A Comparative Study of University of Wisconsin-Stout Freshmen and Senior Education Majors Computing and Internet Technology Skills / Knowledge and Associated Learning Experiences

Abstract

A study comparing University of Wisconsin-Stout freshmen and senior education majors’ computing and Internet technology skills/knowledge and associated learning experiences was conducted. Instruments used in this study included the IC³® Exam by Certiport, Inc. and the investigator’s Computing and Internet Skills Learning Experiences survey. UW-Stout freshmen education majors participating in the study demonstrated poor computing and Internet technology skills/knowledge. UW-Stout senior education majors participating in the study demonstrated marginal computing and Internet technology skills/knowledge. Both UW-Stout freshmen and senior education major study participants identified evidence of poor formal and informal learning experiences to develop computing and Internet technology skills/knowledge in elementary school, middle school and high school. Senior education major participants indicated more instances of formal and informal learning experiences in post-secondary schooling and employment. Informal self-teaching methods to develop computing and Internet technology skills/knowledge were more evident with UW-Stout senior education majors who participated in the study. Notable comparisons by class and major were conducted after initial analysis showing the impact of specific formal and informal learning experiences. Recommendations to improve UW-Stout education majors computing and Internet technology skills/knowledge follow Robin Kay’s Evaluating Strategies Used to Incorporate Technology into Preservice Education (2006).