Important information for transfer students

Fundamental Technology Competency addresses expectations of all students in all disciplines, and thus, is a component of the General Education Program.  These are entry-level, foundational skills upon which a student may build computer fluency, situated in the emergent tools of research, productivity, and performance in her particular discipline.  It is expected that Fundamental Technology Competency is achieved in the first year of collegiate study and can be met in conjunction with the completion of other required courses within the General Education Program.  The foundational skills, the course(s) in which these skills are applied and assessed, and representative activities or assignments that meet these skills are detailed in the table below. 

Basic skills in using the Internet effectively for research is a competency in information technology and that is already addressed through specific assignments and activities in English 111 and 200. These skills are an important component of fundamental technology competency. File management and basic computer maintenance, such as installing and uninstalling software, are important skills that are not curricular competencies. 

Working definitions: 

• Computer—The use of the word “computer” in this policy is inclusive of a variety of programmable electronic devices that can store, retrieve, and process data.  Note that this definition includes technology tools other than a laptop computer, e.g., desktop computers, mainframe computers, handheld Palm OS computers, data collection interfaces, graphing calculators, etc.
• Computer Fluency— Computer fluency implies the synthesis and appropriate application of technology concepts/skills and not just the acquisition of the targeted concepts/skills. Fluency also implies that, in the application of the concept/skills, and through her ongoing experiences with information technology she will be creating greater understanding and deeper knowledge.
• Mastery—Proficient in using the software and/or technology tools to complete assignments, comfortable with exploring the program and investigating additional uses and features.
• Familiarity—Exposure to software and/or technology tools, an understanding of the relevant uses of those tools, and the ability to explore and use specific features to complete assignments.
  

Fundamental Technology Competencies Table

Transfer Credit and Allowances for Fundamental Technology Competency (FTC)
Transfer students must complete the Fundamental Technology Competency requirement for General Education. Some students will matriculate at Meredith College with college credit or allowances that fulfill CORE 100 and/or mathematics (MAT) requirements in the following ways:

• The student may choose to take CORE 100 and a MAT course to fulfill the FTC requirement.
  
  
• If a student enters with 3 hours of MAT course credit, this will fulfill her Quantitative Elective requirement and she will take a required MAT course to fulfill the FTC. If a student transfers in with more than one MAT course, she may take either a more advanced MAT course at Meredith or petition for an alternative methodof completion of the FTC requirement (see below).
  
  
• The student may submit for an alternative method of completion of the FTC requirement by:
  - Providing documented evidence of prior course or courses that provide the fundamental skills; or
  - Presented documented evidence of life experiences that have established the skills. These life experiences may arise from internships, employment, or other activities.
  
  
• Students who wish to seek approval of an alternative method of completion will submit an application form to the Computer Application Specialist who will recommend to the Director of General Education that the student has completed her competency requirement. The director will make a final determination on the approval of completion and will report approvals to the office of the registrar.

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