Creating a Computer Competency Requirement for Mary Washington College Students.

This paper describes the creation of a computer competency requirement at Mary Washington College (Virginia). The goal of the The goal of the requirement is to ensure that students acquire meaningful skills with technology, and that faculty increase their technological proficiency. The plan was developed based on a review of literature on other schools' approaches to teaching computer literacy. Phase One of the plan develops procedures for providing students with basic skills training in technology, which assure a minimal level of computer competency upon completion of the training. Phase One emphasizes five fundamental computing skills: creating a word processing document; creating a spreadsheet that involves calculations; accessing on-line information from the World Wide Web; using the campus computer network to send and receive information; and electronically locating topically relevant information within the campus library. In Phase Two, faculty develop a procedure and integrate technology into the curriculum. As faculty integrate technology more extensively across a diversity of academic areas, students will gain various experiences using technology. Supplementary skills taught in technology intensive courses may include: desktop publishing; programming; databases; creating web-based resources; translating file formats; graphics and drawing; and using and creating digital and analog video and sound. (SWC) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** 1996 ASCUE Proceedings Creating a Computer Competency Requirement for Mary Washington College Students David J. Ayersman Instructional Technology Ernest C. Ackermann Computer Science and Paul M. Zisman Education Submit correspondence to: Dr. David J. Ayersman, Director Instructional Technology Mary Washington College Fredericksburg, VA 22401-5358 phone: 540-654-1379 fax: 540-654-1068 e-mail: ayersman@mwc.edu PREFACE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY C.P. Singer TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC). At the time this proposal was submitted, it was expected that funding would be provided to establish a campus-wide computer competency requirement through Mary Washington College's Funds for Excellence program. Only in the last few weeks did we learn that this funding would not be provided for our project. Based on that news, our original ideas and projected activities have changed rather significantly. Although initially disheartening, the result has been a streamlined and more tightly integrated plan for achieving computer competency on our campus. Our presentation will address the barriers encountered and the challenges posed by establishing a computer competency requirement and will provide a snapshot of our current progress and activities.