Computer Instruction Modules

Laurence J. Krieg, PhD 
Professional Faculty, Computer Information Systems
Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
 ..........

Module Listing

General categories linked to detailed listings:
 
A. Social and Ethical Issues N. Networking, including Internet
B.   O.  
C. Communication (replaced by N) P. Programming (general)
D. Desktop Publishing and Graphics Q. Operating Systems
E.   R. Relational Database Management
F. File Management Systems S. Spreadsheets
G. General Introduction T. Text Processing
H. Hands-on Introduction U.  
I.   V.  
J.  Java Programming Language W. World Wide Web
K. C Programming Language X.  
L.   Y.  
M. Computers in Medicine Z.  

Instructors: You may link to this file or to the individual modules in your Web-based materials. 

    Students: you may make a copy of the modules for your personal use. 

    All other uses: contact the author of the individual modules, or Laurence J. Krieg for permission.

Background

These instructional modules originated when a number of students in my introductory computer class suggested that I photocopy my overheads and make them available as notes. The number of photocopied notes grew, and I used a word processor increasingly to make them "presentable". Before long, I needed some kind of system to keep track of the subject matter and order of presentation, and being a systems-oriented person, I came up with a classification intended to cover most of computer instruction in the CIS Department at Washtenaw Community College. It could easily be extended, but at the present it is mainly an outline: only a fraction of the modules listed have actually been written. 

Collaboration

As of this writing, the vast majority of modules are written by one person: me. The exceptions are a few modules on desktop publishing I have borrowed with kind permission from Dennis Guastella, an artist and faculty member in Graphic Design Technology. During the years when paper handouts and acetate overheads were the practical way of producing material for students, collaboration was a big challenge. Now, the World Wide Web provides a much richer way of presenting information to students, and it also makes collaboration more practical. 

My hope is that other faculty members who want to use the World Wide Web as a presentation tool will consider making their instructional materials available in a similar way. Hypermedia makes it possible to be very flexible, use many styles, and avoid the tidy categorization of libraries. It also puts disorder, chaos,and anarchy at everyone's fingertips. But I would cordially invite any faculty member who is moderately comfortable with this sort of instructional plan using the WWW to drop me an email so we can discuss cross-linking, information sharing, and cross-fertilization (intellectual, or course...). 

The goal is to have each module consist of: 

  • Objectives, expressed as student outcomes. 
  • Prerequisites 
  • Lesson plans for each set of objectives. 
  • Presentation materials, including: 
    • Overheads 
    • Multimedia for classroom presentation or individual student review 
    • Printed student materials. 
    • Computerized test bank for each conceptual module. 

Module Code Names

Each module has a designation code based on its category, sequence, and whether it is a conceptual (lecture, discussion, reading) or hands-on (lab) module. For example, S03c is the third Spreadsheet module, and is conceptual (lecture); T02h is the second Text processing module and requires hand-on (lab) work. The initial letter of the module gives its general subject category: 

The number of the designation suggests the order in which the modules should be taken by students. However, some of the modules may be skipped, and each lists specific background expectations. 

The final letter is c for conceptual (lecture) or h for hands-on (lab) 

What's Done 

Some of the modules have been used for several years, complete with objectives, student handouts, overheads, and computerized test bank. Other have some of these features, and some have none at all. 

Some modules were written as early as 1986 and have not been updated since. Some of the older modules are badly in need of revision, and most could use some review. Most were written using the PC Write word processor from Quicksoft (R.I.P.); some are in MS Word 6.0, and a few are in MS Works or MS PowerPoint format. But since November of 1995, I have been coding all new modules for HTML, and I've converted most of the ones I currently use in classes. The only exceptions are a few modules which don't make sense in HTML (such as how to start the computer), or which discuss proprietary systems whose sensitive nature rules out Web publication. 

I look at these modules and their classification system as a starting place. I'd like to keep the system flexible while preserving backward compatibility with older modules as much as possible. The modules themselves are ripe for the addition of sound, graphics, motion, and interactivity through Java, Shockwave, and other Web-based technologies. The possibilities are endless, subject only to the limitations of our imagination. Oh yes...and the limitations of time. *Sigh* 

Templates

If you'd like to contribute modules, or just use the some page designs, Web page templates can be a help. I've got several, which are linked here if you're interested. enjoy! Anyone care to jump in? 

  Revised 12 Jan 99 (L. Krieg) 

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