The computer skills course aims above all to give students some basic notions of what the science that goes by the name of computer (Computer science) and how and with what effects it develops in favor of man and the sciences of training Students will have to acquire adequate knowledge and application skills of computer science with particular regard to the creation and formation of professional text documents with word processing software, ability to search for information on the web and know how to evaluate it, graphically represent concepts and ideas with appropriate software, share information on the net.

The course is divided into two parts: theoretical part (basic concepts of computer science) and practical part (finalized acquisition of computer skills).

Basic computer concepts (4 hours)

• The computer: nature, name and functions
• The general computer executor of algorithms
• What is an algorithm
• From the algorithm to the computer program: introduction to coding

Applications (14 hours)

- Programs for text and file formats

• Text editor
• Based on WYSIWG graphic interface (Word, Write. Etc.)
• Based on Symbolic languages ??(WYSIWYM paradigm)

- Search for digital content (2 hours)

• Plan and carry out an online search
• Evaluate the information
• Check the credibility of the sources

- Programs for graphic representation of information, concepts and ideas (3 hours)

• Presentation tools
• Tools for creating cognitive maps (conceptual, mental)

- Tools for sharing information on the net (1 hour)

• Online collaboration applications (groupware)

No specific prerequisites are required. However, a basic familiarity with the computer is needed

In relation to the teaching of computer science, the student must show possession of the:

1.  knowledge and under standing. At the end of the course the students will have to be able to understand and explain the fundamental concepts of computer science (of what the computer science deals with, the logic underlying the functioning of a computer, the algorithm and the software) and in particular which uses computer science can have in the disciplinary field of psychology.

2.  Applying knowledge and understanding. At the end of the course students will have to demonstrate ability to apply knowledge on computer tools in the field of Educational Sciences with particular reference to software tools for the processing of texts and the graphic representation of information, concepts and ideas.

3.  Making judgments. At the end of the course the students will have to demonstrate the ability to use knowledge and concepts to reason with independent judgment according to the logic of the discipline.

4.  Communication skills. At the end of the course the students will have to be able to present and discuss the topics studied with conceptual and linguistic precision, and to outline general frameworks that effectively and briefly illustrate the problems addressed.

5.  Learning skills. At the end of the course the students must have achieved a certain familiarity with the basic concepts of computer science applied to the field of Educational Sciences so as to be able to acquire new knowledge autonomously by consulting bibliographic in-depth analysis tools.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Any additional lessons and / or seminars.

Teaching

Lectures, practical demonstrations on the use of the software indicated in the study program with the aid of multimedia tools (PC and video projector), structured exercises on the use of word processing software, information search, graphic representation of information, sharing in the information network.

We recommend bringing a notebook to class.

Attendance

Attendance is recommended as it is a course on the use of word processing software and graphic representation of concepts and ideas. The presence of the students will be surveyed and each year an exercise will be assigned which must be compulsorily delivered to the teacher the following week.

Course books

- On the basic concepts of computer science, see:

• Materiali didattici a cura del docente disponibili  sulla piattaforma blended learning.
• Mauro Mezzini, Informatica di base, Maggioli editore,2016. Cap. 2 (Rappresentazione dell'informazione), Cap. 4 (Sistemi operativi e reti).

-On algorithms and coding, see:

• Mauro Mezzini, Informatica di base, Maggioli editore,2016. Cap. 1 (pp. 5-20),

-For practical contents, see:

• Mauro Mezzini, Informatica di base, Maggioli editore,2016.  Cap. 6 (Elaborazione dei testi), cap. 7 (Presentazioni), cap. 8 (Collaborazione on-line).

-On the search for information online, see:

• Carlo Bianchini, Come imparare a riconoscere il falso in rete, Editrice bibliografica, 2017. Disponibile anche come e-book.

Assessment

The exam consists of a suitability test. This means that no votes are awarded, only the qualification of "suitable".

The suitability test consists of:

• Written test through tests with multiple choice question type, multiple answer, true or false affirmation, open answer, word association, personalized question (total 35 questions) and / or any exercises to carry out. The test will focus on theoretical topics and on the use of the software tools indicated in the course program to ascertain the possession of the basic knowledge and skills acquired. The time for the test is forty minutes. The written test will be passed by answering exactly 75% of the questions and correctly carrying out any exercises.
• Written processing of a theme with a word processing program and presentation of the topic's argumentation in PowerPoint. Both papers must be sent by e-mail to the teacher ten days before the exam for the evaluation. The title of the topic, the editorial indications and the email address to which the works will be sent will be published on the blended learning platform.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Individual study of the specific texts and materials indicated.

Independent exercises on the topics of the application part.

Attendance

Nobody.

Course books

The same texts and teaching materials used by attending students.

Assessment

The same ascertained methods of assessment for attending students.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.