Sunday September 21, 2008 Computer Skills Testing
Beginning in the 8th grade since 1996, students have been required to take the Computer Skills Test. This test is a graduation requirement. Until I became the Testing Coordinator for my school and as a high school teacher, I wasn't aware of this test. Originally the test was paper and pencil and had two parts, multiple choice and performance. Now the test is completely online. If students don't pass the test in the 8th grade, they are giving two chances each school year in high school to pass the test.
Here's the interesting part: a lot of students are not being very succesful with this test...at least not at my school. Last year, of all the students I tested, about half of them didn't pass. From the outside, one would think that students are very technologically proficient and as a matter of fact, they think they are too, but not based on this test. Students spend a lot of time surfing the Internet. They know how to download music and videos. They know how to use instant messenging lingo. They know how to keep a blog on their facebook or myspace page. But are those skills helpful in the 21st Century?
In some aspect maybe. They do need to know how to communicate with people around the world. But those skills aren't being tested. They don't know about creating a spreadsheet, correctly typing a letter or resume, or creating graphs. Why don't they think these skills are important? Why, well probably because they live for the moment and not the future. At the moment they don't need to create a graph for their friends and they certainly don't send them official letters anymore. As a matter of fact, I had a student ask me how much a stamp cost! Now granted, the price has changed a couple of times, but this kid had no idea how much it was.
Anyway, I think I digressed. My point is this: Students need to understand that to be proficient in the 21st Century skills needed for the "real world", they've got to know more than how to surf and blog. This is where teachers come into play. Teachers want to include more technology into the curriculum, which is a great idea of course. But don't only include the things they already know how to do such as create a blog. At least try to include, if possible, other skills they may need outside of school and their circle of friends. But in order for teachers to do this, they need to be proficient as well.
Posted by snteague ( Sep 21 2008, 09:19:12 AM EDT ) Permalink Comments [6]
I agree that although students are growing up in a technology rich environment they are not necessarily proficient users of technology applications. I have students who say they can type, but when I give a typing skills test at the beginning of the semester many students can not touch type they hunt and peck.
Posted by Karen Hughes on September 21, 2008 at 01:55 PM EDT #
I have this theory that we should do away with the "computer skills test" and integrate the technology competencies into the appropriate EOGs and EOCs. That way someone will be responsible for being sure students are exposed to each of the outcomes in the K-12 technology curriculum. The way it is now encourages teachers to use fun technology activities but not to see the technology curriculum as a continuum of skills, all of which need to be taught someplace. And when students fail the test, no one can figure out what is going wrong. So they stick them in Middle Grades Business Education courses, which are not necessarily aligned to what is tested in the Computer Skills test.
Please note this is my opinion as an individual and is not the opinion of the state Board of Education, nor, as far as I know, anyone else at NCDPI. However, I suspect we'll see some changes in the Computer Skills test. The Blue Ribbon Commission on Testing and Accountability www.ncpublicschools.org/sbe_meetings/0801/accountabilityfinalreport.pdf has recommended that the online test be replaced with authentic assessment of computer skills. We'll see.
Excuse me if this shows up twice. I'd better heal my own computer skills before I start getting too picky.
Posted by Rhonda on September 21, 2008 at 11:24 PM EDT #
I have had good luck with my students passing the computer skills competency test. I use the Quia quizzes and activities that are available on the Catawba County Schools website as preparation along with the NC Desk simulation so that student can become familiar with the set up of the test.
Here is the link to these activities:
http://www.catawba.k12.nc.us/pages/sites/edwebsites/computerskills/newtest.htm
Online Quizzes:
http://www.catawba.k12.nc.us/pages/sites/edwebsites/computerskills/onlineactivities.htm
Hope this helps!
Posted by Loretta Batchelor on September 22, 2008 at 09:16 AM EDT #
Loretta, when do you use these resources? I have the resources and even the newest easyCAST application that helps students review for the test. But the problem is when are the students supposed to practice using these resources at the high school level. I can't justify pulling them out of their classes to practice. I did give all of these resources to the students a few weeks prior to testing them, encouraging them to use them at home. This year, I was going to set up time in the media center after school and try to work with the students then.
Posted by Staci Lyon on September 23, 2008 at 08:24 PM EDT #
Your post brought up a key point... many of the assessments that are in existence do not measure 21st century skills. So although teachers are now focusing on 21st century skills and learning, standardized assessments are failing to measure these student outcomes. This just shows the gap that exists in education.
Posted by Lori on October 01, 2008 at 02:49 PM EDT #
Loretta,
I was going to comment on the earlier blog, but I kept reading and realized that I have not been to your blog yet, so I must comment on this one:) I think this is an intriguing idea. Students seem to be "tech-savvy," but are they really, and what is a proper way to assess that? You bring up an excellent point that I'm sure we will be seeing a lot more discussion about in the future. One thought that struck me is Web 3.0. This is the idea that EVERYTHING is online, so why save it on a hard drive? Being tech-savvy is almost more about knowing where to look for information rather than knowing the information itself. It also illustrates how students think about computer skills. If they do not know how to type a business letter, they can find a template within seconds. If they forgot a certain skill in Excel, a quick search can lead them to the most basic instructions for accomplishing that task. This is a major area to keep in mind as the course goes on...and as time, technology, and teaching go on.
Posted by Jennifer Tingen on October 05, 2008 at 10:59 PM EDT #