DIRECTIONS FOR COMPLETING
THE COMPUTER-INTENSIVE COURSE APPROVAL FORM
In order for a course offering to be approved as a Computer-Intensive course, it must first be submitted to
the General Education Committee (GEC) and then to the University Curriculum Committee (UCC) for
approval. Once approved, all sections of the course may be offered in subsequent semesters as fulfilling
that particular provision of General Education. The decision to offer the course as fulfilling the ComputerIntensive Competency is made by the department chair in consultation with the dean and provost.
To submit an existing course for approval as a Computer-Intensive course, first obtain department
approval, then complete the attached form and submit it along with a cover sheet, syllabus, and
supporting documentation to the GEC, which will in turn submit approved courses to the University
Curriculum Committee (UCC) for final approval. Note: a new course must first be approved through the
regular curriculum routing process before it can be submitted for the Computer-Intensive designation.
Rationale
A Computer-Intensive course provides students with multiple opportunities to use technology to deepen
their understanding of course content, going beyond word processing, e-mail, and the Internet. In addition
to learning how to use software, a Computer-Intensive course offers ways for students to expand their
understanding of the discipline and become active, refined participants in academic discourse. Computer
technology is an integral part of modern life. According to the International Society for Technology in
Education (ISTE), technology can “facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity.” Furthermore,
technology offers a wide variety of learning and communication styles.
Guidelines
1. Computer-Intensive assignments will be an integral part of the course.
 Students should practice using technology typical of the discipline in which the course is
taught.
 Computer-Intensive assignments should provide content and technological knowledge and
skills important for students to understand and apply technology solutions in the discipline.
2. There will be at least two Computer-Intensive assignments, and they should be distributed
throughout the course.
 Examples of Computer-Intensive assignments include but are not limited to:
o PowerPoint presentations;
o spreadsheets;
o computer algebra system workbooks;
o computer programming;
o database construction and use;
o Photoshop and Illustrator projects;
o multimedia productions;
o statistical software projects, etc.
3. There will be opportunities for revision and resubmission.
 Computer-Intensive assignments should be structured and sequenced so that students will
be able to improve their technological skills through practice and revision. At least one such
assignment must go through a revision process.
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

Drafts may be read and critiqued by both the instructor and peers; however the instructor
should be responsible for providing the most substantive feedback.
Feedback and revision should involve more than just pointing out surface errors.
4. Computer-Intensive assignments will constitute a significant portion of the course grade and
content. At least 50% of the course grade and content should be based on such assignments.
5. Instructors will provide instruction on how to use the technology effectively, efficiently, and
ethically to complete the assignments. For example, an instructor may teach directed lessons on
features of the technology, provide instruction on evaluative procedures, or explain the
ethical/legal aspects of using the software as related to the discipline in which the course is
taught.
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COMPUTER-INTENSIVE COURSE APPROVAL FORM
Course Prefix & Number
Course Title
Contact Person
Phone and/or e-mail
According to the guidelines, Computer-Intensive Courses will have the following characteristics:
1. Computer-Intensive assignments will be an integral part of the course.
Will students practice using technology typical of the discipline? YES
NO
2. There will be at least two Computer-Intensive assignments, and these assignments
should be distributed throughout the course.
In the list below, fill in the number of Computer-Intensive assignments.
NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS
PowerPoint presentations ..............................................................................
Spreadsheets. ................................................................................................
Computer algebra system workbooks ............................................................
Computer programming .................................................................................
Database construction and use ......................................................................
Photoshop and Illustrator projects ..................................................................
Multimedia productions ..................................................................................
Statistical software projects ............................................................................
Other assignments (please describe below*) .................................................
TOTAL ..........................................................................................................
*Description of Other Computer-Intensive assignments:
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3. There will be opportunities for revision and resubmission.
How many of the Computer-Intensive assignments will students be able
to revise and re-submit?
Will students’ peers take part in the revision process? YES
NO
4. Computer-Intensive assignments will constitute a significant portion of the course
grade and content.
What percent of the final grade will be based on Computer-Intensive assignments?
5. There will be instruction on how to use the technology effectively, efficiently, and
ethically to complete the assignments.
In the list below, check those types of instruction and/or assignments/handouts that will be
used in the course.
Directed lessons
Instruction on evaluative procedures
Explanation of the ethical/legal aspects of using software
Other (describe below*)
*Description of Other forms of instruction:
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