1. Fox Valley Technical College Core Cluster Approach to 2-Year IT Degree CIT League of Innovations Milwaukee, WI October 21, 2003 http://cis.fvtc.edu/league

2. FVTC Core Cluster Sample Internship Request Knowledge and Experience: Briefly describe the knowledge, skills, demonstrated behaviors and experience required for entry into the position/role. Pursuit of a two or four year Computer Science degree or Business degree with emphasis on Management Information Systems  One year or more of class room training and experience with Visual Basic V6.0 or C++ and SQL Server.  Experience with all or some of the following technologies: Visual Interdev, ADO, Microsoft SQL Server, MTS/COM+, ASP, and Crystal Reports. Ability to work with minimal supervision with a cross-functional team environment. Ability to successfully manage multiple needs and issues at one time Excellent communication skills

3. Standard Program Approach Generalist 3 Programs Programmer/Analyst Network Specialist Microcomputer Specialist Allow 6 elective credits per program

4. Core/Cluster – What is it? Programs created that include clusters, or groups of related courses These clusters create more of a specialist in that area sequential courses 3 – 5 clusters attached to a program

5. Core/Cluster – What is it? 13 clusters initially identified AS400 programming Mainframe programming PC Programming Internet Database Network Hardware Network Software Telecommunications PC Support Help Desk GIS Business Analyst Training Specialist

6. Core/Cluster – What is it? 3 clusters were dropped GIS Business Analyst Training Specialist Dropped due to resources for development probability of low enrollment

7. Programmer / Analyst

8. Network Specialist

9. Microcomputer Specialist

10. Core/Cluster – Why do it? Reacting to changing market needs Existing programs slow to change in state approval process Changing technology needs to be addressed more quickly Clusters can swap in and out more easily (in theory)

11. Core/Cluster – What is it? Performed DACUMS for each cluster Cluster kings and queens Determine what clusters belong to what programs

12. Core/Cluster – What is it? Originally PC Programming was on both the Programming and Microcomputer Programs Created problem – both Web development and PC Programming in both clusters Potential problems with Database cluster paired with PC Programming cluster

13. Core/Cluster – What is it? General Ed – 15 credits Support classes – 11 credits CIS Core – 15 credits Occupational/program/cluster credits 2 clusters (10-12 credits each) Electives – 6 credits Total ––––– 67-71 credits

14. Core/Cluster – What is it? General Ed / Support classes Sem 1 Written Communications Foundations of Quality Business Math Sem 2 Algebra Oral Communications Sem 3 Psychology of Human Relations Accounting Concepts Sem 4 Economics Contemporary American Society Electives

15. Core/Cluster – What is it? Core classes Sem 1 Beginning Computer Concepts Intro to Visual Basic Microcomputer Concepts Sem 2 Systems Analysis and Design Database Fundamentals Data Communications

16. Core/Cluster – What is it? Web Development Cluster Sem 1 Sem 2 Web Page Development I– HTML Sem 3 Web Page Development II– Scripting Sem 4 Web Site Administration Web Page Development III -- XML

17. Core/Cluster – What is it? Help Desk Cluster Sem 1 Sem 2 Help Desk Concepts Sem 3 Supporting Computer Peripherals Sem 4 Customer Service Skills for Help Desk Help Desk Tools and Techniques

18. Core/Cluster – What is it? PC Support Cluster Sem 1 Sem 2 Supporting Computer Peripherals PC Operating Systems Sem 3 Customer Service Skills for Help Desk Sem 4 Hardware Support

19. Core/Cluster – What is it? Network Hardware Cluster Sem 1 Sem 2 Network Cabling Sem 3 Network Hardware Technologies Network Workstation Management Sem 4 Hardware Support Network Design and Implementation

20. Core/Cluster – What is it? Network Software Cluster Sem 1 Sem 2 PC Operating Systems Sem 3 Windows 2000 Server LAN 1 (Novel) Sem 4 Lan 2 (Novel) Windows 2000 Directory Services

21. Core/Cluster – What is it? Telecommunications Cluster Sem 1 Sem 2 Network Cabling Sem 3 Voice Communications Technologies Sem 4 Converging Telecommunications

22. Core/Cluster – What is it? Database Specialist Cluster Sem 1 Sem 2 SQL Sem 3 Database Design Database Servers (SQL Server) Sem 4 Oracle Database Administration

23. Core/Cluster – What is it? Mainframe Prog. Cluster Sem 1 Sem 2 Operating Systems and Data Management COBOL 1 Sem 3 COBOL 2 Sem 4 CICS

24. Core/Cluster – What is it? Midrange Prog. Cluster Sem 1 Sem 2 Midrange Concepts Sem 3 RPG Intro SQL Sem 4 RPG Advanced CL/CLP

25. Core/Cluster – What is it? PC Programming Cluster Sem 1 Sem 2 VB Intermediate Sem 3 C++ SQL Sem 4 VB Advanced Database Servers (SQL Server)

26. Core/Cluster – Experience Educating students Internal system support Generalist vs. Specialist Scheduling

27. Core/Cluster – Experience Educating Students Transitioning existing program students Student materials – program plans Every Semester !!!!!! New student advising Advising for programs as well as clusters Hot cluster selection vs market

28. Core/Cluster – Experience Educating Students PC Programming/Internet selection in Mainframe/Midrange market Mainframe and midrange classes running light in all semesters – ongoing issue Revise our Computer Concepts course to include exploration of careers and cluster choices

29. Core/Cluster – Experience Internal System Support Graduation checks Transcripts Reporting to the State Need to identify program And the 2 selected clusters

30. Core/Cluster – Experience Generalist vs Specialist Basic philosophy of associate degree program Basic philosophy of associate degree program Should entry level programmer be at entry level for multiple platforms, or at higher level for 1-2 platforms????

31. Core/Cluster – Experience Generalist vs Specialist Electives vs additional cluster Need to run classes with low enrollment now in 10 clusters- 4 th semester as opposed to only 3 programs worth of 4 th semester low enrollment classes Elective classes not attached to clusters typically do not run

32. Core/Cluster – Experience Scheduling Issues Need many students to implement core cluster More time to schedule multiple combinations of clusters so students can take required classes and still graduate in 4 semesters Dedicated rooms for specialized courses

33. Core/Cluster – Experience Scheduling Issues Fall 96 9 full time instructors 97-98 Replace 2 instructors Add 2 instructors 98-99 Replace 1 instructor Add 3 instructors 99-00 Add 1 full time instructors 00-01 Add 3 full time instructors 02-03 Add.5 instructor 03-04 Lost 2 full time instructors to retirement – not replaced due to budget Currently 16.5 full time instructors FVTC full time instructors

34. Core/Cluster – Experience Scheduling Issues FVTC enrollment data 1997-98 FTE299.6 total 1998-99 FTE 350.5 total 2000-01 FTE413.4 total 2001-02 FTE 409.8 total 2002-03 FTE372.8 total

35. Core/Cluster – Experience Scheduling Issues Number of classes/sections now vs before implementation of core/cluster Fall 98 - Scheduled 32 different courses 87 sections total Fall 01 - Scheduled 46 different courses 124 sections total Fall 03 - Scheduled 51 different courses 136 sections total (20 canceled)

36. Core/Cluster – Experience Scheduling Issues Workload for Instructors Who will maintain all the new curriculum??? How many different/new preps can an instructor take on

37. Core/Cluster – Experience Scheduling Issues Twilight/night/day program plans Which clusters are offered in which time frames? When does this change??? How does this change??? Mechanism to delete a cluster What happens to students already in pipeline?

38. FVTC Core Cluster Scheduling Challenges Advisory committee is requesting that students have experience in multiple platforms College wants us to have a “summative assessment” such as capstone course/project How do we fit everything in???

39. FVTC Core Cluster Changes in the past year CCC – career component added Each cluster can be offered as independent certificate

40. FVTC Core Cluster Scheduling Challenges Some clusters (help desk and telecom) are only offered in twilight format Does not lay out well in semester format (for full time students) Works great for certificate 2 semesters for cluster Students must be aware of schedule and prerequisites

41. FVTC Core Cluster Scheduling Challenges Students can take 3 clusters to get two degrees… ????? 2 clusters in one program gives a degree A 3 rd cluster only gives the student a certificate Unless it fits with another cluster in another program

42. FVTC Core Cluster Scheduling Challenges Still struggling with light 3-4 semester courses Mainframe and Midrange clusters have gone to offering classes once a semester (alternating day and evening offerings) Is this serving all of our customers???

43. FVTC Core Cluster Modifications in progress Web Design Cluster To be paired with Web Development Which program???

44. FVTC Core Cluster Modifications in progress Adding SQL to all programming clusters Must consider credit ramifications Minimum 64 credits Must identify substitutions for duplicated requirements

45. ????????????????????? Terri Keane Fox Valley Technical College Appleton WI 54911 keane@fvtc.edu http://cis.fvtc.edu/league