This course is the first of seven in the Information Systems curriculum. The purpose of the course is to set the foundation for the curriculum. The content builds on the existing knowledge of the information processing cycle through hands-on applications and review of terminology, vocabulary, and concepts. An overview of the course sets forth the condition and performance standard for each of the five task areas in the course. These components are provided for each task area: behavioral objective, suggested teaching strategies, content, and summary. Topics covered include concepts, vocabulary, and terminology; computer software and hardware available in the classroom and not available in the classroom; input, process, output, storage/retrieval, distribution of information processing documents; and intensive production of word processing, spreadsheet, and database management documents. A glossary of information systems terms follows task area 1. Appendixes include visuals (transparencies and other teacher materials), student materials (student handouts, work sheets, and exercise materials), evaluation (end-of-task and end-of-unit questions, test items, etc.), and references (including articles and 10 pages of citations). (YLB)