Collaboration between different disciplines, age groups, genders, ethnicities is a must when creating a program that appeals to the demographics emerging in our education system. Building educational tools which do not recognize our differences and similarities are incomplete tools when providing a full education to a young audience. Read the rest of this entry »

This session will explore computer-based activities that appeal to all learners, but that use language that is simple enough for beginning or intermediate English as a Second Language (ESL) learners to enjoy or to create. Activities are designed to teach both English language and computer skills. We will cover skills developed through (1) accessible Web 2.0 tools, (2) serious gaming, and (3) computer applications, such as Word, Excel and Power Point. Read the rest of this entry »

TITLE: Integrated Computer Essentials/Profinciency Course Design

PURPOSE: Although students may feel confident in using computer software, few only know a limited set of features available in the Microsoft Suite (i.e. Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access), and even fewer understand the importance of learning an integrated approach to accomplish tasks and/or projects. Therefore, this presentation is targeted at teachers of application software, both academia and employee training.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this presentation is to provide specific examples used in a successful implementation of a Computer Essentials/Profinciency Course.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Presentation attendees will be able to use descriptions and materials to adapt a similar design for academic courses and/or work-related instruction.

CONFERENCE THEME: TTIX, Teaching with Technology Idea Exchange, strives to provide a wide variety of technology-enhanced education topics. One important aspect is to inform participants about past experiences, best practices, and methods of teaching with technology.

INFORMATION: This presentation will focus on practical experiences and specific examples used in preparing undergraduate students for further coursework, as well as employment opportunities.

2nd-Day Hands On: Integrated Computer Essentials/Profinciency Course Assignments
This practical experience will cover various assignments presented during the Computer Essentials/Profinciency Course. Whereas time is limited, attendees will be given the opportunity to work on selected portions of individual/group student projects using Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access. Participants will gain further insight as to the value of practical-student exercises.

Biography
Jay Deuel is the uOnline Program Coordinator at the University of Utah. He is also an online-graduate student in the Technical Writing Program at Utah State University.

Prior to his current position, Jay was the Computer Essentials (a.k.a. Computer Profinciency) Course Coordinator in the School of Business at the University of Utah. As an Assistant Professor, he designed the curriculum, supervised fellow instructors, and taught numerous sections for five years.

In 2001, Jay received the “Instructor of the Year” award for his work in designing and teaching two modules within the Continuing Education’s Webmaster Certification Program; his subjects included HTML & JavaScript.