Module 1 - Case
Introduction to Networks (Client/Server, Peer-to-Peer, and Home/Small Office)
Assignment Overview
There is no question that a large part of the future of organizational information technology management involves networks and networked systems rather than stand-alone computing hardware. From about 1980 until 2000, IT was largely defined by the "personal computer," supplemented increasingly by networked resources but still largely dependent on local processing power. But there is also no doubt that organizations are becoming more dispersed, more "virtual," and more dependent than ever on collaboration technologies to sustain and support these trends. In the case for this module, we will explore some dimensions of these technologies and their impact on organizational knowledge resources.
First off, if you don't know anything about computer networking or what a client/server network is in particular, it's recommended that you start with this reasonably good short guide to network terminology (if you're already on top of this stuff, you can probably skip this one; if you need more, there are references in the optional readings to help):
Wilson, J. (2015). Selecting the eight computer network. Journal of Accountancy.
Retried from https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/1997/feb/select.html
You Tube Video, Introduction to Networking, Retrived November 19, 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL8RSFQG8do
But technology is only part of the story. The concepts of socio-technical design have proved to be particularly helpful in understanding how social processes, relationships and procedures interact with technology in interesting ways. Here's a good basic introduction to socio-technical systems thinking:
Scacchi, W. (2004) Socio-Technical Design. In W. S. Bainbridge (ed.) The Encyclopedia of Human-Computer Interaction. Berkshire Publishing Group, 2004. Retrieved on December 1, 2011, from https://www.ics.uci.edu/~wscacchi/Papers/SE-Encyc/Socio-Technical-Design.pdf
Now take a look at this current assessment of the real-world needs for collaboration:
Annibell, B. (2010) The Future State of Collaboration. The Public Manager. Winter 2010. Retrieved on December 1, 2011, from https://www.sapient.com/assets/imagedownloader/642/POV_Future%20State%20of%20Collaboration.pdf
Case Assignment
When you've had a chance to read this article, review information from the background readings and research other sources on your own, please prepare a short paper on the topic:
- The social and technical features required in information networks to support effective collaboration.
Assignment Expectations
Your paper should be between three and five pages. Take a definite stand on the issues, and develop your supporting argument carefully. Using material from the background information and any other sources you can find to support specific points in your argument is highly recommended; try to avoid making assertions for which you can find no support other than your own opinion.
You will be particularly assessed on:
- Precision: Your draw on a range of sources, and to establish your understanding of the historical context of the question. You carried out the exercise as assigned, or carefully explained the limitations that might have prevented your completing some parts (running out of time isn't generally considered an adequate limitation).
- Support for assertions: You use examples, citations (especially to the required readings), and elaboration to support assertions. You provide evidence that you have read the required background materials.
- Clarity: Your answers are clear and show your good understanding of the topic. You see what the module is all about and to structure your paper accordingly.
- Breadth and Depth: The scope covered in your paper is directly related to the questions of the assignment and the learning objectives of the module.
- Critical thinking: The paper incorporates YOUR reactions, examples, and applications of the material to business that illustrate your reflective judgment and good understanding of the concepts. It is important to read the "required readings" posted in the background material plus others you find relevant. Your informed commentary and analysis is vital -- simply repeating what your sources say does not constitute an adequate paper.
- Overall quality: Your paper is well written and the references, where needed, are properly cited and listed (refer to Trident's Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper) if you are uncertain about formats or other issues.
Module - SLP
Introduction to Networks (Client/Server, Peer-to-Peer, and Home/Small Office)
The purpose of the Session Long Project in Trident University classes is to give you the opportunity to explore the applicability of the Module to your own life, work, and place in space and time, and to experiment with the Module to see how the otherwise academically rigorous presentation of a topic may, with more or less work and/or trauma, become "up close and personal." This is done in a number of different ways -- sometimes cumulative papers, sometimes practical hands-on experimentation with a tool of some sort, sometimes reflections on a place of work or life. The common thread is personal application, aimed at demonstrating a cumulative knowledge and understanding of the course's material. The main purpose of the written parts of the assignments is to show that you've had some experiences doing the project, that you've thought carefully about what they mean for your own education, and that you can make some personal applications of this meaning to your own professional and/or personal understanding. Demonstrating this understanding is actually considerably more important than carrying out any specific step in the project instructions.
For this course, the SLP will take the form of reviewing relevant professional development websites. As you work through the SLP assignments for this course, you're going to find yourself facing basically the same set of questions each module -- that's because you're doing reviews, and the structure of each review is pretty much the same. However, please also note that you are NOT -- or at least shouldn't be -- providing the same answers each module! Each website that you look at is different, with unique features and problems. The reason for these assignments is to give you real-world experience with searching for professional resources on the Internet, and appreciating the variety while at the same time sharpening your critical skills in evaluating resources. The Internet is a wild place. But throughout your coming careers, the Internet -- or its even-wilder successors -- will be THE major resource on which you'll draw for professional assistance. These exercises will help you learn to tame it and make it work with you instead of leading you astray. And that's why we ask the same questions over and over, through this class and others as well.
If you have any questions about the purposes of these exercises, please discuss them with your instructors -- that's what we're here for!
It is a good idea to be sure that your computer is appropriately protected from the Bad Guys Out There. There are some security precautions that are particularly important to observe before setting out on any Internet excursion, including these projects. In particular, it is essential that if you are going to download anything from the Internet, that you have adequate virus protection and anti-adware/spyware/malware screening on your systems. Please review our suggestions for preparing your computer for active Internet use before diving headlong into that world.
Most online demo sites, when you encounter them, will require you to enter a name and an email address by way of registration; if this bothers you, try using a pseudonym and a convenience free email account from Hotmail or Gmail or Yahoo, or just try some other name. All they want is a place to send a password, generally. It is also possible that you will receive follow-up inquiries from sites that you have visited. For a fuller discussion of these issues, please click here to read our policy note/advisory on website relationships.
If you work in an area subject to security clearances and regulations, or if the computer to which you have access is restricted in critical ways in terms of what you are at liberty to download and use (because of capacity, policy and/or security rules, or other factors) then your ability to carry out the assignments as presented may be somewhat compromised. Never Fear! TUI is known for its flexibility and ability to reconfigure assignments imaginatively, and we stand ready to help you here as well! Please click here to review our policy on assignments and national security. Alternatives are available, and while you might miss some of the learning benefits of the assignment, you can still get a substantial measure. Please let your instructor know as soon as you can if you will be operating under any sort of limitations on your computing capacity, so that you can work out suitable arrangements.
So -- that's the general SLP approach for this course. If you have questions at any point about what to do or how to strategize your exercises, please contact your instructor for illumination and assistance.
For Module
Your assignment is to become familiar with the professional support website called NetworkComputing.com, Retrieved November 7, 2010 from: (https://www.networkcomputing.com)
You should do the following:
- Look over the range of articles and other resources linked there.
- Follow up links that interest you. In general, become familiar with its contents. If you don't know where to start, you may want to focus on "infrastructure" (such as "Network Infrastructure" link to the left side of the menu if you scroll down).
- Pay special attention on the subject of this module and learn as much as you can.
- Look over the career links. Anything interest you? Any interesting themes there?
Then write your review.
SLP Assignment Expectations
Your paper should be two to three pages in length, and reflect your personal experiences with this issue. The important part of all these project assignments is to carefully assess your own experiences with the topic, and then reflect critically on what you might have learned about yourself and about situations through this assessment process.
The more that you can use the exercise to develop personal implications for your growth as a potential business person as well as a moral individual, the more value you'll get out of the exercise.
The general format valid for such reviews in ALL your SLPs here is:
- a short summary description of the website's structure, purpose, pros and cons
- a comprehensive discussion on what you learn from this website regarding the subject of this module (at least half of your write-up should be devoted to this discussion). you can choose to provide a general review, or focus on one theme of your most interest.
- links that you find helpful to follow up
- why you will or will not find it a useful addition to your professional resources list
- any other things about the site that you find salient and worth noting to others
- bottom-line evaluation of its value to you in this program
The last point is very important. Be honest and direct; your assessment is helpful to you and to others. If you don't find it helpful, say so and why, and try to explain what you would find more useful in its place. But also do try to remember also that your education isn't yet finished, that things you don't understand now and don't yet see the value of may turn out later on to be relevant and useful, and that the site's creators may know more about the topic and the profession than you do yet.
Your paper will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Precision: You carried out the exercise as assigned, or carefully explained the limitations that might have prevented your completing some parts (running out of time isn't generally considered an adequate limitation).
- Clarity: Your answers are clear and show your good understanding of the topic.
- Breadth and Depth: The scope covered in your paper is directly related to the questions of the assignment and the learning objectives of the module.
- Critical thinking: The paper incorporates YOUR reactions, examples, and applications of the material to business that illustrate your reflective judgment and good understanding of the concepts.
- Overall quality: Your paper is well written and the references, where needed, are properly cited and listed. Refer to Trident's Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper) if you are uncertain about formats or other issues.