Welcome to ITApplications

1
Welcome to ITApplications

• WELCOME!!!
• ITApps Induction Session
• Ian Harrison ITApps Programme DirectorRoom
  270, email ian_at_dcs.bbk.ac.uk
• ITApps www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/itapps/
• First module usually Introduction to Web
  Authoring using XHTML and CSS
• Lecturer (Saturday class) Gerard Luskin
• Lecturer (Monday class) Dionisis Dimakopoulos

2
Getting Started

• Log-in using yourITS Username Password
• Password ITS Password in ITS labs OR
  G3orgeB1rkbeck in DCS labs
• Once logged on open Mozilla Filefox
• Enter URLhttp//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/ian/induction
  /

3
Health Safety

• Fire alarm/drill check out instructions for
  exit and assembly
• Birkbeck has a strict No Smoking policy

• Strictly NO Visitors
• Report suspicious people to Main
  Reception020-7631-6031
• Dial 555 for EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

BBK Securityhttp//www.bbk.ac.uk/ef/ourservices/
security.shtml
4
The ITApps Programme

• IT Applications Programme
• comprises a series of skills based, professional
  development courses/modules (each module 15
  credit points at NQF level 4/5)
• http//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/itapps/
• Current Awards
• Certificate of Higher Education in Information
  Technology (8 modules)
• Certificate of Higher Education in Web Design
  Technologies (8 modules)
• Certificate of Continuing Education in IT
  Applications or Web Design (4 modules)
• Short Courses (certificate of completion)

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ITApps Modules

• Introduction to Web Authoring using XHTML CSS
• Web Authoring using Dreamweaver
• Developing Multimedia Assets using Fireworks and
  Flash
• Multimedia Web Programming using Flash and
  ActionScript
• E-Commerce Applications
• JavaScript
• XML
• Fundamentals of Information Technology
• Introduction to Database Design (MySQL)
• Business Planning using Spreadsheets
• Web Programming using PHP
• Building Web Applications using MySQL and PHP
• ITApps Project
• http//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/itapps/modules.html

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ITApps Fees

• 375/475 per module (higher fee applies if you
  already have a degree or equivalent qualification
  or are studying the module as a short course)
• Certificate(s) of Continuing EducationSuccessful
  completion of 4 modules
• Certificate(s) of Higher EducationSuccessful
  completion of CertCE 4 modules
• http//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/itapps/

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Foundation Degree in IT

• FdSc IT Programme
• undergraduate degree which takes 2 years and 2
  terms to complete by part-time study.
• designed to equip students with the practical and
  transferable skills required by today's
  employers.
• provides the necessary academic and theoretical
  knowledge to allow students to continue into the
  final two years of BSc in Information Systems and
  Computing.
• FdSc IT Y1 shares some core modules with ITApps
• ITApps students can apply to transfer to Y2 of
  the FdSc IT after successfully completing 4
  modules
• http//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/courses/fdit/

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FD in Web Technologies

• FdSc Web Technologies
• undergraduate degree which takes 2 years and 2
  terms to complete by part-time
• aims to develop the knowledge, technical and
  transferable skills needed by those working, or
  seeking to work in areas related to the Web, new
  media and the Internet.
• covers web design and development, database
  design and development, programming, information
  systems and computer systems.
• ITApps students can apply to transfer to the FdSc
  WDT after successfully completing 4/8 ITApps
  modules
• http//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/courses/fdwt/

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The ITApps/Fd Team

• ITApps/Fd Teams
• Programme Administrators Stacey Hine (ITA),
  Leila Darwish (FdIT) and Tara Orlanes-Angelopoulou
  (FdWT)
• Programme Director (ITApps) Ian Harrison (Rm
  270)email ian_at_dcs.bbk.ac.uk
• Programme Director (FdIT) Jenny Pedler
• Programme Director (FdWT) Gordon McIntyre
• Number of external tutors/sessional lecturers who
  work in IT and/or related industries
• Other Support
• Systems Group in Department of Computer Science
  and Information Systems (DCS)
• IT Services (ITS) Group (Main College)
• My Birkbeck

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Department of Computer Science

• Department of Computer Science and Information
  Systemshttp//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk
• leading centre of computing expertise,
  specialising in information and knowledge
  management, web technologies, computer
  intelligence, bioinformatics and information
  systems developmenthttp//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/rese
  arch/

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Department of Computer Science

• Taught programmes emphasise the use of
  information technology in organisations.
• Aim to empower people with the technical and
  management skills required to succeed in a
  competitive market place.
• Learning Pathways in the School enable you to
  enter as an ITApps/Fd student and leave with a
  PhD
• http//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/courses/

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About DCS

• PC Labs on 4th floor of Malet Street Building
• Require Student ID Card (with photograph)
• Use it to gain access to DCS
• Needed for Security purposes
• Can be asked to leave any BBK building if you
  cannot produce your student ID card
• Upload a photo into your myBirkbeck profile or
  send a passport-size photo together with a
  completed id card application form to the student
  centre.
•  See My Birkbeck website for further details
  http//www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/you/cards

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About DCS

• Workstation rooms for classes and independent
  study
• DCS 403 - 407
• ITS 422/3, 536
• http//www.bbk.ac.uk/its/services/rooms
• Superior environment for superior students!
  Please take care of your environment its there
  for you.
• Any problems, report to SG (DCS) or ITS

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Lab Etiquette

• Respect for other students and staff
• Arrive on time
• NO eating or drinkingin Labs
• Coffee breaks andlunch by agreement
• Coffee usually 15mins _at_11.00 and 14.30 (Saturday
  classes)and _at_ 6.30pm (Evening Classes)
• Lunch usually between 12.30 and 13.00 (30mins - 1
  hour)

• Student area and Toilets (near entrance to
  School)
• NO use of mobile phones (switch off or turn to
  silent mode)

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ITApps Contacts

• ITApps Programme Administrator
• Stacey Hine itapp_at_dcs.bbk.ac.uk
• To book modules, admin queries, etc.
• Tutors/Sessional Lecturers for help with
  study/content .
• Discussion Board help/advice from peers
• Book individual surgery appointments
• IN, WA, FI Gordon McIntyre gordon_at_dcs.bbk.ac.uk
• DT Jenny Pedler jenny_at_dcs.bbk.ac.uk
• Problems with assessment
• Ian Harrison Chair of Exam Board
• Email ian_at_dcs.bbk.ac.uk
• Last resort contact the Programme Director
• ITApps Ian Harrison ian_at_dcs.bbk.ac.uk

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Communication Channels

• Primary Communication is via Email
• Use personal email address, need to update your
  Profile in MyBirkbeckhttp//www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirk
  beck/
• Telephone, Letter
• Teaching via Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
  Blackboard
• In class human-human interaction, 1-2-1,
  1-2-many

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Problems with a class

• Discuss this with your Class Tutor in the first
  instance.
• Use Class Forum on discussion board to get
  help/advice from peers.
• IN, WA, FI Book a surgery appt with Gordon
  McIntyre (1600-1730 during term)
• Email gordon_at_dcs.bbk.ac.uk
• DT Book a surgery appt with Jenny
  Pedler(1600-1730 during term)
• Email jenny_at_dcs.bbk.ac.uk
• Dont just turn up and expect to meet with
  tutors. Their workload is heavy. So do email for
  an appointment.

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DCS and ITS Computer Networks

• Two separate computer networks
• Birkbeck Main College (ITS)
• Department of Computer Science (DCS)
• Login ITS Network using your
• username and ITS password
• Login to DCS Network using your
• username and School password
• Two separate student file servers (I N)

19
BBK (ITS) Computer Network
Student Files N Drive
Login username ITS password
20
Dept (DCS) Computer Network
Department Network (domain DCSNT)
Dept Password
Login username Dept password
Student Files I Drive
21
ITS v DCS Networks

• Important to understand - two separate networks
  managed separately by (i) ITS and (ii)
  Department of Computer Science (DCS).
• SAME username but DIFFERENT passwords!
• Different password rules! Easier to change DCSNT
  password to be similar to your ITS password.
• If you forget your ITS password can get help
  http//www.bbk.ac.uk/its/
• However, your DCS password can only be reset
  during working hours

22
ITS v DCS Networks

• Different drive allocations
• File space in ITS (BBK) located on N drive
• File space in Department (DCS) located on I
  drive
• Usually use C drive at home/office.
• Flash drives (recommended for back-up)
• You are responsible for backing up your files.
  ITS/DCS do not guarantee to maintain files
  between sessions.
• Anything on C drive may be automatically
  removed!
• No applications can be installed on workstation
  PCs

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BBK (ITS) Computer Network
Login username ITS password

• Details on e-mail/letter from ITS
• Use to Log-in to VLE (Blackboard)
• Use to Log-on in BBK Workstation rooms
• Use to set up FTP for publishing to your student
  web space

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Dept (DSC) Computer Network
Login username Dept password

• Use to Log-on in DCS Workstation rooms (Rooms
  403-407)
• Log-on to the DCS network
• Use ITS Username
• Temporary Password ask your tutor
• Note Passwords are case sensitive
• Folder and filenames on mixed Unix/Windows
  networks must NOT contain spaces.

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• The My Birkbeck web site pulls together a range
  of information you'll need to help you study at
  Birkbeck.
• The My Birkbeck Helpdesk is situated by the
  main entrance in Torrington Square. Offers
  face-to-face advice, information and access to
  support services across the college. Full
  details are on the My Birkbeck website.

http//www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/
26

1. Select My Birkbeck Profile
2. Log-in using your ITS Username and Password
3. Check your details, includingyour email
address
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Blackboard (VLE)

• Blackboard http//www.ble.ac.uk/
• VLE Virtual Learning Environment
• Accessible anywhere
• VLE contains
• Module content hands-on exercises, reading,
  quizzes, discussion boards
• Assignments links to TMA and FMA, Dropboxes for
  electronic submission, return of feedback.
• Evaluation and Suggestion Surveys
• Log-in to the VLE using your
• ITS username and ITS password

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Accessing VLE-1
Open Web Browser (Firefox) and enter URL of
VLE http//www.ble.ac.uk
29
Accessing VLE-2
30
Accessing VLE-3
31
Accessing VLE-4
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ITApps Assessment

• TMA Tutor Marked Assignment
• Work on this during course
• 25 of total marks
• Usually submit the TMA in session 5
• FMA Final Marked Assignment
• Work on this after course finished
• 75 of total marks
• Submit by specified deadline
• Electronic Submission of TMA FMA files
• Late submission allowed up to 21 days AFTER
  deadline, but capped at 40 UNLESS you have
  acceptable mitigating circumstances,
  seehttp//www.bbk.ac.uk/reg/regs/mitcircspol

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ITApps Assessment

• Overall PASS MARK 40.
• If you Fail a module with mark between 30-39 you
  can apply to resubmit at next deadline.
• If your mark is less than 30 then you have to
  RETAKE the module.
• DEFERRALS
• Can apply to DEFER FMA but you have to be able to
  provide documentary evidence of the mitigating
  circumstances that prevented you submitting your
  work on time.
• If you fail to submit at the next deadline you
  will be awarded 0 and be required to RETAKE the
  module.

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ITApps Assessment

• Please do NOT ask tutors to extend deadlines as
  they are not authorisedto do so!
• Full Details of the ITApps Assessment process and
  FMA submission deadlineshttp//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk
  /itapps/assessment.html

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Plagiarism

• Plagiarism is claiming the work of others as your
  own.
• Plagiarism is regarded as serious infringement
  and you may be asked to leave the university.
• Do not copy work from internet, other students,
  books, tutors UNLESS you attribute any work that
  is not your own to the originator.

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Plagiarism

• Your work is checked out for plagiarism using IT
  tools.
• Providing you clearly reference work done by
  others that you have included in your coursework
  you will not be penalised. Indeed including
  components developed by others is encouraged as
  it mirrors how IT systems are efficiently built.
• See the Plagiarism module in the VLE (under
  Self-enrolled Courses).

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How am I doing?

• Review learning points after completing exercises
• Feedback from peers during group exercises
• Feedback from tutors on TMA
• Keep a Learning/Development Log
• Individual help from tutors/at surgery

38
Study Help

• Birkbeck Student Union offer a series of academic
  support sessions to help you with your studies
• http//www.bbk.ac.uk/su/skills
• http//www.bbk.ac.uk/su/skills/cotherresources/
• http//www.bbk.ac.uk/su/support/advice/index_html
• Centre for Learning and Professional Development
  provides a series of courses designed to develop
  your personal and/or professional skills and
  improve your learning experience (part of
  MyBirkbeck website)http//www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbe
  ck/services/facilities/support
• Links provided in the Blackboard (Study Skills
  on main LH menu)

39
FAQs

• How can I purchase hardware and software with
  student/educational discounts?
• Adobe Creative Suitehttp//www.adobe.com/uk/educ
  ation/students/studentedition/
• Microsoft Products http//www.software4students.c
  o.uk/
• Open Office http//www.openoffice.org/
• How can I get technical support?
• Systems Group in Department (DCS)
  sg_at_dcs.bbk.ac.uk
• IT Services (ITS) in Main College
  its-helpdesk_at_bbk.ac.uk
• What about viruses, security, rules for use of
  computers etc?

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Security Tips

• The US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT)
  produces a number of security tips. These provide
  simple, non-technical advice on how to deal with
  most of the issues that anyone using the internet
  at work or at home will encounter. For example
  "Recognizing and avoiding spyware", "Avoiding
  social engineering and phishing attacks",
  "Understanding patches" and "Protecting your
  privacy".
• http//www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/index.html

41
Disability Support

• http//www.bbk.ac.uk/disability/
• Disability co-ordinator Mark Pimm
• Central point of contact at Birkbeck.
• Manages the disability service at Birkbeck
• Can provide individual help/support. BUT
• If you do need support you need to MAKE US AWARE
  (as the College does not release this information
  to us)
• Talk with your tutor or if you prefer make appt
  tosee the Programme Director
• Note Once you talk to us, we will do all we can
  to help. But we have to inform the Disability
  Coordinator

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DCS Websites

• ITApps www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/itapps/
• ITApps Assessmenthttp//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/itapps
  /assessment
• Department of Computer Science
  http//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/
• DCS - Contacts http//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/support
• DCS - Computer Information (requires username
  School DCSNT password)http//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk
  /intranet/compinfo.pdf
• DCS - Computer Support (requires username
  School DCSNT password) http//www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk
  /intranet/r/doc/

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Other Websites

• Blackboard http//www.ble.ac.uk/
• Birkbeck http//www.bbk.ac.uk
• My Birkbeck http//www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/
• BBK PC Labs http//www.bbk.ac.uk/its/services/roo
  ms
• US CERT Security tipshttp//www.us-cert.gov/cas/
  tips/index.html
• Disability Support http//www.bbk.ac.uk/disabilit
  y/
• BBK SU Study Skills http//www.bbk.ac.uk/su/skill
  s
• CLPD Study Help http//www.clpd.bbk.ac.uk/student
  s/Study
• Careers Advice http//www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/se
  rvices/facilities/careers