Academic Catalog

LINC 66C: SEARCHING & RESEARCHING THE INTERNET

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2022
Units: 2
Hours: 2 lecture per week (24 total per quarter)
Advisory: Basic computer skills and knowledge of Macintosh or Windows operating systems; familiarity using web browsers, email, bookmarking, searching and downloading; not open to students with credit in LINC 208.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Explain and apply ethical uses of internet content, such as copyright and citations
  • Explore better methods for integrating the Internet into professional work, or personal tasks that stimulate higher order thinking skills (applying, evaluating, creating)
  • Employ use of advanced search techniques such as Boolean logic

Description

Intermediate course for those who use the internet for personal research and in their work. Emphasizes using advanced search techniques that incorporate logical reasoning, critical thinking, essential questions, and inquiry-based learning to refine searches, maximize the advantages of different search engines, evaluate websites for credibility, understand the legitimacy of search results, and use search findings ethically.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Explore better methods for integrating the internet into professional work, or personal tasks that stimulate higher order thinking skills (applying, evaluating, creating)
  2. Employ use of advanced search techniques such as Boolean logic
  3. Explain and apply ethical uses of internet content, such as copyright and citations
  4. Evaluate internet resources for accuracy, authenticity, and ease of use
  5. Organize searches and research that identifies the best resources on the internet for the participant's specific purposes, whether educational, business-related, or personal
  6. Develop best practices to effectively use the internet for both professional work and personal learning

Course Content

  1. Explore better methods and strategies for integrating internet searches
    1. Internet overview
      1. History of the internet
      2. Vocabulary
      3. Browsers
      4. Saving and organizing bookmarks
      5. Portals and online resources for different workforces
  2. Employ use of advanced search techniques such as Boolean logic
    1. Effectively using search engines by utilizing terms such as AND, NOT, and OR
    2. Using the "Advanced Search" feature of various search engines
  3. Explain and apply ethical uses of internet content copyright and citation documentation
    1. Copyright
    2. Appropriately using internet images
    3. Knowing when information on the internet utilized in your own projects must be cited
    4. Writing correct citations
  4. Evaluate internet resources for accuracy, authenticity, and ease of use
    1. Analyzing the dependability of open-source sites such as Wikipedia
    2. Cross-checking facts
    3. Selecting the most reliable resources for a task
  5. Organize searches and research
    1. Using browser-based research collection tools and applications
    2. Using browser bookmark features
  6. Develop best practices to effectively use the internet
    1. Personal applications
    2. Professional applications
    3. Using affinity, topic, issue oriented online groups for internet research

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. When offered on/off campus: Lecture room equipped with LCD projector, whiteboard, and a demonstration computer connected online. Computer laboratories equipped with online PCs and/or Macintosh computers, network server access, and printers.
2. When taught via the internet: Students must have current email accounts and/or ongoing access to internet capable computers or tablets.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Creating search and research project using characteristics of quality defined by the class
Writing an evaluation critique and reflection for their own and peers' final projects, with emphasis on use of constructive comments and suggested improvements with respect to established characteristics of good multimedia design
Participating in class discussions and critiques

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Students will write notes, listen, and participate in lecture presentation and class discussion using the terminology of the software product
Students will observe an instructor-led demonstration and engage in student practice of search techniques
Students will engage in in-class presentations and peer review to critique class projects

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

LaGarde, Jennifer, and Darren Hudgins. Developing Digital Detectives: Essential Lessons for Discerning Fact from Fiction in the "Fake News" Era. 2021.

Russell, Daniel M.. The Joy of Search: A Google Insider's Guide to Going Beyond the Basics. 2019.

Instructor-assigned notes and materials.
When course is taught online: Additional information, notes, handouts, syllabus, assignments, tests, and other relevant course material will be delivered via the course learning management system, and discussion may be handled with internet communication tools.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Each class session requires the student to read and analyze selected websites or student projects related to that session's topics
  2. Each session's topic requires a written response to a prompt that is turned in for instructor or peer review. Each prompt is designed to be a draft of a section of the student's completed project. Instructor feedback should be reflected in the final product

Discipline(s)

Instructional Design/Technology