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Session 2548

A COMPUTER-BASED ASSESSMENT MODEL FOR COMPUTER AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

Jerome A. Atkins Regents College

Abstract

This paper describes a project to demonstrate methods to accelerate the preparation of computing professionals for upward mobility in the fields of computer and information technology through vendor certifications and college degree completion. The methodology also has the potential to level the playing field for access to technology education and associated employment opportunities by making delivery of affordable technical education neutral to the diversity of the client base. The project focuses on demonstrating that access to and proficiency in post-secondary computer and information technology education can be enhanced significantly through distance education via computer, specifically the World Wide Web, and outcomes-based assessment via computer-based testing.

The primary strategy is to use the Regents College model of the virtual university that stresses assessment versus instructional approaches for degree programs at the associate and baccalaureate levels in computer and information technology. Project activities culminate with the award the Regents College Associate in Science or Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems degree programs. Project participants will earn general education credits through examinations offered by Regents College and technical credits by examinations such as those offered by the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP). Students also are able to apply credits earned by examinations for various IT vendor certifications, e.g., Microsoft, CompTIA, Novell. All examinations are administered through a national network of examination delivery centers. Examination preparation is available on-line through specially developed guided learning modules in self-paced and facilitated modes.

As computer platforms and the Internet’s World Wide Web become more prevalent as vehicles for educational delivery and assessment, these innovative programs of educational delivery at virtual universities will offer solutions to the looming crisis in engineering and technology employment. This project relies on access to personal computers and the Internet. With that, the proposed approach offers opportunities are particularly vital to displaced workers and those historically underserved and underrepresented in technical higher education. The project seeks to create a replicable model of use to other distance learning based programs and institutions.

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Atkins, J. A. (2000, June), Computer Based Assessment Model For Computer Information Technology Degrees Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8226