Entry-level ITKS are the computer knowledge and competencies all student should have prior to beginning the core courses in the SLIS Masters program. A complete list of entry-level ITKS is available.

2. Why does SLIS require entry-level ITKS?

The SLIS Masters degree is a technology-intensive program of study to prepare you to work in 21st Century libraries and other information-based organizations. To be successful in coursework, entering students should have a mastery of basic information technology knowledge and skills. These entry-level knowledge and skills will not be taught in the regular SLIS courses. Your first courses in the Masters program (e.g., SLIS 5000, 5200, and 5600) will utilize these knowledge and skills, and will build upon them to bring you a higher level of proficiency.

3. Who determined the entry-level ITKS?

The SLIS faculty identified the essential entry-level ITKS over the past year. The SLIS faculty approved the list of entry-level ITKS in fall 2001.

4. Why is there a new policy regarding computer competency?

SLIS has had a computer competency requirement, but that approach was not as effective as the SLIS faculty wanted. The old requirement prescribed that students had to show basic competency in three applications: word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. The specific knowledge and skills in each of these applications were not identified. To assist students, SLIS has now detailed and operationalized the specific information technology knowledge and skills we consider entry-level.

5. Which students fall under the new entry-level ITKS policy?

All prospective students beginning the Masters program in spring semester 2002 fall under the new policy.

6. What should current students do who have not satisfied the computer competency requirement?

All current students must fulfill the current computer competency requirement prior to being cleared for the capstone experience. To assist those students in fulfilling this requirement, SLIS faculty agreed that those students can complete that requirement by:

Using the ITKS Diagnostic Tool to assess your level of ITKS, and take remedial action if you fall below the required scores.
Successfully complete SLIS 5710
Successfully pass the computer competency test available in the General Access Lab in SLIS
Submit a waiver for this requirement by completing the necessary paperwork and getting approval for the waiver from the SLIS Computer Competency Committee.

7. How do students confirm they have used the ITKS Diagnostic Tool?

Prior to your next advising session with advisor or before you complete an online advising memo, you should use the ITKS Diagnostic Tools to assess your ITKS. There will be places on your advising memo for you to indicate that you have used the ITKS Diagnostic Tool and met the recommended standard score of 75% for each of the 7 ITKS groups. This demonstrates satisfactory assessment. Applicants and students who do not score at the 75% level should take remedial action to meet the entry-level requirements.

8. Is there a deadline for current students to fulfill computer competency requirements?

Yes. You will have only until the end of spring semester 2002 (May 2002) to fulfill your obligations for the current computer competency policy. This gives you two rounds of advising sessions with your advisor to confirm that you have completed this requirement.

For any ITKS group for which the student did not get at least a 75% score, the Diagnostic Tool links to a list of appropriate resources for students to use to improve their ITKS. Students can use the ITKS Self-Assessment tool more than once.

9. What is the ITKS Diagnostic Tool?

The ITKS Diagnostic Tool is intended for you to use as a self-assessment tool to determine your level of ITKS. No scores are recorded by the system or reported to SLIS. You need to score at least 75% on each of the ITKS groups. If you score less than that, you need to take remedial action.

10. How many times can students use the ITKS Diagnostic Tool?

Students can use the ITKS Diagnostic Tool as many times as desired.

11. How can students improve their ITKS?

The ITKS Diagnostic Tool provides links to a selected set of resources you can use to improve your ITKS. These resources include books, online courses, and regularly scheduled courses at UNT and other schools and colleges in the region. You are responsible for taking the appropriate remedial action.

12. How can I access the selected ITKS resources?

The resources SLIS has identified for you to use to improve your ITKS are associated with the ITKS groups. When you complete an ITKS group in the diagnostic too, a pop-up window will provide you the URL to the resources for a particular ITKS group.

If you have any questions about the new SLIS entry-level ITKS not addressed here, please e-mail us at slis@unt.edu.

www.unt.edu/slis
This page last updated January 31, 2006
by SLIS Web Editor
www.unt.edu
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