The following FAQs are designed to answer your questions about your
computer-integrated English course. If you have additional questions,
please email the CIC Director.
Questions
Answers
1. What is "CIC"?
CIC stands for "computer-integrated courses." CIC is
an English-department program committed to the idea that technology--especially
computers--can facilitate the teaching of humanities courses. Our
classes are held in specially adapted classrooms, designed by experienced
instructors, and incorporate a range of technologies, from networked
computers and projection screens to discussion, peer review, and
Web authoring software. [ Return to questions]
2. What courses are offered
in CIC?
The Expository
Writing Program and Interdisciplinary
Writing Program offer computer-integrated versions of their
100-level writing courses: English 104/5, English 111, English
121, English 131, and English 197, 198, and 199. Descriptions of
104/5, 111, 121, and 131 can be found on the Expository
Writing Program Web site; information about 197, 198, and 199
is available on the Interdisciplinary
Writing Program site. Each quarter, approximately twelve expository
and five interdisciplinary writing courses are offered in CIC.
In addition, CIC houses advanced-level expository writing courses
(281, 381 and 481), courses on writing for the Web (282 and 382),
senior seminars on various topics, and graduate-level courses. The following links represent a sample of recent CIC courses:
[Return to questions]
3. How are CIC courses
different from traditional courses?
A CIC course covers the same material as conventional courses,
but it combines the best of traditional instruction with the benefits
of technology-based instruction. Students spend time debating, writing,
and working through material both in the face-to-face environment
of a conventional classroom and through independent and collaborative
work in a networked computer classroom. Students in CIC courses also have the
opportunity to complete traditional essays and less-conventional
types of assignments, including Web pages, PowerPoint presentations,
blogs, e-portfolios, and verbally-annotated film clips. [ Return
to questions]
4. What sort of computer
experience does CIC require? If I don't have basic computer skills,
where can I go for training?
Students need very little computer experience to succeed in CIC
courses. If you have used a computer to write essays or surf the
Web, you will have no problem using the computers and programs available
in the CIC lab classroom. CIC instructors are prepared to teach students
with diverse levels of computer experience. Students with a
great deal of experience enjoy the opportunity to use technology
as a part of the day-to-day activities of the classroom. Inexperienced
students will find that our technology is easy to learn and that
the program provides a well-trained and accessible support staff
to help them become comfortable in a computerized environment. They
may also supplement training received in their CIC class with free
workshops offered by Catalyst or low-cost courses taught by Computing & Communications staff.
[ Return to questions]
5. What kinds of technology and software
are used in the classroom?
Each CIC lab classroom has twenty-five computers, a data projector,
a VCR, and a DVD player. Our computers have CD-ROM drives as well
as USB ports. Each of our labs has one wheelchair-accessbile work
station. Our computers run Windows and come installed with
the 2007 versions of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Students
can use one of several browsers to access the Web or retrieve assignments
they
have
emailed
to themselves. CIC computers have all programs available in the UW
Internet Connectivity Kit, including Pine email, SSH Secure File
Transfer, and the Adobe Acrobat Reader. They also have software designed
specifically for Web authoring and graphics creation. [ Return
to questions]
6. What materials will I
need to bring to my CIC class?
Students in CIC courses use The CIC Student
Guide, either in print or electronic form. They should also have several reliable methods for transferring files between home and lab computers (for example, memory stick, email attachment, electronic file transfer).
[ Return to questions]
7. How do I sign up for a CIC course?
Students register for CIC courses through MyUW, as they would
for any other English class. Look for the "computer-integrated" designation
underneath the course listing on the time schedule. [ Return
to questions] |
