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Status of Computer Literacy in High School Seniors Graduating in Northern Michigan. Ray Amtmann ramtmann@nmu.edu. Sandra Poindexter spoindex@nmu.edu. Northern Michigan University. Outline. Literacies Standards Study Discussion.
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Status of Computer Literacy in High School Seniors Graduating in Northern Michigan Ray Amtmannramtmann@nmu.edu Sandra Poindexterspoindex@nmu.edu Northern Michigan University Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Outline • Literacies • Standards • Study • Discussion Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Determine, access, evaluate, incorporate, use information ethically and legally Understand issues surrounding the use of info Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL 2000) Information Literacy Tech literacy Information literacy Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
ability to use, manage, assess, and understand technology International Technology Education Association (ITEA 2000) Technological Literacy Tech literacy Information literacy Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Computing / Computer Literacies • associated with the use of productivity software and basic computer usage concepts Computer literacy Computing literacy Tech literacy Information literacy Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
using technology, communications tools, networks Computer literacy Computing literacy Tech literacy Info literacy ICT literacy Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Literacy • to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information • to function in a knowledge society International Information and Communication Technologies Literacy Panel (2001) Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
U.S. National Standards • 2004 National Technology Plan • 7 Step plan to infuse technology into education • Became basis for state-level tech plans • Focus on infrastructure / staff training • 2007 National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS*S) • 6 categories (concepts, issues, tools) • 10 performance indicators • Focus on student outcomes Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
State of Michigan Standards • Educational Technology Plan • Educational Technology Standards & Expectations • Aligned with NETS • Defines tech literacy using ICT literacy terms • High School Graduation Requirement -- Online Experience • Take an online course OR • Incorporate online experience into each major curriculum subject Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Educational Tech Tech education Different Standards Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Different Standards Infrastructure & Staff training Student tech skills Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Our Study • Upper Michigan secondary schools • Two cycles - 2005 and 2007 • Demographics • Rural • Small school size (55 - 1200 students) Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Slight decline Graduation Requirements Marquette population: 25 000 Upper Michigan pop.: 318 000 Chicago population: 9 500 000 Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Fulfilling Graduation Requirement • One course all must take • Choice from a selection of tech courses Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Reasons Given for Changes in Graduation Requirements • Shifting requirement down to middle school • Technology education is integrated across curriculum • Reducing choices due to budget cuts and fewer technology teachers • Increasing choices due to more skilled students Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Budget Components Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Growth Topics Covered Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Shifting Literacy Focus Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Additional software Web design Photo editing Desktop publishing Software upgrades Additional hardware Digital cameras Handheld computers Video recorders Scanners Technology Program Evolution “Classes moved towards software utilization, career prep and web research.” “We’ve increased presentations, research, and communication.” Information literacy Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Michigan Online Experience Requirement • Effective September 2006 for 8th grade Michigan students • Graduating students must • take an online course (8 school report this choice) • have a 20 hour online learning experience (5 schools report this choice), or • have a total of 20 hours of online experience integrated into all core curriculum areas • 14 schools report no decision as of response Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Discussion - Preparedness • Students self-report high levels • Studies reported in 2006-2007 conflict with perceptions • 500 students at Pennsylvania State found performance = standards, but < perception (Stone & Madigan, 2007) • 91 students tested for computing literacy; actual mean < 70% (Wilkinson, 2006) • 164 Missouri students tested for computing literacy at 80% level; only 3 attained faculty expected levels(Hardy et al, 2006) Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Discussion • Are students technologically prepared for higher education? • What is the unit of measure? • Computing literacy • Technological literacy • Information literacy • ICT literacy Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Pre/Post Test Scores 2006 Survey NMU • Three Instructors • 5 Sections • 1 Online • One Standardized Test • Averages by Section • Pre Test Range 30% - 49% • Post Test Range 70% - 77% Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
What is the Basis for Measurement? • High schools are beginning to shift away from computing literacy, towards ICT literacy • Ifwell integrated, students should continue to possess computing literacy skills • If not well integrated, students lose them • Are higher education expectations aligned with secondary school standards? Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Measuring ICT Literacy • International Information and Communication Technologies Literacy Panel • ICT literacy test based on ACRL standards • Educational Testing Service pilot results • 63 colleges and high schools • 6300 students • On average earned 50% of possible points (Kratz, 2007) Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
What do IT instructors consider to be the definition of computer proficiency? (Cengage Learning Second Annual IT Proficiency Survey 2007) Key Take-Away: Nearly 60 percent of instructors consider working knowledge of basic application software (Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Presentation, etc.) to be the definition of computer proficiency. This number is up seven percent from the 2006 survey. Only one fifth consider more advanced applications to be the definition, such as editing images, creating graphs, manipulating tables, etc. Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
What percentage of students do you estimate will utilize IT skills in their careers after graduation? (Cengage 2007) Key Take-Away: Nearly three-fourths of the instructors surveyed said that more than half of students will utilize IT skills in their careers after graduating, demonstrating the importance of technology instruction and proven proficiency among students. Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Cengage Survey Pool: Who are they? • 797 faculty members • Instructors in the I.T. field • The majority of respondents have been teaching for more than 10 years and represent 2-year or 4-year colleges and universities. Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Issues • Technology education ≠ educational technology • Standards • Curriculum standards focus on applied tech ed • Grants & technology plans focus on educational technology • Teachers • Reductions in numbers of technology teachers ≠ increased skills of non-technology teachers Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
Issues / Solutions Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
National Tech Plans • Strengthen leadership & tech training • Innovative budgeting • Improve teacher training • Support e-learning • Encourage broadband • Move to digital content • Integrate systems Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
NETS Categories • Basic operation/concepts • Social, ethical, human issues • Tech productivity tools • Tech communication tools • Tech research tools • Tech problem-solving tools Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
NETS Performance Indicators • Identify capabilities and limitations of contemporary and emerging technology resources and assess the potential of these systems and services to address personal, lifelong learning, and workplace needs. • Make informed choices among technology systems, resources, and services. • Analyze advantages and disadvantages of widespread use and reliance on technology in the workplace and in society as a whole. • Demonstrate and advocate for legal and ethical behaviors among peers, family, and community regarding the use of technology and information. • Use technology tools and resources for managing and communicating personal/professional information. Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
NETS Performance Indicators • Evaluate technology-based options, including distance and distributed education, for lifelong learning. • Routinely and efficiently use online information resources to meet needs for collaboration, research, publication, communication, and productivity. • Select and apply technology tools for research, information analysis, problem solving, and decision making in content learning. • Investigate and apply expert systems, intelligent agents, and simulations in real-world situations. • Collaborate with peers, experts, and others to contribute to a content-related knowledge base by using technology to compile, synthesize, produce, and disseminate information, models, and other creative works. Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008
This presentation can be found at: • http://cob.nmu.edu/amtmann/MJEC%20Data%2025%20June%202008/ Michigan Joint Education Conference - June 2008