16692 - Computer Science Lab-based Course (G.H)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the laboratory the student: - has the knowledge to understand the fundamental structure of the Internet as a packet-switched network and the main services offered by the World Wide Web such as e-mail, instant messaging, remote connections, the evolution of social network services o Web2, the processes of searching for information on the Web; - will also have basic knowledge on the use of spreadsheets (operations, functions, graphics), and database management (construction of tables, relations, forms, and queries).

Course contents

The laboratory is aimed at providing students with knowledge and practical skills on the fundamentals of Computer Science, on safe Web browsing, Internet research and publishing, on Data Management and Visualization, on the principles of Multimedia Communication, on Digital Learning tools to design, develop and publish online educational paths.

The course consists of six didactic units:

1. Fundamentals of IT: hardware, software, usability and accessibility, principles of IT security, Web browsing, search engines and Social Software;
2. Digital Data Management: online repositories and data acquisition, memory and Cloud Computing systems, data processing, Data Visualization, Privacy and GDPR;
3. Multimedia communication (Part One): text processing, bitmap and vector images, elementary techniques for processing static images, design and development of multimedia presentations;
4. Multimedia communication (Part Two): hardware devices for capturing videos and audio tracks, processing and exporting video files, Audio / Video Editing applications, elementary storyboarding techniques;
5. Digital Learning (Part One): Principles of Instructional Design, hardware devices for e-learning and m-learning, production of interactive, Web Tutorials, edugames, evaluation software and simulations;
6. Digital Learning (Part Two): LMS platforms for distance learning environments and "social" cooperative learning, virtual classroom software, principles of Coding and Educational Robotics.

Readings/Bibliography

G.B. Ronsivalle, S. Carta, M. Orlando, Guida all'Education Technology. Informatica e multimedialità per educatori e professionisti della formazione (Seconda edizione), Maggioli, 2021. ISBN: 9788891652447

Teaching methods

• Lectures with the support of multimedia slides and audio / video contributions.
• Individual and group practical exercises through the use of free software and apps.
• Online insights and active sharing of digital content online.
  

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] on Health and Safety online

Assessment methods

The lab is made of 3 ECTS: there are 24 hours in presence (8 hours for each ECTS) and 51 hours of individual study (each ECTS is 25 hours).

To achieve idoneity, students must actively participate in all scheduled lessons and develop a digital educational project on a topic agreed with the teacher.

The project will consist of:

1. an introductory video of approx. 30 seconds;
2. an online form for collecting information;
3. a short report with data and graphs;
4. a multimedia educational presentation;
5. a short online questionnaire for evaluation;
6. a post promoting the project on a Social Network.
   

At the beginning of the course, the teacher will share the criteria for evaluating the project work.

Teaching tools

In order to be able to fully comply with the rules on physical spacing, the teaching will be held in classrooms that do not host fixed computer stations.
This condition requires us to resort to the collaboration of the members, asking you to participate in the laboratory equipped with your device (in order to overcome any power problems; we also ask you to verify the full power of the batteries and/or to equip yourself with a powerbank).
For participants without adequate equipment, the Department will make available some laptops for the time necessary to carry out the lesson.
The request must be communicated at least one week before the start of the workshop by e-mail to be sent to the teacher of the workshop.

Office hours

See the website of Gaetano Bruno Ronsivalle