University of Nevada, Reno

Syllabus for LSC C135: Access to Internet Resources

For the third consecutive semester the University of Nevada, Reno is proud to present a one college credit course for UNR students and Nevada high school students. This opportunity has been funded by Senate Bill 204.

Course Introduction

Welcome to the "Access to Internet Resources" class. This course provides a basic introduction to Internet terminology, as well as, introduction to various Internet tools including; Netscape Navigator, a World Wide Web browser; and Pine, an electronic mail application. In addition, the basics of NEON, the University of Nevada, Reno's computerized library system will be presented.

This course will, in all probability, be like no other that you have encountered. By and large, you will be going through the course individually, at your own pace. Two sessions will be held on the University of Nevada, Reno's campus to provide a hands on experience. The rest of the material will be covered through a computer based instruction module. To take this course you must have access to a pc and have basic computer skills.

Objectives:

You will be able to describe the process in which one computer communicates with another

through the Internet.

Basic Internet Terminology

You will be able to define a number of basic Internet terms including; Internet, World Wide

Web, Uniform Resource Locator, Web Browser, Web Pages, Home Page, Hyperlinks, Click,

Bookmark, Hot List.

Netscape Navigator

You will be able to open Netscape Navigator

You will be able to type in a URL correctly

You will be able to determine if a Web Browser is actively communicating with the Internet

You will be able to identify four different types of media that can be presented through the web

You will be able to navigate Netscape using the forward and back buttons

You will be able to create a Bookmark in Netscape

You will be able to use a Bookmark in Netscape

You will be able to state for what purpose the Internet was originally designed.

You will be able to state what type of protocols the Internet uses

You will be able to list the six basic Internet domains

You will be able to state, approximately, how fast the Internet is growing

You will be able to list characteristics of electronic mail

You will be able to generally describe the Internet's form and history

Pine Electronic mail

You will be able to describe how electronic mail is different from postal mail

You will be able to state the importance of regarding the following when you write electronic mail; context, subject lines, quoting documents, intonation, smileys.

You will be able to open the PINE E-mail application from Windows.

You will be able to log into a PINE account

You will be able to discriminate between "good" passwords and "poor" ones

You will be able to view any e-mail messages that you have received

You will be able to reply to messages that you have received

You will be able to send a message through the PINE e-mail system

Networking Ethics

You will be able to list several ethical problems associated with the Internet

You will be able to form and express a position on various networking issues

NEON

You will be able to state the purpose of NEON

You will be able to connect to the NEON system

You will be able to state the purpose of WolfPAC

You will be able to search the WolfPAC system using the following types of searches; author, title, and subject

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Textbooks and Other Materials

At the first class session you should receive, in addition to this guide, a 3.5 inch computer disk. This disk contains five tutorials which you will be required to work through. It is important that you take notes on each of the tutorials to be adequately prepared for the lab sessions you will attend.

Course Grading Policy

This is a pass/fail course. To pass the course you must attend all sessions, complete all tutorials, and turn in a completed completion code page. You will also have several brief writing assignments which you are responsible for completing. Some modules (Networking ethics and NEON) will require you to answer a series of questions. Each module ends with a code that will be used to verify completion. Please write the code in Appendix A of this syllabus.

What to do if you have questions?

The first thing you should do is refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section at the end of this guide. If your question is not answered in that section you may call (702) 784-6500 x-303 or if you have access to e-mail you may send a message to glass@unr.edu.

Honor Code

You are subject to the University of Nevada, Reno's Honor code. All work you turn in must represent your own. The Honor code will be strictly enforced.

University Policy

Individual responsibility is one of the key aspects of Independent Study by Correspondence. Since the tests are the only supervised aspect of Distance Education, it is important that you, as the student, adhere to a personal code of ethics in the completion of the course lessons. Discussion of the lesson materials with other students is encouraged, but the lesson submissions must be your own. Anyone caught violating this university regulation will be subject to disciplinary action as stated in the Academic Standards section of the General Catalog at the University of Nevada, Reno.

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Lessons

1. Introduction (January 27, 1997: 4:00-5:30pm)

This session will be held at UNR Education Building, Room 103. This class will meet for approximately 1.5 hours. All class materials will be passed out at this time. Students will be required to sign up for lab sessions in this time period as well. Instruction on how to use the course tutorials and workbook will be provided, as well as a discussion of course procedures and expectations.

2. Basic Internet Terminology (Independent tutorial)

Rationale: This module provides a series of sixty questions. You will be required to type in answers to these questions. Some of these questions may seem repetitive. However, the tutorial is designed to present Internet terminology in a number of contexts which will allow you to master the material for the long term.

1. Turn on your computer (remember that this course requires you to have access to an IBM-PC compatible machine running Windows 3.1 or higher).
2. Place you course disk in the 3.5" drive.
3. If you are using Windows 95 please skip to "For Windows 95". If you are using Windows 3.1 please continue.
4. You should see a prompt similar to this: c:/
5. Type "win"
6. From the File menu select Run
7. Type in "a:\course\tutorial.exe"

For Windows 95
1. Click on the Run button from the Start menu
2. type in "a:\course\tutorial.exe"
3. In the middle of the screen you will see a red Authorware splash screen. Click on this screen to proceed.

If you downloaded the tutorial from the Continuing Education site make sure that all of the tutorial files are in the c:\course\ directory and follow the procedures above.

At the end of each module you will be given a completion code. Write the code in Appendix A.

These tutorials are designed to be completed in a single session. If you must stop before you complete a module click on the File menu and choose "quit." You will have to begin at the beginning of the module when you return.

3. Netscape Navigator basics (Independent tutorial)

This session is another computer based tutorial. Follow the same procedures from session 2 to begin. At the end of the module you will be given a completion code in appendix A.

Rationale:
This module simulates browsing the World Wide Web. All the basic functions will be demonstrated and you will then have the opportunity to perform these functions the same way you would if you were online.

4. PINE e-mail basics (Independent tutorial)

This session is another computer based tutorial. Follow the same procedures from session 2 to begin. At the end of the module you will be given a completion code. Write the code in appendix a.

Rationale:

This module simulates using e-mail. All the basic functions will be demonstrated and you will then have the opportunity to perform these functions the same way you would if you were online.

5. Lab Session l (sign-up for in advance, TBA all meet 4:00pm-7:00pm)

This session will provide you with an opportunity to practice using the tools that have been introduced to you through the tutorials. Plan on bringing a topic to research. It is highly suggested that you choose a topic from another class you are enrolled in. You are required to attend this 3-4 hour session and participate to receive credit. Activities will include: Internet treasure hunt, look for resources on class assignments, send e-mail to one another and at the end of the session turn in a internet bookmark list.

6. Networking Ethics (Independent tutorial)

This is a computer based tutorial. Follow the same procedures from session 2 to begin. You are required to briefly answer the questions posed in the tutorial. Your answers will be collected in lab session 2.

7. NEON (Independent tutorial)

This session is another computer based tutorial. Follow the same procedures from session 2 to begin. At the end of the module you will be given a completion code in appendix A. This module is accompanied by a set of questions (Appendix B). Please answer these questions as you progress through this module.

8. Lab Session 2 (sign-up for in advance, TBA, all meet 4:00pm-7:00pm)

This session will provide you with an opportunity to practice using the NEON system that you have been introduced to through the tutorials. Plan on bringing a topic to research. It is highly suggested that you choose a topic from another class you are enrolled in. You are required to attend this 3-4 hour session and must participate to receive credit. Activities will include instruction on the NEON system, research on topic of interest, and you will turn in a bibliography at end of session.

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NEON Review Questions

1. NEON is an acronym for: __________ _________ ________ ________

2. NEON provides access to a variety of online information resources. List three categories or types of online resources available via NEON:

_______________ ______________ ______________

3. What is the telephone number to call for advice on connecting to NEON from a home or other off-campus computer?

_______________

WolfPAC Review Questions

1. List two traditional library services users may perform for themselves via WolfPAC:

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

2. Several campuses in northern Nevada share the WolfPAC database or OPAC. List three of them:

_________________________________

_________________________________

_________________________________

3. Which of the following questions CANNOT be answered by using WolfPAC?

a. Whether Getchell Library at UNR owns a copy of a book published in 1990

b. The author of an article about national health care reform in a 1994 Newsweek

c. Whether the Film & Video Library in Getchell Library has the film "Gone With the Wind"

d. The most recent issue of the journal American Psychologist available at the UNR campus

e. Whether a UNR professor has placed old test questions on Reserve for a class to use as a study guide

WolfPAC Searching Review Questions

1. Getchell Library uses two different call number systems to arrange items in the stacks or bookshelves. List them:

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

2. WolfPAC's AUTHOR search will NOT work for which of the following?

a. to produce a list of all items owned by Getchell Library by a specific author

b. the author of a play or screenplay

c. the composer of a symphony

d. the collected poetry of one poet

e. an author of a newspaper or magazine article

3. Truncation enables people to search variant word endings in a database. What is the truncation symbol for WolfPAC? ______________________________

4. Different search concepts may be combined in a WolfPAC search with Boolean operators or commands. Which Boolean command narrows a search retrieval?

____________________________________________________

Index Review Questions

1. List the six basic parts of a magazine article's bibliographic citation: (article title, author's name, title of magazine, volume number, page number(s), date of article)

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

2. Some indexes cover more than magazine or journal articles. List two other kinds of resources which may be covered by an index:

____________________________________

____________________________________

3. What does it mean when a search retrieval displays items in "reverse chronological order"?

4. When is it best to route an InfoTRAC full text printout to Getchell Library's Article Station for a laser printout?

5. List two ways in which many FirstSearch searches may be limited for a more efficient search retrieval:

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

6. Why is an article abstract a useful research tool?

7. What is the next step when a cited article is not available ''fill text" via NEON?

8. List two physical formats libraries use to store older issues of magazines, newspapers or scholarly journals:

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

9. What library service may be used to order a photocopy of an article if the UNR Libraries do not subscribe to a particular magazine or journal?

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University of Nevada, Reno
Please direct questions to: glass@unr.edu
URL of this document: http://www.unr.edu/sb204/135syll.html
Last Modified: May 05, 2001