Analysis of computing skills and differences between demographic groups: A basis for curriculum development in computer technology courses at UNC Wilmington (North Carolina)

This study examined the entry-level computing skills of undergraduate education majors at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington during the Spring 2005 semester. This study also compared groups based on demographic categories to investigate if certain demographics were predictors of specific skills competency. This study utilized a representative convenience sample of 186 participants. The participants were pre-tested for their ability to complete 60 computer skills in the Microsoft Office Suite using an online performance test called Skills Assessment Manager by Thomson Course Technology. The data was analyzed as a whole group performance using descriptive statistics and analyzed for analysis between demographic groups using a non-parametric statistic test (the Mann Whitney U Test). The results yielded data that informed the researcher of the skills of the participants prior to taking a mandatory computer skills course. As a result, it was found that a large portion of students were able to do many of the skills before taking the mandatory skills course. It was also found that demographics were not a reliable predictor of computer skills. This study provided data that helped to inform the faculty at UNC-W that the curriculum for the computer skills course needed to be changed based on entry skills of students to reflect the abilities of students in 2005.