PERCEPTIONS OF COMPUTER LITERACY: A CASE STUDY

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PERCEPTIONS OF COMPUTER LITERACY A CASE STUDY
Student Research Team Bernrussell Bacolod Sandy
Cerda Alec Coleman Juan J. Gonzalez Julie
Gonzalez Teacher Fellow Joanna Goode
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The Question

• How do students, teachers, and policymakers view
  the level of computer literacy that every student
  needs?
• Are there differences across and within schools
  in how computer literacy is viewed? Where are
  these differences?
• What resources exist that serve or do not serve
  these goals?
• Do people have different information about
  computer access and resources?

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The Literature

• Jay Macleod - Aint No Makin It aspirations and
  attainment in a low-income neighborhood
• Jean Anyon - Social Class and School Knowledge
• David Bolt and Ray Crawford - Digital Divide

• Nicholas C. Burbules and Thomas Callister, Jr. -
  Watch It
• ACLU Docket - Williams vs. State of California
• Assembly Bill 64 - Education technology

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Methodology

• Surveys
• Interviews
• policy-makers
• students
• teachers
• Internet data
• Meetings w/ Legal Advocates

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School Demographics
Central High
Pacific High
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Policymakers

• Computers -Not a Priority
• Superintendent of Central School District
• FCMAT Representative Tom Henry
• Superintendent of Pacific School District

• Computers - Essential
• Assembly Member Marco Firebaugh
• Senator Polanco
• Assembly Member Anthony Cardenas

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Teachers
All felt that a good level of computer literacy
and access to technology was necessary in todays
advancing society

• Central
• Weak support from Administrators
• Minimal expectations of computer literacy
• Vocational Preparation

• Pacific
• Students needed more than low-level typing skills
• Online communication
• Analytical and critical thinking

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Students

• Central
• 67 took only one computer course
• very low level classes
• 63 of students felt they had more than one place
  for computer access
• e.g. - home, library, classroom, and/or a
  friends house
• 37 had one option

• Pacific
• 52 took only one course
• 74 said they had more than one option
• 26 had only one option
• two tracks of students
• Upper Level Classes and Coursework

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A Comparison Of Courses
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Conclusions Implications

• Digital Grant does not provide set definition of
  Computer Literacy
• Lack of information in the information age
• Vocation skills v. Critical thinking

• Possible Improvements to the Research
• Greater range of data from students and teachers
  in different groups or positions

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Conclusions/Implications - Continued

• Set definition of Computer literacy Needed
• Word processing creatively and effectively
• Find and be critical of data over the internet
• Effective online communication
• Benefits of having a set definition of computer
  literacy
• Greater organization of technology statewide
• Teacher level of computer literacy will improve
• Window for legal action
• Technology would heighten the democratic process

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I think students can make a difference. I think
students can have the ability to engage in legal
debates, whether its in the courtroom or in the
statehouse, to change any policy. - Assembly
Member Marco Firebaugh
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Thank You !