From Computer Literacy To On Line Programs For Higher Education Teachers: THE UASD CASE

This paper presents the results of the compilation of information on key aspects regarding the entrance skills brought by the participants to the course on computers in education, taught from 1992 to 2005 as part of the graduate program on higher education teaching, as well as others groups from educational psychology, and school management. It shows how the profile of the masters degree candidates enrolled in the program has been changing, in terms of the knowledge and use of computers. The fact that nearly eighty percent of the incoming master's degree candidates already use computers has produced profound changes in the content of the computers in education course, switching from the basics on computer operation towards exploring the best ways to use the computer as a teaching and learning tool. It has also motivated the university to try distance education programs, using ITC to offer online several courses included in the study program.