Out staff of freelance writers includes over 120 experts proficient in A Statistical Study on the Computer Science Courses Prescribed in the COMTECH Curriculum, therefore you can rest assured that your assignment will be handled by only top rated specialists. Order your A Statistical Study on the Computer Science Courses Prescribed in the COMTECH Curriculum paper at affordable prices with custom writing service/a>!
Chapter I
I. Introduction
Communications Technology Management ranks second in student population in the John Gokongwei School of Management. The appeal of this program lies mainly in its innovative and groundbreaking concept of incorporating courses from fields of mass communication, computer science, and telecommunication into the business curriculum. Thus, students from this program are trained to be conversant with the creative process as well as with the technology that are an integral part of the modern-day communication process. A COMTECH student will also be exposed to communication theories and most of all to the technology that is driving today’s information society. Given these, it is expected of a COMTECH major to be well versed in all three fields to be future managers competent in managing Information Communication Technology (ICTs) industries. However, in the past year, the information technology aspect of COMTECH has not been generating feedback comparable to management and communications courses. This is why the group endeavors to study this particular aspect of the program.
As COMTECH Majors, it is very important for the researchers to assess the program because it has substantial and direct impact on the future of the COMTECH students. Given the fact that the program has only been offered for the past seven years, it needs continuous assessment and evaluation in order to improve and strengthen it. The group has decided to study the information technology aspect of the COMTECH program. In studying this, the group will assess the two courses prescribed in the COMTECH curriculum namely CS 0 Introduction to Information Technology and CS 175 Introduction to Multimedia System. The knowledge gained from this study will prove invaluable to the development of the program and will prove beneficial to the future graduates of COMTECH.
Custom Essays on A Statistical Study on the Computer Science Courses Prescribed in the COMTECH Curriculum
II. Objectives
The group aims to assess the Computer Science courses, namely CS 0 Introduction to Information Technology and CS 175 Introduction to Multimedia, prescribed in the COMTECH Curriculum by answering the following questions
1. Are those courses able to provide a firm grasp of the current Information Technology, Information System and Multimedia?
. Is there a significant relation between the CS track and the CS courses?
. What positive recommendations can the group contribute in making the CS courses for COMTECH more effective?
III. Scope and Limitations
The group shall only take into account the two computer courses that shall be taken by all COMTECH Majors namely CS 0 and CS 175. It shall not discuss information technology related subjects nor shall it delve into computer science courses offered in the Computer science track. The research of the group regarding these two courses shall be limited to the available course syllabi which were used by the chosen population. In addition, the questionnaire produced by the group and the data gathered using it shall be one of the bases for this study.
With regards to the population, the whole senior class of 004 shall be the population of this study. Being the only ones who have taken both courses, they are the only available population within the Ateneo de Manila University. Twenty-nine of these comprise the population sample from which the group shall draw their conclusion and recommendations.
Other than the data gathered using the questionnaire, the group shall base the study on interviews conducted by them, data from the Focus Group Discussion, and research from different forms of references including but not limited to books and Internet websites.
IV. Review of Related Literature
A. COMTECH Curriculum
The Ateneo de Manila University School of Management’s Communications Technology Management Program (COMTECH) is
“an interdisciplinary program that incorporates courses from the fields of mass communication, computer science, and telecommunications into the business curriculum to create managers who are conversant with the creative process as well as the technology that are an integral part of the modern-day communication process. Students enrolled in this program will be exposed to the communications theories and to the technology that is driving today’s information society.
COMTECH is especially designed to increase the pool of trained managers for the country’s burgeoning communications industry and is an excellent preparation for careers in marketing, advertising, public relations, media management and the management of telecommunications firms.”
To be able to have a firm grasp of the COMTECH program, COMTECH majors are required to take 6 units of Management Subjects. Courses under which are ITM 11-Basic Information Technology Applications in Business ( non-credited units), ACC 15-Fundamentals of Accounting ( units), LAW 11-Essentials of Philippine Business Law ( units), L&S 10-Philippine Business and Economic Environment ( units), QMT 1-Business Statistics and Research Method ( units), MKT 101-Principles of Marketing ( units), FIN 10-Financial Planning ( units), CTECH elective Operations Management ( units) L&S 100-Organizational Behavior ( units), and L&S 15-Strategic Management ( units).
For the communications branch of the COMTECH program, required courses are COM 11-Introduction to Communication and Communication Theory ( units), COM 1-Information Society ( units), and COM 14-Visual Thinking for Communication Managers ( units), summing up to units of communication subjects.
The third prong of the program, Computer Science, requires COMTECH majors to take eight (8) units of CS classes. These are CS 0-Introduction to Information Technology (5 units), and CS 175-Introduction to Multimedia System (Lab). According to Mr. Jozon Lorenzana, the COMTECH Program Director , these particular CS classes are requisites to the program because of their particular relevance to the ICT field.
CS 0 Introduction to Information Technology, required to be taken by junior COMTECH majors in the first semester is a 5-unit course aimed to give the students a firm grasp of current Information Technology and Information Systems, equip the students with knowledge of current technology, which they shall be able to apply in the business environment. The course also addresses issues during IT/IS development and implementation. Briefly, the course “demonstrates how the information technology and information systems can give a business a strategic technology platform that supports electronic commerce and enterprise collaboration among the Internet enterprise in today’s global environment.” . The course outline includes topics on the history of computers, hardware, software, system development life cycle, information management, database, networks and telecom, e-commerce, ethics, and new technologies.
After taking CS 0, COMTECH juniors are required to take CS175 Introduction to Multimedia Systems in the nd semester. The course is described to be an introductory course in multimedia system that will expose the students to different elements and technologies involved in the creation of multimedia applications. The course deals with color theory, compression schemes, image and video design and processing, video production and interactive presentations. In the course, students learn to operate the programs Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and Macromedia Flash. By the end of the course, the students will have had learned to define concepts in image design and processing, digital audio, and digital video, apply concepts in color theory, define various compression schemes, and discuss interface standards.
B. Information Communication Technology and Information Systems, etc
There is a vast array of computer applications used for business. There are the relatively simple and basic programs like word processors, database and presentation tools like MS Office, which has MS Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point. There are applications for more specific areas like Peach tree and Mind Your Own Business for accounting. There are groups like Oracle, PM Office, Prophix, Scorpion Systems, Linux, and Verian Technologies who offer different kinds of software according to the needs of their clients, whether it be solutions for business planning, budgeting, reporting, financial consolidation or analysis. Albeit all these are available in the market, most big companies have their in-house programmers and analysts to cater their corporate needs for programs. These applications are backed up with the range of facilities like the networking and wireless applications which are improved and innovated over time. There are such information systems and technologies services offered in the Philippines by ePLDT. Vitro offers website development, web casting, hosting, shared applications, data disaster recovery, business continuity services among the other listed. Other offers are mySecureSign which assures security for mobile and online transactions, and ePLDT’s Content Development, which focuses on certain business-related applications, and is poised to make Java-based programs.
V. Sampling Methodology
The descriptive method of research was used in this study. Descriptive method of research is a fact-finding study with adequate and accurate interpretation of the findings. It describes with emphasis what actually exists such as current conditions, practices, or any situation. Since the present study or investigation is concerned with the current status of the CS courses of the COMTECH program, the descriptive method of study is the most appropriate to use.
To collect data, the group used participant observation, the normative survey, the interview, and the focus-group discussion (FGD).
The first method of collecting data used is the normative survey. This is concerned with looking into the commonality of some elements. Since the present research is a status study, the normative survey was the most appropriate method to use in gathering data. The instrument used to collect data was the questionnaire. This was used because it gathers data faster than any other method. To aid the researchers in formulating questions for the survey, related literature about the COMTECH program and classes offered by the Computer Science (CS) Department were consulted. Participant observation was also helpful here as the members of the group are also COMTECH majors. The researchers saw to it that there were enough items to collect data from so as to cover all aspects of the problem and to answer all basic and general questions. Thus allowing the researcher to continue with the interviews and the FGDs.
The study population used for the study is the COMTECH senior class of 004 who have taken CS 0 and CS 175 in their junior year. The survey was used to reveal what is typical, average, or normal in the feedback on CS courses. It was used to formulate generalizations with a high degree of representatives of the sample. In determining the most appropriate sampling technique, the researchers took in consideration many limiting factors and concerns and have concluded that the most appropriate technique would be purposive sampling. One of the major concerns is the small span of research time available and the availability of participants. The whole incoming COMTECH seniors were estimated to have a population of seventy-five students and only a few of them were taking summer classes this year. To ensure the validity of the research, the researchers had to place controls so that a participant won’t be able to answer the survey more than once. Therefore, the researchers required the participants to write down their ID number. In addition, the COMTECH seniors, on their normal schedule, would have to take two courses this summer, which were ECO 111 Microeconomics and POS 100 Politics and Governance. The researchers decided to survey only the ECO 111 Microeconomics classes. Another limitation for the researchers was the fact that some COMTECH seniors were not taking summer classes this year due to their option to have their practicum this summer and not all COMTECH seniors need to take both courses. Consequently, only a fraction of COMTECH students were available for the study. Lastly, there was also the limitation of time because the researchers only had a short span of time to conduct their study.
In order to address these issues, the researchers chose to use purposive sampling to all COMTECH seniors taking up ECO 111 Microeconomics. The researchers distributed the survey to all those classes and were able to gather twenty-nine () respondents. With this relatively large number, in relation to the population, the researchers feel that the sample is representative of the whole population of the incoming COMTECH seniors.
After gathering preliminary information about the sample through the survey, the researchers used the interview and focus group discussion to get in-depth analyses to support the survey results. This served as a follow-up of the survey as this was used to know the reasons behind the general answers provided there. Here, the purposive random technique was used for convenience. The target population to be involved in the study was determined through the survey. The respondents were chosen on the basis of their knowledge of the information desired�their interest in the CS track of the COMTECH program. However, the actual selection of interviewees is done by systematic random sampling. The interviews and focus group discussions were also done randomly, as it was conducted to whomever respondent the researchers think was apt to interview. Five COMTECH seniors were interviewed to get qualitative feedback.
As for the interviews with the dean and the faculty members of the School of Management, appointments were set within the given research period. The group interviewed Mr. Jozon Lorenzana, COMTECH Program Director, Mr. Rodolfo Ang, Dean of the School of Management, and Mr. Angelo Ramon Tanchoco, Chairman of Quantitative Methods and Information Technology.
Chapter II
VI. Definition of Variables
A. Independent Variable
1. Computer Science Courses (CS 0 and CS 175)
Both CS classes being studied (CS 0 and CS 175) are stable factors since they are both prescribed in the COMTECH curriculum. All COMTECH students must pass these two courses regardless of the teacher, the course topics to be taken, the track they will eventually choose etc. Therefore, this unchanging variable is most relevant to the study since all the data and the details of the statistical analysis will involve the feedback on the usefulness of these two subjects to COMTECH students.
B. Dependent Variables
1. Number of Units of Each Computer Science Course
CS 0 and CS 175 are five (5) and three () units respectively. Fixed as it is, this variable will help rationalize the loads of the two subjects, and the unit-weights will also help in recognizing the importance and usefulness of these subjects to COMTECH students.
. Teacher Concerning His/Her Teaching Methodology
The kinds of teaching methods used by CS 0 and CS 175 teachers depend on the nature of the topics, the objectives and scope of either class. Each class calls for different teaching methods, which may or may not be appropriately applied by the teachers. This variable will then help in evaluating both CS classes, according to the way they are taught to the students.
.. CS Course Topics/ Course Outline
This variable pertains to the topics within the course that signifies and should signify the weight of the course. As all topics are important to the training of a COMTECH major, the level of difficulty and weight still varies and this variation is crucial to the assessment of CS subjects. The course outline shall be evaluated in relation to the most updated computer programs, applications and new technologies to be used by COMTECH students. This shall also be used in determining the level of hands-on computer proficiency of COMTECH students.
VII. Presentation of Data
The results of the survey showed the group’s expected outcomes. Only 17% of the respondents have taken the CS track, while majority (55%) chose Management (Mgt), with Communication (Comm) taking second place with 8%. Evidently, the Comm track received the most number of responses as the second choice of track preferred by those surveyed.
The marks received by the students for CS 0 and CS 75 correspond to the level of difficulty of the subject based on the number of units or the unit-weight of the subject. CS 0 showed a lower average of .7-quality point index (QPI), equivalent to a C+, since it carries a heavier load of 5 units as compared to CS 175 with lesser units. As for CS 175, survey showed a higher average of .1 QPI (a B+). These survey entries were then followed by the teacher-student ratio. Majority or 66% of the respondents belonged to Professor Lovenia’s CS 0 classes while Professor Tran taught the CS 175 class to 55% of the respondents.
As for the evaluation proper of the survey, all the respondents agreed on the following parameters that the teachers in both subjects made use of suitable approaches in teaching the course, that the teacher provided sufficient hands-on exercises, and that they fulfilled the objectives of the course. However, it was interesting to note that the respondents did not agree that the teachers encouraged in-depth learning in CS 0 (question of the survey form), whereas in CS 175, they believed that the teacher was able to do so.
Furthermore, both course evaluations showed interesting results. Basically, all the respondents agreed once more on all the criteria set by the group on the evaluative part of the survey, except for one particular measure. The respondents did not believe that the 5-unit load of CS 0 is justified (question of the survey form). In addition, they strongly agree that performing hands-on exercises in CS 175 was a crucial technique in learning the topics of the subject.
Lastly, 66% of the student participants have concurred that they are more willing to add more CS subjects to the COMTECH curriculum. Also, 7% of them believe that the COMTECH curriculum does not offer the CS courses that would make them prove the popular and controversial “claim” that the COMTECH student is fully equipped in the CS field. In relation, 5% feel that there are insufficient CS subjects in COMTECH. They wished to include other CS topics. From the choices given by the group, java and basic programming scored the most number of responses among the list of additional topics (question of the survey form).
VII. Analysis
The COMTECH curriculum was a product of the collaboration of three disciplines namely, management, communications and computer science. Mr. Rodolfo Ang, Ms. Doreen Fernandez and Mr. Arnie Del Rosario, having realized the potential in creating managers for information communication technology industries (ICTs), came together to spearhead the project. Even though it is a collaboration between those three disciplines, it does not necessarily mean that they have equal weights. First and foremost, COMTECH is a management program and taken together with communications, technology will have to be integrated so as to provide the necessary knowledge crucial in managing ICT industries or fields related to those. Thus, computer science serves as a complement to the other classes for communication and management.
The computer science program for COMTECH when seen in this light can thereby be related to the data that has been gathered in a more focused manner. This means that the two classes must be viewed in terms of how they prepare and train the students to be competent managers of ICTs and other related fields. Thus, the proper questions to be asked are on how the CS courses are able to achieve this end and if the students are able to fully comprehend the subject matter as they were meant to be learned and interpreted.
To some extent, the turn out in the number of students taking the CS track can be attributed to the two standard CS courses namely CS 0 and CS 175. Judging from the low turn out in students taking the CS track and the dissatisfaction with CS 0 with regards to how it was taught, it can be said that CS 0 is not able to draw the students into taking the CS track. With only five students taking the CS track out of a sample population of twenty-nine, this is indeed low. Although there are other factors that influence the choices that the students make there are specific reasons connected to the CS courses that has caused some of the students not to take the CS track. According to the group’s FGD, a number of students who initially were interested in taking the CS track opted to take another track after taking CS 0. This does not ultimately prove that CS 0 is inferior but that there are certain aspects of it that do not meet the expectations of the students.
First of which is the method on how it was taught. Students who have taken CS0 complain about the irrelevance and pointlessness of the subject. They claim that the course is just a repeat of what they have learned previously in high school or grade school. They claim to find no need for the concepts learned in CS0, especially so, because they attribute IT learning to hands-on application. With that, they also complain about the teaching method employed by the faculty. They say that the tests given cannot properly measure mastery of IT since mastery of concepts does not equate with IT know-how Having a standard deviation of 0.761 who do not fully agree with the teacher’s methods is a fairly large number to contend with, Aside from the manner it was taught, the students agreed with a mean of .1 stating that the teacher was not able encourage the students into thinking critically can well be interpreted as a subject that depended on rote memory. Second, the course outline was questionable in the sense that about 18.75% ( weeks out of the 16 weeks in a semester), almost a fourth of the semester was dedicated to the introduction and history of computers and the topic on New Technologies was not part of the schedule. The topic on New Technologies would only be covered if there were enough time as stated in the CS 0 syllabus. Although history is important, New Technologies are actually the future of COMTECH majors and thus should be given more attention. Third, the weight of CS 0 in itself is highly questionable. According to the FGD, the seniors argue that the amount of knowledge they get from the course does not compare to its weight. Consequently, the researchers found out from the Department of Computer Science that CS 0 offers it as a -unit course only. Inquired about why CS 0 is a 5-unit course in the COMTECH curriculum, the CS Department says that it is the program’s discretion to assign a greater number of units to a particular course they offer. Requested to verify this, Mr. Lorenzana says that those who formulated the course might have felt the significance of the course to the COMTECH program, therefore allotting more time and more units to the subject. Moreover, it has also been in effect ever since COMTECH was made. The sample population does not agree with CS 0 being a 5-unit with degree of .060, a very intense expression of disagreement. When consulted, Mr. Tanchoco shares the same sentiment. His suggestion and plans shall be discussed later on in he paper.
With regards to CS 175, the respondents commend the fact that hands-on exercises are very crucial in learning this subject. Using the coefficient of variation (CV) measures the uniformity of the samples. This means that a higher CV would mean that the samples are more uniform. A low CV, on the other hand, would mean that the answers could be influenced by other factors. In this study, it is observed that the coefficient of variation in all questions concerning CS 175 and CS 0, all CVs of CS 175 are higher compared to CS 0. Also, the mean of all questions regarding CS 175 are lower compared to CS 0. Therefore, this means that the COMTECH seniors prefer CS 175 compared to CS 0 and that their answers are not influenced by other factors.
In general, the data gathered through the survey show constructive feedback. The values concerning the sufficiency of the prescribed CS courses show that some 65.5% are open to the addition of new CS courses of which java is the number one choice with 5.% preference over database, programming and networking. It is important to note that the students recognize the insufficiency and that they are willing take on changes that will address this need. And with the possible addition of CS course/s, the students shall have a more holistic and in-depth knowledge about technology and its role in management and communication.
VIII. Conclusion
There are many angles from which to view the problem at hand but again, the researcher and the reader/s must be guided by the fact that the CS courses are meant to complement and strengthen the COMTECH major’s management and communication skills. Equality is not a question. However, proper attention must be given to the level of technical proficiency that the students are to develop in the course of their study. Although, Mr. Ang, Ms. Fernandez and Mr. Del Rosario has envisioned the COMTECH graduates to hold management positions ICTs and in related fields, as fresh graduates, they will not automatically be managers but will most probably be given jobs that entail technical work. Thus, the need for a high level of technical proficiency is needed in order to set the COMTECH graduates apart from the thousands of graduates all over the Philippines.
To achieve this technical proficiency that has been referred to earlier, the CS program for COMTECH graduates must be strengthened. From the point of view of the group, it would thus be best that the CS 0 course outline be amended and its emphasis be on the current, new and more so the prediction of future technologies. Because as it is there is an extensive coverage of the concepts and of the history of computers but there is no clear grasp on the actual subject matter given proof by the grade of the class C+. With regards to the manner of teaching, it should be that the emphasis is clear. As Mr. Tanchoco has said, COMTECHs who are at the user level of technology (not the actual technicians) must be more focused on the technologies that are available and most of all on technology directions thus supporting the change in the course syllabus with regards to more emphasis on New Technologies. The weight of CS 0 is a more complicated matter but nevertheless, the group agrees with most of the respondents in lowering its weight of 5 units to units. Further details on the group’s proposed options are in the recommendation.
As for CS 175, the group finds the course highly effective in teaching and training the students into becoming technically proficient to a certain level. No conclusion can be drawn with regards to its influence on the students in taking the CS track but on the other hand, it has allowed the students to be more in command of the technology when used for management and communication purposes.
All in all, CS 0 and CS 175 were able to impart useful knowledge that are designed to train the COMTECH students in becoming future managers of ICTS and related fields but in varying degrees. Although it still depends from person to person, the group can generalize on the matter. The senior class of 004 were not able to fully grasp the concept of Information technology and Information System for lack of interest, motivation and relevance to present day scenarios but with regards to Multimedia, they have faired much, much better and were able put this knowledge to practice in conjugation with management and communication requirements.
IX. Recommendation
Most of this section will be about CS 0 as it needs the most assessment. The group, having agreed on lowering the units of CS 0 from five to three suggests the following option for the replacement of the two free units
First, the group recommends the students to take on another course that will further define his or her track. This means that the person shall be adding a course that is part of the list of electives in his or her chosen track.
Second, particular to those who view that the CS courses prescribed in the curriculum are insufficient, they have the option to take CS courses such as programming, java, networking and database, better yet, those that are related to new media in ICTs.
To address the issue on the technical proficiency of the COMTECH students with regards to management skills, the group has initially suggested for the School of Management and the Department of Computer Science to create a special course that will teach programs related to management. But this will again teach the students on how to run it but not create the need with which the students can practice it for. It is surprising and encouraging noting that in the interview of the group with Mr. Tanchoco, plans are being made to combine the longhand method of learning accounting, finance, statistics and other similar subjects with actual programs designed for such uses. This will prove beneficial not only for COMTECH but for all SOM students as it will increase their technical proficiency and allow the course to have more time in interpreting and applying the skills learned.
X. Appendix
Table 1 major computations including V, Std Dev, ratios and means
Table shows the current track taken, the CS0 grade and teacher taken by the samples
Table shows the nd choice track, the CS175 grade and teacher taken by the samples
Table 4 shows what the students answered in the CS0 section of the survey
Table 5 shows what the students answered in the CS175 section of the survey
Table 6 shows what the students answered in questions 1-
XI. Bibliography
Atneo de Manila University Freshman application kit 000-001
CS0 1st sem SY00-0 syllabus-Lovenia, Espejo, Bato
CS 175 nd sem SY 00-00 syllabusPLDT Annual Report 00
Research Methods handout
Interview
Mr. Jozon Lorenzana - May 15, 00.
Mr. Rodolfo Ang - May 1, 00
Mr. Angelo Ramon Tanchoco - May 7, 00
Internet Sources
Oracle http//oracle.com
Observation Bahavior http//www.myob.com
Peach Tree http//www.peachtree.com
Please note that this sample paper on A Statistical Study on the Computer Science Courses Prescribed in the COMTECH Curriculum is for your review only. In order to eliminate any of the plagiarism issues, it is highly recommended that you do not use it for you own writing purposes. In case you experience difficulties with writing a well structured and accurately composed paper on A Statistical Study on the Computer Science Courses Prescribed in the COMTECH Curriculum, we are here to assist you. Your persuasive essay on A Statistical Study on the Computer Science Courses Prescribed in the COMTECH Curriculum will be written from scratch, so you do not have to worry about its originality.
Order your authentic assignment from custom writing service/a> and you will be amazed at how easy it is to complete a quality custom paper within the shortest time possible!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.