This document discusses strategies for defending an introductory computer course that is threatened with being eliminated. It recommends aligning the course objectives with the priorities of various stakeholders, including administrators, employers, accreditors, the university, and students. Specifically, it suggests focusing on skills like critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and popular software. It also emphasizes the importance of keeping content relevant and connecting with today's internet-savvy students through blended learning, flipped classrooms, active learning, and online communities. The overall goal is to allow students to take responsibility for their education while keeping the course content meaningful.

1. Breakout Session 3

2. CONNECTING
CONNECTED
LEARNER
WITH THE
Beverly Amer
Northern Arizona State University
Ken Baldauf
Florida State University

3. with
Computers
Computer Concepts, Issues, and Skills for the iGeneration!

4. “The Internet generation is
already computer savvy
and doesn’t need an intro-
level computer course!”
OUR
CHALLENGE
- Administration
- Students

5. MAKING THE CASE
TO SAVE
THE INTRO COURSE

6. THE CASE OF
THE
THREATENED
CLASS

7. THE CASE OF
THE
THREATENED
CLASS
Strategy
For
The
Defense

8. Align course objectives with
STAKEHOLDER
PRIORITIES
•Administrators
•Employers
•Accreditors
•Students

9. • STEM
• Critical thinking, problem
solving
• Entrepreneurship
Align course objectives with
UNIVERSITY
PRIORITIES

10. Align course objectives with
EMPLOYER
PRIORITIES
A recent IDC study reveals that the top two
skills employers look for in new hires are oral
and written communication and Microsoft
Office.

11. Align course objectives with
ACCREDITOR
PRIORITIES
• Competent use of a discipline-useful software package
• The ability to perform simple transactions using the Web/Internet
• Associated with each major is a required course(s) that provides
instruction in the discipline-specific computer skills, and students
passing this course(s) with a grade of “C–” or better will be
considered to have completed the requirement.
Computer Literacy Requirement
Relevant TODAY @ FSU

13. Align course objectives with
UNIVERSITY
PRIORITIES

14. <discussion>
Align course objectives with YOUR
UNIVERSITY
PRIORITIES

15. Align course objectives with
STUDENT
PRIORITIES
Students demand relevant education!
• Computer Concepts +
• Current events
• Information security
• Social issues
• Mobile devices & apps
• Microsoft Windows + Mac
• Microsoft Office +
• Office 365, Google Docs,
online collaboration,
mobile productivity
• Personal Info Management
• Social media
• Soft Skills

16. “From iPods to smartphones to Facebook,
today’s youth are more plugged in than ever
before, and it’s increasingly clear that they do
not respond to traditional teaching methods –
textbooks and lectures – in the same way as
previous generations.”
http://www.csudh.edu/psych/lrosen.htm
Connecting with the
CONNECTED STUDENT

17. It’s not just
what we teach,
it’s also
how we teach it.

18. Connecting with the
CONNECTED STUDENT
Blended Learning - combining online learning
activities with face-to-face class meetings
Flipped Classroom- students acquire knowledge
independently through online and/or group activities
(rather than through lecture) allowing the teacher to
serve as a facilitator and tutor during class time
Active Learning - places the focus of the responsibility
of learning on the learners
Project-based Learning - students work in groups, under the guidance of the teacher, to
solve problems or answer driving questions that have to do with real-life situations
Collaborative Learning - when two or more people learn or attempt to learn something
together
Gamification - the use of games and competition as educational tools
Online Learning Communities - utilizing social media to create online groups dedicated to
achieving a shared learning objective

19. http://www.teachemerge.com/
Connecting with the
CONNECTED STUDENT
www.teachemerge.com

20. Connecting with the
CONNECTED STUDENT

21. Connecting with YOUR
CONNECTED STUDENT
<discussion>

22. • Align content with stakeholder priorities
• Keep content relevant to students
• Allow students to claim responsibility for their
own education
Connecting with the Connected Student
Summary

23. Questions?
Beverly Amer
Northern Arizona State University
beverly.amer@nau.edu
Ken Baldauf
Florida State University
kbaldauf@fsu.edu
www.techminded.co