1. Evelyn Stiller and Cathie LeBlanc Department of Computer Science and Technology Plymouth State University

2. Traditional Computer Literacy Courses Address Basic office applications like: –Word processing –Spreadsheets –Presentation software Computer concepts like: –Hardware –Networks –Digital representation –File management –Social/ethical issues

3. Motivation to Change Computer Literacy Lack of excitement Computer literacy changes as society changes Better ways exist to get students involved with technology We are losing majors

4. Social Changes Influencing our Notion of Computer Literacy Internet as major information source Serious online dangers, often leading to identity theft New modes of communication –e.g., Blogging Importance of non-verbal communication

5. Problems with Computer Literacy Excessive focus on terminology, especially that involving hardware Concepts not connected to students’ lives Many students use technology already, so let’s address their interests

6. What Students are Interested in Communicating! –User friendly technology –Huge participation – blogging, chat, face book, etc. –Requires awareness of social/ethical issues

7. Cyber-Literacy Involves Using the Internet to: Inform oneself Express oneself Discuss associated social and ethical issues Explore possible dangers Emphasize the importance of privacy Investigate expressions from a diverse populace “… a set of concepts and critical views with which to understand today’s Internet” – Laura Gurak

8. Our Approach to Cyber-Literacy Internet-focused course Explores the creation of web- presentable media Looks at web content critically Helps students express themselves through a variety of media

9. Content Covered in Traditional Courses Not Addressed in Cyber-Literacy Word processing (if it is still covered) Hardware, though memory/cache/ hard disk concepts can be addressed Spreadsheets Presentation software

10. Content Covered in Traditional Courses Also Addressed in Cyber-Literacy File system/ file navigation concepts Internet concepts: email, web pages, etc. Digital representation Malicious software/ dangers of Internet Social issues especially privacy, netiquette, intellectual property, virtual communities, and accessibility

11. Content Covered in Cyber-Literacy but not Covered in (most) Traditional Courses Critical literacy Web site design Blogging Image creation/editing Sound creation/editing Animation Video editing Alternatives to copyright

12. What is Critical Literacy? Barbara Warnick describes critical literacy as a focus on making what is hidden or not apparent in communications visible.

13. Other Philosophical Differences in Cyber-Literacy Student focused course Students: –Determine content for each assignment –Engage in creative thinking –Start to develop their voice –Exercise critical thinking skills

14. How is it Working? We have offered over 20 sections Students enjoy expressing themselves Students enjoy working with powerful tools Students become computer literate and socially aware Students are excited about technology We assessing our success through a survey

15. Conclusion We can’t afford to bore students Let’s use exciting/expressive tools Students need to be aware Let’s create technology enthusiasts