research-based technology literacy assessment
DESCRIPTION
This is a slideshow for the National Computers in Education Conference NECC 2008 about student-centered, authentic technology literacy.TRANSCRIPT
Research-based Technology
Literacy
Sylvia MartinezPresident, Generation YES
Youth & Educators Succeedingwww.genyes.com
Generation YESYouth and Educators Succeeding
GenYES – Students teach teachers about technology & provide tech support
TechYES - Student technology literacy certification through peer mentoring
TechYES Science - Student technology literacy through science projects
Empower students by including them in the process of improving education
Create project-based experiences that change student's lives
Increase student leadership in school and community
Improve the use of technology in the school as a whole
Research validation of the positive impact of student empowerment and inclusion
Technology Literacy Is Part of Technology Integration
Technology integration is hard
10 years of research shows:
teachers need more structured, predictable help
sustainable
replicable
not reliant on one person
We make it easier with research-based materials, resources and support systems
TechYES - Student Technology Literacy Certification
Designed for grades 6-9
Project-based, constructivist
Flexible for varied schedules
Develops 21st century skills
Builds sustainability through peer mentoring
Local control, national certification
Student materials lead students through process
NEW - TechYES Science. Technology literacy through science projects
TechYES GoalsAssist schools in meeting the NCLB goal of ensuring every 8th grader is technology literate
Link the required projects to school curriculum and the community
Provide a vehicle for students to take responsibility for their own learning
Provide leadership and mentoring opportunities for students
Close the digital divide
LogisticsStudents are required to do two projects that meet criteria correlated to ISTE NETS
Gather -- Organize -- Construct -- Share3 stage evaluation - self, peer mentor, advisorProjects can be personal, for a class, or community
Peer mentors and students meet to tutor and evaluate in class, before/after school or lunch
Advisor monitors tutoring and evaluation sessions
Peer mentors meet for training and group activities
Advisors upload names for certificates
Peer MentorsKey to student ownershipAllows more varied projects, languages, technologyRelieves advisor/teacher of overwhelming evaluation dutiesProvides student leadership opportunitiesTechYES Peer Mentor Training Guides and training plan included
Verizon funded - 45 middle schools, 10,000 students participating. Study targeted underserved Hispanic and Asian populations in Calif. Central Valley.Schools implemented TechYES with from 20 - 300 7th gradersOne advisor and 5 peer mentors were trained in a half-day workshop.A few after-school programs.Some in a tech elective class. Most schools do not have a required tech class. Largest school had all 7th grade social studies classes participate with a peer mentor assigned to each class.
Case Study - CA Technology Literacy Project
Student Technology Skill LevelsKnows well or expert (according to TechYES Advisors)
SoftwareHardwareNetworkNet SafetyWeb Eval.
Tech SkillsTutoringEvaluatingLeadership
Peer Mentors SkillsKnows well or expert (according to TechYES Advisors)
Advisors reported gains in their own confidence and ability to teach in a constructive, collaborative way
Reinforces best practices for technology
Gives teachers a flexible structure to work within
Supports the project process
Supports use of existing technology INTEGRATED into life and school
Independent evaluation at www.geny.org/verizon
Case Study - CA Technology Literacy Project
You May Ask...
Where is the skill checklist?
If everyone is doing something different, how do we know what they know?
If you don’t give them all the same test, how do we know what they know?
Do we have time for all this authentic assessment?
The state wants numbers
?
The Trouble with Checklists and Tests
Immediately out of date
Never enough, yet drive student work to lowest common denominator
Tied to applications
Checklists drive the assessment multiple-choice tests prescribed projects
The people who make these lists don’t know your kids, your context, your culture, your community
Tests signal the end of learning
Automated “Performance-based” Assessment Not an authentic use of technology
Fake environments
Office, office and more office
Is only a test - where do students learn? What happens when students don’t pass?
Not integrated into everyday life and schoolwork
No real feedback to student when they need it
Skills do not transfer
Authentic Assessment Deep and rich research-base
Allows more complex projects and supports the project process
Allows wider range of projects, languages, abilities
Tied to 21st century skills
New ISTE NETS standards includes creativity. Can you test for creativity?
If you need numbers, review sample projects and score them
More Than Tech Literacy - A Base to Build On
Stakeholders
Evangelists
Publicity
Students - 92% of school population
What did you DO today?
Gateway to parents and those who pay the bills
Positive messages about kids
Fend off steady diet of media hype, scare tactics and misinformation
Research-based Technology Literacy Certification
Should support your vision of technology literacy
Integrated into the rest of the school
Students must show literacy on real, existing technology that they actually have access to in real life
Must TEACH, not just test. There is no such thing as “just assessment.”
Should lead to deeper experiences and opportunities for students
Contact Information
Sylvia Martinez
www.genyes.com
TechYES Student Portal
www.techyes.net