Alternative Learning: A Self-Paced Microcomputer Application Course

Abstract

In the Spring of 1996, a microcomputer applications course was offered using the self-paced method of instruction. It was implemented to allow more students to enroll in the course and to reduce the number of faculty necessary to teach the course. Of the 204 students enrolled at the beginning of the semester, 128 finished the assignments, 40 withdrew, 35 did not finish, and 1 audited. Fifty-two received a letter grade A and fifty-three received a letter grade B. Eighty-seven of the 204 students completed usable paired questionnaires before and after completion of the course. These findings of the students' self-reported perceived level of expertise in word processing and worksheet/spreadsheet skills before and after completing the self-paced course suggested that students' perceived levels of expertise in the twenty-five skills had increased. The researchers also analyzed the relationship between age, gender, race, and grades.

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