... part of the Web Site of George North . . . . . EDCI4993 Syllabus
Exam 1 & 2
 Information Networks
EDCI 4993, Sec. 603, Spring 2002


Virtual Classes

Conducting class without coming to class

Ultimately, professional growth is a result of the teacher identifying his/her own needs and then finding opportunities to address those needs.

Please don't be troubled if you have technical difficulties with this assignment, no point deductions will happen because of issues beyond your and my control. This is a research assignment, conducted as if it were part of a distance education course. One purpose is to help you practice using the Web to for your own learning. You are expect to search out and validate web sites that inform on the topics for this assignment. When you experience problems you are expect to ask your instructor and classmates for help. So you can eMail our list, redCap@ed.uno.edu. You can eMail gnorth@mac.com. And you can call George, 834-1891. Start earily, be patient. You will succeed.

Part 1 - due before Sun, Feb.3 at 4:30

Pick two (2) of the topics (Network Infrastructure, Technology effects Education, Education On-line, Acceptable Use, Ethics, Intellectual Property and Copyright, Instructional Design, and Other Topics) from our WebX'ing discussion. Conduct research on your own. Document your sources. Write a 1 page (250 words) essay for each topic. I suggest you use your favorite word processor to write this paper, then copy and paste it to WebX'ing. If you use Web Sites for your research, please include the complete URL (i.e. http://tec.uno.edu) for each site used. Explain what authority your sources have that apply to your topic. State concretely your own opinion.

Part 2 - due after Sun, Feb.3 at 4:30 PM

Read your classmates messages from Part 1. Reply to as many messages as is possible. Your reply should be in the form a question. These are the questions that will form the basis for our Chat on Tuesday, Feb 5. This means that you should to be ready to provide answers to these questions about your original messages during our Chat. We will talk about our chat in class.

Part 2.1 - due in our Chat Room - Tue, Feb.5 at 6:00 PM

This is a non-graded part of the assignment. As a class, we will meet in our Chat Room starting at 5:45 PM, on Tuesday February 5. At 6:00 PM and lasting for about 1 hour, we will conduct a "live chat." Our chat will revolve around the questions generated from Part 2 above. George will serve as moderator. We will discuss in class what to expect.

Remember, your best chance for learning will be in visiting and reading our discussions often. Ask me how you can tell new messages at a glance.


Part 3 - due before Wed, Feb.13 before 11:30 PM

Based on Part 1, 2, and 2.1 above, return to our WebX'ing discussion and answer as many question as you can. Also, pick one (1) of the less active topics. Conduct research on your own. Use your classmate's work on that topic as a starting point. Document your sources. Write a 1 page (250 words) essay for your topic. I suggest you use your favorite word processor to write this paper, then copy and paste it to WebX'ing. If you use Web Sites for your research, please include the complete URL for each site used. Explain what authority your sources have that apply to your topic. State concretely your own opinion.

Not a Part of Exam 1 & 2- due before Sun, Feb.17 at 4:30 PM

Your first Book Review, see requirements. There is a WebX'ing discussion already setup.

Part 4 - due before Sun, Feb.24 at 4:30 PM

Pick one (1) topic, the one that you have least contributed to. Conduct research on your own. Use your classmate's work on that topic as a starting point. Document your sources. Write a 1 page (250 words) essay for your topic. I suggest you use your favorite word processor to write this paper, then copy and paste it to WebX'ing. If you use Web Sites for your research, please include the complete URL for each site used. Explain what authority your sources have that apply to your topic. State concretely your own opinion.

Part 5 - due after Sun, Feb.24 at 4:30 PM

Reflect on our V-class meetings. Is it possible to have a meaningful conversation at a distance ... a distance of space and time? What can we do to improve the process? Other ideas. There are no wrong answers. There is a discussion area already setup for this topic.

This is a instructor graded assignment, worth 200 points towards your final grade in this class.
  1. You will be graded on process, not on content.
  2. The objectives of this class make you responsible for the content
  3. One purpose is to help you to think how to conduct education at a distance. Exam 4, Blackboard will allow you to design distance education yourself.

Grading rubric:
  • 150 points -- Completing each step of this five week assignment. For example, if there are 5 steps in the assignment than each step is worth 30 points.
  • 20 points -- Completing each step on time. Miss one deadline, loose 10 points. Miss more than one deadline, loose all 20 points.
  • 10 points -- Contribute to the level of your classmates.
  • 20 points -- Contribute above the level of your classmates.
  • 200 total points available for this assignment ... is should be obvious that your instructor's subjective opinion determines 30 points, and your own work determines 170 points.
    • Upon completion of this assignment, you will send an eMail to George (gnorth@uno.edu) documenting the date and time of each step you completed. You should include a calculation of the points you earned (up to a maximum of 170). George will reply to your eMail with your final grade for Exam 1 & 2.

    This assignment will become one item in an electronic portfolio you will build during this class. Your portfolio will be the basis for assessment of your final grade.
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