As the introductory course to the School of Information Sciences and Technology, all students have to take IST 110. Most students, like me, take this course in the Fall of their Freshman year. My section, Section 002, had two unique factors to it that made it different that any other IST 110 class.

First, the class was joined with Speech Communication 100B. IST 110 and SPC 100B were taught in conjunction over a three hour period on Tuesdays and Thursdays (plus an additional two hour lab once a week) for a total of 7 credits. Dr. Steve Sawyer taught IST 110 and Professor Jen Young, who was a graduate student at the time, taught SPC 100B. The focus of SPC 100B is group communication skills. So in IST 110 / SPC 100B we took the topic (which was similar for both classes) and analyzed it two different ways. We looked at the technological issues in IST 110 and the communication aspects in SPC 100B.

Second, the class involved Problem Based Learning, a style of teaching that brings education away from lecturing and places the emphasis to learn on the student. Developed at Penn State by the Schreyer Institute for Innovation in Learning, PBL requires students to work primarily in groups on problems. In IST 110 / SPC 100B, we had four problems. The responses to those problems are below. Although most students disliked PBL at the start of the class, most, including me, learned from Dr. Larry Spence why Problem Based Learning is an asset and not a hindrance. After taking this course, I now consider myself an advocate for PBL and have actually gone to conferences with both Dr. Spence and Dr. Sawyer promoting the use of PBL in all classes.

A fifth problem was proposed and solved by myself and two other Schreyer Honors students. We completed the fifth problem as part of a deal to received Honors Option Credit in IST 110.

Class grade received: A (plus Honors distinction)

Class problems:

Problem 1: Is the Information Age different from the Industrial Age?
"The Industrial Age is over. The computer, not the engine is the dominant machine in today's business world."

Problem 2: Should PSU invest in Napster?
Most definitely, yes! "The Pennsylvania State University should invest in Napster because of the potential for growth in peer-to-peer networking."

Problem 3: How can small groups of people use computer technologies to solve problems?
Special Bonus: IST 110 and SPC 100B integrated essay for the future of an integrated online course! "Many students report that they actually learn more in online classes than in face-to-face classes and find the experience more rewarding."

Problem 4: Managing Conflict among Team Members in Product Development
"A formalized process-centric approach to organizing system development is the best way to maximize contributions of a group and create a well-designed product."

Honors Project: How the Internet Has Affected Democracy
Macrosoft VoteOnline 1.0 Developer Preview Release -- 'CNET' Rating: 7 of 10.

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