Computer / Technology Competency

Rationale: You are required to document intermediate-level understanding and skills in the use of operating systems, word processing, spreadsheets, web-browsing, communication, information retrieval, slideshow creation and website development, particularly as they relate to Level II course work.

COMPETENCY: Can demonstrate intermediate skills:

a. OPERATING SYSTEM	in using the operating system on a personal computer, specifically with regard to file, folder, and drive organization;  and audio, video and other general configurations.
b. WORD PROCESSING	in writing and text management tasks using word processing software;
c. SPREADSHEETS	in setting up and using spreadsheets including doing basic math functions and creating graphs and charts;
d. e-COMMUNICATION	in using electronic communication tools such as email
e. WEB BROWSING	in using web-browsers effectively
f. WEB SEARCHING	in locating and using information from CD ROM databases and websites and doing advanced searches using Boolean logic and meta-search engines
g. SLIDE SHOWS	in preparing a slide-show presentation
h. WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT	in creating a rudimentary website

CRITERIA:

1. Compile a portfolio that contains the following computer skills products:

1. an evaluation worksheet of skills in understanding and using operating systems on a personal computer;
2. an evaluation worksheet on intermediate text writing and editing word-processing skills;
3. an evaluation worksheet on spreadsheet set-up and use;
4. an evaluation worksheet on electronic communication skills; and
5. printed products resulting from different information retrieval systems, including CD ROM, websites, and advanced web-based searches.
6. an evaluation worksheet (or product) on preparing a basic computer slideshow.
7. an evaluation worksheet (or product) on creating a rudimentary website

STANDARDS:

1.  Criterion 1a, Understanding and Using Operating Systems, requires that you:

Criteria	Modes of Demonstration
a.      understand the dangers of viruses and know how to use standard anti-virus software;	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
b.      understand multi-tasking;	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
c.      can change screen resolution; and	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
d.      understand different file formats and basic cross-platform issue	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop

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2.  Criterion 1b, Word-Processing, requires that you:

Criteria	Modes of Demonstration
a.      can move text between files and applications;	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
b.      can save text in various file formats;	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
c.      can use style sheets;	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
d.      can use headers/footers;	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
e.      can use outlining functions;	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
f.        can create endnotes and footnotes;	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
g.      can create reference lists/bibliographies;	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
h.      can generate tables within text files; and	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
i.        can use tabs and rulers.	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop

NOTE: Students may also submit a paper or papers from any competency that covers the above Criteria for Word-Processing

3.  Criterion 1c, Spreadsheets, requires that you:

Criteria	Modes of Demonstration
a. Can set up tables, including row and column labels	Quantitative Reasoning Community Portraits
b. Can enter data into cells	Quantitative Reasoning Community Portraits
c. Can set cells with appropriate numerical formats	Quantitative Reasoning Community Portraits
d. Can enter basic math functions and formulas to compute sums	Quantitative Reasoning Community Portraits
e. Can create line graphs, bar graphs, and pie charts as they pertain to statistical representation	Quantitative Reasoning
f. Perform multiple operations with very large or very small numbers	Quantitative Reasoning
g. Obtaining numbers from data	Quantitative Reasoning
h. Use data from one chart to another	Quantitative Reasoning
i. Comparing quantities	Quantitative Reasoning Community Portraits
j. Descriptive statistical functions (e.g. central tendency)	Quantitative Reasoning
k. Can save as spreadsheet or PDF, can print tables and graphs.	Quantitative Reasoning

 

Can import data from an external source and perform operations on it? (Level III or Capstone?)

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4.  Criterion 1d, Web Browsing, requires that you:

Criteria	Modes of Demonstration
a. can open a browser to a pre-set home page	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
b. can bookmark sites and organize the bookmarks	Economic Distribution
c. understand the History, Go, and Refresh functions	Economic Distribution
d. can read URLS to understand fundamental information about the site (i.e. .gov, .edu…)	Economic Distribution
e. can save pictures and text to other applications	Economic Distribution

5.  Criterion 1e, Communication, requires that you:

Criteria	Modes of Demonstration
a.      can organize messages;	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
b.      can forward, quote, write off-line, and attach files to e-mail messages; and	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop
c.      can create lists of groups.	Computer/Technology Assessment or Introductory Computer Workshop

6.  Criterion 1f, Information Retrieval, requires that you:

Criteria	Modes of Demonstration
a.      can locate and use CD ROM databases;
b.      can locate websites providing quantitative and qualitative local community data;
c.      can download data, documents, and images from websites;
d.      can find information on current social issues using both specialized databases (e.g., Lexis-Nexis; Boston Globe archives) and generalized search engines;
e.      can manage/organize bookmarks;
f.        understand and can deal with cookies;
g.      can do advanced searches using “AND,” “OR,” “NOT” (Boolean logic) and meta-search engines; and
h.      understand limits to privacy on the Internet.

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7.  Criterion 1g, Computer Slideshow, requires that you:

Criteria	Modes of Demonstration
a.      can create a slideshow using PowerPoint, Keynote, or similar computer-based program
b.      can import pictures from clip art, picture files, and the web
c.      can demonstrate thoughtful visual layout on slides, including background color, limited text,  appropriate fonts and colors
d.      can use master slide functions
e.      can integrate several types of slide transitions
f.        can save in PDF and html formats
g.      can print out handouts

8.  Criterion 1h, Website Authoring, requires that you:

Criteria	Modes of Demonstration
a.      can create a rudimentary website of at least 4 pages and 3 levels using WYSIWYG authoring software (MS FrontPage, Netscape Communicator, PowerPoint Save function)
b.      can import pictures from clip art, picture files, and the web
c.      can use lists and tables to format text
d.      can demonstrate thoughtful visual layout on pages, including background color, limited text,  appropriate fonts and colors, and site similarity across all pages
e.      include navigation links to site pages, home page, and websites on the Internet
f.        are familiar with and can describe how a website is loaded and accessed
g.      are familiar with and can describe protocols of hosting a public website (information accuracy, webmaster contact information and update information, need to regularly update)
h.      can describe basic elements which define a good website

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