Conclusion

We believe, by incorporating problem solving into the existing Micro-Based Software class, it becomes a stronger end user computing course. The area in which students always need more experience — applying the theory they have learned — is added to the curriculum, making the highly practical course even more practical. Tutorials provide instruction in skills and keystroke mastery; solving problems puts those skills to the test. Students enjoy the challenge of solving an operational problem similar to what they would experience on the job, without the pressure of losing a job if the solution is wrong.

The protection of the academic environment gives students the freedom to "test their wings" with operational level business problems within a semester long course. The instructors, the members of the CMS curriculum committee, and the students who took the course were satisfied with the results of the pilot course, and students continue to be satisfied with the present course offering. We caution that implementing the changes in all future sections of the Micro-Based Software course may not meet with the same success. The planned changes put an added burden on the instructors and require them to be technically savvy with new classroom equipment and proficient with the Web. In addition, students have to work harder than before when there was no test of their ability to apply skills and solve problems in this course. The student satisfaction found in the pilot class may not continue for future classes. Perhaps the excitement of a pilot class appealed to those innovator students who enjoy any change from the routine class. Future classes will not always have that population. Nevertheless, after three more offerings of the revised Micro-Based Software class, student satisfaction remains consistent. All of these items dictate more study and cautious optimism toward incorporating problem solving within end user computing courses.