Computing and telecommunications skills are being required ever more frequently in communicating, researching, specifying, problem solving, and management decisionmaking. The Building Materials and Wood Technology program has developed excellent industry ties and maintains an outstanding placement record with our graduates. Our industry associates continue to emphasize the value and desirability of computing skills for the career advancement of our future graduates. The first class size was limited to 15 students and one instructor as there were only 16 available computers in the newly opened computer lab. Decisionmaking skills are developed using information age technologies to solve building materials problems.
Theory is combined with hands-on using a variety of applications.
To review basic computing skills including computing and telecommunications hardware and software basics. To learn technology based problem solving techniques through exposure to several building materials industry specific applications. To overcome fear of technology based solutions, and to encourage innovative approaches to management decision-making problems in the building materials industry Course Topics covered are given in Table 1. Three Grading Grading was based on ten homework assignments, two exams, a term project PowerPoint Presentation and class attendance and participation. The course was developed trying to provide as much classroom materials, instruction, and testing as possible without using paper.