INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING
SYLLABUS
William Holmes
Office: W4-141; Hours: Monday, 2:45-4:15; Wednesday, 2:45-4:15pm;
Phone: 617-287-7328; FAX: 617-287-7274; Email: william.holmes@umb.edu
Webpage: http://faculty.umb.edu/william_holmes/
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
There are nine short written assignments and seven projects. The written assignments involve commenting on and discussing reading materials. The projects involve creating databases, PowerPoint presentations, a Web Page, and a pamphlet or brochure.. The grade is based on the assignments, projects, and class participation. Assignments are based on reading and commenting on content in web links. The assignments are worth 36% of your grade (4 points each). The projects are worth 56% of your grade (8 points each). Assignments are graded on completeness and accuracy of information requested. Projects are graded on completeness, utility, and esthetics of the project. Class participation is worth 10% (10 points). Grades for participation are based on relevance and professionalism of comments and questions and participation in at least 2 chat sessions. Assignments and projects may be submitted by Blackboard assignment function, in class, or by email.
HYBRID COURSE AND ONLINE CHATS
This is a hybrid course. Some weeks will be online. During such weeks, an online asynchronous, typed chat session will be held from 4:30-5:30 on Wednesdays, except for September 17 and 24 (weeks 3 and 4) or if otherwise notified. There will be five online chat sessions. Students are expected to participate in at least three chat sessions. There may also be a synchronous, audio chat Wimba session in place of a regular chat session. Wimba sessions require a microphone and headset. The URL for Blackboard is: https://umb.umassonline.net. The online weeks are noted below.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to attend class, read the assignments, and participate in class discussions. Plagiarism is forbidden. Collaborative projects may be permitted if discussed with the professor. Adherence to professional standards of behavior is expected, including the University's code of conduct. Students who have a disability that requires an accommodation are encouraged to discuss this with Dr. Holmes or with the campus Ross Disability Center. Students who must miss a class are encouraged to notify the professor in advance by email or phone. No use of electronic communication or recording equipment is permitted in the class without the permission of the instructor.
Readings are a combination of web links and text. The required text is Salkind Excel Statistics: a Quick Guide. 2nd Ed. Sage Pub. Students are encouraged to expand the content with your own web searching. Because web links change over time, the reading list may be revised as announced in class. A recommended reference is: Microsoft 2010, the Missing Manual. , which contains summary information on Microsoft Office 2010. It is available as a PDF document or a printed version from:
http://it-ebooks.info/book/105/
SESSION TOPICS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND PROJECTS
1. EMAIL/INTERNET. SEPT. 3 (WED.), IN CLASS, NO CHAT.
Assignment 1: read the web links, note at least one thing you learned about each of the following: Emailing, File Attachments, File Compressing or Unzipping, and file encryption. Write a one or two page summary of what you have learned. This will be graded on the basis of the importance of what you have learned to emailing, creativity and accuracy of what you choose to write about, and clarity of your writing. Due Week Two, Sept. 10.
Readings:
Internet and email,
http://www.ici.umb.edu/family/internet.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_mailing_list
Attachments and file transfer
http://www.goldmark.org/netrants/no-word/attach.html
http://www.pc-shareware.com/unziphow.htm
http://www.pc-shareware.com/unzip.htm
File encryption
https://ssd.eff.org/tech/encryption
http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1181
2. SPREADSHEETS, SEPT. 8, 10, IN CLASS, NO CHAT
Readings: pages 1-10, 24-25, 100-101 in Salkind Excel book. Also review Example Excel Spreadsheet. Project 1: create a spreadsheet that uses a formula and Average function that references a different worksheet. Due week Sept. 17.
3. SPREADSHEETS (CONT’D), SEPT 15, 17, ONLINE, CHAT on Monday, Sept 15.
COMPARING MEANS
Readings: Chapter 9 in Salkind and
COMPARING COUNTS
Reading
HTTP://www.excel-easy.com/examples/frequency-distribution.html
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liRkhrOKQKQ
Project 2: create a spreadsheet that contains data that is graphed as a frequency distribution. This needs at least two columns of data. Due Sept 21.
4. PEDs, ONLINE, SEPT. 22, 24. ONLINE, NO CHAT
Assignment 2: read the web links, note at least one thing you learned about each of the following: Cellular communication, WiFi, and BlueTooth. Summarize one App you have used on a smartphone or one you would like to use. This will be graded on the basis of accuracy, the importance of what you have learned to personal electronic devices, , and clarity of your writing. Due Sept 28.
Wireless Technology and Bluetooth
http://aspin.asu.edu/projects/wireless/introduction.html
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/bluetooth.htm
Smart Phones and Cellular Communication
http://communication.howstuffworks.com/smartphone.htm
http://articles.directorym.com/Introduction_Of_Smartphone-a973937.html
http://www.gsmpress.com/eng/reviews-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-introduction.html
5. DATABASE INTRODUCTION, SEPT 29, OCT 1, IN CLASS, NO CHAT.
Assignment 3: read the web links, write up two pages in which you describe what is a database, and specify an elementary aspect of databases, an intermediate aspect of databases, and attach a form used in your workplace that might be used in a database. This will be graded on the basis of the accuracy of description, importance of what you have learned to databases, creativity of what you choose to write about, and clarity of your writing. Due Oct. 5.
Elementary intro to databases
http://www.geekgirls.com/databases_from_scratch_1.htm
http://authors.aspalliance.com/aspxtreme/ado/basicdbconcepts.aspx
Intermediate intro to databases
http://www2.bus.orst.edu/faculty/brownc/lectures/db_tutor/relational_model.htm
6. DATABASE ORGANIZATION, OCT 6, 8, IN CLASS, NO CHAT
Project 3: Use the form attached to your previous assignment to list the fields you will need for a database of that form. Create this database and provide a copy of the list and the database. Grades will be based on the appropriateness of the database to the form. Due Oct 12.
Database Structure
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access/HA012139541033.aspx
http://www.uic.edu/depts/accc/seminars/access2000-intro/databases.html
http://www.fontstuff.com/ebooks/free/fsDatabaseStructure.pdf
7. DATABASE USE: ASSESSMENT AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION, OCT 15, ONLINE, CHAT (MONDAY HOLIDAY)
Assignment 5: read the web links. Think of a way the information from your form database can be used for assessing, diagnosing, or classifying individuals or a way in which the information can be used in allocating resources or services from your agency. Write a short paper on how the information can be used for this purpose. Mention limitations of the information that might create a problem for this usage. Propose an addition to the database that would reduce this limitation. Due October 19.
Readings:
http://databases.about.com/od/access/l/aaaccess1.htm
8. DATABASE USE: PROGRAM MONITORING, OCT 20, 22, IN CLASS, NO CHAT
Assignment 6: read the web links. Describe three things you have learned about program monitoring with databases and discuss how they advance program objectives.. Due October 26.
Readings:
http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=796130369696615;res=IELHSS
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/res.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-7CDPLH?OpenDocument
http://www.dhcd.dc.gov/dhcd/lib/dhcd/info/pdf/foia/admini/4000-002.pdf
9. DATABASE USE: QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY, OCT. 27, 29, IN CLASS, NO CHAT
Assignment 7: Read the webpages. Describe three Quality Assurance standards or issues, and discuss what they are intended to achieve. Give an example from a program or agency with which you have worked. Due November 2.
Readings:
http://www.adp.cahwnet.gov/FactSheets/QA_Standards.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_quality_assurance
http://searchdatamanagement.techtarget.com/generic/0,295582,sid91_gci1245534,00.html
10. DATABASE COMMUNICATION AND FILE TRANSFER, NOV. 3, 5, ONLINE, CHAT
Assignment 8: Read the webpages. Identify and discuss three issues in transferring data from a database to a statistical program. Identify and discuss two issues in transferring data or information between PCs and Apple computers. Identify and discuss two issues in transferring data from one database program to another. Due November 9.
Readings:
http://www.macdisk.com/annexeen.php3
http://www.geocities.com/format_data_conversion/
11. WORD FILE TRANSFER AND GRAPHICS, NOV 10, 12, ONLINE CHAT
Assignment 9: describe two graphic formats, their advantages and disadvantages, and discuss when you would each. Due Nov. 16.
Readings:
http://forums.techguy.org/t190365/se5b425d0c9393c730ed466f6443bff6b.html
http://www.textcontrol.com/tx/docs/misc/ser/word/?tx=1&query=word
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnword2k/html/odc_expwordtoxml.asp
http://www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu/CompServices/FAQ/Software/MSWord/inserting_a_picture.htm
http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/TechWrite/info/word.html
12. WORD PAMPHLETS AND BROCHURES, NOV. 17, 19, IN CLASS, NO CHAT
Project 4: Create a pamphlet or a brochure, print and submit it. Be sure it has author and agency attribution. Due Nov. 23.
Readings:
http://www.flcc.edu/offices/science/biology/toolbox2pdf/CreatingBrochuresinMicrosoftWord.pdf
13. WEB PAGES NOV 24, 26, ONLINE, CHAT (THANKSGIVING)
Read the web pages. Project 5: Create a web page that describes a program and contains contact information. Be sure your name appears on the page. Submit the webpage. Due Nov. 30
Readings:
http://www.hostrock.com/web_page_basics.htm
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/authoring/html_basics/
http://aitt.acadiau.ca/resources/ppt/inet.htm
14. POWERPOINT BASICS, DEC 1, 3, ONLINE, CHAT
Read the assigned webpages. Project 6: Create a PowerPoint presentation that has a title page, a bullet page, and a chart. At least one of the pages must have a graphic image inserted into the file. Submit the presentation. Extra credit for doing presentation in class next week. Due Dec.7
Readings:
http://www.iupui.edu/~webtrain/tutorials/powerpoint2000_basics.html
http://www.mum.edu/helpdesk/tutorials/powerpoint-tut.html
http://www.quasar.ualberta.ca/edpy202/tutorial/PowerPoint/pptBasics/pptBasics.htm
15. POWERPOINT INTERACTIVE, DEC. 8, 10, IN CLASS, NO CHAT
Project 7: Add animation graphic, background color, and page transition to presentation and resubmit it. Due Dec 14.
Readings:
http://www.iupui.edu/~webtrain/tutorials/powerpoint2000_basics.html#transitions
http://www.eiu.edu/~mediasrv/Installing/installing.htm