- Docente: Riccardo Billero
- Credits: 3
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Rimini
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Business Economics (cod. 6611)
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to introduce basic computer skills for the independent use of spreadsheets, the Web, and corporate information systems using both proprietary and open-source technologies. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: (a) independently use a personal computer and spreadsheets; (b) independently use the Web, communication mechanisms, and online search; (c) independently use corporate information systems.
Course contents
Given the instrumental nature of the notions, it is strongly advisable to substain the exam by the end of the 1st year.
COURSE CONTENTS
Course presentation, introduction.
Overview of the history of computing.
Computer architecture: types of computers, computer anatomy, positional and binary notation systems, SI and digital units, text encoding.
Input and output devices: keyboard, other text input devices, pointing devices, other input devices, screen, printer.
Secondary storage: memory devices, memory categories, floppy disks, pen drives, hard disks and SSDs, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays.
The operating system: operating systems, functions, list of main operating systems, user interfaces: command line and graphical.
Application programs: main software categories, Office suites: Microsoft Office, Apache OpenOffice, LibreOffice, Microsoft Office: main software, licenses.
Word Processing: Formatting, inserting and editing objects (tables, images, shapes, smart art, charts, hyperlinks, comments), using formulas in tables, managing headers and footers, page setup, table of contents, mail merge, spelling and grammar checking, review options, printing.
Spreadsheet: Basic features: formula bar, sheets, cells, cell references (absolute and relative), fill with series values, data types (text, number, date, time), data representation (general, percentage, currency, accounting), formatting, cell merging, borders and background, format painter, conditional formatting, styles, automatic sum, data sorting, filters, inserting and managing objects and charts, page layout, formulas and functions, loading external data, protecting sheets or workbooks, macros, pivot tables.
Multimedia presentations: creating a presentation, adding a slide, modifying the slide layout, formatting text on a slide, inserting drawing elements, inserting and managing graphic objects.
Computer networks: network architectures: PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN, network topologies, internetworking, circuit and packet switching, protocols, IP and symbolic addresses, corporate networks, private connections.
The web: basic concepts, URLs, search engines, cloud computing.
Introduction to artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence and how it works.
Bibliographic and documentary research.
Readings/Bibliography
Slides presented in class will be uploaded from time to time to the course's "Virtual" page; this material may be considered sufficient to pass the theoretical portion of the course. Those wishing to delve deeper into the content and/or clarify doubts can consult:
Curtin et al., Informatica di base, 7° edizione, McGraw Hill Education
Snyder et al., Fluency. Conoscere ed usare l'informatica. 7° edizione, Pearson.
For the practical part of the course, any book relating to Windows and Microsoft Office applications (starting from version 2010) can be used as a reference.
Teaching methods
- Computer exercises
- Presentations of the applications to be known
- Slides on the theoretical part
- Teaching materials used in the classroom (see Virtuale)
Assessment methods
The grade consists of a pass mark awarded after passing a test, lasting a maximum of 90 minutes and divided into two parts.
The first part consists of several closed-ended questions (aimed at testing theoretical knowledge). The test will be administered as a quiz on the "EsamiOnLine" website.
Failure to achieve a passing grade will result in the student being denied access to the second part.
The second part tests skills and consists of two exercises relating to the use of the software illustrated in the practical part.
The test will be considered passed only if the student achieves a passing grade in both parts.
No aids are permitted during the test.
Teaching tools
The instructor uses his or her own slides for lectures.
As lectures progress, the teaching materials are added to the course page on "Virtuale."
Office hours
See the website of Riccardo Billero