Testing Technology Literacy

In this modern world "technology literacy" is something that, everyone agrees, is important to have. But it is an ability that is difficult to measure. School students look tech-savvy as they regularly download music or use instant messaging. These interest-driven activities may not actually amount to much if they lack knowledge or skill of making good use of the endless stream of information that computers bring to their fingertips.

With this in mind the nonprofit Educational Testing Service (ETS) has introduced a new test called ICT (Information and Communication Technology). ETS also designs and administers the SAT, but says the ICT isn't designed as an admissions test. Rather, the goal is to show schools whether their students know how to use technology effectively and responsibly.

The ICT Literacy Assessment will touch on traditional skills, such as analytical reading and math, but with a technological twist. Test-takers, for instance, may be asked to query a database, compose an e-mail based on their research, or seek information on the Internet and decide how reliable it is.

One version of ICT test is already being used by some colleges. Last Friday, the nonprofit Educational Testing Service announced details of a new version that some high school and first- and second-year college students will begin taking this spring. The new "core" version that will be sold to high schools can be taken in a school computer lab over about 75 minutes and consists of 14 short tasks, lasting three to five minutes each, and one longer task of about 15 minutes. Students will receive an individual score on a point scale of 400 to 700, and schools will get reports showing how students fare in seven core skills: defining, accessing, managing, integrating, evaluating, creating and communicating information.