The tremendous technological advances in information and communication technologies especially in wireless communication and portable devices have enabled the development of the era of mobile computing in the 1990’s and ubiquitous computing nowadays. Information is expected to be available everywhere and at all times. The course will be organized alongside different subject matters.

Lecture slides and notes serve as learning material.

The course is a mixture of lecturing and presentation/discussion. In almost each class one part of the class time is dedicated to the introduction of a mobile or ubiquitous computing subject. The other part is dedicated to the presentation (and subsequent discussion).

After attending this course, students should be able to understand, describe and judge key information and communication technologies that support electronic business transactions and smart commerce environments.

Subject-related skills:

• Know what technologies are there (fixed/mobile systems, embedded systems (i.e. RFID), networks, localization technologies) and what the fundamental challenges in the emerging area of mobile and ubiquitous computing are.

• Understand interface evolution (from direct manipulation to implicit interaction) and the role of wireless communication.

• Judge on the impact ambient technologies will have and how their technical traits and capabilities foster and limit their business use and deployment potential.

Transferable skills:

• Ability to discuss, analyze and judge upon technical products and services.

Following attendance is mandatory:

• attendance in the introductory unit (else you will lose the place in the course)
• The attendance requirement is met if a student is present at least 80% of the time.

Interactive-Lecture
Presentation/Discussion
Teamwork and Tests

Regular attendance is a prerequisite for passing the course.

There are three types of deliverables:

15% Small single-choice tests

25% Team presentation

60% Final exam - a minimum of 50% must be achieved on the final exam in order to pass the course. There will be no repeated examination.

Single-choice test: Participation is mandatory.

Team presentations: Presentation material is due 24 hours before the actual presentation takes place. All team members will be asked to present their part of the presentation. The presentation must include an interactive method to foster interactivity among students. Participation is mandatory.

Assessment criteria (for presentation):

• Information (detailed? accurate? relevant? key points highlighted? interesting facts?) 
• Structure (introduction? summary? literature? logical? easy to follow?)
• Presentation Skills (clear? lively? good use of visual aids? hand outs? engaged well with group? responded well to questions?)
• Time management (perfectly timed? organized?)
• The slides are structured and organized in such a way that it is comfortable to study from them, without needing additional materials.

Each group member must present the topic for 10 minutes.

Grading of team work may be subject to peer evaluation.

Final written exam: Participation is mandatory (min.50% to pass the course). There will be no repeat examination!

Grading system:

87.5% - 100% = "Sehr gut" (Excellent)
75% - 87.49% = "Gut"  (Good)
62.5% - 74.99% = "Befriedigend" (Satisfactory)
50% - 62.49% = "Genügend"  (Sufficient)
Below 50% = "Nicht Genügend"  (Fail)

Registration to AG “Einstieg in die SBWL Business Information Systems” (“Entrance into SBWL Business Information Systems”) in LPIS.

Students will be ranked according to the current entrance criteria by the WU vice rectorate for teaching and notified whether they have a spot in the course Basics of ICT.

Important note: Please be on time for the first unit! Attendance for the first session is mandatory for registered students. If you cannot make it to class in time please make sure to inform the lecturer via email 24 hours before the first unit takes place.

A maximum of 4 hours (or 20%) absence is acceptable. Please check back with the instructor per E-Mail if you have any questions regarding attendance.