A strategy for ensuring minimum competency in the use of engineering computer skills

A strategy has been developed at the University of Tennessee (UT) to ensure that all freshmen engineering students develop and demonstrate competency in a minimum set of engineering computer skills. This strategy is a key component of the integrated engage program developed at UT over the past two years. The strategy is twofold. First, the computer skills are directly connected to the material being taught in other parts of the course. The idea is that as the student learns a particular computer skill, they can immediately apply it to solve problems assigned in other parts of the integrated engage program. Second, the manner in which the skills are assessed ensure mastery. The student must pass a set of "proficiency exams" that cover all aspects of the computer skills. These exams measure the minimum skills that are deemed necessary for success and a student must pass all proficiency exams by the end of the semester in order to pass the course. This paper provides the details of the engage strategy including a discussion of the integrated material as well as the logistics of the proficiency exams\´ development and administration. Preliminary results from a pilot program conducted in the 1997-98 academic year, and the current transition program being conducted in the 1998-99 academic year indicate that the strategy is successful.