There are eight (8) required labs in this course. They will take place as part of the regular course time, in the computer lab in Mary Gates 430.  All lab write-ups will be handed in to the TA at the beginning of the next lab period, unless otherwise instructed. 

Lab 1: Information is Everywhere (mini-lab) (Monday, July 27)

1. Description:
   

2. •Information—technology, systems, policies, uses, issues—pervade all aspects of human endeavor.  In this lab, you are to browse and analyze Web-based content concerned with information-related matters.
   

3. Goals:
   

4. •To explore various Internet-based media sources including (1) those focused on information and technology as well as (2) those related to news, issues, and politics for general audiences.
   

5. •To complement understandings related to assignment 1 (Information is Everywhere), that is, to gain an awareness of the pervasiveness of information-related issues in our society.
   

6. Click here for lab 1 handout
   

Lab 2: Search, Structured & Unstructured Information (Tuesday, July 28)

1. Description:
   

2. • In this lab, you will work in groups of 2-3 to experiment with different web search engines and their various features.
   

3. Goals:
   

4. • To experiment with a variety of web search engines and gain a better understanding of how they work, performance, and their strengths and weaknesses.
   

   • To compare web searching with using the UW library’s online resources.
   

5. Click here for Lab 2 handout
   

Lab 3: Knowledge Organization & Information Architecture  (Thursday, July 30)

1. Description:
   

2. • In this lab, you will work in groups to develop a categorization system for a bunch of “stuff” (e.g., a collection of pens, refrigerator magnets, bookmarks, etc.). Your categorization system should include well-defined categories, relationships among the categories, and controlled vocabulary.
   

3. Goals:
   

4. • To gain first-hand experience with creating a categorization system including defining categories, specifying the relationship among categories, and developing a controlled vocabulary.
   

5. Click here for Lab 3 handout
   

Lab 4: Information Behavior (Tuesday, August 4) 

1. Description:
   

2. • Information behavior is happening all around us, all the time. In this lab, you will go out into the field to find and observe an instance of information behavior “in the wild,” analyze it according to the model laid out by Donald Case in Table 2.3 (on p. 34 of the assigned reading).
   

3. Goals:
   

4. • To observe information behavior in action, firsthand
   

   • To apply Case’s model of information behavior to real-world situations
   

5. Click here for Lab 4 handout                                    
   

Lab 5: Human-Computer Interaction (Thursday, August 6)

1. Description:
   

2. • In this lab, you will work in groups of 3-4 to design a voice interface for a car navigation system. In order to design your interface you will need to develop a character, script, and prototype to demonstrate its use.
   

3. Goals:
   

4. • To apply research findings from the literature on social responses to computer technology to the design of an interface.
   

   • To gain experience with designing a voice interface including the development of a character, script and prototype.
   

5. Click here for Lab 5 handout
   

Lab 6: Intellectual Property (Wednesday, August 12)   

1. Description:
   

2. • In groups of 3-4, you will develop an argument from a particular stakeholder’s perspective on whether or not to outlaw Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing technologies. You will present this argument to the class, and then decide as a large group whether or not outlawing P2P is a good idea.
   

3. Goals:
   

4. • Develop an understanding of the differing perspectives of the various players in arguments over copyright and other IP
   

   • Think about the challenges of meeting the needs of all the stakeholders of an information policy.
   

   • Learn how to argue a case from a particular position, with which you may or may not agree.
   

5. Click here for Lab 6 handout                                                    
   

Lab 7:  Privacy & Security (Monday, August 17)

1. Description:
   

2. • In this lab, you will have the opportunity to engage in a team exercise that probes the security gaps in networked systems.
   

3. Goals:
   

4. • To gain a better understanding of the vulnerabilities of online networked systems and the potential misuses of search engines.
   

   • To raise your awareness of the need for basic network security and management.
   

   • To raise your awareness of serious issues regarding privacy and security.
   

5. Click here for Lab 7 handout
   

Lab 8: Cutting Edge Systems, Social Networking (Wednesday, August 19)

1. Description:
   

2. • This is an opportunity to investigate a cutting edge or emerging technology that is new to you.
   

3. Goals:
   

4. • To stretch your awareness of a new type of technology, system, or capability.
   

   • To analyze a technology, system, or capability in terms of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
   

   • To have some fun in seeking out and learning about what’s on the edge.
   

5. Click here for Lab 8 handout