EdTech-513 Course Syllabus

[ Course ] [ Meeting ] [ Instructor ] [ Goals ] [ Textbook ] [ Grading ] [ Policies ] [ Expectations ]

Azusa Pacific University
Accelerated Degree Program
B.S. in Computer Information Systems

— MCIS-420 —
Telecommunications & Interfacing

APU Mission Statement:

Azusa Pacific University is an Evangelical Christian community of disciples and scholars who seek to advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence in liberal arts and professional programs of higher education which encourage students to develop a Christian perspective of truth and life.

At the Faculty/Staff Dinner on August 30, 2001, APU President, Dr. Jon Wallace, identified the following Bible verse as our guide for 2001-2002:

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Course
Information:

Course Description:

Students study the principles, theories, and applications of computer networking. Topics include hardware, software, standards, transmission vehicles, local area networks, protocols, network interfacing and performance, types of networks, case studies, and design of a local area network.

Specific Focus of this Session:

This course is an exploration of networking and operating concepts, especially as they apply to an educational technology specialist. Special emphasis is upon the comparison of the major microcomputer operating systems, especially MacOS, Windows, & Linux. The experience with networking concepts and network design using current media and interconnection devices, such as hubs, switches, routers, etc.

Credit:

3 Units

Prerequisite:

Participation in a cohort in the MCIS Program.

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Meeting
Information:

Class Term:

Fall 1 (2001) classes will meet on dates defined below...

Class Meetings:

Azusa West Campus —
September 25, 2001 and
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 2001

Rooms:

Mary Hill Center (Room 305)

Class Hours:

Class Hours: 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

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Instructor
Information:

Prof. Gerald Boerner

Instructor:

Prof. Gerald Boerner
Associate Professor,

Azusa Pacific University
School of Education (EDUCABS)
Dept. of Advanced Studies/
Educational Technology Program

Contact Information:

Office Phone: (626) 815-5322
Office FAX: (626) 815-5416
Office Location: APU West Campus, Room 126

Email:

jb_mcisclass@boerner.net (Background Communication)

jboerner@boerner.net (Routine Communication)

jboerner@apu.edu (Urgent Communication)

Website:

http://www.boerner.net/academic/apu_courses/mcis-420

Online Support Course:

http://www.blackboard.com/courses/MCIS420/

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Course
Goals &
Objectives:

Course Goal:

This course is designed to introduce the student to the general technologies associated with the areas of networking and microcomputer operating systems with a special focus on preparing educational technology specialists that can interface between the curriculum and technical support departments within a school and/or district.

Objectives:

The student will learn basic terminology associated with the networking and operating systems areas.

The student will gain a historical perspective of the evolution of computer networks and operating systems, especially as they aid in the delivery of classroom instruction.

The student will demonstrate an understanding of basic networking concepts, especially those necessary for designing and building computer networks (media, topologies, protocols, interconnection devices, etc.).

The student will be able to use the basic commands and techniques of the major operating systems, especially Windows and MacOS ; secondary attention will be given to the specialized Linux and Network Operating Systems (NOSs).

The student will develop skills in searching for resources on the Web and developing activities for their students to learn such skills.

The student will examine and critically analyze major issues surrounding networking and operating systems in our society, in general, and in the school, in particular.

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Required
Materials:

Textbooks:

Required Textbook:

Gorman, Mary S. & S. Todd Stubbs. (2001) Introduction to Operating Systems: A Survey Course. Cambridge, MA: South-Western Computer Education (Course Technologies, Inc.).
[ISBN: 05387-24056]
Keogh, James. (2000) The Essential Guide to Networking. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: PTR/Sun Microsystems Press.
[ISBN: 01303-05480]

Recommended Supplemental Text:

Gookin, Dan. (1998) Dan Gookin Teaches Windows 98. Indianapolis, IN: QUE Books.
[ISBN: 07897-16887]
maranGraphics. (2000) Linux: Your Visual Blueprint to the Linux Platform. Foster City, CA: IDG Books Worldwide.
[ISBN: 07645-34815]

Software:

Internet access through either APU or an ISP of the student’s choice.

An email account and appropriate email reader.

Adobe Acrobat 4.0 Reader (available free from the Adobe Web Site).

Laptop computer with all course software used during the program.

Appropriate software, as needed, to complete the portfolio; this will typically include an Office Suite (word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, & database) and a current generation of web browser (Microsoft's Internet Explorer 5.x or Netscape's Navigator 4.6+).

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Grading
Policies:

Grading Policy:

NOTE: All assignments and exams must be successfully completed and submitted according to specifications to fulfill the requirements of this course. Attendance is expected at all class meetings.

All components of this course must be completed at a satisfactory level to obtain Credit and complete the degree requirements. These components include:

Participation and Attendance (200 points)
Quizzes & Exams —
- "Warm-Up Activity" exercises (the beginning of each class)
- Midterm & Final (Terminology & Concepts) (250 points)
Reports — (400 points)
- Mini-Reports (Networking Devices/ 100 points)
- Major Group Report (Network Design Project/ 200 points)
- Collaboration Evidence (within the Group area of Blackboard/ 50 points)
- Feedback and Critiques of Group Projects (50 points)
Hands-On Activities — (150 points)
- Reflections to Discussion Board Postings (QuickWrites)
- Webliographies Contributions (Web Links)
- Web Field Trips (In-class explorations)

Grading Scale

Grading will be based upon the following schedule:

A: 800-1000 points
B: 650-799 points
C: 500-649 points
F: Less than 500 points

While it is expected that every student may earn an "A", the average grade for a graduate class is generally considered to be a "B".

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Course
Policies:

Academic Integrity:

The maintenance of academic integrity and quality education is the responsibility of each student at Azusa Pacific University. It is expected that all students will do their own work. Cheating or plagiarism will result in failure of this class. Academic dishonesty is a serious offense that diminishes the quality of scholarship and defrauds those who depend upon the integrity of the educational system. In the Ed Tech program this includes use of templates, web designs, and any unauthorized material (i.e., graphics used without permission, etc.)

Copying/Plagiarism Policy:

Copying violates APU’s Standards of Student Conduct. It is expected that all students will do their own work in the class and that they will not copy either other students’ work or related software for the class. Copying of any kind will result in failure of this class.

Admission to Graduate Program Required:

Students must be admitted to the Ed Tech program before beginning this class in order to receive credit.

Attendance/Tardy Policy:

Students are expected to adhere to timely attendance to class. Please email the professor prior to an absence if it is necessary to miss the class. Students are expected to hand all work in on time and/or get notes from other class members if absent.

Arrival on time and attendance at every class meeting is expected of each student. Absences and tardies can result in a reduction of the final course grade by one full letter grade. Assignments turned in 1 week late will be given partial credit. No coursework will be accepted 2 weeks late or after the final session of the class. Students may not miss more than 2 sessions to receive credit for the class.

Disability Accommodation:

Any student in this course who has a disability that might prevent him/her from fully demonstrating his/her abilities should meet with an advisor in the Learning Enrichment Center as soon as possible to initiate disability verification and discuss accommodations that may be necessary to ensure your full participation in the successful completion of course requirements.

Students entitled to these special accommodations should contact me after the first class session to arrange for a modification consistent with your approved educational plan. The goal is to ensure full participation and completion of course requirements.

Withdrawal and/or Dropping the Class:

Students must follow the timelines prescribed by the University for withdrawing from the class. Failure to do so will result in a grade of "F"! Every effort will be made to accommodate special circumstances that may interfere with the completion of the course according to the standard timeline, including incompletes.

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Course
Expectations:

I expect students to meet the following intellectual involvement in this course:

This is a Master’s degree level course leading to a practical and theoretical overview of educational technology. Students are expected to complete required reading, listen, take notes, actively participate in class activities, arrive at research-based conclusions, complete individual and group projects in a timely manner, and discuss current issues in educational technology. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing require Azusa Pacific University to certify that students in three unit courses of this type are expected to spend three hours of work for each hour in class. There are approximately 40 hours of instruction scheduled in this course.

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