© 2004 ken baldauf, all rights reserved. computer literacy: a new approach ken baldauf florida...
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© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Computer Literacy: A New Approach
Ken BaldaufFlorida State University
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Session Topics
Computer Literacy: A Retrospective College Requirements Curriculum Considerations
The State of Technology Job Market Demands Today’s Technically Savvy Student
Computer Literacy Defined A New Approach
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Professional Profile
FSU Computer Science faculty member BA in Music, MS in Computer Science Eight years teaching Computer Literacy @
FSU Over 5,000 students annually
CGS2060: Computer Literacy CGS2100: MicroApps for Business
Assisted by 30 teaching assistants
Ken Baldauf
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Computer Literacy:A Retrospective
Stretching to Accommodate Trends
and Growth
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Computer Literacy: A working knowledge of personal computers
Skills focused Supported by Concepts
Computer Literacy Circa 1996Traditional Definition
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Concepts PC Components PC Software PC Multimedia LAN The Internet & Web Security
Skills DOS/Windows File Management Email (Elm) Internet/Web MS Works
Word Processing Spreadsheets Databases
Computer Literacy Circa1996Traditional Definition
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Changes Over Time
1996 Implemented computer-based concepts testing
1997 Moved to MS Office1998 Added Web-based versions to
accommodate experienced students and classroom space issues. Organizational restructuring.
1998 Implemented computer-based skills testing. Goal: consistent exams across classes and teachers
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Changes Over Time
2000 FSU implemented Computer Competency Requirement – developed university-wide testing system.
2002 Moved from Office textbooks to CBT.
1999 Started using Blackboard
What’s Next?What’s Next?
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College Requirements
Setting the Bar
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College Requirements
University’s and accreditation agencies have recognized the value of computer knowledge and skills in all career areas.
Requirements are being imposed to verify that students are acquiring computer knowledge and skills prior to graduation.
Does your institution have such a requirement?
Does your institution have such a requirement?
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
FSU’s Requirements
FSU’s Computer Skills Competency Requirement
All undergraduates at The Florida State University must demonstrate basic computer competency prior to graduation. The computer competency requirement may be satisfied be taking an approved course, or exam. Regardless of the vehicle used to satisfy the computer competency requirement, students must demonstrate:
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
FSU’s Requirement
Basic familiarity with computer hardware, operating systems, and file concepts;
Working knowledge of a word processor or text editor and at least one other software application (e.g., spreadsheet, database, etc.); and
Working knowledge of the World WideWeb (WWW) and electronic mail.
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
OSU’s Requirement
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education policy requires
that students …must demonstrate computer proficiency for graduation with a bachelors degree. These skills include word processing, spreadsheet, email, and web use.
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USU’s Requirements
Ethics Test Email Test Operating Systems Test Document Processing Test Information Resources Test Spreadsheets Test
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NC State’s Requirement
The following may be used to fulfill computer literacy instruction: instruction and assignments required
within courses, and/or required use of a computer to complete
assignments.
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Princeton’s Requirements
No computer requirement or intro applications course.
One gen ed course: Computer Science 109:Computers in Our World taught by Brian Kernighan (inventor of C)
Princeton provides applications training through Resident Computer Coordinators (RCCs) that assist students with computing questions.
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
College Requirements
Clearly colleges have differing opinions on what computer literacy is and what should be required of their students.
min max
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The Problem
College-wide requirements tend to result in: Lowest common denominator
specifications with minimal expectations
Lots of administrative overhead
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FSU’s Solution
Move the responsibility of defining computer literacy down to the department level, subject to college approval.
Departments may select already approved courses or develop one of their own.
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
College Requirements
Requirements will come and go. They will require less than we, the
experts in the field, feel is appropriate. Our focus should be on providing our
students with the knowledge and skills that we believe they will need through our courses and teaching.
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Designing the Course
Influences on the design of a Computer Literacy class include: An evaluation of the relative importance
of varying aspects of technology Goals of the institution - the target job
market Knowledge of the student’s level of
experience
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Evaluating The State of Technology
These are the days of miracles and
wonders….
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Yesterday’s PC
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Today’s PC
Gateway’s Gaming PC
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Today’s PC
Gateway’s Profile 5
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Today’s PC
Gateway’s Media PC
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Today’s PC
Apple PowerBook G4
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Today’s PC
Tablet PC
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Today’s PC
Flip-start from Vulcan
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Today’s PC
PalmOne’s Treo-600
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Today’s PC
The PC has morphed into a variety information appliances of every size for every need with a strong focus on the ability to connect.
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Connecting
W-fi, Bluetooth & Ad-hoc Wireless Networks
Wireless connectivity makes it possible to access information from servers or individuals anywhere, anyplace, anytime.
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ConnectingThe SmartPhone
M-commerce
Bridging Phone/InternetPervasive Communications
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Connecting
The power of connecting is transforming our society.
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Connecting
Jan 20, 2001, Philippines: More than 1 million Manila residents, mobilized and coordinated by waves of text messages, peacefully toppled the regime.
Joseph Estrada leaves the presidential palace on Jan. 20, 2001 after resigning earlier in the day.
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Sentient Things
HP’s SPECs (Small Personal Everyday Computer)
Cutting Board Web Browser
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Sentient Things
RFID: Giving material objects memory and a voice.
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Sentient ThingsInformation and communications technologies are starting to invade the physical world. Shards of sentient silicon will be inside boxtops and dashboards, pens, street corners, bus stops, money, most things manufactured or built, within the next 10 years. A shirt label will gain the power to disclose what airplanes, trucks, and ships carried it, what substances compose it, and the URL of the webcam in the factory where the shirt was manufactured.
From Howard Rheingold’s
“Smart Mobs”
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Sentient Things
About the size of a grain of rice, the VeriChip is injected beneath the skin and transmits a unique 125-kilohertz radio frequency signal. Solusat, the Mexican distributor of the VeriChip, is marketing the device as an emergency ID tag under its new VeriKid program.
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Pervasive Digital Photography
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GPS
Global Positioning System (GPS)Showing us the best route and keeping track of kids.
Wherify GPS Locator for Children
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Virtual and Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality: The layering of additional information over sensory input.
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The State of techology…
…has dramatically changed since 1996.
Centering a curriculum around the Desktop PC seriously under-equips students for the challenges they will face.
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Work/Life Demands
Preparing Students to shoulder the load
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Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office skills remain overwhelmingly the most desirable application skills for non-IT staff.
A search on Monster.com turns up over 5,000 hits each for keywords “Word”, “Excel”, “Access”, and “Powerpoint”.
Program Computational Function
Word Document Production
Excel Mathematical and Logical Calculations
Access Data Storage and Manipulation
PowerPoint Vector (Object-Oriented) Graphics
Office also serves well to illustrate to
students four primary uses of
computers
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Certification
Employers hiring in positions that depend on specific application skills like to have proof of skills.
“College certified” may be a cheaper alternative.
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Beyond Microsoft Office
Many careers also require familiarity with a variety of digital communications and networking technologies: Internet, Email, IM, Web LAN, Intranet Virtual Private Network (VPN) Wi-fi Voice over IP SmartPhone Technologies
College graduates require a technology comfort-level that exceeds that acquired through casual use.
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Beyond Microsoft Office
Many careers require computer skills other than Microsoft Office: Personal Information Management Web Development Graphics Animation
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Programming Skills?
An understanding of system and application development demonstrates problem-solving skills.
Non-tech users are becoming increasingly involved in system and software development in businesses and organizations. Why? They understand the problems at hand They are increasingly technically savvy Software development tools are increasingly easier to use Programmers are not able to keep up with organization
demands
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Technology @ Home
An understanding of digital technologies is equally important in our personal lives: High Speed Internet Access Home Wi-fi Networking Digital photography and video Digital Entertainment Media
The complexity of digital technology is outpacing the industry’s ability to make it “user frienly”.
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Summary
Information and communication technologies are integral to the success of businesses and individuals.
Employers in all career areas realize the importance of an employee’s ability to APPLY computer knowledge to resolve problems and increase effectiveness and efficiency.
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Technically Savvy Student
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Know Your Students
Survey of my 2,200 incoming students revealed: 100% have used Email 99% have used Microsoft Word 96% of students own computers 88% have used Instant Messaging 53% have used Microsoft Excel 69% have used Microsoft PowerPoint 90% of students own cell phones 51% use SMS text messaging 71% of students acquire their music from file-sharing
networks or from friends Only 27% purchase music new on CD
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Computer Literacy
Seeking the one true definition
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National Study
Report: Being Fluent with Information Technology - 1999National Research Council, Committee on Information Technology Literacy
“Literacy is too modest a goal in the presence of rapid change, because it lacks the necessary "staying power.“ As the technology changes by leaps and bounds, existing skills become antiquated and there is no migration path to new skills. ”
“Literacy is too modest a goal in the presence of rapid change, because it lacks the necessary "staying power.“ As the technology changes by leaps and bounds, existing skills become antiquated and there is no migration path to new skills. ”
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
FITness Report“Fluency with information technology entails a process of lifelong learning in which individuals continually apply what they know to adapt to change and acquire more knowledge to be more effective at applying information technology to their work and personal lives.”
“Fluency with information technology requires three kinds of knowledge:
contemporary skills, foundational concepts, and intellectual capabilities.”
“Fluency with information technology requires three kinds of knowledge:
contemporary skills, foundational concepts, and intellectual capabilities.”
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Concerns about FITness
The general approach presented in FITness is solid (skills, concepts, capabilities).
The amount of skills and concepts included in the approach require twice the amount of time as traditional intro classes.
Some implementations of FITness include significant amounts of programming.
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Designing A New Approach
Bending Over Backwards for Our Students
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Desirable Skills
What skills should we be teaching to non-tech majors?
Consider all possible intro-level skills and student interests.
Windows and/or Mac File Management Email Outlook (PIM) Web Research Word Processing Web Authoring with
GUI Spreadsheets Databases PowerPoint Graphics (Adobe
Illustrator) Digital Photo Editing
(Photoshop) HTML/Dreamweaver Macromedia Flash JavaScript Data Access Pages
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Familiar Skills Windows and/or Mac File Management Email Outlook (PIM) Web Research Word Processing Web Authoring with
Word or Netscape Speadsheets Databases PowerPoint Graphics (Adobe
Illustrator) Digital Photo Editing
(Photoshop) HTML/Dreamweaver Macromedia Flash JavaScript Data Access Pages
Consider providing outside-of-class tutorials for skills that are familiar to most students.
Provide a study guide and test for all students.
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Combining Skills Windows and/or Mac File Management Email Outlook (PIM) Web Research Word Processing Web Authoring with
Word or Netscape Speadsheets Databases PowerPoint Graphics (Adobe
Illustrator) Digital Photo Editing
(Photoshop) HTML/Dreamweaver Macromedia Flash JavaScript Data Access Pages
Combining applications into projects demonstrates the interoperability of software and skills.
Web research, word processing, and Web authoring combine for an interesting project.
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Combining Skills Windows and/or Mac File Management Email Outlook (PIM) Web Research Word Processing Web Authoring with
Word or Netscape Speadsheets Databases PowerPoint Graphics (Adobe
Illustrator) Digital Photo Editing
(Photoshop) HTML/Dreamweaver Macromedia Flash JavaScript Data Access Pages
The PowerPoint assignment can be used to demonstrate integration between Office applications (created with an outline in Word, import an excel chart).
Graphics and Web development are naturally complimentary skills.
Web
Des
ign
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Ala Carte Skills Windows and/or Mac File Management Email Outlook (PIM) Web Research Word Processing Web Authoring with
Word or Netscape Speadsheets Databases PowerPoint Graphics (Adobe
Illustrator) Digital Photo Editing
(Photoshop) HTML/Dreamweaver Macromedia Flash JavaScript Data Access Pages
Some skills can be offered ala carte, keeping the basic core skills mandatory.
Req
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© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Tracks Windows and/or Mac File Management Email Outlook (PIM) Web Research Word Processing Web Authoring with
Word or Netscape Speadsheets Databases PowerPoint Graphics (Adobe
Illustrator) Digital Photo Editing
(Photoshop) HTML/Dreamweaver Macromedia Flash JavaScript Data Access Pages
Special-focus tracks can be designed. MS Office Track Graphics Track Web Development Database/Web Dev
Req
uir
ed
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Windows and/or Mac File Management Email Outlook (PIM) Web Research Word Processing Web Authoring with
Word or Netscape Speadsheets Databases PowerPoint Graphics (Adobe
Illustrator) Digital Photo Editing
(Photoshop) HTML/Dreamweaver Macromedia Flash JavaScript Data Access Pages
Create a two course sequence. Students that complete both courses will have a powerful arsenal of skills.
Co
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2 Course Sequence
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Concepts
“Concepts” provide the foundation from which a real understanding of digital technologies and information systems can arise.
Information System and Digital Electronics Concepts
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Concepts
It is the “Concepts” portion of the course that provides students with an understanding of important technologies.
Digital Media
Computing Platforms
WirelessNetworks
Digital Communications
New TechnologiesSocial Implications
The world(s)around us
Information System and Digital Electronics Concepts
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Concepts
Most importantly, “Concepts” assist students in understanding how to apply technology, information systems, and skills toward their personal and professional success.
Information System and Digital Electronics Concepts
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Concepts
Digital Data Representation Hardware Software Networking
Information System and Digital Electronics Concepts
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Concepts
Internet/Web Info Security/Ethics Multimedia Database/Info Mng
Information System and Digital Electronics Concepts
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Concepts
E-commerce Information Systems Sys/Prog Dev
Information System and Digital Electronics Concepts
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Concepts can be boring…
…or they can REVEAL important insight for your students.
WARNING!Cheesy Mnemonic
Approaching
Those with little tolerance for Cheesy Mnemonics
should momentarily close their eyes and cover their
ears.
WARNING!
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Concepts can be boring…
…or they can REVEAL important insight for your students.
Relevant – Cover contemporary Issues of interest to the students, pertinent to their future careers.Examples – Show students how technology is assisting others professionally and personally.
Valuable – Omit any topics that aren’t of relative value. Bits and Bytes are of value, ISA, PCI, and AGP slots are not.
Energize – Energize your lectures with guest speakers, games, and group discussions. Pop quizzes don’t hurt either.
All Encompassing – Avoid platform bias. Cover everything from Super computers to SmartPhones.
Love Love what you do! Enthusiasm is contagious!!
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
The New Approach
@ FSU
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
The New Approach
Two semesters of Computer Literacy: CompLit 1 and CompLit 2
CompLit 1 (or equivalent) a prerequisite for CompLit 2
Departments can require one or both for their students
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
CompLit 1 & CompLit 2
CompLit 1 Skills Microsoft Windows Managing Files E-mail Web Research Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Microsoft Access Microsoft PowerPoint Application Integration Creating a Webpage
with Word
CompLit 2 Skills Intro to Unix Web Authoring: Intro to
XHTML Macromedia
DreamWeaver Macromedia Fireworks Macromedia Flash Microsoft Access Data Access Pages Intro to JavaScript
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
CompLit 1 & CompLit 2
CompLit 1 Concepts Digital Data
Representation Hardware Software Networking Internet/Web Multimedia Info Security/Ethics
CompLit 2 Concepts Database Systems E-commerce Computer Graphics Multimedia Information Systems Systems Development Software Development Info Security/Ethics
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Goal
Students who complete both courses will have the technical skills and understanding needed to succeed and an awesome resume!
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
The New Approach Summary
Skills Play to the majority, outsource the
deficiencies Provide for interests other than MS Office Build a general understanding of
computer capabilities
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
The New Approach Summary
Concepts Use a “digital technology” focus. Devote time to technologies relative to
their importance in today’s society. Focus on usability with plenty of
examples. Illustrate how technology empowers
individuals in professional and personal endeavors.
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Thanks for your time.
Questions? Feel free to pick up handouts on your way out:
The New Approach Specifications “News Resources for Tech Teachers” reference sheet
Ken BaldaufFlorida State University
http://lit.cs.fsu.edu http://www.kenbaldauf.com
Ken BaldaufFlorida State University
http://lit.cs.fsu.edu http://www.kenbaldauf.com
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Web ReferencesFSU’s Computer Literacy Websitehttp://lit.cs.fsu.edu Ken Baldauf’s Professional Websitehttp://www.kenbaldauf.com FSU’s Computer Skills Requirementhttp://websrv.cs.fsu.edu/academics/compcomp.htmlOklahoma State’s Requirementhttp://cheminfo.chem.ou.edu/undergraduate/complit.html Utah State’s Computer Technology Testshttp://cil.usu.edu/comptech/ NC State’s Requirementhttp://www.ncsu.edu/provost/academic_programs/ger/cominfo/req.htm Princeton’s Computer Science 109:Computers in Our World http://www.cs.princeton.edu/courses/archive/fall03/cs109/ The Media Center PChttp://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/default.asp
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Web References
The Tablet PChttp://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/default.asp FlipStart PC from Vulcanhttp://www.flipstartpc.comBluetoothhttp://www.bluetooth.comM-Commerce for Allhttp://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/29477.html "The Cell Phone and the Crowd: Messianic Politics in the Contemporary Philippines" http://communication.ucsd.edu/people/f_rafael_cellphonerev_files.htm HP’s SPECs (Small Personal Everyday Computer) - ubiquitoushttp://www.fireflydesign.com/consulting/computing.pdfRFIDhttp://www.rfidjournal.com/
© 2004 Ken Baldauf, All rights reserved.
Web References
Tracking Junior With a Microchiphttp://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,60771,00.html Applied Digital Solutions (Verichip, and Digital Angel)http://www.adsx.com/index.html Smart Mobshttp://www.smartmobs.com
Wherify GPS Locator for Childrenhttp://www.wherifywireless.com/corp_home.htm Augmented Realityhttp://hci.rsc.rockwell.com/AugmentedReality/ “Being Fluent with Information Technology” Reporthttp://books.nap.edu/html/beingfluent/