assignment
component
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Assessment Process
 Submit all assignments via Blackboard in the
Learning Hub
 Assignment 1 due 11.59pm Sunday 2nd April
 Assignment 2 due 11.59pm Sunday 6th May
 Assignment 3 due 11.59pm Sunday 27th May
 Late assignments attract a penalty of 10% per
day late, up to a maximum of 50%
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Assignment
 Assignment will be in three parts
 Overall task is to produce a video
 Groups of up to 6
 Assessed by final video and group blog
 Part 1: images and audio (end of week 5)
 Part2: hardware (end of week 9)
 Part 3: reflection, research (end of week 12)
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Web Tests
Three online tests via Blackboard system
 Week 4
 Week 8
 Week 11
 Multiple choice
 Designed to assess and give feedback on understanding
 5% of mark for each test
 Best 2 used to make up your overall mark
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Exam
 Sometime in June
 Designed to supplement other assessments
 Sample exam and solutions will available
 Will have at least one question 
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Where is this building?
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
RMIT Study Tours
 Two (or three) week visit overseas
 Visit interesting sites, work on joint project
 Credit for a 12-point elective
 Various ones exist now, but not in CS&IT (look under Global
Passport on the RMIT site)
 Where is a good place for IT study tours?
Silicon Valley (Google, Yahoo, Apple, HP, …)
RMIT Vietnam
UK (Bletchley Park, Science Museum, Manchester, Cambridge, …)
???
Lecture 1: Introduction
SE Fundamentals
To Ponder …
How does Google work?
query
data
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT
Conclusion
GET THE
BOOK!
 Go to tutorials this week!
 No labs this week
 Check details in Course Guide
 Start reading (notes, problems, report topic)
Lecture 1: Introduction
Intro to IT