Computer
Technology Educators Conference
October 24, 2003
Meeting Notes
Prepared by Larry Gottschalk, Instructor, Metropolitan
State University
A
conference was held last half of October at
It was called "CTEC" for Computer Technology Educators Conference." It was deliberately kept broad in scope so that all types of computer technology educators were included, and indeed did attend:
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web page design (including graphic arts)
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office skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
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programming
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database
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networking.
The purpose of the conference was to explore the similarities and differences in the way we approach similar courses. However, in the pre-conference meetings, it became clear that their was intense interest in articulation and transfer of credits between:
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2 year to 2 year,
- 2 year to 4 year, and
- 4 year to 4 year institutions.
Therefore, Jerry Johnson from the MnSCU office was recruited to be the keynote speaker. He did set the agenda well.
As the dialogue continued, it became more and more focuses on 2 year to 4 year transferability, as that seemed to be the major difficulty facing all of us.
At the wrap up, there were a number of flip chart summary charts filled out. These captured the essence of the conclusions and actions.
The following is from those flip charts.
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Our students feel the need to invest 2 years to get a job.
- But then sometime later they want to return for 2 more years to complete a degree.
- They do NOT want to have to retake courses.
- Across the system we have 2, 3, and 4 credit courses. They have common elements, but obviously are not being packaged the same way.
- Right now there are articulation and transfer agreements one on one between various MnSCU institutions, based on trust and commonality. Is it a lack of trust of the quality that is preventing system-wide agreements??
- The Metro Alliance was formed to help make a Metro wide system. Has that been lost?
- Attendees thought it an excellent idea to apply for CTL grant writing funds to further shape the ideas of this conference, and to explore options not fully explored here.
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There was a discussion of where students can go with their MnSCU training, in terms transferability. An example cited was http://www.mnstate.edu/technology/2Plus2/ which shows transferability in with 2 year associate's degree leading to bachelor's degree. Again, this is not a system wide, but rather institution-specific path!
- What about the Bachelor of Applied Technology degree? It was intended as a terminal degree, but many who get it then return to ask how they can complete a 4-year degree!
- There are other
majors that are being explored as options by people with 2-year computer-related
degrees:
- Accounting
- HR
- Management (Business, Admin, Info Systems, Applied Sciences)
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There is the quality issue of graduates being accepted at other MnSCU institutions:
- what about cheating on assignments? How do we prevent it?
- How do we know the learning is effective?
- How do we know we are requiring the appropriate classes?
- Are we concerned that we have the appropriate people in our programs (is that a blocker for the 4-year institutions accepting anyone from the 2-year programs?)
- What about the role of advising to assure that a person in a 2-year program in on track for transfer, if she/he so wishes later?
- What about accreditation of our on-line courses? Do they do the same job of preparing a person? If not, what does this say about transferability and articulation?
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Is the ACM standard curriculum for a four-year computer science degree something that should be implemented partly at the 2 year and partly at the 4 year institutions? Who would administer such a spread out program?
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Are block transfers feasible? How would be go about setting up such?
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Who is willing to work on a task force to follow up on these issues? (There were volunteers identified)
- What is the framework
for competency standards for degrees in
- Computer Info Science (CIS)
- Computer Science (CS)
- Networks
To what extent is the ACM guideline appropriate to a mix of 2 year and 4 year institutions?
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How should transfers be done:
- would we specify that if a person completes a certain list of courses, he/she can transfer?
- or, do we say a person completing a certain certificate program can transfer?
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Can we identify block transfers for AAS to BAS?
- for AS to BS?
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Some issues we need to overcome include:
- Determining the amount of acceptance of the ACM guidelines across our institutions.
- Determining to what extent those guidelines are current with industry requirements.
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Can the differing goals of 2 year and 4 year institutions reconcilable?
- 2 year: job prep/ skills training
- 4 year: ability to reason and learn independently.
- is that difference a historical one, and not true today
- was it ever true?
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Do our 4 year institutions perceive the 2-year institutions do NOT teach theory?
- to what extent is that perception right or wrong?
- is their any way to demonstrate that it is NOT true?
- The final consensus
is that we need tasks forces for:
- 2 year to 2 year
- 2 year to 4 year