Fox Valley Technical College

Core Cluster Approach to 2-Year IT Degree

CIT League of InnovationsMilwaukee, WI October 21, 2003

http://cis.fvtc.edu/league

FVTC Core ClusterSample Internship Request

Knowledge and Experience: Briefly describe the knowledge, skills, demonstrated behaviors and experience required for entry

into the position/role. Pursuit of a two or four year Computer Science degree or

Business degree with emphasis on Management Information Systems

          One year or more of class room training and experience with Visual Basic V6.0 or C++ and SQL Server.

          Experience with all or some of the following technologies: Visual Interdev, ADO, Microsoft SQL Server, MTS/COM+, ASP, and Crystal Reports.

Ability to work with minimal supervision with a cross-functional team environment.

Ability to successfully manage multiple needs and issues at one time Excellent communication skills

Standard Program Approach

Generalist 3 Programs

Programmer/AnalystNetwork SpecialistMicrocomputer Specialist

•Allow 6 elective credits per program

Core/Cluster – What is it? Programs created that include

clusters, or groups of related courses

These clusters create more of a specialist in that area sequential courses

3 – 5 clusters attached to a program

Core/Cluster – What is it?13 clusters initially identified

AS400 programming Mainframe

programming PC Programming Internet Database Network Hardware Network Software

Telecommunications

PC Support Help Desk GIS Business Analyst Training Specialist

Core/Cluster – What is it? 3 clusters were dropped

GIS Business Analyst Training Specialist

Dropped due to resources for development probability of low enrollment

Programmer / Analyst

Programmer /Analyst

MainframeProgramming

Internet

PC Programming

Database Specialist

MidrangeProgramming

Network Specialist

NetworkSpecialist

NetworkHardware

Telecommunications

PC SupportNetworkSoftware

Microcomputer Specialist

MicrocomputerSpecialist

PC SupportInternet

Help Desk

Core/Cluster – Why do it? Reacting to changing market needs Existing programs slow to change in

state approval process Changing technology needs to be

addressed more quickly Clusters can swap in and out more

easily (in theory)

Core/Cluster – What is it?

Performed DACUMS for each cluster

Cluster kings and queens Determine what clusters belong to

what programs

Core/Cluster – What is it? Originally PC Programming was on

both the Programming and Microcomputer Programs Created problem – both Web

development and PC Programming in both clusters

Potential problems with Database cluster paired with PC Programming cluster

Core/Cluster – What is it? General Ed – 15 credits Support classes – 11 credits CIS Core – 15 credits Occupational/program/cluster credits

2 clusters (10-12 credits each) Electives – 6 credits

Total ––––– 67-71 credits

Core/Cluster – What is it?General Ed / Support classes Sem 1

Written Communications

Foundations of Quality

Business Math Sem 2

Algebra Oral

Communications

Sem 3 Psychology of

Human Relations Accounting

Concepts Sem 4

Economics Contemporary

American Society Electives

Core/Cluster – What is it?Core classes

Sem 1 Beginning Computer Concepts Intro to Visual Basic Microcomputer Concepts

Sem 2 Systems Analysis and Design Database Fundamentals Data Communications

Core/Cluster – What is it?Web Development Cluster

Sem 1

Sem 2 Web Page Development I– HTML

Sem 3 Web Page Development II– Scripting

Sem 4 Web Site Administration Web Page Development III -- XML

Core/Cluster – What is it?Help Desk Cluster

Sem 1

Sem 2 Help Desk Concepts

Sem 3 Supporting Computer Peripherals

Sem 4 Customer Service Skills for Help Desk Help Desk Tools and Techniques

Core/Cluster – What is it?PC Support Cluster

Sem 1

Sem 2 Supporting Computer Peripherals PC Operating Systems

Sem 3 Customer Service Skills for Help Desk

Sem 4 Hardware Support

Core/Cluster – What is it?Network Hardware Cluster

Sem 1

Sem 2 Network Cabling

Sem 3 Network Hardware Technologies Network Workstation Management

Sem 4 Hardware Support Network Design and Implementation

Core/Cluster – What is it?Network Software Cluster

Sem 1

Sem 2 PC Operating Systems

Sem 3 Windows 2000 Server LAN 1 (Novel)

Sem 4 Lan 2 (Novel) Windows 2000 Directory Services

Core/Cluster – What is it?Telecommunications Cluster Sem 1

Sem 2

Network Cabling Sem 3

Voice Communications Technologies Sem 4

Converging Telecommunications

Core/Cluster – What is it?Database Specialist Cluster

Sem 1

Sem 2 SQL

Sem 3 Database Design Database Servers (SQL Server)

Sem 4 Oracle Database Administration

Core/Cluster – What is it?Mainframe Prog. Cluster

Sem 1

Sem 2 Operating Systems and Data Management COBOL 1

Sem 3 COBOL 2

Sem 4 CICS

Core/Cluster – What is it?Midrange Prog. Cluster

Sem 1

Sem 2 Midrange Concepts

Sem 3 RPG Intro SQL

Sem 4 RPG Advanced CL/CLP

Core/Cluster – What is it?PC Programming Cluster

Sem 1

Sem 2 VB Intermediate

Sem 3 C++ SQL

Sem 4 VB Advanced Database Servers (SQL Server)

Core/Cluster – Experience

Educating students Internal system support Generalist vs. Specialist Scheduling

Core/Cluster – ExperienceEducating Students

Transitioning existing program students Student materials – program plans Every Semester !!!!!!

New student advising Advising for programs as well as

clusters Hot cluster selection vs market

Core/Cluster – ExperienceEducating Students

PC Programming/Internet selection in Mainframe/Midrange market

Mainframe and midrange classes running light in all semesters – ongoing issue

Revise our Computer Concepts course to include exploration of careers and cluster choices

Core/Cluster – ExperienceInternal System Support

Graduation checks Transcripts Reporting to the State

Need to identify programAnd the 2 selected clusters

Core/Cluster – ExperienceGeneralist vs Specialist

Basic philosophy of associate Basic philosophy of associate degree programdegree programShould entry level programmer be at entry level for multiple platforms, or at higher level for 1-2 platforms????

Core/Cluster – ExperienceGeneralist vs Specialist

Electives vs additional cluster Need to run classes with low

enrollment now in 10 clusters- 4th semester as opposed to only 3 programs worth of 4th semester low enrollment classes

Elective classes not attached to clusters typically do not run

Core/Cluster – ExperienceScheduling Issues

Need many students to implement core cluster

More time to schedule multiple combinations of clusters so students can take required classes and still graduate in 4 semesters

Dedicated rooms for specialized courses

Core/Cluster – ExperienceScheduling Issues

Fall 96 9 full time instructors

97-98 Replace 2 instructors Add 2 instructors

98-99 Replace 1 instructor Add 3 instructors

99-00 Add 1 full time instructors

00-01 Add 3 full time instructors

02-03 Add .5 instructor

03-04 Lost 2 full time instructors to

retirement – not replaced due to budget

Currently 16.5 full time instructors

FVTC full time instructors

Core/Cluster – ExperienceScheduling Issues

FVTC enrollment data 1997-98 FTE 299.6 total 1998-99 FTE 350.5 total

2000-01 FTE 413.4 total 2001-02 FTE 409.8 total 2002-03 FTE 372.8 total

Core/Cluster – ExperienceScheduling Issues

Number of classes/sections now vs before implementation of core/cluster Fall 98 - Scheduled 32 different courses

• 87 sections total

Fall 01 - Scheduled 46 different courses • 124 sections total

Fall 03 - Scheduled 51 different courses • 136 sections total (20 canceled)

Core/Cluster – ExperienceScheduling Issues

Workload for Instructors Who will maintain all the new

curriculum???

How many different/new preps can an instructor take on

Core/Cluster – ExperienceScheduling Issues

Twilight/night/day program plans Which clusters are offered in which

time frames? When does this change??? How does this change???

Mechanism to delete a cluster What happens to students already

in pipeline?

FVTC Core ClusterScheduling Challenges

Advisory committee is requesting that students have experience in multiple platforms

College wants us to have a “summative assessment” such as capstone course/project

How do we fit everything in???

FVTC Core ClusterChanges in the past year

CCC – career component added

Each cluster can be offered as independent certificate

FVTC Core ClusterScheduling Challenges

Some clusters (help desk and telecom) are only offered in twilight format

Does not lay out well in semester format (for full time students)

Works great for certificate 2 semesters for cluster Students must be aware of schedule

and prerequisites

FVTC Core ClusterScheduling Challenges

Students can take 3 clusters to get two degrees… ????? 2 clusters in one program gives a

degree A 3rd cluster only gives the student

a certificate Unless it fits with another cluster in

another program

FVTC Core ClusterScheduling Challenges

Still struggling with light 3-4 semester courses

Mainframe and Midrange clusters have gone to offering classes once a semester (alternating day and evening offerings)

Is this serving all of our customers???

FVTC Core ClusterModifications in progress

Web Design ClusterTo be paired with Web Development

Which program???

FVTC Core ClusterModifications in progress

Adding SQL to all programming clustersMust consider credit ramifications

Minimum 64 creditsMust identify substitutions for duplicated requirements

????????????????????? Terri Keane

Fox Valley Technical College Appleton WI 54911

keane@fvtc.edu http://cis.fvtc.edu/league