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Sandra Beck becomes full-time faculty member for CCIT

Faculty

Sandra Beck is no stranger to St. Petersburg College. Prior to graduating from Northeast High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, Beck was dual-enrolled as an SPC student. Sometime later, she received an AS Degree in Business Administration/Management at SPC and went on to graduate from Eckerd College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management. Thereafter, she received her Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems from the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT).

Beck said the primary reason she went into teaching was for “the opportunity to give back and help others.” Since she became an adjunct instructor for SPC in 2010, she has been teaching CGS 1100 Computer Applications for the College of Computer & Information Technology (CCIT), in face-to-face, blended and online formats.  As she transitions from a part-time adjunct instructor to a full-time faculty member, Beck said that “there would be more time to spend on campus to have greater interaction with faculty and students.”

Apart from teaching, Beck has been involved with several organizations throughout the Tampa Bay area such as the Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) which keeps her in the loop about new technology, as well as Infragard, which is associated with Cyber security and sponsored by the FBI.

She has also been nominated for many awards, one being an Excellence in Leadership award from the Intelligent Transportation Society (ITS) Florida in 2009.

Commenting on her career, Beck said, “I am excited when students achieve their goals. My experience from the business world helps me to use what I’ve learned to enhance the learning experience.”

St. Petersburg College hosts fair at Gibbs High School

College of Computer and Information Technology,

In an effort to promote interest in our technology programs, the College of Computer & Information Technology (CCIT) hosted a college fair at Gibbs High School on Wednesday March 23.

The CCIT faculty and staff provided students with pamphlets and flyers that explained the programs. A PowerPoint presentation entitled “Technology Through the Years” was also presented. It featured some of the latest gadgets such as the iPhone and iPad, and gave a history of early innovations in technology.

This was apropos since St. Petersburg College strives to stay ahead of the pack to keep up with industry standards.

Though some students are only halfway through their high school career, the fair provided them with the opportunity to look into SPC’s Dual Enrollment Program through which students can earn college credit for courses taken while they are still in high school. It’s a great way to get a jumpstart on college.

Overall, students expressed much enthusiasm for the programs.

Internships at St. Petersburg College — a roadway to the working world

internships,
Employee feedback

     A crucial part to the academic career of students pursuing an Associate in Science degree or certificate in the College of Computer & Information Technology (CCIT) is the internship requirement.

    Currently there are four programs that have an internship requirement. (See the CCIT web site for more Information).

    Describing the aim of the internship program, the Internship Coordinator, Susan Biszewski-Eber, said it is three-fold. It is designed “to support the theoretical knowledge students gain in the classroom, and is coupled with real world experience.”

    The internship exposes students to a network of employers for them to gain work experience and find future employment. Additionally, it provides the opportunity for St. Petersburg College to collaborate with businesses in the community in an effort to meet the needs of its students.

    SPC endeavors to find out what skill sets employers need so students can be trained more effectively for the workplace. Biszewski-Eber said the internship “places SPC in a position to be the primary resource to educate a skilled and diverse workforce in the Tampa Bay area.”

    In order to qualify for internships at SPC, students must complete a minimum of nine credit hours of core courses within their degree program. Once admitted, students are assigned a faculty member who assists with learning objectives designed to prepare them for a job in their field.

     In addition, students are required to do a weekly journal documenting their progress throughout the internship. Since its start in the 2010 school year, 73 students have participated in the program, and enrollment is rapidly growing. (See the chart).

     “I expect that as students become more aware of internship opportunities they would become more apt to choose an internship as an elective for their degree program,”  Biszewski-Eber said. It is important for students to keep in mind the internship requirements, apply early and be specific about where they want to complete their internship.

How to get the most out of your St. Petersburg College experience

College of Computer and Information Technology

By KIMBERLY ROSS

As students leave the safe haven of high school and prepare for college, all sorts of questions flood through their minds: “What will college be like?” or “Will I be able to handle the workload?” 

There is no need to panic. Proper planning and good organization can put a student on the path to success. Good time management, taking interesting but relevant classes, developing critical thinking skills, networking, acquiring related work experience and having a balanced schedule are just some things that can make the transition from high school to college a little smoother.

 Good organization and planning are essential to success. This will enable you to effectively prioritize daily activities, thus reducing stress.

In selecting classes, it is important to choose carefully. Choosing classes that are interesting but not relevant to a student’s course of study can prolong the time it takes to complete a degree.

If choosing classes doesn’t come easily to you, perhaps seeking the aid of an Academic Advisor would help. The web site for the College of Computer & Information Technology provides students with information to plan and make good balanced decisions on scheduling, which will contribute to an enjoyable college experience.

 Make the most of your college experience; before you know it, it will be over.

At St. Petersburg College, so much to do, so little time

College of Computer and Information Technology,

By Kimberly Ross

In today’s fast-paced society, people are bogged down with so many responsibilities that they become stressed out. This is especially true of college students, since they have to juggle work, school, family responsibilities and the like.

Oftentimes, you hear people lament, “There are just not enough hours in a day,” or “there is so much to do, but so little time.”

For those who are stressed about time management, there is hope. First you must know yourself and what you can handle.

In lieu of that, when registering for classes, be honest with yourself and know how many classes you are able to take and successfully complete. Additionally, space out the time for your classes so that you don’t feel rushed. Consider the workload that each class could potentially have and decide whether you can handle the load.

It also is important to pay attention to modalities as the workload varies depending upon if an eight-week course is taken or a 16-week course.

 Most of all, don’t procrastinate. If at all possible, do some of your assignments ahead of time — that way, you leave room for lengthier projects that could come up in the future. Be sure to contact the instructor if you are unsure of the time commitment for the course.

While everything may not be in your control, at least these few things could keep you on the right path to success and less stressed.

Make a difference with the Student Survey of Instruction (SSI) at St. Petersburg College

College of Computer and Information Technology,

By KIMBERLY ROSS

 At the end of each term, students are given the opportunity to provide feedback about the outcome of a course. One such means is the Student Survey of Instruction (SSI).

This questionnaire is designed for students to offer their opinions regarding the operation of a class, the methods of instruction, the effectiveness of the teaching methods, and the facilitation for learning. 

The environment in which a student learns, as well as the treatment he or she receives from the instructor, has a direct bearing on whether a successful outcome will be achieved. For instance, if a student feels lost in the crowd due to a large class size or because of difficulty in understanding the material, this may eventually lead a student to withdraw from a course.

Feelings of doubt and inadequacy can creep in and make a student feel like a failure and lose motivation to thrive.

 To prevent this, it is imperative that students take the SSI seriously, giving careful thought to their responses to questions such as, “Were the instructor’s teaching methods effective?” and “Was understanding of the course material increased by the end of the course?”

Being honest in answering such questions allow the “powers that be” to carefully examine the design of the course to know where improvements need to be made in the future. 

So instead of viewing the SSI as a nuisance, view it as a chance to make a difference for students, instructors, and the whole St. Petersburg College community.

The role of CGS 1000 Introduction to Computers & Programming and CGS 1100 Computer Applications in St. Petersburg College’s Curriculum

College of Computer and Information Technology

By KIMBERLY ROSS

Two courses that are at the heart of St. Petersburg College’s (SPC) College of Computer & Information Technology (CCIT) curriculum are CGS 1000 Introduction to Computers & Programming and CGS 1100 Computer Applications. Depending upon the program, these courses are required or serve as electives. Professors’ Eva Hefner and Brad Yourth teach CGS 1000 and CGS 1100. As a prerequisite for every computer programming course, Yourth, who teaches CGS 1000 said the course is “the foundation for our certificate programs and AS degrees.” The course covers “the basic concepts and techniques used to write programs in any programming language and “computer science” topics common to all types of computers. Yourth also stated that “students learn about hardware components like memory, processors and I/O devices and how they work with software to make a computer such a useful machine,” Yourth said.

Yourth, who has been teaching the course for the past ten years said, “To me computers are fun and I enjoy turning students onto the joys of computing.”

 Eva Hefner has been with the college for the past 35 years. For 23 of those years she has taught CGS 1100 Computer Applications. It is a dynamically dated, skills-based course that uses several search engines and computer applications such as Windows Operating System, word processing, spreadsheets, database programs and slide presentations. With rapid changes in technology, Hefner said that SPC’s CCIT programs “are constantly changing with the demands of the marketplace.” As for CGS 1100, availability has increased, since there are currently 48 sections of the course for the fall 2010 term and for the spring 2011 term the course has 53 sections.

Speaking of what is involved in the course, Hefner said students are required to learn the concepts outlined throughout the book. They are given exercises using the Skills Assessment Manager (SAM) to help reinforce material learned. Through SAM, assignments are graded electronically and students are able to “critically assess” their results, correct their mistakes and resubmit their work. As a security measure, SAM “ensures that students are completing their own assignments because SAM flags any projects that have been copied from someone else.”

Students are also required to do Internet research, compose opinions and exchange ideas with other students. Some assignments require the incorporation of concepts from the chapter. They must also take multiple choice exams that include some true/false questions and SAM tasks. “These SAM tasks are very valuable because they strengthen the students’ knowledge of the concepts presented in each chapter,” Hefner said.

After completing both courses one student said, “I have already been using the information I have learned in papers for other classes. CGS 1100 is by far the most applicable class I’ve taken and yet the skills have made my life much easier.”

Expressing her hopes for the course Hefner thinks that “this course should be a general education requirement because the knowledge students’ gain will help them in other courses. I feel it is one of the most valuable classes students can take for their academic career since all students must use computers in some capacity.”

The success rate of students depends on their experience with computers.  Students who are less familiar with computers prefer to take the 16-week-long CGS 1100 classes that are face-to face, instead of the 8-week blended classes. “Our mission is teaching. We need a class that meets the needs of our students,” Hefner said in reference to these two modalities.

“The students must learn the concepts. We, the professors, reinforce the concepts with additional exercises. You can’t just do the tasks once and expect to know the material,” Hefner said.  Hefner also recommends that students do the following: Make homework a priority ahead of recreation, set aside time to read and study, read the material carefully since it is vital to understanding concepts, pace yourself and “take responsibility for your own actions and be determined to not give up.”

New Courses for a New Year at St. Petersburg College

computer programs,

 By KIMBERLY ROSS

     The College of Computer & Information Technology (CCIT) will offer two new courses, iPhone/iPod App Development and CGS 1100 Computer Applications, this spring at St. Petersburg College’s (SPC) EpiCenter campus in the new Mac lab.

The idea for the applications development course came about through Professor Brad Yourth at SPC’s Clearwater campus, who teaches Computer /Web Programming & Analysis A.S. courses.  This course is an introductory course in application development for IPhone, IPod and IPad Touch.

     Students who take this course will be required to write applications for Apple devices. This is apropos since SPC is a member of Apple’s iOS Developer University Program.

In order to take this course, students must take the prerequisite CGS 2402 Programming in C++ for Business course. Whether or not this course will be taught in consecutive semesters has yet to be determined.

“If the first course is oversubscribed, we will likely run it again right away. Hopefully it will become popular,” said Yourth.

Yourth hopes that if all goes well he can develop other courses for Blackberry and Android phones that will lead to a mobile devices certificate.

This course meets twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. beginning the second modmester, March 14 to May 6. For additional information, contact Professor Yourth at yourth.brad@spcollege.edu

Also, in the spring, Professor Therezita Ortiz,  at SPC’s Clearwater campus, will be teaching the CGS 1100 course using Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac and an open source database program from Open Office.

“We’d like to offer it ideally every eight weeks, or every semester ,depending on the demand,” said Ortiz.

The course will be taught in the new Mac computer lab at the EpiCenter, and although Ortiz recommends that students have access to a Mac computer and Office 2008, it is not required.

This blended course, (taught both on the Internet and in the classroom) will be held from Jan. 10 to March 11 at the EpiCenter from 6 – 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday evenings.

For additional information, contact Professor Ortiz at Ortiz.therezita@spcollege.edu .

The benefits of enrolling in St. Petersburg College’s Web Design Certificate and A.S. Degree programs

web design,

By KIMBERLY ROSS

Over the past 30 years, Tarpon Springs Professor Maria Osterhoudt has been in the web design business.  During that time, she has worked with companies such as AT&T, Tech Data, ADT and Marriott. For 10 of those years, she has taught the Web Design A.S Degree and the Web Designer at St. Petersburg College.

Describing the purpose of the Web Site Design & Management A.S. Degree Program, Osterhoudt said it is “designed to prepare students to succeed in public service careers as web design is one the greatest technology fields and I believe it is here to stay; it is the wave of the future.”

Since Osterhoudt’s start in the industry as a Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) and design instructor, her focus has been to upgrade SPC’s web design courses by incorporating elements that meet industry standards.

The Web Designer Certificate is a focused course of study that can be completed in one year. The Web Site Design & Management degree includes general education requirements and it can be transferred to a four-year college or university.

Osterhoudt feels that SPC’s Web Design programs are unique since instructors strive to stay “ahead of the pack” and are able to keep abreast with industry standards.

“Our instructors don’t take a passive approach but are leaders,” Osterhoudt said. They look at what skill sets employers are seeking and tailor their instruction to equip students with those skill sets.

Experience is not necessary. Students need to have a desire to learn. Even those who have experience need to be “open-minded since the web world is much broader than the design field,” Osterhoudt said.

They must also be good listeners since it is essential to get the content. Ingenuity is a vital quality.

Osterhoudt especially appreciates the fact that her students are “computer literate since it makes it easier for them to move through the program.”

Also a plus is that they are interested in what they are learning and at the same time are following their passion. Osterhoudt said the passion her students have for this field of study is so great that students sometimes linger after class because they enjoy what they are learning.

She emphasized that students should strive to be different.

“Students should be creative like artists with a blank canvas,” Osterhoudt said.

They should learn to manage their time well and get focused on what is required for the course before designing their web site.

Though there are no mandatory entrance or exit exams, there is an End of Program (EOP) assessment which requires students to write proposals and create “complex, sophisticated web sites.”

“I lean toward examples and labs that teach concepts,” she said. “I want students to show me what they can do instead of just answering multiple choice questions on an exam.”

“The industry is changing and we should too,” she said.

In lieu of this, all instructors belonging to the College of Computer & Information Technology (CCIT) Department periodically attend training conferences to update themselves about what is happening in the industry. In a personal effort to do this, Osterhoudt is currently finishing up her Adobe Certification.

The benefits of using the Resource Center at St. Petersburg College

College of Computer and Information Technology,

By KIMBERLY ROSS 

Whether you are seeking help on assignments or just need a quiet place to study, the Resource Center is the right place to turn. Located on the second floor of the Technology Building at St. Petersburg College’s (SPC) EpiCenter campus, this room is stocked with valuable tools that will contribute to students’ success.

 It is equipped with five computers that have Internet access and Microsoft Office Suite for students to use if they have their student ID. Textbooks, professional journals and the online database can also be used free of charge to complete assignments.

 From Monday through Thursday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., students can receive tutoring from Gloria Acero. Though the days and hours are limited at the EpiCenter’s Resource Center, students can flock to the main Resource Center on the Clearwater campus — it is open for longer hours and on the weekends.

 With the online NET Library Information Technology (IT) Center, students can gain access to user guides, programming handbooks, technical dictionaries and more, said Outreach Librarian Donna Kelly. It is available 24/7. The resource center also has a copy machine and printer right in the room so students don’t have far to go to retrieve their work.

An added benefit is that students “can do their assignments in ANGEL,” said Acero.

Kelly said the nice thing about the resource center is that “students can come before class to get help with their writing assignments and research they may have to do for a project. It is a convenient, cozy room for students to use. Even if students drop by to greet the staff, it is good because you get to know them better.”

 Kelly, who has been the librarian for 16 years, has worked with the Baccalaureate programs focusing on online courses involving webpage design and database. She also helps students with research for computer science and e-commerce courses.