raising the bar for computer education in college - course technology computing conference

Ken BaldaufFlorida State University

Breakout Session 5

raising the bar

in computer ed

PHILOSOPHY

The PIC Vision and MissionPIC empowers all FSU students to innovate and lead in their respective fields through computing and information technologies. PIC provides an infrastructure that develops, supports, and promotes computing education across disciplines.

applied computing

inclusive computing

relevant computing

creative computing

innovative computing

• Competent use of a discipline-useful software package• The ability to perform simple transactions using the Web/Internet• Associated with each major is a required course(s) that provides

instruction in the discipline-specific computer skills, and students passing this course(s) with a grade of “C–” or better will be considered to have completed the requirement.

Computer Literacy RequirementRelevant TODAY @ FSU

SACSACCREDITED

Accreditor Approved

Humanities Sciences Business Information Comm ArtsMathStats

Why Interdisciplinary?Because today computing expertise

is embedded in all disciplines.

Humanities Sciences Business Information Comm ArtsMathStats

Why Interdisciplinary?Because we benefit from examining

computing from multiple perspectives

PIC People from Diverse DisciplinesSteering Committee Faculty

Teaching Assistants

COURSES

INNITIATIVES

www.digitech.fsu.edu

www.stackinglayers.fsu.edu

A student organization for entrepreneurs, innovators, inventors, hackers, makers, designers, and coders

epic people in computing

ePICA student organization for entrepreneurs, innovators, inventors, hackers, makers, designers, and coders

epic people in computing

CDCCoalition for DigiTech Careers

connecting talented students with valuable career opportunities

design media communication business IT computer science

CHALLENGES

Overall PIC has been successful

• Each semester over 1,000 students take tech courses they would not have otherwise taken.

• Many students have been inspired to change majors to technology degrees.

• We’ve created a interdisciplinary community of computing practitioners and researchers.

Challenges

• Traditional university organizational structure and funding model isn’t interdisciplinary friendly

• Funding and support depends on the generosity of Deans• Difficult to grow in graduate-focused research 1 university

Overall the benefits far outweigh the challenges.

Questions?

www.pic.fsu.edu

Ken BaldaufFlorida State University

kbaldauf@pic.fsu.eduwww.techminded.cotwitter.com/kenbaldaufgoogle.com/+KenBaldaufwww.facebook.com/kbaldaufwww.linkedin.com/in/kenbaldauf