Assessment of Learning Report Computer Science CPT Fall 2008 Spring I. Introduction and Background

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1 Assessment of Learning Report Computer Science CPT Fall 2008 Spring 2010 AAS DEGREE: Computer Programming AAS DEGREE: Database Management AAS DEGREE: Telecommunications I. Introduction and Background Mission Statements St. Charles Community College: St. Charles Community College is an affordable, and accredited, accessible learning environment providing life-changing opportunities for personal growth and professional success. Computer Science: The Computer Science Program's mission is to offer both academic and vocational computer science programs that are responsive to the information technology needs of business and industry, as well as responsive to the personal and professional objectives of our students. We are committed to excellence in instruction and will recruit and retain a professional faculty imbued with real world, cutting edge experience and expertise. Progress since the last report Test-outs for CPT 115 and CPT 106 transferred to WebCT at the Assessment Center s request for easier management Increased number of robots to encourage student competition Created a new course, Programming in Alice, as a beginning-level programming course to encourage student interest Reviewed using Python instead of PHP in the Database Programming course per IT Advisory, PHP is still the best choice A new TSA has been developed for the Telecommunications program, due to changes in technology Program Goals Computer Programming: Programs solve problems or perform tasks on a computer. Programmers translate the solutions or tasks into a language the computer can understand. This degree introduces students to programming concepts, enforcing good style and logical thinking. Students will become proficient in the syntax of several programming languages in active use in the business community. CPT Assessment of Learning Report Page 1 Fall 2008-Spring 2010

2 Characteristics of good programs 1. Produces good correct output 2. Easy to read and understand 3. Properly documented (internal & external) 4. Easily maintained Database Management: The Database Management degree will provide students with the fundamentals of the relational database model, structured query language (SQL), data modeling, database design, and database administration. Truly effective use of current PC-based and server-based DBMSs is utilized throughout the program. Database topics include: Creating and managing databases, tables, transaction logs, triggers, and stored procedures Enforcing data integrity using constraints, defaults, and rules Writing queries that manipulate data effectively Plan/design data for appropriate use by users and application programs Management Information Systems IT professionals who, in addition to technical skills, have strong business acumen and interpersonal communication competencies are sought after as they assume larger and more visible roles as corporate strategists. SCC s MIS degree emphasizes the practical aspects of computing, plus the business background to be able to best serve the computer needs of the business community. Management Information Systems topics include: Systems Analysis and Design Fundamentals of Business Fundamentals of Database Management Computerized Accounting Computer Security Business/Computer Ethics Telecommunications: This degree gives the student a firm background in understanding the principles involved in data communications. This program provides a thorough knowledge of protocols, networking, and the convergence of TV, radio, telephony and computer networks. Topics include: Latest wireless technologies Encryption standards and digital signatures Frame Relay and Asynchronous Transfer Mode systems Modern multiplexing techniques Cellular telephone technologies Voice over Internet Protocol technology CPT Assessment of Learning Report Page 2 Fall 2008-Spring 2010

3 Program Objectives Computer Programming: The student will demonstrate proficiency in these areas: 1. Logic presentation (algorithm, pseudocode, etc.) 2. Coding specifications 3. Program listing 4. Computer generated report 5. Other documentation as required based on the program involved Database Management: The student will express the aptitude to complete the following: 1. Create and manage files, file groups, databases, and tables 2. Write queries that retrieve and modify data using joins and subqueries 3. Manage locking options and transactions to ensure data concurrency and recoverability 4. Create and maintain indexes 5. Using tools within PC-based and server-based Database Management System (DBMS) software Management Information Systems: The student will display skills for the following: 1. Planning, designing and implementing technology initiatives to maintain corporate competitiveness 2. Coordinating business marketing and management needs with IT capabilities 3. Time management to balance the load between multiple projects 4. Ethical use of computer technology in business 5. Training end-users to be most productive in their jobs Telecommunications: The student will display the expertise to: 1. Define a protocols and how it is used in a network 2. Differentiate WAN, LAN, Internet and wireless protocols 3. Describe hardware and software security issues and systems 4. Explain the convergence of TV, radio, telephony, and computer networks. CPT Assessment of Learning Report Page 3 Fall 2008-Spring 2010

4 Skills Assessment Computer Programming, Database Management, Management Information Systems: For Computer Programming, Database Management, and Management Information Systems (MIS) a culminating project within CPT 200 Systems Analysis and Design is being used for skills assessment. This project is a group presentation of an analysis of a computer system, including recommendations for upgrades and security. Specifics on the content of the assessment project and a scoring rubric are as follows: excellent good fair poor not done not applicable Decision-making developed/described logic and formulas used Output serves the intended purpose well organized/designed Forms easy to fill in meet the intended purpose ensure accuracy and completion User Interface includes guidelines for meaningful communication solicits user feedback Security planning for security found throughout design hardware security is included software security is included user education is clearly planned Databases appropriate use throughout the design Attention to details exhibited throughout project Teamwork completed appropriate role in the team overall feedback from the team Telecommunications: Embedded within the Telecommunications Capstone Course CPT 249 Network Architectures & Protocols, the student explores many of the protocols applicable in current telecommunications within a project. The student defines the protocols and applies the use of the protocols within various networking and telecommunications CPT Assessment of Learning Report Page 4 Fall 2008-Spring 2010

5 areas. Three high-speed wide area network configurations are compared and contrasted. Computer network security, especially when including the Internet, is identified; possible solutions are presented. Wireless technologies are studied. The convergence of voice telephone systems with computer networks and the Internet, and the effects on today's society, is researched as well. The finished project displays the student's ability to research current issues and compile a comprehensive report. This is the new Telecommunications project, revised effective FA10 semester: Part 1: Routing Protocols RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP Write one paragraph about each of the above topics (RIP, OSPF, etc.) describing what it does or how it is used. At the end, write a paragraph summarizing how these protocols either work together or against each other. Part 2: Wireless Protocols , Bluetooth, Zigbee, RFIDs, WiMAX, WLAN Write one paragraph about each of the above topics (802.11, Bluetooth, etc.) describing what it does or how it is used. At the end, write a paragraph summarizing how these protocols either work together or against each other. Part 3: Security Firewalls, Biometrics, Digital Certificates, Cryptography, Passwords Write one paragraph about each of the above topics (Firewalls, Biometrics, etc.) describing what it does or how it is used. At the end, write a paragraph summarizing how these protocols either work together or against each other. The finished report should be separated into these three sections, and look professional enough that it could be used to give to clients to explain these differences and similarities. Scoring Rubric Excellent Poor Part 1 Differentiating routing protocols Part 2 Define wireless protocols And how they work Part 3 Describe hardware and software security issues and systems Professional Appearance CPT Assessment of Learning Report Page 5 Fall 2008-Spring 2010

6 Academic Assessment Plan At the beginning of Fall 2000 Semester, all vocational programs were notified of the requirement of some type of academic assessment performance would be reported yearly in order to remain eligible for special funding by federal and state agencies through the State Plan from DESE and CBHE bodies of Missouri. ACT WorkKeys was chosen to evaluate the students skills in areas such as reading, writing, analysis/critical thinking, and decision-making. Computer Science chose the following WorkKeys tests: Reading for Information This computerized multiple choice test contains 33 problems to be completed in 55 minutes. Students can score between levels three through seven, with seven being the highest. Students are reading passages from actual workplace business documents and are expected to respond to questions about the content of these documents. Reading skills and analysis/decision-making skills are measured by their answers Locating Information This computerized multiple choice test contains 38 problems to be completed in 55 minutes. Students can score between levels three through six, with six being the highest. Students are observing workplace documents containing graphics, forms, charts, tables, etc., and are expected to glean information from these documents to answer the questions accurately and in a timely manner. These skills are needed by SCC graduates every day in the workplace. Three (3) is the minimum expected score for Computer Science students to achieve on each WorkKeys test. The students take these tests in the Assessment Center in the Administration Building, Room 1206 throughout the semester that the student is enrolled in the capstone course for each degree. Data, results, analysis, interpretation, discussion, implication and action begin on the next page, since these items will change on all future reports. CPT Assessment of Learning Report Page 6 Fall 2008-Spring 2010

7 Student ID II. Data and Results Academic Assessment Locating Information Assessment Data Reading for Information Skills Assessment Score% Maintain 80% Level or above for Skills Assessment? Computer Programming XXXXXXX Yes XXXXXXX Yes XXXXXXX Yes Database Management none Management Information Systems XXXXXXX Yes XXXXXXX Yes XXXXXXX yes Telecommunications none III. Data analysis and interpretation Over the past two years, all students have scored at or above the minimum (3) on the WorkKeys tests. We are still confident that the WorkKeys tests chosen are the correct ones for this measurement. Technology changes so quickly, that Reading for Information is a critical skill. Skills Assessment scores are also still very high. These comprehensive assessment tools are demonstrating our students proficiency in their respective fields of study. Using the Systems Analysis project as the skills assessment is also signifying that SCC students are well aware of the complexity of an IT department, and how all of the different roles (their different degrees) fit together for a complete package. Students are better prepared for teamwork projects. Time management skills continue to improve in all degree programs. CPT Assessment of Learning Report Page 7 Fall 2008-Spring 2010

8 IV. Discussions with IT Advisory Committee and faculty Per IT Advisory Board meetings over the past several semesters, the following are some of topics that have been discussed and implemented as applicable within SCC computer courses Developing a course in Sharepoint is not reasonable at this time PHP is still preferred over Python as the most-used dynamic programming language SCC does not need to reinstate the COBOL programming classes yet SQL Server and Oracle are still the databases of choice for most companies MySQL is a good database product for small businesses, and is especially helpful for students to use Gaming and robotics in the advanced Java and C++ courses are inspiring students back into programming Robotics are an important part of engineering portion of IT, so the implementation of robots in the C++ class is appropriate MIS is an industry-recognized degree, and the two-year program is getting students into entry-level IT jobs Telecommunications is beginning a slow growth, so SCC is starting to look at this program again Faculty The gaming and robotics portions of Advanced Java and C++ are keeping students excited about their projects Students are exhibiting more interaction with faculty due to the use of online course software The final systems analysis project in CPT 200 (for skill assessment for Computer Programming, Database Management, and Management Information Systems degrees) is working very well. CPT Assessment of Learning Report Page 8 Fall 2008-Spring 2010

9 V. Implications for improvement or changes Computer Programming Due to current changes in this program, we are keeping it consistent for a couple of years in order to see what is working and what is not working. Database Management: The DB2 and Perl courses are still to be developed. This program is still in its infancy, but it is beginning to grow. As more students show more interest, these additional courses will be developed and implemented. Management Information Systems: This program is the newest in Computer Science, and is just now beginning to be recognized by students. Watching MIS requirements at four-year colleges and keeping SCC s courses in line with those will be needed to maintain this program s credibility. Telecommunications: As the job market for Telecommunications skills is beginning to revive, we need to actively work with Telecommunications members of our IT Advisory to review our curriculum, considering what SCC can do (within budget) to better present wireless technology topics. If SCC cannot cover newer Telecommunications technologies adequately, we may need to discuss dropping the program, or putting it on hold. A new TSA (Technical Skills Assessment) tool has been implemented beginning FA10. This new TSA was required due to major changes in the IT industry in recent years. CPT Assessment of Learning Report Page 9 Fall 2008-Spring 2010

10 VI. Action steps Work with the Systems Analysis faculty doing the TSA for three of these AAS programs, to monitor how the project is going (especially to see what changes might be needed in the content of the project or the scoring rubric) Continue with teamwork/project activities in the classrooms Keep enforcing deadlines for coursework, especially projects Create animations to better demonstrate some of the concepts/theory in the Data Communications course (especially now that it s online) Actively market all IT degrees, to increase enrollments (to better assess student success) Consider the future of the Telecommunication program CPT Assessment of Learning Report Page 10 Fall 2008-Spring 2010