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Project Title: Technology Literacy Assessment by Learning.com
School / Organization(s): Austin Independent School District
Web site: www.learning.com/tla
What purpose does your assessment tool serve? To provide reliable data for measuring Grades 5 and 8 students' proficiency of the Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TA TEKS) and the ISTE NETS.
Please indicate the category that best describes your project:
Technology as an Assessment Tool:
NCLB Statewide Assessments (Preparation, Delivery, Analysis)
Classroom Assessments (tests, quizzes)
Electronic/Digital Portfolios
Computer Scored Essays
Information Management Systems
Tools for Observation of Student Work/Behavior
Special Needs/Alternative Assessments
Other:
Assessing Technology Skills (NETSŸS and NETSŸT):
Digital Transcript
NCLB 8th Grade IT Literacy
High School IT Graduation Requirements
IT Certifications (Cisco, Microsoft, etc.)
21st Century Skills
Other:5th grade IT literacy skills
How long has this assessment tool been in use within your organization? Austin ISD has piloted this assessment over the course of 2 school years.
Who is the audience for this assessment tool? 5th and 8th grade students
What technology is used?
Hardware:System requirements:
• an internet connection (56k Modem or better) with a browser:
o Internet Explorer 5.5, SP 2 or later
o Netscape 4.79 or later
o JavaScript enabled
• at least 64 MB RAM
• Macromedia Flash™ plug-in, version 6.0 or higher
• Windows 98, Macintosh OS 9, or higher
Software:
Networking requirements:
Approximately how many people are currently using this system?
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K-12
Students (current year) |
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K-12 Teachers |
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Teacher education students |
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Teacher education faculty |
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What professional development (for students or assessors) is required to use the tool? Minimal training for proctors of the assessment. Proctor guides are included, which outline step-by-step instructions for setting up and proctoring the assessment, proctor rules and scripts.
To use the tool effectively, what else should the school have in place? Technology Literacy Assessment by Learning.com is a flexible assessment that can be completed within a 50 minute class period. Many schools complete their assessment in a computer lab, while others rotate students through computers in the classroom. Schools do not have to have any additional software applications other than the minimal internet browser and Flash player requirements outlined above. (both free downloads)
If you haven't already addressed it, how does your tool help students or teachers demonstrate that they are meeting standards? Technology Literacy Assessment has received the ISTE Seal of Alignment for NETS-S. The assessment measures students' proficiency with NETS through knowledge-based, multiple choice questions, and performance-based items.
What are your next steps in developing or implementing this tool? Austin ISD implementation: Analyze results and make instructional and resource decisions based on findings from the assessment pilot.