Transcript Document

Evelyn Stiller and Cathie LeBlanc
Department of Computer Science and Technology
Plymouth State University
Traditional Computer Literacy
Courses Address
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Basic office applications like:
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Word processing
Spreadsheets
Presentation software
Computer concepts like:
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Hardware
Networks
Digital representation
File management
Social/ethical issues
Motivation to Change Computer
Literacy
• Lack of excitement
• Computer literacy changes as
society changes
• Better ways exist to get students
involved with technology
• We are losing majors
Social Changes Influencing our
Notion of Computer Literacy
• Internet as major information source
• Serious online dangers, often leading
to identity theft
• New modes of communication
– e.g., Blogging
• Importance of non-verbal
communication
Problems with Computer Literacy
• Excessive focus on terminology, especially
that involving hardware
• Concepts not connected to students’ lives
• Many students use technology already, so
let’s address their interests
What Students are Interested in
• Communicating!
– User friendly technology
– Huge participation – blogging, chat, face
book, etc.
– Requires awareness of social/ethical issues
Cyber-Literacy Involves Using the
Internet to:
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Inform oneself
Express oneself
Discuss associated social and ethical issues
Explore possible dangers
Emphasize the importance of privacy
Investigate expressions from a diverse populace
“… a set of concepts and critical views with which to understand
today’s Internet” – Laura Gurak
Our Approach to Cyber-Literacy
• Internet-focused course
• Explores the creation of webpresentable media
• Looks at web content critically
• Helps students express themselves
through a variety of media
Content Covered in Traditional Courses
Not Addressed in Cyber-Literacy
• Word processing (if it is still covered)
• Hardware, though memory/cache/ hard
disk concepts can be addressed
• Spreadsheets
• Presentation software
Content Covered in Traditional Courses
Also Addressed in Cyber-Literacy
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File system/ file navigation concepts
Internet concepts: email, web pages, etc.
Digital representation
Malicious software/ dangers of Internet
Social issues especially privacy, netiquette,
intellectual property, virtual communities,
and accessibility
Content Covered in Cyber-Literacy
but not Covered in (most)
Traditional Courses
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Critical literacy
Web site design
Blogging
Image
creation/editing
• Sound
creation/editing
• Animation
• Video editing
• Alternatives to
copyright
What is Critical Literacy?
Barbara Warnick describes
critical literacy as a focus on
making what is hidden or not
apparent in communications
visible.
Other Philosophical Differences
in Cyber-Literacy
• Student focused course
• Students:
– Determine content for each assignment
– Engage in creative thinking
– Start to develop their voice
– Exercise critical thinking skills
How is it Working?
• We have offered over 20 sections
• Students enjoy expressing themselves
• Students enjoy working with powerful
tools
• Students become computer literate
and socially aware
• Students are excited about technology
• We assessing our success through a
survey
Conclusion
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We can’t afford to bore students
Let’s use exciting/expressive tools
Students need to be aware
Let’s create technology enthusiasts