Home PublicationsJRTEPast IssuesVolume 34 Number 3

	Edited by Dr. David J. Ayersman, Mary Washington College, and Dr. W. Michael Reed, New York University Incoming editor: Dr. Lynne Schrum, University of Georgia
formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education

Volume 34 Number 3 2002

Minimum Technical Competencies for Distance Learning Students
Elizabeth Reed Osika and Douglas P. Sharp
Purdue University Calumet

Abstract
The technical requirements for students have increased dramatically as the use of the Internet and the World Wide Web has grown as an instructional tool (Mory, Gambill, & Browning, 1998; Schuster, Collins, Hall, & Griffen, 1999). Without solid technical skills, students may have a difficult time succeeding in Web-based learning environments. Through a survey of faculty at a midsize regional commuter campus in the midwestern United States, an inventory has been established of the minimum technical competencies faculty members believe students should possess to be successful in Web-based instruction. Additionally, students at the same university were surveyed to determine how well they thought they met the minimum competencies outlined by the faculty. What was found confirmed the faculty’s concerns (L. Hopp, D. Camin, & E. Wignall, personal communication, November 1999) that students often did not possess the technical skills required to be successful in a Web-based course.

Contributors
Elizabeth Reed Osika is the director of user support services at Purdue University Calumet. During her tenure in the position, she has worked to promote distance learning on campus. Some of her efforts include administering the campus course management software, training faculty members and staff to use various technologies in the classroom, and organizing the campus distance learning conference, Topics on Distance Learning.

Douglas R. Sharp is the assistant vice chancellor for information and instructional technology at Purdue University Calumet. Dr. Sharp teaches an introductory statistics course in the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics as well as the introductory programming course in the Department of Information Systems and Computer Programming.

Download the full article (PDF, 50 KB, PDF Instructions)

Contact
Elizabeth Reed Osika
Director, User Support Services
Purdue University Calumet
2200 169th St., Gyte 135, Hammond, IN 46323
osika@calumet.purdue.edu.

Appendix

Download Appendix (PDF, 28 KB, PDF Instructions)

Copyright © 2002, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). All rights reserved.