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CSUS recognizes that incoming
students may not have the computer and information
competencies necessary for academic success and unanimously
adopted the following policy at the CSUS Faculty Senate
meeting of 10/30/97. It was approved in concept in the
President's memorandum of 11/17/97:
COMPUTER
LITERACY/INFORMATION COMPETENCE
GENERAL
POLICY AND REQUIREMENTS
CSUS is committed to the informed
and ethical use of electronic technologies. Given the
cultural and individual significance of computers, and the
potential and perceived effects of new technologies on the
process of intellectual inquiry, it is crucial that CSUS
graduates be prepared for life in a knowledge-driven,
technology-based society. The CSUS curriculum, in both
General Education and the majors, provides students with
opportunities to explore the uses of computers as tools for
learning.
Before graduation, CSUS students
will be expected to demonstrate their abilities to:
I. Acquire, process, communicate,
and critically evaluate information using current electronic
technologies. A fundamental understanding of computer
operations, experience with contemporary user interfaces and
basic word processing skills are expected at entrance.
Students will acquire and demonstrate competence in the use
of computers and networks to access databases and retrieve
information. Students will also develop competence in the
use of computer systems for effective communication.
II. Use advanced computer skills
appropriate to the requirements of a major and related
careers.
III. Adapt to changing technologies
and to assess the social issues and ethical choices
resulting from those changes.
Attachment B: table indicating where, when, and how
requirements should be met:
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I. Demonstrate ability to acquire, process
communicate and critically evaluate information
using current electronic technologies. A
fundamental understanding of computers operations,
experience with contemporary user interfaces and
basic word processing skills are expected at
entrance. Students will acquire and demonstrate
competence in the use of computers and networks to
access databases and retrieve information. Students
will also develop competence in the use of computer
systems for effective communication.
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Skill/Knowledge
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Where
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When
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Who
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How
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Basic word processing skills.
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High School.
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Prior to entrance.
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Instruction given as workshops.
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Workshops.
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Basic computer- based communication skills:
email, Web pages, file transfer.
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High School. Lower Division classes.
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Throughout the college career, use various means
of communication.
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Across the curriculum.
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Workshops as required.
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Basic Competency in basic presentation
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Oral communication.
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Lower division.
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Area A
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Infused in classes.
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Evaluation of computer-based information.
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Critical Thinking.
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Lower Division GE
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Infused in classes.
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II. Use advanced computer skills appropriate
to the requirements of the major and related
careers.
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Skill/Knowledge
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Where
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When
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Who
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How
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Advanced abilities: word processing,
presentations, spreadsheets, information retrieval,
database use, graphics, communications, statistics
and programming.
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Major: In specifically designated class(es)
determined by major.
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Sophomore or Junior Year: Reinforcement in
junior and senior level classes.
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Major or Service Area: Also senior level classes
in major should utilize computer skills.
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Specialized "skill" classes and utilization in
major classes.
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III.Adapt to changing technologies and assess
the social issues and ethical choices that result
from these changes.
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Skill/Knowledge
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Where
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When
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Who
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How
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Social impacts of computers on society.
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Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.
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Upper and lower division.
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GE and Major.
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Infused in classes and special focus.
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Ethical issues related to computer use.
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Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.
Professional Schools.
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Upper and lower division.
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GE and Major.
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Infused in classes and special focus.
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Ability to adapt to changes.
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Experiential and classroom activities.
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Demonstrated prior to graduation.
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All classes and capstone assessment.
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All classes and capstone class.
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CSUS President's memorandum of
11/17/97:
The recommendation
concerning computer literacy and information competence is
approved in concept."
The Provost and Vice President for
Academic Affairs is responsible for implementation of that.
I note that the recommendation does not address the matter
of the requirement of courses and units per se.
Implementation of this requirement should not increase the
number of University required units for the baccalaureate
degree.
CSUS Library
Information Technology Grant
During the spring semester of 1998
the Library received a grant to update the faculty's
knowledge of information sources available online through
the Library and World Wide Web. Four discipline oriented,
day long workshops for faculty were presented during spring
break:
Science Information at
Your Fingertips, April 7, 1998
Arts & Letters Information at Your Fingertips, April 9,
1998
Social Science Information at Your Fingertips, May 1,
1998
Business Information at Your Fingertips, May 8, 1998
Each workshop focused on accessing
information available online and integrating these resources
into the curriculum. The goal was to increase faculty
awareness of the complexity of information available and to
interest them into developing partnerships with librarians
to integrate information competency into their course work.
There were 44 faculty in attendance at the sessions and they
identified over 20 courses as appropriate for information
competence collaboration.
CSUS Information
Competence Proposal
INFORMATION COMPETENCE FOR
FUTURE TEACHERS
In December, 1998 the CSUS Library
was awarded a grant of $4,940.00 from the CSU Information
Competence Work Group to provide information competence (IC)
skills to future K-12 teachers and to stimulate the teaching
of these skills at the K-12 level. This project will be in
development during Spring and Fall 1999 and will be
implemented during the Spring 2000 term.
For detailed information about
Information Competence at CSUS and a copy of the grant
proposal click on the link to the CSUS
Information Competence Proposal.
Linda J. Goff, Library Instruction
Librarian
2000 State University Drive,
Sacramento, CA 95819-6039
Contact her by email: ljgoff@csus.edu
or by phone: (916) 278-5981.
LJG:
Updated 2/23/99
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