The establishment of a basic computer literacy proficiency examination for students entering a university
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to establish a basic computer literacy proficiency exam for students entering university. A test was developed to determine the level of basic computer literacy a student has upon entering a university. Measuring proficiency in computer skills would allow students to be exempt from required basic computer courses or be placed in computer courses that reflect their level of proficiency. Ninety-eight student volunteers were administered the basic computer literacy proficiency exam developed through the study. The validity of the test items was tested before incorporating them into the web-based exam model. The study also investigated the difference between the year of graduation from high school and the mean score a student earned on the basic computer literacy proficiency exam, as well as, the difference between the mean score and whether or not the student was enrolled in a high school basic computer literacy course. The study also created a curriculum matrix of the secondary and post-secondary basic computer literacy curriculum. The findings of the study suggest that there were no significant differences between the mean score obtained on the basic computer literacy proficiency exam and the year of high school graduation. The statistical analysis found no significant difference between mean score on the exam and whether the student was enrolled in a high school basic computer literacy course. The curriculum matrix disclosed no alliance between the secondary and post-secondary basic computer literacy curriculum. Recommendations from the study include conducting a study to align the secondary and post-secondary basic computer literacy curriculum. In addition, research should be performed to assess the high school computer literacy course offerings, especially the qualifications of the faculty. Furthermore, a study should be conducted researching the need for basic computer literacy courses to become a high school graduation requirement in the state of Tennessee.
Subject Area
Educational technology|Educational tests & measurements|Higher education
Recommended Citation
Kecia Lynn Campbell-Ray,
"The establishment of a basic computer literacy proficiency examination for students entering a university"
(2000).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI3007598.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI3007598