Communication Issues In Information Technology

Curriculum guideline

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Course
CSIS 2115
Discontinued
Yes
Course code
CSIS 2115
Descriptive
Communication Issues In Information Technology
Department
Computing Studies & Information Systems
Faculty
Commerce & Business Administration
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
202010
PLAR
Yes
Semester length
15 Weeks X 4 Hours per Week = 60 Hours
Max class size
35
Contact hours
Lecture: 2 Hours per week Seminar: 2 Hours per week Total: 4 Hours per week
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Learning activities

Lecture and seminar.

Course description
The course covers interrelationships between programmers, users and other IT people. It includes a study of Agile, Scrum and Xtreme programming methodology and how their adaptive nature and people-first orientation has changed the way developers communicate with users. Other topics will include web page design using HTML, usability, technical research methods, presenting software demos, managing user expectations and understanding and working with various diagramming techniques. We will spend some time in discussing the impact of intercultural factors on global software development.

Course content and presentation focus on a practical process to technical communication. The course will be presented using multiple case studies and role playing to convey content and provide a learning environment suitable for this topic.
Course content
  1. Technical writing
    • Communicating technical contents to the non-technical readers
    • Human-computer interaction
  2. Corporate Culture
    • The global workplace
    • Outsourcing abroad
    • Effective electronic communications in a corporate culture
  3. Agile processes
    • Conflict resolution within the development team and management
    • Communication and collaboration within the team
    • Effective electronic communications in an agile environment
  4. Scrum and scrum meetings
    • Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
  5. Page Design and Web Design
    • Using HTML to design usable web sites
    • Review tools for web design
    • Web Accessibility
  6. Usability
    • Usability Testing
    • Mockups
    • Accessibility and standards compliance
    • Story boards
  7. Process Descriptions and Instructions
    • Understanding/deciphering :
      • Technical Reports
      • Requirements through Use Cases
      • Network diagrams
      • Class diagrams to write code
      • Proposals and Feasibility Studies
  8. Working with users
    • How much control do users have vs developers
    • Managing expectations
    • Language matters
  9. Oral Communications
    • How to Demo the application
  10. Technical Research
    • Locate information applicable to the IT person
  11. Job Search
    • Decipher various job ads
    • Understand what you are applying for
    • Format job-specific online resumes, covering letters and applications.
Learning outcomes

The student will be able to:

  1. explain the concepts of technical writing in terms of communicating to non technical people;
  2. describe and analyze the corporate culture and its effects on technical communication when programmers and customers are in different countries;
  3. design easy-to-use web pages to communicate technical contents in a meaningful manner;
  4. create and organize system specific information for diverse types of readers;
  5. describe the techniques for using the best elements of page and web design in the writing process;
  6. describe the process of Agile methodologies vs Scrum vs Extreme programming;
  7. explain the technical and process-driven instructions provided by use cases, class diagrams, network diagrams, and others;
  8. understand and apply usability concepts to design web pages and computer forms;
  9. recognize common conflict issues and be able to resolve them within the team development process;
  10. demonstrate presenting software demos;
  11. understand the concept of managing user expectations and applying the correct language;
  12. research various IT occupations and companies, understand job ads;
  13. format job-specific online resumes, covering letters and applications.
Means of assessment
Assignments/Projects (2-5)    20% - 30%
Midterm Examination   25% - 30%
Final Examination   25% - 30%
Participation     0% - 10%
Oral Presentations (1-3)   10% - 20%
         100%
Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:

Textbook to be determined by course instructor.

Prerequisites

CMNS 1115