Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
No time limit was enforced on Friday tests. If a student got on a computer at the beginning
of the session, they were not forced to leave after a specific period, even if there was a line.
By the week of finals, most students had passed the exams. A maximum of 10 to 15
students per section took exams during the final week. Sixty students were enrolled in each
section. Several students did not take the proficiency exams in the final week, because they
had determined they would not get better than a D in the course based on other course work.
A majority, 84%, of the students indicated that they felt proud when they had
successfully completed an exam.
SECOND SEMESTER RESULTS
Based on students' comments on the end-of-semester survey, more class days were
allotted to software demonstration. A comprehensive project was assigned again during the
second semester, and four class days were used to demonstrate all components of the project.
Because more time was available, all competency software skills were also demonstrated.
Many students chose not to attend the demonstration class days, but those who were
interested in learning all the skills were able to see all skills demonstrated.
At the end of the first semester, the three instructors reviewed the skills that were
included in the exams and decided to make the exams more comprehensive. All three exams
were modified to include more skills, and the time allotted for each exam was also increased.
Out of the 500 students enrolled in the spring semester, only two students received a D in
the course, because they had not passed all three exams. All other students who earned a
course work grade of at least a C passed all three exams. The higher success rate can be related
to the maturity level of the students. By the second semester, the freshman students made
the adjustment from high school to the university and now understood the need for personal
responsibility. The second reason for better success can be attributed to more class time
devoted to demonstrating software skills. Also during the second semester, all instructors
had to be away from the class for at least 1 day due to travel, and a graduate assistant proctored
the hands-on exams while they were away, thus increasing the opportunities for student
testing.
No survey was done at the end of the second semester due to university restructuring.
The course will be transferred to a different college within the university, and different faculty
will be responsible for the course.
CONCLUSION
Students who were not prepared in high school to be self-motivated learners were able
to accomplish the goal of achieving at least 80% on each of three software proficiency exams.
Students learned the skills, maybe not using the method expected, but the end result was
successful completion of the exams. The proficiency requirement will stay in the general
education computer course.
