This course covers strategies for mining the Web, Web engines and directories, Web 2.0, cognitive accessibility, Web design and development, and usability engineering.

Required Text

Hock, Randolph. 2007. The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook: A Guide for the Serious Searcher. Medford, NJ: CyberAge Books. ISBN: 978-0-910965-76-7. Price: $24.95.

The links for sites covered in Hock's text is found at Web sites for the textbook. Using this site does not substitute for the content of the book.

The required readings are noted in the course schedule. Additional readings will be assigned during the semester, as needed.

This is an elective course that can be taken after completion of the three required SIS courses (IS 510, IS 520, and IS 530). Non-SIS students can take this course if they have adequate computing skills (see Computing Skills below).

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• gain knowledge about the Web and Web 2.0;
• develop effective search strategies for mining the Web and Web 2.0;
• select appropriate Web search engines and directories for finding information;
• use and critique Web 2.0 and its applications in specific information environments;
• evaluate the quality of web pages;
• gain knowledge of web design principles and methods;
• assess the usability of national and international Web interfaces;and
• become familiar with Web accessibility issues and guidelines for people with disabilities.

This course requires that students spend adequate time outside of the classroom reading the required materials, performing the assignments, and working with other students on team activities. You are responsible adults who have made a commitment to pursue a graduate degree, despite the demands that life imposes on you. Since you have been accepted in the SIS program, there is no doubt that you are very able and smart students. It is my hope that you will use your abilities and intelligence to succeed in this course with a proud "A".

Course Delivery

This course is offered on campus only and will take place in a computer lab (BEC 116, formerly Claxton Additon, 116). Each student will have access to a computer to perform the activities assigned by the instructor. SIS has its own student computer lab. which can be used for all your computing needs.
Hodges library has computer labs. that you can use when the SIS is closed.

The delivery of the course content will include lectures, discussions, group collaboration, live demonstrations, guest speakers (possible), and hands-on experiences.

What you gain from this course will depend on the amount of time and work you invest each week. Making an "A" in this course will depend on you and not me because the grade will reflect your achievement.

Much of the content of the course is problem- and critical-thinking based. You as a user of information are and will always be faced with information problems that you need to solve. Users also have their own information problems, but many times they need "expert" assistance to solve them. You are the future information professionals who will mediate user needs and find the best solutions to their information problems. The knowledge you gain in this course will equip you with the skills needed to use the Web effectively and efficiently and to train others in how to use it.

This course is structured to be a rewarding learning experience that will provide meaning for you as an information professional or as a professional from another field of study who will be interacting with information on a regular basis.

Computing Requirements

Students must have adequate computing skills, including but not limited to use of Microsoft Office suite or equivalent, Web browsers, e-mail and attachments, listservs, and secure file transfer protocol.

Students must have both Unix and Tmail accounts at UTK and must be subscribers to the SIS student listserv. In addition, students must have a PowerPoint Reader or the regular PowerPoint software to download the lecture notes from my web page.

Feel free to contact me for questions or to share ideas! You are encouraged to drop in during my office hours, or talk after class, set up an appointment if it is more convenient for you, or email me. To ensure quick response to your email, start your message subject line with IS587. I will reply to your messages as soon as I can. Reply over the weekend may or may not take place depending availability.

Submit the assignments in class on the due date. I do not accept email attachments, unless you have an emergency and could not come to class or to the SIS administrative office to deliver the assignments.

Organizing the the Assignments

In general, provide the following information for each assignment you submit. Additional guidelines for completing each assignment are found under Assignments & Projects link.

• Name
• IS 587
• Assignment label (e.g., Assignment 1).
• Page numbers (paginate each assignment).
• Staple the assignment. Please do not use paper clips.
• Mailbox number.

Late assignments

will receive a reduced credit of 5 points from the total course grade, unless the instructor is advised in advance and given a good rationale for lateness.

Most lecture notes will be posted on my webpage one day before each class meeting or in the morning before the class meeting. Print and review the notes before each class. Please note that the lecture notes do not substitute for the assigned readings.

Please contact the Office of Disability Services at 191 Hoskins Library (865.974.6087) if you need course adaptations or any other accommodations. The office staff will work with you to arrive at the appropriate program and will register you for the services needed. Please contact me about this matter if you need to discuss appropriate solutions.

In a professional environment you would be conversing with your colleagues. I expect a similar effort in this class because information sharing, interaction, and collaboration are essential components of learning.
Class participation will count 5% of the total grade and will be based on your efforts to be a team player and on your ability to demonstrate knowledge of the content covered in this class.

Attendance of class sessions including those that may be held outside of the classroom is expected because class discussions are an important part of mastering the content of the course. There will be live demos of search techniques and team work and if you miss these, you will be behind your classmates. If you miss a class, you will be responsible for taking notes and learning the activities covered in class from your classmates.

When you write for this class or when you search the Web and Web 2.0, remember that the sources you use should be credited. If you use someone's words or ideas without attribution, you will be plagiarizing. Remember that like cheating, plagiarism is a violation of scholarly and professional ethics as well as the University policy. If you cheat or plagiarize, you will fail the course and could face further actions such as suspension from the academic program and the University. Further information is available in Hill Topics, the UTK Student Handbook.

Besides the text, I have selected articles for you to read and sites to visit. Most of the articles are linked to the course schedule and are available in full-text once clicked. Materials that are not linked will be available for download from the Hodges library Course Reserves located at UT Libraries Catalog. Click on Libraries Catalog, then Course Reserves and proceed with your search. You will find the materials either under the course number or my name (under the instructor option).

Use any standard style manual for citing sources as long as you are consistent in formatting the citations.

Last updated on 8/28/07.