Brief description
An introduction to information technology and its application to information transfer. Topics covered include: Technological developments in information delivery, media, formats and standards for the creation, storage and communication of electronic documentation.

Module Web page
Many of the course documents and teaching materials for this module are, or will be, mounted on the Web page http://users.aber.ac.uk/das/lectures/index.htm

Aims
Virtually everybody in employment who has to use their brains are already, or else soon will be using computers for some aspect of their work. Computers are also now playing a vital part in education at all levels and in all subjects. Yet there are few areas where computers have had quite such a far-reaching impact as in information and library work.

There have been enormous developments during the last twenty years in the design of standardised and easily understood means of operating computers. It is no longer necessary to have a detailed technical understanding of the ways in which computers handle and store information in order to use them effectively or to undertake the many complex tasks for which they may be used.
However it does help to have some idea of the principles involved.

This course will seek to provide you with a basic level of knowledge of information and communication technology, and of the impact of computers in information & library units that will be necessary for the remainder of your studies. The course will also provide a basic practical introduction to computer applications and the handling of information in electronic formats which will be of use to those who do not continue with Information and Library Studies.

No assumption is made about any previous computing experience, and help will be provided to those without experience However the tutors do not accept that anyone is inherently incompetent in the use of new technology. If you have any previous experience using basic computer applications such as word processors, spreadsheets or databases, so much the better - if you have not, then you should not worry.

Aims: To foster an understanding of the importance of information and communication technology in the information and library world, and to enable students to acquire a competence in using, computer systems and software applications commonly found in information and library units, and manipulating information in electronic formats.
Objectives
1. To identify the basic elements in any computer system and describe their functions, and provide practical experience in their use.
2. To describe the ways in which computers store and process textual, numerical and graphical information, to describe some of tasks that may be undertaken, and to use a range of computer applications in order to compile a document containing these categories of information.
3. To describe the role and importance of computer communication, and to use the facilities afforded by the University to send and receive information.
4. To provide students with the skills required to download and reformat information in electronic formats.
5. To demonstrate a range of electronic information products and services and to discuss the impact of electronic alternatives to traditional publishing.
6. To provide students with an awareness of the impact of computers on the work of libraries and information units.

Note: Prior to September 2000 this module was offered as a 10 credit module IL10310

Teaching Staff
DAS - David Stoker Module Co-ordinator, Room 203 (email: das)
TCG - Tim Gillison Rom 119 (email tcg)
LAT - Lucy Tedd, Room 240 (email: lat)

TEACHING METHODS
Each week there will be a single 1-hour lecture and one 2-hour practical. The practicals will usually take the form of a discussion and demonstration of a computer application, followed by individual work using that application to complete an assessed project.