Getting Started

Introduction

IS&T 3710 is offered as a virtual course, and all of your work, participation and tests will be done online. However, this course differs from a typical "independent study" course in that it is paced, that is, there are assignments and class participation activities you need to do each week.

You will probably find some things frustrating or confusing for the first few weeks, but please keep trying. I guarantee that after 2-3 weeks, you'll develop a rhythm for coming to the class web and participating, and it will seem very routine. There is no textbook available that covers global issues in IT, so we will be making the textbook as we go, through the posting of Specialty Topic pages. The benefit of this is that the information you study is probably more current than what is found in a text.

Since we will never have a face-to-face class meeting, listed here are the steps to get started and after that, for your weekly activities. Don't hesitate to email me or, make an appointment for a face-to-face office visit if you have questions. This is my sixth year of teaching online courses, and I can probably answer most questions by email.

The First Week

• Review this class web. Print out the pages you'll want to refer to often (probably this page, the syllabus, the schedule).
• Send email to me to let me know you've connected with the class. Use Vista email.
• Participate in the Discussion Forum for the first week (the Week 1 folder).
• Do some preliminary research on the countries available for study and choose the country you'd like to represent. I have chosen these countries because they are active in information technology, and there is adequate online information on these activities. Give me several country preferences. Note: I will post your requests in the order received.
• Make a practice web page. If you haven't created and posted a web page before, you'll want to do a practice one well in advance of the first assignment deadline. Here are some instructions to help you get started.

Weekly Activities

Don't procrastinate! Treat this class as if it were a scheduled class and set aside a specific time each week to study and participate (I do). The major reason people lose points in class is because they fail to meet deadlines. Each week you will:

• Read the assigned article and the current Specialty Topic. The three take-home essay tests will draw from the information on these pages. You should follow the links on the specialty pages and read what is there so you are conversant with the topic, its main issues, and its impact on global IT. You do not need to follow EVERY link, though.
• Participate in the Discussion Forum. If I've asked you to be the First Responder for the week (I'll notify you a week in advance), then post your answer by Wednesday. Otherwise, post your contributions by Sunday. I expect you to answer at least one of the questions and include references to others' comments to make it a dialog rather than a series of monologues. I will give you mid-semester feedback on your participation.
• Allocate time each week to research your country for the six profiles. Maintain a list of bookmarks and information on each of the twelve topics so that you can accumulate information on all topics as you prepare your report on the current one.
• Check the Calendar each week and read your Vista email often.
• Within a week after assignments are due, I will evaluate them and email you your grade along with feedback. Please double-check my entry in the My Grades section to make sure your work was evaluated and the score recorded correctly.

Course Objectives

While information technologies remain the same across national borders, their usage and context change according to country cultures and national laws. Features such as telecommunications infrastructure, languages, business practice, intellectual property protection, and tariffs impact the adoption of IT in a transnational organization. This course will make you aware of the issues, give you resources to make informed decisions and, in general, raise your global awareness.

By the end of this semester, you will be able to:

• Understand technology issues that transcend country borders
• Analyze technology choices that face a global organization
• Participate in IT implementations that meet various international standards
• Utilize global resources for gathering information and staying current in IT
• Be sensitive to software behaviors and various cultural reactions
• Participate in debates on social, technical and legislative issues impacting IT
• Develop independent learning skills

Academic Dishonesty

As in the business world, each of you is expected to carry out your studies in this class with the highest standards of ethics and citizenship. Violations of the College of Business and Economics Policy and Procedures on Academic Dishonesty will result in immediate action including grade adjustment or loss of credit. I failed two students last year who violated this policy. The policy is available for review in the Dean's Office, Wattis 201.