Post on 22-Jan-2016
description
North CarolinaOnline Test
ofComputer Skills
UPDATE SESSIONPASISummer 2005Presenter: Scott Ragsdale
Session Purpose
This session will update the audience on recent developments with the North Carolina Online Test of Computer Skills and the North Carolina Computer Skills Alternate Assessment as the State prepares for operational implementation during the 2005-2006 school year
The Five Ages The Age of Anxiety
The world is coming to an end! The Age of Reason
Why is world is coming to an end? The Age of Knowledge
Facts you should know about the end of the world The Age of Wisdom
Only the world as we know it is coming to an end The Age of Enlighten “up”
Take a breath, smile, and enjoy the fruits of a brave new world
The Age of AnxietyAnxiety is the thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.
Arthur Somers Roche
It has been said that our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.
Charles Spurgeon
The End is Near! 2005-2006 school year! That is this year! This is not feasible! LEAs and schools do not have the
technological capacity nor the technology staff to administer a web-based test!
Students do not know what they are doing! Taking the computer skills test online will only confuse and frustrate them!
Why move to a web-based delivery? Why change what we already know works? Are we intentionally trying to make our lives painful?
What about accessibility for ALL students?
The Age of Reason
The past is our definition. We may strive, with good reason, to escape it, or to escape what is bad in it, but we will escape it only by adding something better to it.
Wendell Berry
Conscience is our magnetic compass; reason our chart.
Joseph Cook
Why Change? Two Separate Tests
Currently two separate tests required for student to fulfill computer proficiency requirement Student must pass each to demonstrate proficiency
Multiple-Choice Performance
In reality two tests are really one requirement!
Why Change? Time
Current administration times* 1992 curriculum
Multiple Choice – 105 minutes Performance – 90 minutes
1998 curriculum Multiple Choice – 110 minutes Performance – 133 minutes
*Note: Administration times do not include distribution of material, printing and organizing of student printouts [performance], packaging, shipping, and other logistical activities
Time is precious! There never seems to be enough!
Why Change?
Test Files Currently supporting 26+ different software
packages for performance test Distribution of test files to field Question of equity
And more packages keep coming out each year!
Why Change? Paper
Printing of test materials Test booklets Answer documents Header sheets and shipping lists
Excess Ordering Printing of student work [performance] Handling of materials
@ 6% deforestation last year of the Amazon rain forest!
Why Change? Hand Scoring
Currently performance test booklets are hand scored by a scoring contractor at a central location
Time Fall administration – approximately 2 months Spring administration – approximately 1 month
Costs High Scorers, staffing, spacing, supplies
Why Change? Hand scoring continued
Reliability Scores are reliable and valid Inter-rater reliability is high [93% +] Reliability monitoring, qualified scorersBut… Potential for human error still exists Student work does not always provide evidence that
student used correct methods to accomplish task
Why dig a hole with your hands when you have access to a shovel?
Why Now? New Curriculum
New curriculum adopted in February 2004 Implemented starting with 2004-2005 school year New curriculum = new instrument for measurement
Technology changing at an astonishing rate Traditional paper tests will be archaic before long Traditional hand scoring is outdated
If you live in the past, the best you can hope for tomorrow is to look back at today!
Why Not? Merge two tests into one… Reduce the administration, testing, scoring, and logistical
time required… Provide a universal delivery to increase equity for a
“standardized” test… Eliminate costs of printing paper and reduce paper waste… Decrease frustration of handling so much paper… Maximize reliability and validity of scores… Theoretically return scores more efficiently and timely… Keep pace with the changing face of technology, testing, and
scoring…
The Age of Knowledge
If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow.
Rachel Carson
The first step towards knowledge is to know that we are ignorant.
Richard Cecil
The Test One test
Combines multiple-choice and performance items
72 items total 4 sections: 18 items per section Items not delivered randomly, but also not divided into
sections by specific strands/objectives [i.e., database section, etc.]
A database performance item may be followed by a multimedia multiple-choice item, in turn followed by a word processing performance item, etc.
The Test Measures 2004 curriculum Approximately 41 objectives tested Performance items vs. Multiple-Choice
items 50% performance based 50% multiple-choice based
Embedded field test items for future test development
The Test Web-based delivery NCDesk Integrated Java Applications Suite
Delivery of performance items within testing environment Includes:
text editor/word processing application database application spreadsheet application e-mail composer application – mimic application window management application
The Test Environment Secure
Encrypted Save function disabled in Java applications
Self-contained Browser parameters set
No “surfing” of Internet within environment No “cut, copy, paste” functionality outside of environment
Data Warehousing Student responses stored on server when moving
between sections and questions Allows for recovery of test and data if workstations crash or
other technical problems are encountered
The Test Environment Screen Division
Frame contains functions and identifying information
Two parallel sub-windows Item stem Foils [multiple-choice] or application [performance] Separate scroll bars for each
The Test Environment Functions
Navigation Sections do not allow for navigation between and amongst
them Returning to section is not permitted once section is
completed Navigation within sections is permitted Navigational buttons [PREV (previous), NEXT]
Linear movement backwards or forwards within section Navigation bar at end of section [section summary]
Non-linear movement to any item in section
The Test Environment Functions
Restore Clears item of changes and restores to original
format Flag
Identifies item on navigation bar at section end with a red question mark as an indicator that student may need to re-visit prior to exiting section
Student can still exit section if items are flagged
The Test Environment Functions
End Section Links to section summary page
Pause Pauses the test at the immediate location for
recovery without exiting test environment
The Test Environment Section number identified on each item page [i.e.,
Section 1] Item number within section identified on each item
page [i.e., Question 2 of 18] Section summary
Makes summary statement of how many items in the section were answered and/or flagged
Navigation bar also identifies items answered and flagged Continue button moves to next section
Displays warning message that once exiting section, return is not permitted
Reconfirms intent to exit section
NCDesk Center of the Universe
Test Access test at Log in page [School code, User name, Password]
Test Simulation Practice activity to simulate real test environment
Verify Connection Runs test to verify if secure connection to test server is established
Documentation Links to website for information, updates, etc
Applications Access to all applications integrated in test environment for use and
familiarization
NCRegistration Administrative - User access rights functions. Users are state level
administrators, regional level administrators, local district test coordinators, school test coordinators, test administrators, and possibly teachers.
Bulk Registration - Function to allow bulk file uploads of student records to register large groups of students to a testing window.
Single Registration - Function to allow registration of single student to a testing window.
Test Session Scheduling - Indicating numbers of students at a school per test administration
Student Information Questions (SIQ) -- additional data collection process
Reports
Technical NCDesk is a locally installed client Java application
Client computers must have Java runtime installed Quality Internet connection required for accessing test environment
Internet connection not required for NCDesk applications when used for learning and practice
NCDesk communicates with a central server for testing [not hosted locally]
Auto-update system check for current NCDesk version Sufficient RAM recommended CPU of good clock speed and recent vintage recommended Minimum amount of drive space available Sufficient amount of bandwidth required during testing Best Resource for technical recommendations
http://ncdesk.ncsu.edu/ncdesk/technote.asp
Technical Notes - Proposed Client Computer RequirementsSpecial Note: Client computer systems running the minimum 128Mb RAM need to reduce the number of background applications running when trying to use NCDesk. Background applications consume memory resources that can become critically low when other applications are running. These types of applications include hidden applications, system inits (Macintosh) and system tray applications (Windows). The following proposed client computer requirements are posted with the assumption that currently active background applications are at a minimum.
SupportedPlatform Minimum Java Runtime
Oldest OS Version
Minimum ProcessorMinimum Free Hard Drive Space
Minimum RAM
NoMicrosoft Windows 95
NA NA NA NA NA
YesMicrosoft Windows 98
Java 2 Runtime Environment (JRE) Version 1.4.2_061 1st EditionPentium166 MHz
57 Mb 128 Mb
YesMicrosoft Windows Me
Java 2 Runtime Environment (JRE) Version 1.4.2_061 MePentium200 MHz
57 Mb 128 Mb
NoMicrosoft Windows NT
NA NA NA NA NA
YesMicrosoft Windows 2000 Pro
Java 2 Runtime Environment (JRE) Version 1.4.2_061 SP3Pentium233 MHz
57 Mb 256 Mb
YesMicrosoft Windows XP
Java 2 Runtime Environment (JRE) Verstion 1.4.2_061 SP1Pentium200 MHz
70 Mb 256 Mb
NoMacintosh"Classic"
NA NA NA NA NA
YesMacintoshOS X
Java 2 Runtime Environment Version 1.4.1 Update 1Jaguar OS X 10.2.x PowerPC x 26 Mb 128 Mb
YesMacintosh OS X
Java 2 Runtime Environment Version 1.4.2 Update 2 (based on 1.4.2_05 SDK) 2
Panther OS X 10.3.3
PowerPC x 26 Mb 128 Mb
YesMacintoshOS X
Java 2 Runtime EnvironmentVersion TBA
Tiger OS X 10.4
PowerPC x TBA TBA
Stages of Development Feasibility Studies/Trials
Conduct research into feasibility of delivering web-based test environment
Conduct research into performance of local and central technology during delivery
Conduct research into overall performance of test environment and applications
Conduct research into item performance within test environment and applications
Receive feedback and implement debugging, redevelopment, or new development
Stages of Development Field Testing
Conduct further research into overall performance of test environment and applications
Conduct research into item performance Use data and items to construct operational form(s) Receive feedback and implement debugging or
redevelopment where needed. Note: implementation of change can only occur where not affecting performance of item
Stages of Development Operational
Form(s) built using viable items from field testing Based on item performance, feedback, analysis,
IRT (Item Response Theory), psychometric review, etc.
Implementation “locks” forms and items for future Standards/Proficiency indicators established Delivery as instrument for determining
proficiency
The Past Fall 2003
Feasibility Study/Trial Volunteer sites Adults only 1,926 starts: 1,351 finishes 62 LEAs represented, 193 schools
Ongoing debugging and development of technology, test environment, and items
Fall 2004 Feasibility Study/Trial
At minimum, 10 locally chosen students per school containing eighth-grade students
5,620 starts: 4,783 finishes Ongoing development and debugging of technology, test
environment, and items
The Past Spring 2005
Field Test Sampled population of schools and students Window: April 11 – June 15 8,510 students chosen for sample 6,361 starts: 6,198 finishes Alternate Assessment also field tested
Window: May 9 – June 15 2000 students chosen for sample
Ongoing debugging and development of technology, test environment, and items
The Present Analysis of field test data
Item performance, results, feedback from field Development and implementation of scoring parameters for
items Analysis of technical issues arising during field testing
Ongoing debugging and development of technology and test environment
Creation of operational form(s) based on analysis of field test data
Development of new items [item writing] for embedding in the future
The Future Operational implementation starting with the 2005-2006
school year Students entering eighth-grade Testing Window Daily Administration Blocks
Standard setting Determining proficiency
Ongoing development of items [item writing] and technology Ongoing evaluation and monitoring of technical and
infrastructure issues both at the central and local level
Computer Skills Alternate Assessment Why?
Results of feasibility study and Federal mandates required development of an alternate assessment instrument for two distinct populations:
Students with special needs who could not access the online test using available accommodations
Students who could not access the online test as a result of technical/technology limitations [i.e., unable to meet minimum requirements for bandwidth, memory, etc.]
Computer Skills Alternate Assessment
Field tested Spring 2005 Different delivery from online test, but equal
rigor of standard [item difficulty level, thinking skills, etc.]
One test consisting of two distinct sections
Computer Skills Alternate Assessment Multiple-Choice Section
36 items Traditional
Performance Section 27 total items
26 performance-based, administrator rated [yes or no] items 1 administrator rated [yes or no] item evaluating student proficiency
with computer over course of time Computer-based Individualized administration Use supplied files and local applications [i.e., word processing,
database, etc.] to complete tasks required by items Files provided in text format for conversion into local
applications [PDFs provided to serve as blueprints]
Computer Skills Alternate Assessment Item performance, results, and feedback being
analyzed at this time Possibility [probability] of being field tested again
in the Fall 2005 Some issues with local administrators and
technology staff having to convert text files into local applications Probability that necessary test files will be provided for
State supported platforms/packages in future administrations
Accessibility Issues Definite accessibility issues with online testing! Standard accommodations are still available Choice of large or regular font size for NCDesk Keyboard and mouse actions functional Currently developing the ability to integrate and
support assistive technology [i.e., screen readers] Exploring multiple options for accessibility [zoom
functions, etc.] Implementation of additional assistive technology
likely an extended process
Support Helpdesk
Activated for feasibility studies/trials, field testing, and will be available for operational administration
Assistance provided prior to, during, and after testing Addresses NCRegistration, NCDesk, Computer Skills Alternate
Assessment, and any other issues involved in delivery and implementation of online test
http://cskills.ncsu.edu/ncdesk/helpdesk.asp Mobile Labs
Available for schools/systems unable to test because of technical limitations
By request only [actual process for requests still in development]
Availability issues and division of time
The Age of WisdomIt is no longer enough to be smart — all the technological tools in the world add meaning and value only if they enhance our core values, the deepest part of our heart. Acquiring knowledge is no guarantee of practical, useful application. Wisdom implies a mature integration of appropriate knowledge, a seasoned ability to filter the inessential from the essential.
Doc Childre and Deborah Rozman
Learn wisdom from the ways of a seedling. A seedling which is never hardened off through stressful situations will never become a strong productive plant.
Stephen Sigmund
The Meaning? Online testing is the future
Most states are in the process of either implementing or maintaining an online testing program
North Carolina is moving forward with online testing…this is only the beginning
Students are far more positive about online testing than administrators/teachers/staff Trends suggest students more comfortable and engaged with
online testing…overwhelming support from them Technology concerns are warranted, but…
Implementation of technology will become seamless over time as traditional options for testing are exhausted
Systems/schools have been successful in implementing this test
Basic Necessities for Success Dissemination and sharing of information
Local, State, National, International Use resources available and act as a resource Communication
Question Online testing is a new world so do not be afraid to question things or
offer your opinion Support
There will be some growing pains, but never waver in your support Support at all levels, between all divisions and peoples is absolutely
required Learn
Do not be complacent in your knowledge, always seek more Familiarity = Understanding = Less frustration, stress, and anxiety for
all
The Age of Enlighten “up”
This I conceive to be the chemical function of humor: to change the character of our thought.
Lin Yutang
Humor is perhaps a sense of intellectual perspective: an awareness that some things are really important, others not; and that the two kinds are most oddly jumbled in everyday affairs.
Christopher Morley
A Brighter Future Yes, anxiety is expected, normal, and okay Yes, change can be painful Yes, this is a serious matter not to be taken lightlyBut… Never lose perspective on what is important Think about why we are really doing this and who it ultimately
benefits Understand that we are all in this together, for better or
worse, so let us all be friends, not enemiesAnd lastly… Smile and be confident in knowing that, though pioneers, we
are moving in the right direction
Websites http://cskills.ncsu.edu/nccs
Link to home page of the North Carolina Online Test of Computer Skills http://ncdesk.ncsu.edu/ncdesk
Direct link to the home page for the NCDesk application suite http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computerskills
Link to Computer/Technology Skills Standard Course of Study on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website
http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/tech Link to Computer/Technology Skills page for Curriculum and School Reform on the North
Carolina Department of Public Instruction website http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/computerskills
Link to computer skills testing information on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website
http://tps.dpi.state.nc.us/ Link to Technology Implementation & Planning Services page on the North Carolina
Department of Public Instruction website http://www.ncpublicschools.org/techservices
Link to Technology Services page on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website
Contact InformationScott Ragsdale
Project Manager, North Carolina Computer Skills Assessmentsscott_ragsdale@ncsu.edu
Randy CravenTechnical Managerrandy_craven@ncsu.edu
Jim KroeningProgram Manager, Performance Assessmentsjkroening@dpi.state.nc.us
Final Thought
The important thing in life is not where we are, but in which direction we are moving.
Oliver Wendell Holmes