Introduction and assessment of computer knowledge

1. Why an introductory computing course for dental students?
   
2. Difference between dental informatics and information technology
   
3. Course format
   • 2-year duration
   • listed as one credit (total of 3 credits at the end)
   • letter grades at the end of the course, but for now listed as “H/S/U”
   • integrated with other courses
   • lecture and hands-on, Web-based support (syllabus, assignments)
   • information retrieval: new electronic format (adaptive hypermedia)
   • course director: Heiko Spallek; Instructor: Titus Schleyer
     
4. Course topics
   - electronic communication for professional use
   - bibliographical databases
   - computer basics
   - spreadsheets (MS-Excel)
   - assessment of information quality
   - information retrieval
   
5. Course logistics
   • students in groups based on computer literacy
     • different groups for different topics -> no switching of groups!
     • course content more advanced for advanced groups; however, same final for all groups
     • Please check for your group assignment!
     • Pre-assessment at the end of this session
   • course homepage: https://intranet.dental.pitt.edu/di/courses/intro/
     • checking course homepage for assignments and grades mandatory
     • checking your Pitt e-mail account (…@pitt.edu) mandatory
     • Electronic mailing list
   • religious observance: Please alert us if any conflicts arise.
     
6. Educational research in the course
   • Topic “Information Retrieval” will be presented as an adaptive hypermedia (AH) course.
   • AH format adapts to your level of expertise and learning style.
   • We plan to use this format for other courses in the school once it is tested and validated.
   • Please participate in study - just fill out questionnaire at the end.
   • Participation/non-participation has no effect on grade.
   • Research associate will tabulate answers, not the investigators (Heiko Spallek, Titus Schleyer). Investigators/teachers will not know who answered which questionnaire.
   • Questionnaire answers do not influence grades!
   • Questionnaire will be distributed at the end of this session. Please complete with pre-assessment and leave silently when done.