| For the past six years Utah State University (USU) has required all students to demonstrate computer literacy skills. Computer literacy was defined at USU through six competency areas: ethics, email, operating systems, information resources, document processing, and spreadsheets. Each of these competencies was described by specific computer literacy skills.; Because the definition of computer literacy implemented at USU was evolving throughout this time, a needs analysis was conducted to determine which aspects of the existing definition were appropriate and which needed updating. The purpose of this research was to develop a framework that could be utilized to define and revise ever-changing computer literacy competencies and skills. The framework served as a needs analysis.; As part of the needs analysis, a study was conducted at USU to determine the computer literacy skills of incoming freshmen. A random sample of incoming freshmen was administered the Computer and Information Literacy (CIL) exam to determine their skill levels in each competency. Analyses of the results suggested the need for a revised definition of computer literacy at USU.; A second study addressed faculty perceptions about the existing computer literacy competencies and skills. The USU faculty reviewed the skills within each of the competencies. Their responses were gathered using the following categories: the necessity of the skill for student success in their USU courses, whether the skill should be retained or eliminated, and an estimation of current student skill levels. Again, results indicated changes in the computer literacy definition were required to more closely correspond with the skills actually required for classroom success.; The results of the research conducted in the first two studies were invaluable to the process of refining the computer literacy definition. The studies helped formulate an updated and operationalized definition of computer literacy. The updated competency areas with the attendant skills were ethics, operating systems, information resources, document processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.; The revised definition of computer literacy was reviewed by designated experts in eight selected universities. Comparisons were made between USU faculty's and the experts' responses. The findings supported the revised computer literacy definition. |
