Improving Computer Literacy By Patrick Cutler

Computer Literacy and Education One of the problems that education faces today is trying to keep up with rapidly developing technology. In college and in the workforce, you are no longer required to understand one program or one computer, but you are required to understand a variety of programs and computers. Students will need to know how to operate both a PC and a MAC. Students entering college aren’t as competent as they need to be in their computer skills, and this needs to be addressed in secondary education. There is a need to bridge the gape between the difference of using a MAC and a PC, and the adequate skills that students to need to have for college and employment.

Quantitative Research Study Research Question: – What are the most important factors that produce competent computer skills in college students? Hypothesis: – Students that take 2 or more computer training classes in high school have better computer skills entering college.

Quantitative Research Study Importance of the Study: – In an technology advancing society, it is extremely important to ensure that students have adequate computer skills entering college and the workforce. Goals of the Study: – To find out the difference in computer literacy between those who have taken 2 or more computer classes in high school compared to those who have not taken any.

Quantitative Research Study Role of the Researcher: – To setup an objective computer lab environment to test senior high school students on computers (both Mac and PC). – To develop specific skill sets to be tested in relation to required college entry level computer skills. Role of the Participants: – To identify the # of computer classes they have taken in high school. – To identify the specific skills they learned in those computer classes. – To perform a series of computer tasks required on a test in a computer lab setting.

Quantitative Research Study Methods of Data Collection: – The participants will be given a computer to complete a test. – Nominal Data will be collected, as numeric scores will be used in the computer test. – A test will be given to the participants, they will be graded on whether or not they can complete a computer task and how long it takes to complete the task. Instruments for Data Collection: – A paper test with a list of computer performance tasks to be completed in sequence. – A screen-capturing software program to record the students attempting the tasks, the researcher will use to grade the students with.

Quantitative Research Study Computer Test, Example of Skills Tested: – Ability to use multiple applications. – Ability create word processing documents. – Ability to create Excel documents. – Ability to use presentation applications (PowerPoint, Keynote, etc..) Computer Test, Example of Performance Tasks: – Open Microsoft word, create a title in Times Roman font, size 15. – Open Excel, create 4 tables, each with 5 rows and 6 columns, a table heading, and 2 different colors in each. – Open PowerPoint, create a 15 slide presentation that includes 5 pictures, 3 videos, and 5 different kinds of animation.

Qualitative Research Study Research Question: – Why do most high school students struggle to use a MAC computer? Problem Statement: – Students struggle to navigate through the design of a MAC, and to fully understand the differences between the Windows and MAC operating systems. Students will be expected to communicate, navigate, and understand how software functions on a MAC. They will also need to understand the different advantages of a PC and a MAC.

Qualitative Research Study Importance of the Study: – It is rapidly becoming more important that schools provide students adequate access to computer related training. – It is extremely important it is for students entering college to know how to use a MAC computer. Goals of the Study: – To identify the reasons why most high school students struggle to navigate a MAC-based computer. – To discover what factors lead to computer literacy in students (such as socio- economic, cultural background…etc…).

Qualitative Research Study Role of the Researcher: – To setup interviews, discussion groups, and questionnaires with high school students. Role of the Participants: – To have an honest discussion with the researcher about their computer skills, and ability to use a MAC computer. – To actively participate in a discussion group about education, computer literacy, and the importance learning how to use a MAC computer. – To honestly answer questions about their computer abilities, knowledge of a MAC computer, and their school.

Qualitative Research Study Qualitative Types of Data: – Observations: The researcher will observe secondary students in a discussion group in a classroom setting, and collect data by taking notes and capturing it with a audio recording device. – Interviews: The researcher will have purposeful, formal interactions with students. Collecting data with a note pad and an audio recording device. – Questionnaires: The researcher will use a questionnaires and follow-up questionnaires.

Qualitative Research Study Methods of Data Collection: – The researcher will conduct an interview with the participants. – The researcher will lead the participants in a discussion group. – The researcher will develop a series of open-ended questions for the participants to answer in a questionnaire. Instruments for Data Collection: – A video camera will be used to conduct the interviews. – A paper questionnaire document. – An audio recording device and a notepad will be used to document the discussion group.

Action Research Study Research Question: – How could changes be made within a curriculum to improve computer literacy? Problem Statement: – Most students are required as freshmen in college to take an introductory computer class because they lack the necessary computer skills required of many college-level courses. There is a lack of computer courses and instruction in secondary education. Additional computer courses, and instructional improvements need to be made to improve the computer skills to prepare students for college.

Action Research Study Importance of the Study: – Students are lacking college-level competent computer skills, there is a need to address this issue so they are better prepared for the workforce and college. Goals of the Study: – To create a successful method to solve the computer literacy problem that most schools face today in an technologically advanced society. – To implement a plan of action for teachers to use in their instructional to help students improve their computer skills to be college-ready.

Action Research Study Role of the Researcher: – To collect data from teachers and administrators on how many computer classes are offered, and how computers are used within the classroom on a daily basis. – To collect data from students on their computer skills and their school through interviews and discussion groups. – To develop a strategic plan to increase computer literacy in secondary education. Role of the Participants: – For secondary teachers to have an interview with the researcher about the the use and availability of computers in their school. – For teachers to actively engage in developing a strategic plan to improve computer literacy in their school – To have administrators provide current computer curriculum documents. – For students actively participate in a discussion group about the use of computers in their school – To have students honestly answer open-ended questions about their computer abilities and their school on a questionnaire.

Action Research Study Action Types of Data: – Current Computer Curriculum Documents: Displaying how many computer courses are offered, and the skills they cover. – Observations: The researcher will observe secondary students in a discussion group in a classroom setting, and collect data by taking notes and capturing it with a audio recording device. – Interviews: The researcher will have purposeful, formal interactions with teachers. Collecting data with a note pad and an audio recording device. – Questionnaires: The researcher will use paper questionnaires and follow-up paper questionnaires.

Action Research Study Methods of Data Collection: – The researcher will collect data from teachers and administrators at the school for what computer classes are offered and the availability of computers at the school. – The researcher will conduct interviews with teachers. – The researcher will lead students in a discussion group. – The researcher will develop a series of open-ended questions for the participants to answer in a questionnaire. Instruments for Data Collection: – Files on the school technology curriculum and a record document of computers available at the school. – A paper questionnaire document. – A notepad to document interviews with teachers. – An audio recording device and a notepad will be used to document the discussion group.

Recommendation: Qualitative Research Study Research Question: – Why do most high school students struggle to use a MAC computer? Problem: – Students have trouble switching from using a PC to a MAC: recognizing the differences in design, technical specifications, operating systems, software, and security. As technology becomes more integrated into society, students are expected to be more technologically skilled. One of the problems that students struggle with is growing up using a PC, and then trying to use a MAC at a higher educational institute or employment.

Why a Qualitative Research Study? The question isn’t specific enough to measure certain variables, and determine exact cause-effect relationships. It helps develop and determine the importance and meaning behind computer literacy, and why it is important to know both a MAC and a PC. Will explain how students have proficient computer skills in one area, but not the other. Will help why a computer skills class is required to most students entering college and how such a class could be integrated into secondary education.

Conclusion I have determined that a qualitative research study is best suited for my research, because what I am trying to answer isn’t necessarily a direct “Yes” or “No” question. There is a variety of factors that need to be addressed that contribute to computer literacy in education. There are also many different reasons for why most students are much more familiar Windows- based systems, and struggle to use a MAC in a variety of situations.