For courses in introductory Computer Science. Teaches modern readers to become not just computer users, but computational thinkers Having grown up with computers, most readers already know how to use Information Technology (IT) in their daily lives—but use is not understanding. More than ever, they must become “computational thinkers,” able to conceptualize where and how computation can be used effectively. Equipping readers with a deeper understanding of the broad capabilities of technology, Fluency with Information Technology, 7th Edition uses a project-oriented learning approach supported by examples and realistic problem-solving scenarios. Authors Larry Snyder and Ray Henry teach readers to navigate IT independently and become effective users of today’s resources, forming a foundation of skills they can adapt to their personal and career goals as future technologies emerge. The text’s approach is centered on three types of content—skills, concepts, and capabilities—that prepare readers to adapt to an ever-changing computing environment. This 7th Edition incorporates updates and new content that mirrors the way contemporary readers encounter technology in their lives.
Lawrence Snyder is a professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle. He received a BA from the University of Iowa in Mathematics and Economics, and his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University as a student of A. Nico Habermann. He has served on the faculties of Yale and Purdue, and has had visiting appointments at UW, Harvard, MIT, Sydney University, The Swiss Technological University (ETH), The University of Auckland, Kyoto University, The University of Western Australia and The University of Cyprus.
I have been teaching an introduction to computers college level class for approximately 10 years and one aspect of the textbooks I have seen change over the years is a reduction in the level of rigor. Material such as the basics of programming, binary coding of messages, HTML, designing web pages, basic principles of databases and the basics of machine language have been removed. That is not the case with this book and it was very refreshing. There are 24 chapters and chapters 18 through 22 demonstrate in-depth programming concepts, a complete bean counter program is listed and explained. Chapters 7 through 10 cover the basic computer operations of the machine cycle and algorithms. If you teach a class in the basics of computers and want some depth to the content of your text, this one will work for you.
This book was made available for free for review purposes
Life interrupted and I never finished the class that this text book was for. I will keep it, and hopefully will at least use it for reference, if not take the incentive of doing the lessons myself.