CPSC 203 Introduction to Computers Lab 39, 40 By Jie (Jeff) Gao

23 March 2004CPSC 203 Labs by Jie Gao Assignment 5: Group Project Students will participate in a GROUP activity to produce a report on computer hardware and/or software comparison and selection topics.Students will participate in a GROUP activity to produce a report on computer hardware and/or software comparison and selection topics. You need various knowledge learned from this course to finish the reportYou need various knowledge learned from this course to finish the report

23 March 2004CPSC 203 Labs by Jie Gao The Group A student MUST join a group of 3 – 4 studentsA student MUST join a group of 3 – 4 students The members of a group can be in any lecture section by DeurThe members of a group can be in any lecture section by Deur All the members of a group cooperate to create one report for the groupAll the members of a group cooperate to create one report for the group

23 March 2004CPSC 203 Labs by Jie Gao Scenario A new employee is about to be hired for a newly created long term position.A new employee is about to be hired for a newly created long term position. This new employee need a computer, software and possibly peripheral devices.This new employee need a computer, software and possibly peripheral devices. You and other present employees work as a group and determine actual hardware and softwareYou and other present employees work as a group and determine actual hardware and software Create a report that will be sent to your bossCreate a report that will be sent to your boss

23 March 2004CPSC 203 Labs by Jie Gao The Report Each group produce a reportEach group produce a report Recommendation for purchasing a personal computer system and softwareRecommendation for purchasing a personal computer system and software IncludeInclude –A statement of the requirements –Comparison of the candidates –References (bibliography) –Local prices –Overall recommendation

23 March 2004CPSC 203 Labs by Jie Gao Specify the Requirements Make reasonable assumptions:Make reasonable assumptions: –Who will use the system; user experience? –What is their job –Platform performance; software requirement; peripherals; … –Reasonable budget Make the assumptions specific to narrow down your topic in the reportMake the assumptions specific to narrow down your topic in the report

23 March 2004CPSC 203 Labs by Jie Gao Make Comparisons Find candidate computer systems and/or software byFind candidate computer systems and/or software by –Searching the Internet –Visiting vendor sites –… Make comparisons in the report: pros and consMake comparisons in the report: pros and cons Give the conclusion after comparisonGive the conclusion after comparison

23 March 2004CPSC 203 Labs by Jie Gao Overall Recommendation Finally you need an overall recommendation to summarize the reportFinally you need an overall recommendation to summarize the report It should cover all your sub-conclusions from each comparison partIt should cover all your sub-conclusions from each comparison part

23 March 2004CPSC 203 Labs by Jie Gao The Report Writing Totally 5 – 10 pagesTotally 5 – 10 pages At least 2 bibliography itemsAt least 2 bibliography items –From magazines, web sites, or others … Well organized and printed outWell organized and printed out –Organize your report in several parts –Provide a final recommendation –Use appropriate font sizes, styles and layouts

23 March 2004CPSC 203 Labs by Jie Gao Hand in The printed reportThe printed report –Put all the students ’ names in the group in the cover page; order them in ascending order of last name –Provide everyone ’ s lab sections as well –Let the student whose name appears first in all the students ’ names submit the report to his/her TA. Only ONE submission needed Due: 4:00 p.m., April 8 (Thursday)Due: 4:00 p.m., April 8 (Thursday)

23 March 2004CPSC 203 Labs by Jie Gao Marking Weight 5%, all the students in the same group get the same markWeight 5%, all the students in the same group get the same mark This assignment can get all possible letter gradesThis assignment can get all possible letter grades The three components weigh equally:The three components weigh equally: –Content –Organization –Presentation

23 March 2004CPSC 203 Labs by Jie Gao Problems If you have any problems about this project, e.g. no group, cannot work with others, …If you have any problems about this project, e.g. no group, cannot work with others, … –The best way to solve them is to go to the lectures and talk to Mr Deur.