Problem Solving and Lifelong Learning: Developing and Assessing a Course in Information Technology

这个全面的机电培训计划旨在探讨如何鼓励非主修电脑及资讯系统的学生修读第二层次的资讯科技课程，为他们日后的职业生涯奠定坚实的资讯科技背景。政府正为资讯科技新课程“解决问题及终身学习”制订框架及全面评估程序。本课程为非cis专业学生提供了在终身学习的框架下有效使用IT解决问题所需的经验和概念工具。本课程采用案例研究教学法，引导学生解决复杂的研究问题，这些问题包括1)特定领域的知识和逻辑，2)一般的科学问题解决策略，3)IT方法，以及4)协调使用一些IT工具。这门二级课程超越了典型的以计算机操作和工具使用为重点的一级IT课程，帮助学生使用IT来解决更高级别学科特定课程所要求的问题。该项目还包括以下教师准备部分：1)鼓励职前数学和科学教师参加拟议的信息技术课程；2)教师教育工作者是顾问委员会的一部分，帮助开发和评估课程；3)PI正在与当地的国家科学基金会“卓越教师准备项目”合作，为教师教育工作者和职前教师开发一个专门的讲习班。除了在天普大学实施和评估针对不同学生群体的原型课程外，该项目还在开发在任何机构创建此类课程的框架。该框架描述了以下方面的指导方针：1)开发具有挑战性的学科特定案例研究；2)为在不同复杂信息丰富的环境中嵌入实际使用IT提供必要的基础；3)在特定课程的背景下评估最终课程。框架和范例案例研究的传播是通过下列方式完成的：其他机构的教员参加咨询委员会，在全国会议上发表论文和讲习班，建立一个互联网资料库和感兴趣教员的电子讨论小组，以及可能出版一本载有框架和一套案例研究的书。

This full EMD project addresses the problem of how to motivate students who are not majoring in computer and information systems(CIS) to take a second level information technology (IT) course in order to provide them with a strong IT background to prepare them for future careers. A framework and comprehensive assessment procedure is being developed for a new IT course, "Problem-Solving and Lifelong Learning." The course provides non-CIS majors the experience and conceptual tools needed for the effective use of IT in problem-solving in the framework of lifelong learning. The course uses a case study pedagogical approach to lead students through the solution of complex research problems that integrate 1) domain-specific knowledge and logic, 2) general scientific problem-solving strategies, 3) IT methods, and 4) the coordinated use of a number of IT tools. This second level course, which goes beyond the typical first level IT course focusing on computer operation and use of tools, helps students to use IT to solve problems required by higher level discipline-specific courses. This project also contains the following teacher preparation components 1) preservice math and science teachers are being encouraged to take the proposed IT course, 2) teacher educators are part of the advisory board to help develop and assess the course, and 3) the PI's are working with the local NSF Collaborative on Excellence in Teacher Preparation project to develop a specialized workshop for teacher educators and pre-service teachers.In addition to implementing and evaluating a prototype course to a diverse population of students at Temple University, the project is developing the framework for creating such a course at any institution. The framework delineates guidelines for 1) developing challenging discipline-specific case studies, 2) providing the foundation needed for embedding hands-on use of IT in different complex information rich environments, and 3) assessing the resulting course in the context of a particular curriculum. Dissemination of the framework and sample case studies is being accomplished by the involvement of faculty from other institutions on an advisory board, by the presentation of papers and workshops at national conferences, by the creation of an Internet repository and electronic discussion group of interested faculty, and by possible publication of a book containing the framework and a set of case studies.