November 30, 2000

Innovative Approach To Teaching Computer Skills Attracts National Recognition For WKU'S Ford College Of Business

Bowling Green, Ky. - A "high-tech, high-touch approach" for teaching computer skills is attracting national attention for Western Kentucky University's Gordon Ford College of Business and its Computer Information Systems program.

CIS 141-Basic Computer Literacy is a self-paced, web-based, competency-based course where students learn computer applications and concepts' content online.

"People learn to use computers by interacting with them," said Dr. Linda Johnson, chair of Information Systems. "CIS 141 is the same. You learn by doing."

In 1998, the "high-tech, high-touch approach" replaced the traditional "monkey see, monkey do" approach for teaching computer skills. "We knew there had to be a better way," Dr. Johnson said.

The change has allowed WKU to serve more students at a lower cost. Course availability has risen from 200 to 650 students per semester while instructional costs have dropped from $312 per student to $100 per student.

"I have yet to hear any negative comments from students about the self-paced nature of the course," Dr. Johnson said.

CIS 141 instructor Raja Bhattacharya agreed. "In a way, the approach to this course is challenging because it forces students to manage their time effectively. Those who do so are the students who do well in this course. This is the biggest challenge and change for them," he said.

WKU students and faculty aren't the only ones noticing the change. "There is no doubt that WKU has been on the leading edge nationally for teaching computer literacy," Dr. Johnson said. "Western is at the forefront of research on this issue."

Representatives from more than 20 universities, including schools such as Virginia Tech, Auburn University, Colorado State University and the Art Institute of Florida, have visited or have contacted the business college to learn more about the innovative approach.

Stories on the program have appeared in Campus Computer News and Human Capital Strategies and News Magazine. WKU faculty members have presented reports and papers at national and international conferences. Earlier this year, the American Council on Education recognized WKU for enhancing quality and reducing costs in teaching computer literacy.

"The business community is definitely interested in investigating this approach for their training environments," Dr. Johnson said.

The idea for CIS 141 was initiated by Drs. Bob Bretz, John Stallard and Linda Johnson after reviewing an industry-leading computer-based training and testing software system designed and developed by Kelly Services, she said. Kelly Services developed a software system called Pinpoint to test individuals on 300 tasks in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access.

"When we saw this product, we could see the potential for higher education and the teaching of basic computer skills," Dr. Johnson said. Three faculty members - Bretz, Jackie Barnum and Bhattacharya - have been instrumental in this innovative approach to teaching and learning.

In the traditional approach, class sizes were limited by available computers, number of teachers and course sections taught. In that approach, an instructor would use a projector and show students how to open a file or complete another task in the application. At the end of the semester, students would have to complete a project.

"We never understood how competent the students were or who did the work and how fast," Dr. Johnson said.

The Web-based course is divided into two components: lab-based application on Microsoft Office 2000 and online textbook content from "Computers in Your Future." The lab-based application includes a hands-on in-class project that students must complete.

The 16-week course has 36 sessions. The instructor lectures in informational sessions for the first three or four class sessions as students learn how to use the CIS 141 course website and the other programs. After that, students work at their own pace and must complete training and tests on each application.

"The self-paced nature rewards good students," Dr. Johnson said. "If a student is a self-starter and shows initiative, the content can completed in 11 weeks."

This innovative approach has meant changes for faculty members, too. "The instructor's role in CIS 141 is to be a facilitator and answer any questions that the students may have," Bhattacharya said.

Bhattacharya recommends CIS 141 for students and faculty. "I would advise faculty to take a look at this pedagogy and see its benefits," he said. "For students, this course will familiarize them with Microsoft Office 2000 Suite, E-mail and the Internet. These are essential and basic tools that students, regardless of major, need to be marketable in the job market."

Dr. Johnson and Bhattacharya said the learning environment could work in other disciplines. "Our recommendation would be to implement this approach in introductory courses before trying it with upper level courses," Bhattacharya said.
"If implemented properly, this approach can be cost effective and can serve a large population at a time."

Not only are students learning computer skills in CIS 141, they are also learning lifelong education skills, Dr. Johnson said. "You must learn to learn on your own, learn new skills and reinvent yourself," she said.