Module 1 — Introduction to Information Technology and Plagiarism Tutorials

Module 1 · week of 08/24/2026 · Tech+: IT Concepts & Terminology (what IT is, data vs information) and Professionalism (academic integrity, responsible use of AI). · Download .docx

Objectives

Explain how the fundamental components of computer systems interact to perform essential functions.
Evaluate ethical principles in emerging technologies as they apply to academic and professional life.

Key terms

Information technology (IT): Using computers, networks, software, and data to store, process, and share information.
Data: Raw, unorganized facts — numbers, words, measurements — with no meaning by themselves.
Information: Data that has been organized or processed so that it is meaningful and useful.
Knowledge: Information combined with experience so a person can make a decision or act.
Information system: The combination of hardware, software, data, procedures, and people that turns data into information.
Plagiarism: Presenting another person's words or ideas as your own without giving credit.
Paraphrase: Restating someone else's idea in your own words — it still needs a citation.
Citation: The credit you give for a source: author, title, where and when it was published.
Academic integrity: Doing your own work honestly; the PGCC code that governs every assignment.
Generative AI: Software (like a chatbot) that produces text, images, or code from a prompt.
Disclosure: Telling the professor when and how an AI tool was used on an assignment.
Common knowledge: Facts widely known and found in many sources (the sun rises in the east) — the only thing that needs no citation.

The concept

Information technology (IT) is the use of computers, networks, software, and data to store, process, and share information for people and organizations.

Data are raw facts (a number, a name, a temperature). Information is data organized and processed so it has meaning. Knowledge is information you can act on.

An information system combines hardware, software, data, procedures (processes), and people to turn data into information — the five components you will name in Module 2.

IT is everywhere in the course description: hardware and software, the information processing cycle, data analysis and programming, ethics (privacy, security, intellectual property), risk management, and connectivity.

Plagiarism is presenting someone else's words OR ideas as your own — copying, close paraphrasing without credit, reusing a classmate's work, or buying work. Intent does not matter; the act does.

Avoid plagiarism: quote exactly with quotation marks and a citation; paraphrase in your own words AND cite; keep track of sources while you research; when in doubt, cite.

PGCC's Code of Academic Integrity applies to every submission. Consequences range from a zero on the work to failing the course.

Proper use of AI: AI tools can help you brainstorm, outline, check grammar, or explain a concept — but submitting AI-generated work as your own is academic dishonesty unless the professor allows it and you disclose it.

Rule of thumb for AI: if you cannot explain the answer without the tool, you do not own the answer. Ask Prof. Roberts before using AI on any graded item.

Module 1 items: Plagiarism Tutorials Assignment (60) and Proper Use of AI Assignment (25) — 85 points, the biggest single week before Exam 1.

Worked examples

Example 1: A student copies two sentences from a website into the Reflection Assignment, changes three words, and adds no citation. Plagiarism? — Yes — close paraphrase without credit is plagiarism. Fix: quote it exactly with a citation, or rewrite fully in their own words and still cite the source.

Example 2: A student asks a chatbot to write the Proper Use of AI assignment and submits the output. Where is the line? — Submitting AI output as your own work is academic dishonesty. Acceptable use: brainstorming, checking grammar, explaining a concept — with disclosure if the professor requires it. Test: can you explain every sentence without the tool?

Example 3: On the board: 72, 68, 75, 80. Data or information? Now write: 'Average score on Quiz 2 was 73.75 — most of the class passed.' Which is which? — The four numbers are data. The sentence is information — the data was processed (averaged) and given meaning (passed).

Common mistakes

"If I change a few words, it is my own work." Close paraphrasing without credit is plagiarism. A paraphrase in your own words still needs a citation.
"Data and information mean the same thing." Data are raw facts with no meaning by themselves; information is data organized and processed so it has meaning.
"It only counts as plagiarism if I meant to cheat." Intent does not matter; the act does. Reusing a classmate's work or buying work is plagiarism either way.

Self-check

Try each one before you look. A miss here costs nothing and tells you exactly what to reread.

1. Which statement best describes information technology (IT)?

2. What is the difference between data and information?

3. A student copies three sentences from a website into a paper without quotation marks or a citation. What is this called?

4. Which action correctly avoids plagiarism when using someone else's idea in your own words?

5. Which use of an AI tool is appropriate for a college assignment, according to proper use of AI guidelines?

Canvas is the official record. This companion enhances the PGCC curriculum; it does not replace it. Last name and class year only. Students with a 504 plan or IEP: your accommodations apply.

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