Introduction to Information Technology

We have always been an advocate that the introductory course should not be about memorizing terminologies in IT. Our experience is that this course should be more about "how did they do that?" hands-on type of course rather than a "what is" survey course. This course was transformed towards more of a consulting course and the results have been overwhelmingly successful. (See Syllabus). At the end of the semester, the students are able to cover most of the topics in the introductory textbook, and they also act as consultants from the first week on a mini-consulting project that requires them to develop and generate process flow diagrams and data models. At the end of the semester, the student will implement the database project on Microsoft Access. Here are some of the end of semester responses.

Melissa Kessler (Fall '06): I came into this class and project not knowing much about information technology. I look back now at everything I have learned thus far, and realize what a great experience this project has been.
Mary Kornahrens (Fall '06): I put this course off until my senior year because I was dreading being forced to take an IT class. To my surprise it ended up being one of my favorites, and by far one of the most rewarding classes I had at Marquette. The skills that I learned transcend the IT field and the projects I completed were excellent examples to use during interviews. This class allowed me to grow as a leader, team member and business woman.
Christine Peterson (Fall '07): My initial feeling toward the semester-long IT project was based on what I had heard from students who had taken the class last year. I remember a friend of mine who seemed to work non-stop on his IT project for at least two weeks. I was nervous that the work to be done on the project would be tedious, time-consuming, and ridiculously difficult. (read more...)

The end-results are that students get a chance to see what this major is about ie, solving problems with a technology twist rather than the myth that MIS/IT majors are all about programming. Here are the list of database applications created by the students from the Introduction to Information Technology Course.

Guest House, Midtown Neighborhood Association, Literacy Services, Social Development Commisson, Trinity Fellows, Milwaukee Mentors, Pregnancy Help Center, March of Dimes, Spotted Eagle High School, Core El Centro, Marquette Education Opportunity Program, Midnight Run, Milwaukee Mentors, Aurora Rape Crisis Center, Oakton Manor, Walker Point, Living Hope Christian Counseling, Summit Education, Meta House, City of Brookfield Planning, World Trade Center Wisconsin, Bridgepoint, Alpha Phi, Master Singers, Marquette Lacrosse, ROTC Library, Mexican Fiesta, Salvation Army Emergency Lodge, Milwaukee Christian Center, Sohi Project, Esperanza Unida, Campus Kitchens, Riverside Works, Marquette Law School, Milwaukee Police, Safe Streets Project, Adult Learning Center, Milwaukee Center for Independence, Milwaukee Choral Artists, Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, Pentecoastals of Wisconsin, St Mary's School, Aids Resource Center of Wisconsin, Knights of Columbus, Project Return, Books for Kids, Lemonade Stand, Lutheran Social Services, Urban Faith Roundtable, Council of Alcohol and Other Druag Abuse, Mental Health America of Wisconsin, Pan-African Community Association, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Donna Lexa Community Art Center, Our Next Generation, St Gregory the Great Parish and School, Boys and Girls Club, Journey House, Social Development Commission, Kathy's House, Independence First, Foster Care Youth Independence Center of Wisconsin, Grand Avenue Club, CARITAS for Children, Bread of Hearing, Laura Mettleman Interior, Leahy, Eisenberg and Fraenkel Law Firm, Dorem LLC, It's Just Lunch, Direct Supply, Standard Electric Supply, Harung Construction, Stauton Landscape.

The Safe Streets project created in Fall 2007 has user friendly, comprehensive and living database that can be accessed in hard copy and soon on the web. This is a huge gift from the students and the course for which we are truly grateful. Let me also say that the caliber of students and their dedication to this project were fantastic. I imagine that this is Service Learning at its best.
India McCanse, Marquette University Law School,
Restorative Justice Initiative,
Safe Streets Project.