Computing and Technology Department
School of Science and Technology
BS in Information
Technology
CIP Code 11-0103
Program Code 414
Fall 2010
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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Student-Learning or Service Outcomes
(ACM IT 2008)
SLO1. Explain and apply appropriate information
technologies
and
employ
appropriate
methodologies to help an individual or
organization achieve its goals and objectives;
SLO2. Function as a user advocate;
SLO3. Manage the information technology resources
of an individual or organization;
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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Student-Learning or Service Outcomes
(ACM IT 2008)
SLO4. Anticipate the changing direction of
information
technology
and
evaluate
and
communicate the likely utility of new technologies to
an individual or organization;
SLO5. Understand and for some to contribute to the
scientific, mathematical and theoretical foundations
on which information technologies are built;
SLO6. Live and work as a contributing, well-rounded
member of society.
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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Alignment of Outcomes
The B.S. in IT program, as well as all programs in the CaT Dept.,
support the University Mission in the Cameron University Plan
2013 as stated below…
“Cameron University provides a diverse and dynamic student
body access to quality educational opportunities; foster a
student-centered academic environment that combines
innovative classroom teaching with experiential learning;
prepare students for professional success, responsible
citizenship, life-long learning, and meaningful contributions to a
rapidly changing world; and is a driven force in the cultural life
and economic development of the region.”
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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Alignment of Outcomes
As well as the School of Science and Technology Mission…
• educate students in an intellectual atmosphere based on
academic excellence, high ethical standards, and exposure to
the latest advances in our academic disciplines;
• assist our students in developing the skills and confidence to
excel as life-long learners;
• prepare our graduates for success in a diverse and dynamic
environment;
• create an atmosphere conducive to professional growth for
faculty and staff;
• support community efforts relevant to Cameron University.
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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Alignment of Outcomes
And the CaT Dept. Mission…
• providing quality academic programs based on academic excellence, high
ethical standards, and learning outcomes for each of the computing and
technology disciplines;
• assist students in developing the skills and confidence to excel as life-long
learners;
• prepare computing and technology graduates at both the A.A.S. and B.S.
levels for success in a diverse and dynamic environment;
• provide faculty and staff with an atmosphere conducive to professional
growth through an annual individualized appraisal program;
• support community efforts involving computing and technology disciplines
relevant to the university, school, and department.
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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Measures of Learning and Service
Outcomes
•
In 2010, the CaT IT Committee decided that previous
methods of collecting direct and indirect measures for
program assessment should be discontinued to implement
a revised plan based on national standards.
•
Comparisons between previous (2008-2009) and current
(2009-2010) outcome measures and strategies would be
disparate, invalid, and unreliable. Therefore a stopping
point for the previous processes and starting point for new
processes had to be established (see “Ancillary Actions”).
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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Ancillary Actions
•
In 2010, the CaT Dept. IT Committee, decided to
make significant changes in assessment
procedures based on national standards.
•
Two requests from the previous PQIR
presentation, were to use standardized exams
and to map student learning outcomes to a
national document in discipline, when possible.
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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Ancillary Actions – Cont.
•
•
The IT Committee then found a national
standardized exam, the IS CORE, from ICCP
(Institute for Certification of Computing
Professionals), used specifically by universities
across the nation for information systems
program assessment.
The IT Committee also decided to directly adopt
the student learning outcomes found in the
ACM’s (Association of Computing Machinery) IT
2008 education curriculum guideline document,
an internationally recognized standard.
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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Ancillary Actions – Cont.
•
ICCP developed IS CORE exam questions to map
to the ACM IT 2008 document.
•
Also, students who pass the exam can earn an
ICCP certification upon B.S. graduation, by paying
a small fee. The certification is called ISA
(Information
Systems
Analyst).
Other
certifications are also available.
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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Ancillary Actions – Cont.
•
Funding approval by the current Director of Institutional
Assessment has been given for the CaT Dept. to use the IS
CORE exam on a trial basis starting spring 2011. The exam
will be given to students in IT 1213 Programming Logic, CIS
2033 Systems Analysis and Design, and IT 4444 IT Capstone.
•
This will provide three direct measurement program
assessment points for the B.S. in IT program:
• IT 1213 (baseline beginning)
• CIS 2033 (mid point)
• IT 4444 (end point)
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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Ancillary Actions – Cont.
•
Use of other ICCP examinations or/and
appropriate indirect measurement items, are still
being discussed by the IT Committee.
•
In conclusion, using the new standardized direct
measures could give the CaT Dept. a much clearer
picture of how well our students compare to
other universities nationally and what learning
areas need improvement.
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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Ancillary Actions – Cont.
•
Under the lead of Dr. P. Diaz-Gomez, the C&T
department is part now of the Cyber Security
Education Consortium and we have aligned our
courses to the core of CSEC
•
Partnership with the Cyber Security Education
Consortium (CSEC):
⁻
⁻
Faculty training - three faculty have attended 3
workshops and two have attended 1 workshop,
Alignment of IAS courses to core areas of CSEC.
Program Quality Improvement Report 2009-2010
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