Trends in Required Student Computer Use: Implications for a Computer Applications Service Course

摘要

To evaluate the content of a computer applications service course, faculty members in a land-grant college of agriculture were surveyed in 1999 and again in 2004 to determine the computer tasks they required of students enrolled in specific undergraduate courses. In both 1999 and 2004, three specific tasks were required in 50% or more of courses: (1) type a lab or project report, (2) receive email from the instructor, and (3) search the Internet for information on a specific topic. In 2004, one additional task, send email to the instructor, was required in a majority of courses. The required use of three email tasks significantly increased from 1999 to 2004. Less than 50% of courses in either year required any use of spreadsheets, databases, computer graphics, or specialized applications. These results indicated the content of the computer applications service course provides the necessary knowledge and skills required in other agriculture courses. Minor changes were made in course content based on these results.