Fluency With Information Technology CSE 100/INFO 100 Fall 2001 | |
The Fluency Vision CSE100/INFO100
is an introductory class that implements the recommendations of the
National Research Council’s study Being Fluent With
Information Technology [National Academy Press, 1999]. The report describes
the knowledge and experience a person should possess to be fluent in
information technology, where fluency is a more ambitious goal than
computer literacy. Literacy
vs. Fluency Computer
literacy has traditionally meant proficiency with a few contemporary
computer applications such as email, word processing and the like. Though
such literacy instruction enables students to use computers directly, it
does not have the staying power needed to accommodate the rapid changes in
Information Technology. Components of Fluency
The NRC
report identifies three types of knowledge that are essential for
fluency: Skills –
competence with contemporary computer applications and tools; this
component approximates traditional computer literacy. An example is
learning to use a word processor, or transfer files across networks.
Concepts –
fundamental principles on which information technology is founded,
including basic ideas related to computers, networks, etc. An example is
the understanding of the digital representation of information, or how
networks operate. Capabilities - the
ability to apply information technology in complex and sustained
situations, which encapsulate higher-level thinking in the context of
information technology. An example is to engage in sustained
reasoning. The
report lists the 10 top priority items of each type of knowledge. Notice
the three types of knowledge are co-equal and
interdependent. Project Learning Though skills have been successfully taught in conventional literacy courses, and concepts have been taught in standard computer science and information systems classes for years, the capabilities present an instructional challenge. In order to teach the capabilities, to provide a context to learn the concepts, and to facilitate the acquisition of skills, Fluency With Information Technology is a project-based course. The main content is delivered through the formulation and implementation of sustained (multi-week) projects using information technology. | |
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Questions? gbw@u.washington.edu |