Increasing student technology skills through a technology-intensive syllabus

It is critical for all students to become skilled users of a variety of software and hardware applications. It is particularly important for students training to become educators because their employers will expect them to be more knowledgeable and comfortable with instructional technologies than the students they teach. To facilitate skill development, a syllabus was designed to incorporate all of the software applications used in the MS OfficeSuite package. This software was selected because it is used by the majority of students on their personal computers as well as in all of the university computer labs. Students were expected to use each of the Office Suite components to fulfill their assignment requirements. In addition, students also developed skill in the use of SmartBoard, projection systems, and the manipulation and use of digital sound and picture files. After completing this course, students met all of the ISTE standards for technology competency.