I.B. Diploma Years Program Instructor: Mr. Gabriel Fisher Syllabus Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS) is a standard level, full year course emphasizing the study of the social significance and ethical considerations arising from information technology (IT) on a local, national, and global level. The course includes critical examination and evaluation of specific areas of impact resulting from IT. The ITGS course of study will encourage students to develop a well rounded knowledge base regarding IT in support of developing higher level critical thinking, and problem solving skills. The ITGS student will explore the nature of the social and ethical issues arising from IT, and will develop products and solutions that demonstrate a sensitivity to these issues on a global level. The ITGS student will develop a thorough competence in the tools and applications of IT, and will be guided to develop a strong sense of responsibility in relation to how IT tools are utilized. Students will be assessed externally through two exam papers and internally through the creation of a portfolio and a project. The external assessment consists of two exam papers written in May covering the content of the entire course. A substantial portion of the course will be devoted to exam preparation. The internal assessment consists of a project. Internal assessment is conducted by the teacher according to IB assessment rubrics. The project entails identifying a problem that affects individuals or groups and creating an IT-based solution to this problem. It must be a real problem. Project components include: A detailed log book, written report, and final product. Each component is assessed according to specific IB rubrics. Required materials Optional materials The notebookStudents will keep a cumulative notebook of coursework and artifacts. Notebooks will be checked every 4.5 weeks. Text: Computer Confluence: Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology (Sixth edition Comprehensive with CD ROM supplement). Supplementary reading from current news will be required during the course of the academic year. Academic honesty Students are expected to prepare only original works for submission. The penalty for plagiarism is extremely severe. All sources must be cited appropriately in the bibliography of all written works submitted. The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus anytime during the course of the school year. |