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readme.md

Information Technologies

Section: INFO 654-04
Credits: 3
Day and Time: Wednesday 06:30PM - 09:20PM Eastern Time
Location: Remote Zoom Room (see email from us for link) [If zoom overall is having issues, we'll email you a link to a backup/alternative meeting plan]

Instructors:

  • Ashley Blewer (please call me "Ashley", pronouns are she/her/hers)
    • ashley.blewer at gmail dot com
    • (803) 403-5013
  • Josh Hadro (please call me "Josh", pronouns are he/him/his)
    • josh.hadro at gmail dot com
    • (917) 428-4152

Office Hours: by appointment

Tech Tutor(s) for Fall 2020:
Email: [email protected]

Course Collaborative Notes
https://etherpad.wikimedia.org/p/prattsi654fa20-1
[increment last digit for subsequent class numbers, e.g. -2 for class session 2, -6 for class session 6, etc.]
N.B. These notes are technically public, and will persist as long as Wikimedia maintains the Etherpad software.

Course WordPress site:
https://commons.pratt.edu/prattsi654fa20/ (invitations and logins to come)

Assignments https://github.com/hadro/info654fa20/tree/master/assignments

Course hashtag #INFO654 (this is optional!)

Course Description

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of computing and networking, with an emphasis on the role these technologies play in creating, manipulating, storing, and accessing information. Topics essential to the work done by information professionals will be highlighted: web technologies, database concepts, markup languages, data management, and design and accessibility. Students will conduct frequent hands-on activities to acquire skills that are immediately applicable to working with information technologies. The course will explore recent trends in technology within information organizations, preparing students for their roles as information professionals and providing the foundation for future technology-related coursework.

The goals of this course are to:

  • Introduce fundamental concepts of information technology infrastructure, internet, and web design principles

  • Develop a general understanding of the information technologies used for creating, managing, storing, and accessing information

  • Understand contemporary issues and trends in the development and changes of information technologies and their impact on information organizations

Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:

  • Understand, use, discuss, and be able to help others with core computing technologies, including hardware, operating systems, software applications, Internet/web technologies and assistive technologies.

  • Evaluate different technologies to determine the most appropriate infrastructure, systems, and tools needed to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

  • Be able to use up-to-date web technologies to edit and maintain a substantial website.

  • Ability to use critical approaches when evaluating information technologies, including the evaluation of technology-related current events.

NOTES:

  • Aspects of this course are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Any modifications will be announced and documented in a timely fashion.

  • This is not necessarily a skills class. Although we will study and use specific technologies, such as HTML, CSS and other related tools, the focus of the course will be on the role of these technologies in the information professions, not necessarily on full expertise in the skills themselves.

  1. Prerequisites

This is a graduate-level technology course. Although there are no academic prerequisites, prior to enrolling in SI, students must be proficient in the skills listed in "The SI Student Technology Expectations" adopted and distributed to students since July 2006 (see attached at end of syllabus). The course will move along under this assumption and SI faculty will provide no remedial assistance during or outside of class.

  1. Technology Tutoring

Pratt SI offers technology tutorial assistance to students taking 654 and other courses. Assistance with development components of assignments should be directed to the tutor. The tutoring service is managed through the SI office and is available 20 hours a week either by walk-in or appointment. For information on hours of operation, contact the SI office or see above.

Class Schedule

August 26 --- Introduction and Information Technology Basics

In class: We will meet each other, learn about the class, and set up WordPress blog profiles!

Readings with an * can sometimes be behind a paywall. A copy has been saved in the /readings folder.

A list of slides will become available here.

September 02 --- The Internet, Networks, and Protocols

Due: Technology and Service Inspiration Post 1

Readings:

September 09 --- Web Design Basics: HTML (LAB)

Due: Reflection Post 1

Readings:

Optional, web history:

Technical resources:

September 16 --- Web Design Basics: CSS (LAB)

Readings:

Technical resources:

Bonus:

September 23 --- File Formats and Web Design Wrap-up

Due: Technology and Service Inspiration Post 2

Readings:

Resources:

September 30 --- Usability, User Experience, and Universal Design

Due: Reflection Post 2

Readings:

Resources:

October 07 --- Structured Data, XML, and JSON (LAB)

Readings:

October 14 --- APIs and Linked Data (LAB)

Due: Personal homepage

Readings:

October 21 --- Technology Law and Ethics

Readings:

Resources:

October 28 --- Data analysis and visualization, and privacy/security/content moderation

Due: Technology and Service Inspiration Post 3

Readings:

Resources:

November 04 --- Content Management, Digital Asset Management, Digital Preservation

Readings:

References:

November 11 --- Blank Technology Canvas Pitch Presentations Feedback

Due: Blank Technology Canvas Pitch Presentations

November 18 --- Blank Technology Canvas Pitch Presentations Feedback

Due: Reflection Post 3

November 25 --- NO CLASS!

December 02 --- Databases and Structured Queries (LAB)

Readings:

Extra reading (useful to try in conjunction with reading directly above):

December 09 --- Information Technology of the Future, and Wrap-up

Due: Blank Technology Canvas Final Report Site

Readings:

Textbooks, Readings and Materials

There is no textbook for this class. Reading and materials are indicated in the above weekly schedule.

There are no texts that are required purchases for this course. All required readings are provided directly or will be available online. It is expected that you will complete all assigned readings and tutorials before the class session. Links to all assigned materials will be available in the syllabus and posted on Github.

Suggested Texts, Sites, and Lists

Given that technology develops at such a rapid pace, online outlets are more suited to giving the background that will give students a useful understanding of current issues in the information fields. It is highly recommended that students follow at least some of the sites and lists provided below with some regularity.

Library-related outlets featuring significant technology coverage:

http://planet.code4lib.org/
http://code4lib.org/
http://weaveux.org/
http://hacklibraryschool.com/
http://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/
http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/
http://www.dlib.org/
http://firstmonday.org/
http://www.libraryinnovation.org/
http://lj.libraryjournal.com/category/technology/
https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/

Email lists and Newsletters:

Also recommended more general publications:

Coding tutorials:

Projects, Papers, and Assignments

All graded assignments must be added to the class WordPress blog or emailed to the instruction before class on the due date (unless otherwise noted). If there is a medical or personal reason for absences or late homework assignments, you must present your excuse in advance and in writing, via email. Students who do not give advance notice and receive approval will be subject to a 10% of grade per-day penalty on late homework assignments. Late assignments will receive a grade, but may not receive feedback. Assignments more than 4 days late will not be graded (and will earn a "0") unless you have prior written approval from your instructor.

  1. Reflection Posts (25%)
  2. Technology and Service Inspiration Posts (10%)
  3. Personal Homepage (20%)
  4. Blank Technology Canvas Presentation (10%)
  5. Blank Technology Canvas Report (25%)
  6. News of the Week (5%)
  7. Class discussion and participation (5%)

Reflection Posts (25%)

Students will contribute three significant posts to the class blog over the course of the semester. Initial topic suggestions and a non-exhaustive list of potential sources will be distributed the first day of class. The posts should be a minimum of 700 words in length, and must include: an excerpted portion, quote, or embed (with Fair Use criteria in mind see Fair Use appendix below) and direct link to the source; a brief summary or explanation of the material with comment on how the material was discovered; and the student's reflection, drawing connections and parallels to material covered in class and/or ongoing concerns to the library and archives communities. A separate assignment sheet with specific blog post and format criteria will be distributed the first day of class.

Technology and Service Inspiration Posts (10%)

Students will contribute three brief (150 word minimum) posts to the class blog over the course of the semester. The posts should include: an excerpted portion, quote, or embed (with Fair Use criteria in mind; see Fair Use appendix below) and direct link to the source; and a brief summary or explanation of the connection of the technology inspiration source to the provision of service in an information resource setting. A separate assignment sheet with specific blog post and format criteria will be distributed the first day of class.

Personal Homepage (20%)

Using skills, tools, and technique introduced in class, students will create a linked series of web documents featuring biographical information, images, and outbound links relevant to student interests. Required elements will include: a home page, three additional linked pages, an external style sheet, hidden commented code in both HTML and CSS documenting sections and style choices, at least one web-optimized image on each page, inclusions of alt tags for accessibility, and at least one HTML table element. The personal homepage should demonstrate the cumulative knowledge of coding and design skills covered in the course, as well as the integration of design considerations from other sites and examples discussed in class. Students will host all files on the server space provided by the Pratt Institute. A separate assignment sheet with explicit requirements will be distributed in class.

Blank Technology Canvas Pitch Presentation (10%)

The ability to pitch ideas effectively to a group and to integrate feedback are essential skills in any information profession. As a precursor to the Blank Technology Canvas Proposal Report, students will prepare a roughly five-minute in-class presentation, covering a proposed vision for the space, their inspirations, and other relevant elements supporting their proposal. Students will have the option of using PowerPoint, Prezi (free education version), or other tools (upon approval) to create the presentation. A separate assignment sheet will be distributed in class.

Blank Technology Canvas Proposal Site (25%)

For this exercise, students will draft a proposal to develop a large information service space for a user demographic of their choice. Students will work under the assumption that a parent organization has set aside space dedicated for this purpose, and have already secured funding to award to a meritorious proposal. Basic IT and broadband infrastructure are a given, but further potential uses for the space will stem from the student's vision. The proposal should take into account the specific needs of a particular target user demographic, and will also require that students consider potential partner organizations as well as areas of potential expansion. Likewise, students will include with the proposal examples of sites -- real or conceptual -- that served as inspiration. Students will receive feedback on their proposed ideas in class before embarking on the final proposal report. A separate assignment sheet detailing specifications and requirements will be distributed in class.

News of the Week (5%)

A huge part of understanding technology is simply the ability to pay attention to new developments and connect them with relevant contexts including prior events. In order to cultivate habits of actively paying attention to technology news and connecting new stories to past contexts, students will be asked to be prepared to share one technology-related news article at the beginning of each class session and very briefly articulate the relevance of the article they've chosen.

Pratt's Grading Scale

  • Superior work: A 4.0 (96-100) A- 3.7 (90-95)
  • Very good work: B+ 3.3 (87-89) B 3.0 (83-86) B-2.7 (80-82)
  • Marginally satisfactory: C+ 2.3 (77-79) C 2.0 (73-76)
  • Failed: F 0.0 (0-72)

Portfolio

Work completed for this course may be included in your portfolio. For more information on each program's portfolio requirements, please visit the program's respective webpage:

You are encouraged to meet with your advisor about including projects in your portfolio.

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance at all class meetings is required. A student who must be absent from a class meeting still has certain responsibilities:

  • To inform the instructor in advance, or if advance notice is not possible, as soon after the absence as possible to arrange for delivery to the instructor of any assignment due at the class meeting.

  • To obtain notes, handouts, etc. from a classmate (in anticipation of this need, each student is advised to exchange contact information with one or two others in the class).

  • Points are deducted for: unexcused absences, coming late to class, or leaving class early.

  • Active participation includes, but is not limited to the following:

    • Being involved in class discussions.

    • Asking relevant questions, debating, or challenging points.

    • Suggesting new ways of looking at things.

    • Volunteering to take notes, organizing activities and helping other students.

Written Work:

Students should always keep copies of all assignments that are turned in. In the case of a piece of written work becoming lost, regardless of fault, it is the responsibility of the student to provide a second copy.

Academic Integrity Code

Academic integrity at Pratt means using your own and original ideas in creating academic work. It also means that if you use the ideas or influence of others in your work, you must acknowledge them. For more information on Pratt’s Academic Integrity Standards, please visit http://bit.ly/prattacademicintegrity.

Students with Disabilities and Accessibility

Pratt Institute is committed to the full inclusion of all students. If you are a student with a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Learning/Access Center (L/AC) at [email protected] to schedule an appointment to discuss these accommodations. Students with disabilities who have already registered with the L/AC are encouraged to speak to the professor about accommodations they may need to produce an accessible learning environment.

Requests for accommodation should be made as far in advance as reasonably possible to allow sufficient time to make any necessary modifications to ensure the relevant classes, programs, or activities are readily accessible. The Learning/Access Center is available to Pratt students,confidentially, with additional resources and information to facilitate full access to all campus programs and activities and provide support related to any other disability-related matters. For more information, please visit http://www.pratt.edu/accessibility/.

Human Rights, Equity, BERT, and Title IX

Pratt Institute seeks to provide an environment that is free of bias, discrimination, and harassment. If you have been the victim of harassment, discrimination, bias, or sexual misconduct, we encourage you to report this.

If you inform me (your professor) of an issue of harassment, discrimination or bias, or sexual misconduct I will keep the information as private as I can, but I am required to bring it to the attention of the institution’s Title IX Coordinator. You can access Title IX services by emailing [email protected]. You can also speak to someone confidentially by contacting our non-mandatory reporters: Health Services at 718-399-4542, Counseling Services 718-687-5356 or Campus Ministries 718-596-4840.

In cases of Bias, this information may go to our Bias Education & Response Taskforce (BERT). You can contact BERT by either reaching out directly via [email protected] or by contacting the BERT Co-Chair and Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Esmilda Abreu. For more information, please refer to the Community Standards webpage: http://bit.ly/prattcommunitystandards.

Communication

The best way to contact the instructor via email ([email protected] and [email protected]). I will make every effort to respond within 24 hours during the school week, though there may be a delay on weekends (weekends are important for everyone!). Should this communication preference change, you will be notified in advance. For questions pertaining to upcoming assignments, make sure to contact us well in advance of the deadline such that you can receive the necessary help prior to the deadline.

Student Agreement

Attendance at this class signifies that the student has agreed to abide by and adhere to the policies and regulations specified above. It is understood that the instructor may adapt or change this syllabus and the assignments contained within it according to circumstances that may arise during the course of the class.

Appendix: On Fair Use

Fair use is an extremely important facet of the information industry, and is an essential component of the law to understand and be able to clearly communicate to patrons, researchers, students, and anyone else who might benefit from fair use.

17 U.S. Code § 107 - Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include---

(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;

(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;

(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and

(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.

---

The following are the best and most succinct informal criteria for fair use I've heard:

  1. Are you using the material to illustrate a specific point that you're trying to make?

  2. Are you only using so much as is necessary to make that point?

  3. Is it clear to the audience what that point is?

As quoted in "Fair Use Panel Cautions Against Adopting Georgia State Ruling as Definitive", Library Journal, June 26, 2012.

Read more:
Copyright: Fair Use: http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

Measuring Fair Use: The Four Factors
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter9/9-b.html

Pratt School of Information

Student Technology Expectations

Aptitude in the use of Microsoft Windows-based personal computers, the Microsoft Office Suite and core Internet technologies is expected prior to enrollment. Proficiency with the skills listed below is assumed and will not be taught by SI faculty or staff. Remedial and refresher texts are available in the Pratt Manhattan Library.

A. Microsoft Windows

  1. Proficiency using Windows-based computers. Presently, Apple computers are not supported within the SI curriculum.

  2. File Management using Microsoft Windows (directories, folders, files, extensions, backing up files, install and uninstall programs).

  3. Basic software troubleshooting using online help and by following instructions in software manuals.

B. Microsoft Office

  1. Proficiency in word processing using Microsoft Word.

  2. Design and creation of effective electronic presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint.

  3. Familiarity with the principles for simple database design using Microsoft Access (set up, edit, save, sort, search for and manipulate data)

C. Internet

  1. Use of e-mail (sending, receiving, replying, forwarding, backing up & deleting messages, as well as sending and opening file attachments)

  2. Web browsing and searching (connecting to website, bookmarking, using Yahoo and Google for searching)

  3. Downloading and uploading files using FTP.