Transcript i312: Information in Cyberspace

i312: Information in
Cyberspace
What is i312?
• Undergraduate online course
• Began in the classroom 6 years ago
– Grew from 50 to 100 to 200 students
• Introduction to the history, management, &
use of online information
• Consistently receives an average course
evaluation rating of over 4 on a 5 point scale
i312 as an organization
• i312 is different than most organizations
because it is an iterative system
– new users
– new technologies to teach and try.
– the use of information technologies in i312 shifts
so often, it's difficult to pinpoint what works and
what doesn't.
i312 content
• 6 modules with HTML lessons and Webcasts
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Linux & Unix
Internet History, Protocols, & Governance
Computer & Internet Security
Internet Communication
Information Searching & Evaluation
Accessibility & Usability
• Final Project
i312 communication
• Students
– Email, IM, IT lab, Webcast, FAQs
• Management
– Blogs, email, face-to-face
Growing pains
• Management of content and staff
– Communication
– Technology
• Virtually unnoticed by students
Communication issues
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Team teaching
Several Blogs
Management of course content
One instructor in Spain
Grading
– IM assignment
– Final Projects
Technology issues
• Seeking stable technology
– Blackboard…limitations
– Building a custom infrastructure
• Management of website
• Management of module problems
i312 communication overhaul
• Wordpress vs. Blogger
• Instructor in Spain
• Flattened hierarchy
– Communications liaison
– Content Management
– Undergraduate Assistants
• Incorporating feedback
– Assignments and FAQs
• Revised web site workflow
i312 technology enhancement
• Database
– Rosters
– Final Projects
• Web Server
– Webmin GUI to Apache
• Streaming Server
– Webcasts
• Web site
Current issues
• Rosters
– Blackboard & Clips
– Add/Drop
• Web site
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Semantic markup
Archiving
RSS
Search
• Name changes