CS280 – Introduction to Computing Welcome to CS 280A Introduction to Computer Science

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1-2 I am… > Ms. Nancy Harris > “lecturer”, freshman advisor > Computer Science Department > Master’s in CS from JMU in 1993 > Worked in the computing fields for over 20 years > Office, etc, found on the web

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1-3 What is a Computer? > Early – One who computes; spec. a person employed to make calculations in an observatory, etc. From Oxford Universal Dictionary – 1955 edition.

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1-4 Computing > The process of performing calculations.

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1-5 Now – Oxford English Dictionary - online > The action of calculating or counting; the activity or operation of a computer; the action or practice of using a computer, esp. as a professional or expert.

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1-6 Computer – Oxford English Dictionary - online > 2. a. A calculating-machine; esp. an automatic electronic device for performing mathematical or logical operations; freq. with defining word prefixed, as analogue, digital, electronic computer (see these words). But we still retain this definition > 1. One who computes; a calculator, reckoner; spec. a person employed to make calculations in an observatory, in surveying, etc. > 1&query_type=word&queryword=Computer&first=1&ma x_to_show=10 1&query_type=word&queryword=Computer&first=1&ma x_to_show=10

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1-7 Humor > Computing – 1. n the art of caluculating how much time you wasted and money you spent in a doomed attempt to master a machine with a mind of its own. > Computer – A machine that is capable of making mistakes without human intervention. from – A Hacker’s Dictionary – Beard and McKie.

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1-8 This course > About you and computing > How can you get the most from your computer? > How can you work safely on and with the computer? > What is appropriate use? > Going beyond word processing, WHY??? > What do you want to know more about – survey.

CS280 – Introduction to Computing FLUENCY WITH INFORMATION TECNOLOGY Skills, Concepts, and Capabilities

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1-10 Syllabus > My web site: users.cs.jmu.edu/harrisnl > Blackboard: Staff information

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1-11 Objectives > Based on Bloom’s Taxonomy of Ed. Objectives, objectives can be grouped into three major groupings — Knowledge and comprehension – rote learning — terminology — Application and analysis – using tools — Synthesis and evaluation – creating new tools > This course will have objectives in all areas — need to memorize some terms, what a computer looks like. — will need to be able to use a database — will need to be able to create a new web page

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1-12 What will we be doing? Web – > applications - storyteller.htmlstoryteller.html time_zones.html

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1-13 Homework for Thursday > Read Chapters 1 and 2 of the Fluency text. > Read the course policies and come prepared with questions. > Fill out the Blackboard survey. me if you have any difficulty with it.