Assignment
Description
The Computer Applications
Learning Project is an analysis of how and what you learn from performing
specific skills in the process of learning new computer applications. During the first few weeks of CS 1000, you
should give careful thought to what specific skills relate to the learning of
new computer applications as taught in lab.
You will then use and assess these skills during your learning to operate
two other different programs not taught in CS 1000. The whole idea of this project is to transfer
the prior computer knowledge gained in lab and lecture to the learning of new
information systems and applications in the future. The two programs must require significant
learning time and techniques, and be used to produce tangible results.
Project Skill
Self-Assessment
During the process of
learning how to use two new programs you will complete a series of
Self-Assessment Journals to assess your ability and progress in becoming a
self-learner of new computer skills and applications. Your assessment needs to
explain in some detail the various approaches you used in learning the
applications along with significant insights you gain from self-assessing of
your learning processes and project development.
Assessing Learning
Skills
From the 20 specific
computing concept and application learning skills listed on Page S-11, you
should choose at least 4 of these skills to focus on during the first few weeks
of learning new software applications. As
you progress, you will use additional skills to successfully complete this
project. Your analysis of your skills will come from writing your weekly
Self-Assessment Learning Journals and assessing your understanding of the
terminology and by transferring knowledge of skills to your learning of new
applications. This self-analysis will
provide you feedback for reporting on your progress in learning new
applications.
Implementation of
Action Plan
When you begin and as you progress in learning a new computer application, you should prepare and implement action plans for improving significant learning skills. As you will soon discover, following through with your action plans (the implementation of your specific learning skills) will lead to steady progress on your computer application project. Your use of self-assessment and the Learning Process Methodology for improving your computer applications skills will allow you transfer that knowledge in understanding new information technologies and computer applications, and become a self-grower in learning computer skills.
Value of the Project Self-Assessment
The real value of your self-assessment depends on the effort and thought you put into the preparation and implementation of your short- and long-term action plans between each self-assessment. Therefore, on a periodic basis, you should analyze your strengths, areas of improvement and insights in relation to your abilities in learning new computer applications.
Requirements of the
Applications Learning Report
The outline for your Computer
Applications Learning Project Report should be generally structured as
follows:
1.
Introduction
points out your general reasons for choosing this project and what you expected
to accomplish.
2.
Details about the
functions and capabilities of software you studied.
3.
An analysis of
how you applied self-assessment to learning these applications.
4. Description of the actual learning process you used in
learning at least two “new computer applications” outside of class
applications.
5. Identify the most important skills you developed from
this software learning project and explain how you can use these skills to your
advantage in the future.
6. Summary discusses your ability to self-assess the
development of the learning skills you used in learning your two chosen
computer applications.
7.
A Start-Up Self-Assessment
Journal and at least 6 Project Self-Assessment Journals.
8.
Include a list of resources used in learning
these new programs.
Some Critical Thinking Questions
What role did language development and understanding the meanings of the menus, commands and other terminology play in your learning of the computer programs?
Why did you want to learn the two new programs you selected and what Information Processing Methodology skills were most helpful in learning these programs?
What Learning Process Methodology steps did you used in recognizing and understanding the meaning of various symbols, icons and buttons, dialog boxes, etc.?
What action plans did you incorporate into your learning of new computer applications, especially when you got frustrated? What insights or new understandings did you learn about yourself in the process?
Requirements of Your
Computer Applications Learning Portfolio
You must use a word
processing application to write your project report. You may also integrate information from some
other applications -- Internet browsers, spreadsheet, database, presentation,
email and your selected applications -- in preparing your report. Since the quality of content of your
report is the most important, no suggested length guideline, requirement
or limit of pages for your Computer Learning Applications Project Report is
provided. However, in many cases the
extra pages for charts, graphs, illustrations, computer-produced results and a
reference (bibliography) page exceed the report. Please use a 12-point type size and
double-space the lines with a half-inch indent at the beginning of the
paragraphs. The use of subheads is
suggested for appropriately separating topics and improving readership.
Special Note: Be sure to include your Self-Assessment Journals as
an appendix with your project report in addition to other references. The evaluation of your Computer Applications
Learning Project Report requires that your graded journals be included in your
Portfolio. Self-Assessment Journals that
are not reviewed and dated by your lab instructor during the assessment process
(weekly) will not receive credit during the grading process. The report grade will be based on the
criteria listed below:
Evaluation of Self-Learning Project Progress Report
Progress Criteria
Outline of development plan....................................................................................................................... 10
Report on project and skills progress......................................................................................................... 10
Research support – results, illustrations, resources and Weekly Self-Assessment Journals............. 10
Instructor Project Feedback Interview......................................................................................................... 5
35
Evaluation of Computer Applications Learning Project
Report
Project Criteria
Level of thought and analysis..................................................................................................................... 10
Overall quality of content – project planning and
implementation..................................................... 10
Effort on the Project........................................................................................................................................ 5
Quality of writing the Project Report............................................................................................................ 5
Completeness of the Project Report............................................................................................................. 5
Results, illustrations, resources and bibliography....................................................................................... 5
40
Self-Assessment Criteria
Your level of effort and diligence throughout the
self-assessment process........................................ 10
Your ability to self-assess project and skills
performance..................................................................... 10
Your commitment to improving your growth through
self-learning....................................................... 5
Primary referencing of information in the
Self-Assessment Journals.................................................... 5
30
Journals
Start-Up Self-Assessment Journal................................................................................................................. 3
6 Weekly Self-Assessment Journals (Each worth 4.5
points)................................................................ 27
30
Total
Points 135
NOTE: As is the case with ALL of your assignments
in this class, you should keep copies of ALL of your self-assessment
journals. Your copies not only
will serve as backup in case of loss during the evaluation process, but more importantly
you use your Self-Assessment Journals in formulating weekly action plans in
becoming a self-grower learner and as
research resources for writing your Computer Applications Learning Project
Report.