PERCEPTIONS OF COMPUTER LITERACY: A CASE STUDY

Student Research Team :

Bernrussell Bacolod

Sandy Cerda

Alec Coleman

Juan J. Gonzalez

Julie Gonzalez

Teacher Fellow: Joanna Goode

The QuestionThe Question

How do students, teachers, and How do students, teachers, and policymakers view the level of policymakers view the level of computer literacy that every student computer literacy that every student needs?needs?• Are there differences across and within Are there differences across and within

schools in how computer literacy is viewed? schools in how computer literacy is viewed? Where are these differences?Where are these differences?

• What resources exist that serve or do not What resources exist that serve or do not serve these goals?serve these goals?

• Do people have different information about Do people have different information about computer access and resources?computer access and resources?

The LiteratureThe Literature Jay Macleod - Jay Macleod - Ain’t No Makin’ It: Ain’t No Makin’ It:

aspirations and attainment in a low-aspirations and attainment in a low-income neighborhoodincome neighborhood

Jean Anyon - Jean Anyon - Social Class and Social Class and School KnowledgeSchool Knowledge

David Bolt and Ray Crawford - David Bolt and Ray Crawford - Digital Digital DivideDivide Nicholas C. Burbules and Nicholas C. Burbules and

Thomas Callister, Jr. - Thomas Callister, Jr. - Watch Watch ItIt

ACLU Docket - Williams vs. ACLU Docket - Williams vs. State of CaliforniaState of California

Assembly Bill 64 - Education Assembly Bill 64 - Education technologytechnology

MethodologyMethodology

SurveysSurveys InterviewsInterviews

• policy-makerspolicy-makers• studentsstudents• teachersteachers

Internet dataInternet data Meetings w/ Legal AdvocatesMeetings w/ Legal Advocates

School DemographicsSchool Demographics

35%

65%

0%

0%Central High

12%

32%

7%

49%

African-AmericanLatinoAsianWhite

Pacific High

PolicymakersPolicymakers

Computers - Computers - EssentialEssential

Assembly Member Assembly Member Marco FirebaughMarco Firebaugh

Senator PolancoSenator Polanco Assembly Member Assembly Member

Anthony CardenasAnthony Cardenas

Computers -Not a Computers -Not a PriorityPriority

Superintendent of Superintendent of Central School Central School DistrictDistrict

FCMAT FCMAT Representative Tom Representative Tom Henry Henry

Superintendent of Superintendent of Pacific School DistrictPacific School District

TeachersTeachers

CentralCentral Weak support from Weak support from

AdministratorsAdministrators Minimal expectations Minimal expectations

of computer literacyof computer literacy Vocational Vocational

PreparationPreparation

PacificPacific Students needed Students needed more than low-level more than low-level

typing skillstyping skills Online Online

communicationcommunication Analytical and critical Analytical and critical

thinkingthinking

All felt that a good level of computer literacy and access to technology was necessary in today’s advancing society

StudentsStudents

CentralCentral 67% took only one 67% took only one

computer coursecomputer course• very low level classesvery low level classes

63% of students felt they 63% of students felt they had more than one place had more than one place for computer accessfor computer access• e.g. - home, library, e.g. - home, library,

classroom, and/or a classroom, and/or a friend’s housefriend’s house

37% had one option 37% had one option

PacificPacific 52% took only one course52% took only one course 74% said they had more 74% said they had more

than one option than one option 26% had only one option26% had only one option

• two tracks of studentstwo tracks of students Upper Level Classes and Upper Level Classes and

CourseworkCoursework

A Comparison Of Courses

Number of Computer Courses Taken

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

No courses One course Two or morecourses

Percent of students

surveyed

Central

Pacific

Knowledge of computer classes offered

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Central PacificPercent of students surveyed

Knew aboutcomputer coursesavailable

Knew only aboutmandatory course

Conclusions Implications

Digital Grant does not provide set Digital Grant does not provide set definition of Computer Literacydefinition of Computer Literacy

Lack of information in the Lack of information in the information age information age

Vocation skills v. Critical thinkingVocation skills v. Critical thinking

Possible Improvements to the Research:

•Greater range of data from students and teachers in different groups or positions

Conclusions/Implications - Continued

Set definition of Computer literacy Set definition of Computer literacy NeededNeeded• Word processing creatively and effectivelyWord processing creatively and effectively• Find and be critical of data over the internetFind and be critical of data over the internet• Effective online communicationEffective online communication

Benefits of having a set definition of Benefits of having a set definition of computer literacycomputer literacy• Greater organization of technology statewideGreater organization of technology statewide• Teacher level of computer literacy will Teacher level of computer literacy will

improveimprove• Window for legal actionWindow for legal action

Technology would heighten the Technology would heighten the democratic processdemocratic process

“I think students can make a difference. I think students can have the ability to

engage in legal debates, whether it’s in the courtroom or in the statehouse, to change

any policy.”

- Assembly Member Marco Firebaugh

Thank You !Thank You !