Texas A&M University-Commerce

Department of Secondary and Higher Education

ETEC 544
Computer Operating Systems for Educators

Syllabus

Instructor: Dr. Jason Lee Davis

Office: Education North – Room 114

Phone: 903-886-5598 FAX: 903-886-5603

E-mail: Jason.Davis@tamuc.edu

URL: http://faculty.tamuc.edu/jdavis/

Online URL: http://online.tamuc.edu/

Office hours: See website for current instructor schedule.

Section: 401 Call Number: 10640

Term: Spring 2003 (032) Credits: 3 hours

Day: Monday Time: 4:30pm – 7:10pm

Location: Mesquite Campus – MPLX 126

Course Description

This course examines similarities and differences between computer operating systems often used in educational settings. Experiences with DOS, Windows, UNIX, and the Macintosh operating systems will be provided. Emphasis will be on hardware, software, and training issues related to these systems and to the networking of computer resources.

Prerequisite

One graduate ETEC course or permission of instructor.

Textbook:

Gorman, M.S. & Stubbs, S.T. (2001). Introduction of Operating Systems: A Survey Course. Thompson Learning/Course Technology.

Course Goals and Objectives

Upon completion to this course, the learner should be able to…

1. demonstrate an understanding of computer hardware components: motherboard, CPU, RAM, expansion bus, I/O devices, etc.

2. demonstrate an understanding of memory storage devices: hard drive, tape, portable (floppy, ZIP, Pen, CF, SM, etc), optical (CD-RW, DVD-RW), etc.

3. demonstrate an understanding of computer networking: topologies, infrastructure, cabling, network operating systems (NOS), etc.

4. demonstrate knowledge and skills involved in computer and network troubleshooting.

5. recognize, describe, compare, and use different operating systems on a variety of computer platforms including DOS, Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX variants.

6. recognize, describe, compare, and use common computer interfaces and ports: parallel, serial, USB, IDE, SCSI/SCSI-2, IEEE1394 (FireWire), infrared, etc.

7. demonstrate an understanding of issues related to system security, viruses, privacy, and compatibility.

8. demonstrate an understanding of device drivers.

9. connect, configure, and use common peripheral devices: printers, scanners, etc.

10. demonstrate an understanding of file structure and its relationship to physical memory.

11. utilize File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to move files between computers over a network.

12. utilize telnet applications to gain command line and application access on remote computers over a network.

13. use various utility programs specific to different operating systems.

Requirements and Assignments

Article Reviews – 20%: Students will be required to identify and review four (4) journal articles directly related to the stated goals and objective of the course. The student will select four different objectives from those listed above as topics for the articles for review. Reviews must be from 200 to 300 words and must demonstrate appropriate writing skills. The source of the article reviewed MUST be cited completely and the objective addressed must be identified. Reviews must be posted in the online component of the course for discussion. Students are encouraged to respond to reviews in the threaded discussion.

Participation – 15%: All students must contribute to discussions on article reviews. All students must be active participants in class activities. Students may not use computers for non-class activities while class is in session. The use of computers for playing games, chatting, e-mail, or working on assignments or discussions in other on-line courses is prohibited and will result in a reduction in participation credit. Students must be in attendance to earn participation credit.

Quizzes – 15%: A number of quizzes will be given throughout the course. These quizzes will likely be taken in the on-line component of the course.

Activities – 20%: Students will participate in a number of activities designed to build skills and understanding related to the stated course objectives. Details of each activity will be provided in class or posted on-line.

Technical Reflection – 15%: Each student will author a one page reflection on each activity. This will be the student’s opportunity to make notes regarding the activity for future reference.

Portfolio – 15%: Each student will compile a portfolio containing copies of article reviews, reflection papers, and any other work produced in this class. Materials should be in a form suitable for inclusion in the student’s professional portfolio.

Assignments MUST be completed and submitted by due date. Full credit cannot be earned by late or incomplete assignments. 10 points will be deducted for each class day an assignment is late.

Evaluation and Grading

Article Reviews: 20% A 90-100%

Participation: 15% B 80-89%

Quizzes: 15% C 70-79%

Activities: 20% D 60-69%

Technical Reflection: 15% F 59% or less

Portfolio: 15%

Attendance

Regular class attendance is very important. Class participation requires that students be present. Class discussions and activities that take place during class cannot be made up. If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor in advance, to contact class members to find out what occurred in that class and to make up that work, and then to check with your instructor for any additional assignments. For computer work, it is your responsibility to check for compatibility if you wish to use computers other than those provided in the lab. If you have any questions, contact your instructor. No make-up work will be given.

Accommodations for Disabilities

Students requesting accommodations for disabilities must go through the Academic Support Committee. For more information, please contact the Director of Disability Resources & Services, Halladay Student Services Bldg., Room 303D, 903-886-5835.

Student Conduct

All students enrolled at the University shall follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior conductive to a positive learning environment (see Student’s Guide Handbook, Policies and Procedures, Conduct).

Scholarly Expectations

All works submitted for credit must be original works created by the scholar uniquely for the class. It is considered inappropriate and unethical, particularly at the graduate level, to make duplicate submissions of a single work for credit in multiple classes, unless specifically requested by the instructor. Work submitted at the Graduate level is expected to demonstrate higher order thinking skills and be of significantly higher quality than work produced at the undergraduate level.

Additional References

Bourne, S. R. (1983) The UNIX system. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Pub. Co.

Boyce, J., Tidrow, R., et al. (1996) Inside Windows 95 Deluxe Edition. Indianapolis, IN: New Riders Publishing.

Capron, H. L. (2000) Computers: Tools for an information age. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Glass, G., & Ables, K. (1999) UNIX for programmers and users. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Gorman, M. S. & Stubbs, S. T. (2001) Introduction to operating systems: A survey course. Thompson Learning/Course Technologies.

Lin, F. (1993) The DOS 6 coursebook. El Granada, CA: Scott/Jones Inc., pub.

McMullen, J. (1995) The complete idiot’s guide to UNIX. Indianapolis, IN: Prentice Hall Macmillan.

Nemeth, E., Snyder, G., Seebass, S., & Hein, T. R. (1995) UNIX system administration handbook. (2^nd ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall PTR.

Phillips, H. L. (2001) Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional for power users: New perspective series. Cambridge, MA: Thompson Learning.

Schumer, L. & Negus, C. (1995) Special edition using UNIX. (2^nd ed.) Indianapolis, IN: Que Corp.

Shelly, G. B., Cashman, T. J., Vermaat, M. E., & Walker, T. J. (2000) Discovering Computers 2001: Concepts for a connected world. Cambridge, MA: Thompson Learning.

Topham, D. (1990) The first book of UNIX. Carmel, IN: Howard W. Sams & Co., pub.

Rev. 1/13/2003