Computing and Technology Department School of Science and Technology BS in Information Technology CIP Code Program Code 414 Fall 2010 Program Quality Improvement Report

Student-Learning or Service Outcomes (ACM IT 2008) SLO1. Explain and apply appropriate information technologies and employ appropriate methodologies to help an individual or organization achieve its goals and objectives; SLO2. Function as a user advocate; SLO3. Manage the information technology resources of an individual or organization; Program Quality Improvement Report

Student-Learning or Service Outcomes (ACM IT 2008) SLO4. Anticipate the changing direction of information technology and evaluate and communicate the likely utility of new technologies to an individual or organization; SLO5. Understand and for some to contribute to the scientific, mathematical and theoretical foundations on which information technologies are built; SLO6. Live and work as a contributing, well-rounded member of society. Program Quality Improvement Report

Alignment of Outcomes The B.S. in IT program, as well as all programs in the CaT Dept., support the University Mission in the Cameron University Plan 2013 as stated below… “Cameron University provides a diverse and dynamic student body access to quality educational opportunities; foster a student-centered academic environment that combines innovative classroom teaching with experiential learning; prepare students for professional success, responsible citizenship, life-long learning, and meaningful contributions to a rapidly changing world; and is a driven force in the cultural life and economic development of the region.” Program Quality Improvement Report

Alignment of Outcomes As well as the School of Science and Technology Mission… educate students in an intellectual atmosphere based on academic excellence, high ethical standards, and exposure to the latest advances in our academic disciplines; assist our students in developing the skills and confidence to excel as life-long learners; prepare our graduates for success in a diverse and dynamic environment; create an atmosphere conducive to professional growth for faculty and staff; support community efforts relevant to Cameron University. Program Quality Improvement Report

Alignment of Outcomes And the CaT Dept. Mission… providing quality academic programs based on academic excellence, high ethical standards, and learning outcomes for each of the computing and technology disciplines; assist students in developing the skills and confidence to excel as life-long learners; prepare computing and technology graduates at both the A.A.S. and B.S. levels for success in a diverse and dynamic environment; provide faculty and staff with an atmosphere conducive to professional growth through an annual individualized appraisal program; support community efforts involving computing and technology disciplines relevant to the university, school, and department. Program Quality Improvement Report

In 2010, the CaT IT Committee decided that previous methods of collecting direct and indirect measures for program assessment should be discontinued to implement a revised plan based on national standards. Comparisons between previous ( ) and current ( ) outcome measures and strategies would be disparate, invalid, and unreliable. Therefore a stopping point for the previous processes and starting point for new processes had to be established (see “Ancillary Actions”). Program Quality Improvement Report Measures of Learning and Service Outcomes

Ancillary Actions In 2010, the CaT Dept. IT Committee, decided to make significant changes in assessment procedures based on national standards. Two requests from the previous PQIR presentation, were to use standardized exams and to map student learning outcomes to a national document in discipline, when possible. Program Quality Improvement Report

Ancillary Actions – Cont. The IT Committee then found a national standardized exam, the IS CORE, from ICCP (Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals), used specifically by universities across the nation for information systems program assessment. The IT Committee also decided to directly adopt the student learning outcomes found in the ACM’s (Association of Computing Machinery) IT 2008 education curriculum guideline document, an internationally recognized standard. Program Quality Improvement Report

Ancillary Actions – Cont. ICCP developed IS CORE exam questions to map to the ACM IT 2008 document. Also, students who pass the exam can earn an ICCP certification upon B.S. graduation, by paying a small fee. The certification is called ISA (Information Systems Analyst). Other certifications are also available. Program Quality Improvement Report

Ancillary Actions – Cont. Funding approval by the current Director of Institutional Assessment has been given for the CaT Dept. to use the IS CORE exam on a trial basis starting spring The exam will be given to students in IT 1213 Programming Logic, CIS 2033 Systems Analysis and Design, and IT 4444 IT Capstone. This will provide three direct measurement program assessment points for the B.S. in IT program: IT 1213 (baseline beginning) CIS 2033 (mid point) IT 4444 (end point) Program Quality Improvement Report

Ancillary Actions – Cont. Use of other ICCP examinations or/and appropriate indirect measurement items, are still being discussed by the IT Committee. In conclusion, using the new standardized direct measures could give the CaT Dept. a much clearer picture of how well our students compare to other universities nationally and what learning areas need improvement. Program Quality Improvement Report

Ancillary Actions – Cont. Under the lead of Dr. P. Diaz-Gomez, the C&T department is part now of the Cyber Security Education Consortium and we have aligned our courses to the core of CSEC Partnership with the Cyber Security Education Consortium (CSEC): ⁻Faculty training - three faculty have attended 3 workshops and two have attended 1 workshop, ⁻Alignment of IAS courses to core areas of CSEC. Program Quality Improvement Report