"""Just Me in a Closet with a Computer"": Student Perceptions of Undergraduate Information Technology Programs"

Choi, Heekyung

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/15080 Copy

Description

Title

"""Just Me in a Closet with a Computer"": Student Perceptions of Undergraduate Information Technology Programs"

Author(s)

Choi, Heekyung

Issue Date

2008-02-28

Keyword(s)

• IT education
• IT learning
• IT minor
• computer science
• programming
• informatics
• student perceptions

Abstract

Many institutions of higher education in the US are offering an information technology (IT) education program at an undergraduate level. So far, not many studies about this young academic program have explored students’ perspectives. Students’ perspectives are important input for educators to implement an IT education program that properly addresses students’ needs. This study has investigated college students’ perceptions and expectations for formal IT education in college through in-depth qualitative interviews. Interviewees were college students who were enrolled in courses offered from an IT minor program. This study has revealed that many college students feel that there is a void in college education in dealing with issues emerging from recent developments of IT. The interviewees indicated that the existing computer science program did not satisfy their needs. Students perceived that IT is something that they would have to confront in their future, and sought IT education regardless of their fondness for using and learning IT. By taking the IT minor, students tried to supplement their knowledge in their major and be better prepared for the fields that they would pursue after graduation.

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/15080

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