ECS15Xin Liu 1 ECS 15 Introduction to computers Fall 2014 Prof. Xin Liu

ECS15Xin Liu 2 Class Schedule prerequisites: None. Class: MWF 10:00a.m.-10:50a.m.; Labs: A01 M 12:10p-3:00p; 2020 SLB A02 M 3:10 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.; 2020 SLB A03 W 1:10p.m.- 4 p.m.; 2020 SLB A04 F 2:10 p.m.- 5 p.m.; 2020 SLB Additional Lab hour: M 12: SciLab (No TA) Can I go to a different lab?

ECS15Xin Liu 3 Highlights Instructor: Xin Liu – Instructor office hour: –F 11a.m.-2:00p.m. at 3013 Kemper Hall –Extra office hours announced when necessary TAs: –Gabriel Castillo Cortes at –Huaguang (Chad) Song at –Sharmin Jalal at TA office hour and location – same as the lab sessions Reader (for the term paper): –William Dyer at

ECS15Xin Liu 4 Class material Optional Textbooks –Michael Dawson, Python programming for the absolute beginner, 2nd edition, Thomson Course Technology, ISBN: –Spraul, V. Anton, Computer Science Made Simple, Broadway Books, 2005, ISBN: –Brain Kernighan, D is for Digital, ISBN: Class website: – –Check for notes –Notes and useful information links will be posted and updated. –Why some notes are not accessible (yet)? Announcement: – ed to the mailing list

ECS15Xin Liu 5 Road Map Computers (3-4 weeks) –Hardware: motherboard, processor, memory, I/O devices, etc. –Software and application: –Graphics: image, video, 2D, 3D, game, –History and ethics –Search (do you google?)

ECS15Xin Liu 6 Why does this help? Computer Literacy Basic knowledge of computers –Order a computer –Buy a digital camera –Configure your wireless router Basic understanding of software and tools –Word process, ppt, excel, access, etc.

ECS15Xin Liu 7 Road Map The Internet (2-3 weeks) –Layered architecture –Applications: web, , p2p, etc. –The path of your /webpage. –LAN: local area network, wireless local area network. –Security

ECS15Xin Liu 8 Why does this help? Internet drastically changes the world What do these things mean? –Wikipedia –Web 2.0 –Long tail Internet is reaching beyond PCs Security and privacy –IRS sending you an ? –Are you anonymous on the Internet?

ECS15Xin Liu 9 Are you anonymous on the Internet? The above cartoon by Peter Steiner has been reproduced from The New Yorker, (Vol.69 (LXIX) no. 20)The New Yorker, only for academic discussion.

ECS15Xin Liu 10 Road Map Python Programming (3-4 weeks) –Getting started (Chapter 1) –Basic concepts: type, variable, I/O (Chapter 2) –Loops: while, for, if (Chapters 3-4)

ECS15Xin Liu 11 Why Programming What is a program? You can handle little problems yourself You know when you hire someone how big a job it is (like going to a mechanic) You have some idea of what is possible. A good programmer has more job options (you’ll need more than this one class, though)

ECS15Xin Liu 12 Why Python? Great for interfacing one program to another Free! Used in industry –Google, ILM, NASA…. Easy to get started with! Lots of “libraries” (add-ons) that do things like sound editing, computational biology, Web database access…..

ECS15Xin Liu 13 What should you get from this class? You can handle little problems yourself –Do research, find interesting stuff –Security –impress your friends Your know when you hire someone how big a job is. You know some idea of what is possible People with good IT skills have more job options.

ECS15Xin Liu 14 It teaches you to think! The computer is your genie in a bottle –It can be your best help –It can be really frustration It does exactly what you tell it to Your job is to figure out what/how to tell it. Learning the language is easy, … Some people really like it!

ECS15Xin Liu 15 Other options ECS 10: Programming in Python –You will get full credit (after taking ECS 15) –GE class ECS 30: More intensive class for those with some programming experience (basic, c, java), learn C++, required for ECS majors.

ECS15Xin Liu 16 Grading –Term paper (20%) Computer in an area of your interest –Lab assignments (35%) 9 small projects (basic computer skills, basic programming) No homework –Midterm 20% (one mid-term) Close book, one sheet of notes allowed In class –Final 25% Close book, one sheet of notes allowed

ECS15Xin Liu 17 Class Policy All lab assignments require individual efforts. Discussions are allowed, copying NOT. Late policy –Full credit if on time –50% if within 24 hours –0 after 24 hours Regrading Policy –One week regrading period after grades returned to students Incomplete will not be granted –Unless proved emergency with filled emergency form Academic Integrity –Writing, commercial software for checking plagiarism –Lab assignments

ECS15Xin Liu 18 Please include “ECS 15” in your subject line, to me and to TAs. Why? One day response, TA/reader, myself. If your requests not responded, let me know.

ECS15Xin Liu 19 etiquettes > R U handing back midterms Th?

ECS15Xin Liu 20 Hi Gary, This is Shareen, from your Thursday discussion section. I was wondering if you are going to be handing back the midterms this week? Thanks, Shareen  It is also best to address your to one person, possibly cc to others.

ECS15Xin Liu 21 Good Grade Guideline Computers are rational –Understand, not memorize Active classroom participation Do your own assignments –Help you understand –Help you do well in exams –Help you in your later studies –Projects and term paper are “easy” grades. Sufficient time, sufficient help Follow the lecture and notes Final review

First Quarter Here? College is different, for most, very different First year, and for some, second year, can be very challenging Course work and extra curriculum activities A lot of freedom, independence, and responsibilities Growth is when one overcomes challenges. ECS15Xin Liu 22

Growth Mindset Test your mindset: Intelligence is something about a person that he/she can’t change very much. –Strongly agree to strongly disagree Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset Can one learn to be good at computers? –Yes, absolutely. –And yes, absolutely worth your time and effort Google “growth mindset” for more information. ECS15Xin Liu 23

ECS15Xin Liu 24 Lab Session Go to your registered Lab session if possible. Priority goes to students registered in the lab session TAs will be there the whole time to help you. Joint with TAs’ office hours Yes, you can go and ask any question related to the class. Please let the TAs talk about the lab assignment first. Lab assignments are posted two weeks in advance All due on Friday 6pm, on smartsite Grades posted one week after due date. Please check your grade and TA comments (if any).

ECS15Xin Liu 25 Computer Labs We have two computer labs you can use –SLB 2020 (where your lab sessions are) –Sometimes used by other classes –M 12: SciLab Of course, you can also do everything on your own computer

ECS15Xin Liu 26 Lab Assignments Lab 1: Create your webpage, due on Friday, Apr. 8Lab 1 Lab 2: Advanced Word Techniques, due on Friday Apr. 15, Lab 2 Lab 3 : Introduction to Excel, due on Friday, Apr. 22Lab 3 Lab 4: Excel Chart and Pivot Tables, due on Friday, Apr. 23Lab 4 Lab 5: Introduction to Access, due on Friday, May 6Lab 5 Lab 6: Starting Python, due on Friday, May 13Lab 6 Lab 7: Jeopardy, due on Friday, May 20Lab 7 Lab 8: Wheel of Fortune, due on Friday, May 27Lab 8 One more

ECS15Xin Liu 27 Lab Assignments I may change sequence to better coordinate with classroom material 1 lab assignment per week Assignments posted –You can go to your lab sessions at least twice. Do not be afraid to ask for help! We are here to help. Computer related questions are much easier to be answered when demonstrated. Google.

ECS15Xin Liu 28 Term paper 20% of the total grade Credit for writing ~2500 words (around 10 pages) A research paper on a topic related to computers that interests you An opportunity to learn some detailed information and how they are used in some area of interest to you. Lecture on writing the term paper Start early!

ECS15Xin Liu 29 Steps Introduction & Prospectus Due Friday, Oct. 24Introduction & Prospectus Progress Report Due Friday, Nov. 7Progress Report Draft Due Friday, Nov. 21Draft The paper itself Due Friday, Dec. 5The paper itself All due at 6pm Hard copy samples available for viewing

ECS15Xin Liu 30 Topics Check a list of potential topics at the class website computers in education –for teaching reading –for teaching music computers in biology –bioinformatics –computational biology computers in art, architecture, and design –computer-generated and computer-supported art –computer-aided design digital libraries –legal issues (e.g., intellectual property) music on the Internet –legal issues and debates –technologies

ECS15Xin Liu 31 Topics Internet on entertainment –P2p file sharing –Video-on-demand Netflix’s video-streaming service $1.99 TV show downloads from Amazon/iTune –E-books Amazon’s Kindle and $9.99 book offering

ECS15Xin Liu 32 Topics Social networking websites and their impacts Online advertising –Google? Security and privacy

ECS15Xin Liu 33 Topics computer and/or Internet addiction failures regarding computers in schools famous computer viruses and "worms" "computer illiteracy" or lack of access to computers as a problem in society Digital divide

ECS15Xin Liu 34 Again Projects and term paper are good for your grades. Plan early. Do them well.

ECS15Xin Liu 35 Last slide I am constantly looking for ways to make this class better, more useful, more fun All comments/suggestions welcome. Anonymous if you like. –Or google “Xin Liu” –Go to my webpage, click on Teaching, and you will see your class. Questions?