The requirements for this class are fairly straightforward. There is one group project and two brief individual projects required of all students. There will be no quizzes or examinations.
The instructor recommends using the Bibliographic Formats for Citing Electronic Information, based on Li and Crane's Electronic styles: A Handbook for citing electronic information (1996), as a guide for citing online resources. Includes both APA and MLA formats.
At least one of the three projects must be completed in HTML format. The instructor would prefer that the group project be completed in HTML. Students unfamiliar with Web authoring are encouraged to consult the HTML Tutorial (prototype), or use any of the many Web authoring/editing programs (including Netscape, Claris Works, MS Word, Adobe PageMill, etc) that are available. We will be covering the use of HTML to create resources.
- Search Tool Evaluation (40%):
This will be a group project to evaluate and compare no less than eight (8) computer-based search tools. Each group may consist of no more than four (4) students. Most groups will probably opt to compare different Web-based search engines, although other computer-based search tools (e.g., a CD-ROM product) may be considered. For example, a group could compare methods of searching for individuals or companies (PhoneDisc CD-ROM, Switchboard, and USWest Yellow Pages, and similar tools). We will be discussing evaluation criteria during class, but each project should compare and contrast:
- ease of use (must a user read a detailed "search tips" to be successful?)
- ability to use controlled vocabulary searching;
- ability to use free-text search terms;
- ability to use Boolean operators and set theory;
- ability to refine searches using limit commands (e.g., by date, language, or format);
- relevance of search results;
- reliability of search results (accuracy of citation or link as well as currency, completeness, and quality of information)
There is no minimum or maximum length to consider in presenting the evaluation results (although the instructor has reservations that a thorough job can be done in less than five traditional printed pages). Research will be evaluated upon completeness, accuracy, and relevancy. Each group will present the results of their evaluations to the class.
- Issue Evaluation (30%):
Each student must author a brief (no more than 5 printed pages) informed essay on an issue arising from or affecting the development or dissemination of digital information resources. After consulting with the instructor, the student may choose to modify or expand on any of the issues listed below or propose, with instructor approval, a topic not listed. Some suggested topics:
- Internet access issues in K-12 or business.
- Copyright issues with electronic information
- Politics of the Net and the National Information Infrastructure Initiative
- Privacy or security issues in electronic storage, transfer, and access
- Government electronic information
- Advertising or increasing commercialization of Internet
- Information "glut"
- CD-ROM versus online
- Digital communities
- Virtual reality
- Cyberpunk literature and visions of the future
- The future of the book
- Critics of increasing computerization of daily life
- Cyberporn and censorship
- Fee versus free access
- Next Steps (15%):
This course will have introduced the student to a variety of information resources and encouraged discussion of various issues surrounding the incorporation of these resources into library , educational, and community settings as well as economic, social, and cultural issues. Building upon this discussion and the knowledge gained through readings and class activites, write a brief (3-5 pages) description of how you will incorporate or apply what you have learned during this course into your present or future job or what implications there are for how you think about and approach information.
If you have not presented either of the first two projects in HTML format, you must do so with this project.
Students are encouraged to produce all assignments electronically either by creating Web pages or emailing to the instructor. Traditional paper projects will also be accepted. Regardless of the method used to "turn in" assignments, the research and writing should be of a quality that is suitable for wide-spread dissemination to a group of professional peers.
