Overview

The purpose of this project is to provide you and the entire class information about leading-edge Internet technologies. This is a research project, in which you will choose a new and emerging technology related to the World Wide Web and write a research paper documenting what you find. You will also present your findings to the class.

If you're not familiar with doing research, writing it up, and presenting the results, don't panic! You can get helpful information from several sources. You might find it useful to look at "A Guide for
Writing Research Papers Based on Modern Language Association (MLA) Documentation", prepared by the Humanities Department and the Arthur C. Banks Jr. Library of Capital Community College, Hartford, Connecticut: http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/index.shtml.

Before beginning, the instructor will assigned each class member a different topic to research. Take a look at the topics listed here, and be prepared to suggest one you might like to work on:

1. ASP (Active Server Pages; server-parsed embedded scripting language)
2. CSS3 (Cascading Style Sheets, Level 3)
3. Database driven websites using ColdFusion
4. DOM (document object model)
5. Dynamic HTML
6. Macromedia Flash
7. Internet 2
8. Java
9. Javascript, Server-side
10. Microsoft .Net
11. Mobile access technology - web access from mobile devices
12. PDF (Portable Document Format)
13. Perl
14. PHP (server-parsed embedded scripting language)
15. PNG (Image format)
16. Python
17. SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language)
18. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
19. VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language)
20. WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative)
21. XML (eXtensible Markup Language)

Feel free to suggest additional technologies that are not on the list.

Once you have your assigned topic, use both print-based and on-line information sources to search for information that:

• Is current and authoritative (see module W18c "Validating Websites")
• Provides a helpful overview;
• Has enough detail that you can understand how much you would need to learn in order to use the assigned technology.

Answer specific questions you or your colleagues may have about the technology. Among others, be sure to answer these questions:

• What technology is the technology you're researching? In general terms, what is it and what does it do?
• What are the practical applications of this technology?
• How long has this technology been around?
• What group of people are currently using the technology?
• What impact has the technology made on the way the web is used? Has it had an impact just on the people using it or does it impact others too?
• Does this technology have competition?
• What resources were helpful in learning about this technology?
• What are the expert opinions of this technology? Will it be around 5 years from now? 10 years from now?
• What are the pros and cons to this technology?
• Is this a technology you would like to use yourself? What would it take to learn to use it?
• Is this a technology you think others in the class would benefit from learning? Why, or why not?
  

All good research is based to a large degree on examining available materials on the topic. However, not all available materials are current or authoritative. There is a module on evaluating the validity of on-line information sources, and the skills issues discussed in that module are critical to your success in this investigation. Carefully review the contents of module W18c: "Validating Websites: Skills for Critical Thinking" (http://courses.wccnet.edu/computer/mod/w18c.htm).

Prepare a bibliography for this project:

1. On your list, include:
   1. At least 3 on-line information sources, and
   2. At least 1 print-medium publication (book, journal, or magazine).
2. For each item on your list, include a brief evaluation of its validity:
   1. Is it current - in light of the history and development of the technology you're studying, what is the value of something written at this date? (If you can't determine the date of a publication, it should not be included in your bibliography.)
   2. Is it authoritative - why do you believe the individual or group writing this actually knows what they're writing about?
3. Format for the bibliography is not critical. If unsure, refer to either MLA or APA guidelines. There are tools you can use to help with the format, such as NoodleBib. The important thing is to be consistent in how you arrange the information, and be sure to include:
   1. Year of publication
   2. Name of publication
   3. Author - either an individual, a list of individuals, or an organization name
   4. Publisher or complete URL

The Bibliography is to be printed and presented to the instructor at an assigned date before the Outline.

Good presentations and reports are well-organized and systematic. To organize your presentation, you'll need to create an outline. Here are guidelines for the outline:

1. The outline should be less than one page when printed
2. Start with an "executive summary" (a brief overview)
3. Include at least 3 main content headings
4. End with conclusions and/or recommendations

You may prepare your outline in HTML, PowerPoint, or using a word processor. It is to be printed and given to the instructor at an assigned date before the Presentation.

All Internet professionals should know something about these leading-edge technologies, so you will be presenting what you have learned to the class. Here are the guidelines:

• Prepare a visual aid such as a Web page or a PowerPoint presentation.
• In your visual aid, link to Websites you used as resource material. Don't plan to go there, but have the links available in case questions from the audience require some backup support.
• Communicate ideas clearly, choosing vocabulary appropriate for the audience. When you introduce terms that are not familiar to the class, make sure to define the them in a non-technical fashion - don't define jargon with more jargon.
• Do not read your paper report to the class.
• The presentation should be 10-15 minutes long. Practice your presentation to make sure you are within the correct time frame.
• Summarize your findings and the most important aspects of the technology researched. Be sure to discuss the practical applications of the technology and how it ties in (to a greater or lesser extent) with what is taught in this class.

You will be graded on your presentation as follows:

• Timing (10-15 minutes): 10%
• Content (the factual material): 30%
• Oral delivery of the presentation: 30%
• Quality of visual aids: 30%

If presentations are not ready by the assigned date and are presented late, a 25% penalty will be assessed for each class-period the presentation is delayed.

You will also submit a written report of your research findings. Here are guidelines for the report:

1. A printed copy of the research paper needs to be turned in at the start of the last class.
2. The paper should consist of:
   1. Cover page
   2. 4-6 pages of content
   3. Bibliography
3. Cover page:
   1. Include the report title, your name, the instructor's name, class, and date submitted.
   2. Please do not submit your research paper in a binder or slip- cover. Simply staple the pages together.
4. Content:
   1. Cover the topic in-depth.
   2. Answer all the questions listed in the assignment in detail in the course of your paper.
   3. Provide examples of how the technology is used.
5. Writing Style
   1. Use formal, standard English, making sure spelling and grammar are correct.
   2. Write this as a research paper, which means answering the questions in the course of your examination and not organizing the paper around the questions - do not use the questions as headings.
   3. The paper should be written in the third person: The words 'I' and 'you' should never be used (avoid first and second person).
   4. Make sure that the discourse flows well, by including appropriate transitions from one section to the next.
   5. Keep the tone professional: avoid awkwardly phrased sentences and the use of slang terms.
6. Format
   1. Use single-spaced lines, with a double-space between paragraphs.
   2. Use a serif font in 10, 11, or 12 point size.
   3. Set margins approximately 1 inch on all sides.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

• Submitted correctly, including format (10%)
• Detailed Analysis (60%)
• Writing Style (30%)