This course presents the ideas that make information sciences and technology professionals the leaders of the 21st century. The mission of this course is to:
- introduce students to the problems and opportunities found in the interaction between information, people, and technology;
- make students better critics of the information devices they use every day; and
- engage students with the resources available for promoting college-level research, study, and learning.
What is IST?
To learn more about IST and what it offers IST students, please explore the IST4Me Web site. The site has been created with the IST student in mind, offering a wealth of information on available resources, degree information, and more!
Course Goals and Objectives
More specifically, this course is guided by the following general course goals and corresponding learning objectives:
- Introduce student to University study.
- Complete individual, college-level assignments.
- Participate on team-based, college-level projects.
- Introduce students to IST as an academic community, including fields of study and areas of interest available to student.
- Describe how digital data is stored, transmitted, and retrieved.
- Explain how specific information is transformed into knowledge.
- Describe how information and communications technologies organize, coordinate, and inform human enterprises.
- Describe how information and communication technologies improve the quality of human life through their impact on individuals, communities, markets, cultures, and society.
- Evaluate how IT applications can meet human needs, facilitate rapid adaptation, and encourage creativity.
- Describe the distinctive features of an IST education to future employers and their recruiters.
- Anticipate the expectations students will face in IST courses and the intellectual and technical skills required to meet those expectations.
- Acquaint students with the learning tools and resources available at Penn State.
- Implement a library search for assignments in this course.
- Understand the degree audit.
- Demonstrate knowledge of a sampling of Web 2.0 technologies.
- Learn to use ANGEL.
- Provide an opportunity for students to develop relationships with full-time faculty and other students in an academic area of interest to them.
- Introduce students to their responsibilities as a part of the University community.
- Show respect for and value diversity.
- Comprehend plagiarism and academic integrity.
- Onboard students to the culture and opportunities in IST.
- Participate effectively on teams.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of information and technology on people around the world.
- Discover new technology tools available in the College of IST.
- Explore internship possibilities.
- File a resume through COMPASS with the Internship Office.