UH WebMail | LILO | Laulima | MyUH Portal | WCC | UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII   
   

Windward Community College Computer & Information Literacy Graduation Requirement
spacer   spacer

Overview

AA Degree Requirement

Information technologies have become an essential part of our daily lives. In order to participate fully and effectively in today’s society, students need to develop basic competencies in using computers to locate, manage, and communicate information. For this reason, it is now a requirement for the AA degree for students to successfully complete the college’s Computer and Information Literacy (CIL) exam. This requirement applies to students who began attending Windward Community College during the fall 03 semester or later, or students returning to WCC after a break of at least one regular semester (not counting the summer semester). s

The Scope of the CIL Exam

The complete CIL exam consists of four components. By taking the exam, you will demonstrate basic knowledge and skills in:

1. File management and word processing, and
2. Email, and
3. Information literacy, and
4. Spreadsheet

Gaining Computer and Information Literacy Skills

You may gain the required skills in a variety of ways; including credit courses, non-credit courses, workshops, and by self-directed learning. While the college will continue to identify and make available a variety of means for students to acquire the skills needed to pass the CIL exam, it is ultimately each student’s responsibility to ensure he or she has prepared for the exam.

Credit Courses

Several existing credit courses will, to one degree or another, give you experience and training in the skill areas covered by the CIL exam. Check the Learning Resources page for more information.

Non-Credit Courses

Students may opt to take non-credit courses that focus on the CIL skills. Several appropriate workshops are offered by OCET each semester, and students may register for those courses at half price. Check the Learning Resources page for more information.

Workshops

Each semester, free workshops will be given to help students prepare for specific components of the exam. Check the Workshops page for more information.

Self-Directed Learning

Numerous resources can help you learn CIL skills on your own. The WCC Library has instructional CD-ROMs, videos and books for students to use, and free tutorials are available online. Check the Learning Resources page for more information.

Preparing for the Exam

To prepare for the exam, we recommend reviewing the lists of tested skills, exam samples, and scoring rubrics for each component of the exam. These are meant to let you know exactly what skills you need and what to expect on the exam so you can prepare accordingly. Go to the Exam Samples page for these study tools.

Passing Scores

You will need a minimum score of 70 points out of 100 (70%, or a "C") to pass each component of the CIL exam. Detailed scoring rubrics can be accessed from the Test Samples Page. If you get a score of less than 70 percent on a component, you'll need to retake that component. Once you've successfully completed all four components, a record of completion will be added to your student file.

Deadlines for Completion

You are strongly advised to complete the CIL exam no later than the semester before you intend to graduate. This will allow the you time enough to gain the skills you need if you fail one or more of the exam's components.

You will need to successfully complete the CIL exam by the last testing date of the semester in which you intend to graduate.

Taking the Exam

Sign up for the exam online.

Go to the Testing Center (Hale Alaka‘i, room 106) to take the exam. The Testing Center is open Mon-Thur, 8-6; Tues-Wed, 8-8, Fri 8-4.

Bring your picture ID with you.

You will have up to two hours for each individual component. If you complete a component before the end of the two hours, you may immediately begin working on another component. Though you may take up to four components of the exam in one day, we recommend taking just one or two components per day. Well-prepared students typically finish the email test in about 15 minutes or less, and the other tests in about an hour each.

Retakes

If you fail to pass one or more component of the exam, you will need to retake only the component(s) you've failed. You will receive feedback about the component(s) of the exam you did not pass, with suggestions about how to get the needed skills in preparation for the retake.

While there is no limit to the number of times you may retake a component of the exam, you are expected to use the practice modules and learning resources to prepare to pass.

Fees

There are no fees to take the exam.

Distance Education Students

Students earning the Associate of Arts Degree through distance education courses should contact The Testing Center at least six weeks in advance to arrange to have the exam proctored or to take the exam online. Distance Education students may also choose to take the exam on campus.

Disability Accommodation

Students who need disability accommodation to take the Exam will need to notify the WCC Disabilities Counselor at 235-7448 at least six weeks in advance.

Course Equivalencies

Although there are credit courses, such as ICS 105, that can help you prepare for the CIL exam, completion of one or more of these courses does not exempt you from the CIL exam requirement.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty, such as cheating and plagiarism, will not be tolerated. As defined in the WCC College Catalog, cheating “includes but is not limited to giving unauthorized help during an examination, obtaining unauthorized information about an examination before it is administered, using inappropriate sources of information during an examination, altering answers after an examination has been submitted, falsifying any official University record, and misrepresenting the facts in order to obtain exemptions from course requirements.” Plagiarism, “includes, but is not limited to submitting any document to satisfy an academic requirement that has been copied in whole or part from another individual’s work without identifying that individual; neglecting to identify as a quotation a documented idea that has not been assimilated into the students style, or paraphrasing a passage so closely that the reader is mislead as to the source.”

Misconduct will be addressed as per the procedures for Handling Impermissible Behavior, the Academic Grievance Procedures, and in CCCM No. 2210 UH Community College Procedure, copies of which are available at the WCC Student Services Office (Hale ‘Ākoakoa). spacer

 
OVERVIEW | FAQ | HOME | THE TESTING CENTER (TTC)
WCC LIBRARY | UH USERNAME | COMPUTER HELPLINE
 


Windward Community College • 45-720 Kea‘ahala Rd • Kāne‘ohe, HI 96744

Page last updated: October 7, 2009