A wealth of studies confirms what we have long suspected; student’s ability to use computers and technology positively impacts their learning (research).

By 2006, every eight-grade student in the United States must be proficient in technology literacy skills as mandated by the No Child Left Behind legislation signed into law by President George W. Bush on January 8, 2002 (S.C. Technology News).

The task of producing an accurate assessment of technology literacy and competence has presented an unusual challenge for educators. The specific skills required to be technology literate have been defined by ISTE and published in 1998 as the National Educational Technology Standards for students (NETS*S). This set of standards gives a general profile of what a technology literate student would look like and the range of technology tools in which they must be fluent.

The student technology literacy package of iStudent is designed to provide teachers and districts with an easily accessible online assessment tool to help determine a student’s technology proficiency level and assess a student’s ability to use technology to enhance their learning. It specifically measures students’ understanding of information technology concepts and their proficiency with basic computing applications and is closely aligned to ISTE NETS*S Grade 8 Performance Level indicators.

Assessment Tool Features

• Content anchored in the NETS*S standards
• Grade level assessments generated to match NETS*S grade level performance indicators
• Instant feedback for students
• Accountability reporting features and multiple reporting options
• User-friendly interface
• Easy accessible online delivery format

Format of Assessment

• Selected response format
• Platform-neutral approach to test foundational literacy skills and knowledge
• Focuses on ability to recognize, understand, and apply general conventions of computing technologies to education and workplace applications
• Incorporates text and graphics to assess student attitudes, knowledge, and problem-solving abilities
• Assessment questions may also ask students to demonstrate their ability to perform the task by outlining the steps
• The questions are presented in the context of real-world problems for which technology literate students should be able to use technology to effectively solve problems and generate or access content.

The assessment gives both teachers and administrators another resource to measure student progress in meeting NETS*S performance indicators and is a tool that can assist in ensuring technology proficiency levels for 8th graders can be certified for NCLB reporting purposes.

Sample Questions for Grade 8

Tyler and Tyrone are working on a social studies report. Tyler needs to illustrate the products of South Carolina with pictures and comparison graphs. He would most likely use which type of software programs? (ISTE NETS*S Performance Indicator 1a)

1. spreadsheet and statistical software
2. spreadsheet and database software
3. graphing and clip art software
4. drawing and clip art software

Sarah is typing a song into her computer using word processing software. The song has four verses and the chorus is repeated after each verse. What would be the most efficient way to enter the song, making sure that the chorus is repeated after each verse? (ISTE NETS*S Performance Indicator 3a)

1. type the chorus after each verse
2. use the copy command in the software and paste the chorus after each verse
3. highlight the text and move the chorus so that it appears after each verse
4. use the cut command in the software and paste the chorus after each verse

Your class is studying rocks and minerals in the United States. You have been assigned to get as much up-to-date information about local area rocks and minerals as you can.

The teacher has suggested that you use the Internet to make contact with geologists and experts who can answer your questions about rocks and minerals. Which telecommunications tool would be the most logical to use to gather the information you need quickly? (ISTE NETS*S Performance Indicator 4a)

1. electronic bulletin board
2. weblog
3. e-mail
4. chat room

Sam Winn plans to run for governor of South Carolina. One part of his platform deals with increasing medical services to rural areas. Which of the following will best help determine where money should be spent to open clinics? (ISTE NETS*S Performance Indicator 5b)

1. Search a South Carolina database for type of community = “rural” and then Sort on the field showing the number of doctors.
2. Sort a South Carolina database on the type of community and then Search number of doctors < = 5.
3. Search a South Carolina database for type of community = “rural” and then Search number of doctors < = 5.
4. Sort a South Carolina database on the type of community and then Sort on the field showing the number of doctors.
    

View Demo | Licensing | Terms of Use | Have Consultant Contact You | Support