31/07/07 WK 1 Learning Computers

Week 1 Lecture

Introduction to UPC0004–Course Overview

Learning Outcome: Develop knowledge and skills for researching and interpreting data with the use of information resources.

Also Covered:

Course structure - 6 Modules including: Using computers, Communications, Information management, Research strategies, Building knowledge, Social and ethical issues

Assessment - 3 Tasks: Learning Log "Blog", Group assignment, Exam

Student responsibilities - Attend lectures, attend tutorials, complete all workshops, understand ECU plagiarism policy, check ECU email regularly, use Blackboard regularly

Communication with lecturers - Use ECU email to contact lecturers, use salutations, identify yourself with course name, code and Id

Module 1 – Basic Computing: Acquire necessary skills in order to be fluent with computers and associated programs

Workshop Summary

• Know how to use My ECU-Blackboard, SIMO, Student Email
• Set up a weblog
• Set up an account with Image Shack
• Produce a screen capture

Logging into SIMO
Login using username and password
Use SIMO for enrolment information such as class timetable

ECU email
Use ECU email to contact Lecturers and receive student information

Accessing Blackboard
Navigate using red tabs, in particular 'My ECU sites'
Down right hand side are currently enrolled units,
click on unit to access course information
Folders containing course information are displayed on green panel in new window (see below)
Including such things as announcements, unit resources and assessment

Assignment 1
Create a journal summarising the main points of each weeks lecture and workshop
Journal is worth 40% of grade
Journal will be marked in week 7 and 13

Week 1 Reading

PC and Lube - Articles explaining computer hardware, other information including papers on software engineering, programming techniques, understanding digital TVs and also areas of interest such as character encoding on the web and java script for the computer savvy.

How Stuff Works - Discusses the general components of a PC, including hardware and software; what it's used for and why. An informative article for the computer novice, especially when it comes to understanding the components most relevant to the social user. For example, what is a graphics card and where is the CPU? I could have really used this information when I began using computers, not familiar with the computer parts and lingo, I had a hard time getting assistance when troubleshooting.