Welcome to COMPUTER 107!

In this course, you will learn about Internet research and database usage. You'll learn 
search techniques, information retrieval and management, and evaluation of sources. 

Class topics include

 

• Evaluating websites
• Search engines and specialized search tools
• Choosing search terms
• Refining searches

Outcomes

 

By the end of the class, you should be able to:

• Identify and use appropriate electronic search tools in order to answer an information need.
• Create effective search strategies in order to retrieve relevant information.
• Assess information using reliability indicators in order to evaluate sources and choose appropriate sources.

Class Projects

1. Webliography

This project is the cornerstone of this course and will be worked on throughout the class sessions and at home. You will select a topic and use the tools that you developed in class to locate and evaluate relevant web sites and present it in APA format. Specific information about the assignment will be distributed separately. Informal presentations of your webliography will occur on the last day of class. This assessment is worth 70% of your overall grade.

2. In class "labs"

In each class, time will be set aside for “labs” that will reinforce the day’s lessons. Each lab will be related to your final project, creating time for you to work on your final project in class. Each lab is worth 10% of your overall grade; the three labs combined make up the remaining 30% of your overall grade.

Attendance

Lectures and in-class exercises are essention to your learning in this class. Your participation is essential to everyone's learning, so please participate in class discussions and ask questions!

If you miss one of the first three classes, you can make up the assignment and submit it in the next class. However, you will receive a 20% deduction for each class session that it is late. The only exception are medical emergencies (please note that a pre-scheduled doctor's appointment is not a medical emergency).