Aligning student learning outcomes with IT workplace expectations

Purpose

Advance IT Minnesota (heinafter “Center”) seeks to improve alignment of what students learn in IT-related degree programs with the emerging expectations and needs of Minnesota employers through innovations in the way that learning objectives and outcomes are determined, achieved and assessed.

Eligibility

All MnSCU IT-related degree programs, associate through master’s level, are invited to submit proposals.  Examples of eligible programs include those in computer science, computer information systems, application development, programming, networking, information assurance, management of information systems, database and web development, and other IT-related disciplines.

Participation in funded projects also requires that programs become affiliated with the Center as “participating members” through a simple agreement form that outlines benefits and expectations.

Proposal Criteria

Content Areas

The 2010 priority theme continues the Center’s historical work in information assurance, a broad competency set that spans all IT disciplines and is constantly evolving in response to the nature of threats and changes in technology.  Proposals may address other emerging competencies that span disciplines, for example mobile devices, “green IT”, or non-technical skills within an IT context.

Threshold Requirements

1. 1. Projects must have impact beyond a single program or institution, as evidenced by participation from at least two institutions
2. 2. Project participants agree to share lessons learned and deliverables with MnSCU colleagues via a project summary

Proposals are evaluated by the Advance IT Strategic Leadership Board, comprised of IT industry, educator and student members, according to the following dimensions.

FY 2011 Project Awards