Student Technology Assessments

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Project-Based Assessment Examples
TechYES - Student Technology Literacy Certification
Organization: Generation YES Corporation
Contact: http://www.genyes.com/programs/techyes
www.genyes.com 1.888.941.4369 or
Tech4Learning, Inc. 775 Lotus Ave, Oradell, NJ
07649 1.800.661.5216
Fee: $495 for starter kit for 30 students. Starter kit includes all resources for a single site: teacher materials, student guidebook, CD, and access to Web Portal. Materials for teachers include videos, reproducible forms, and suggestions for the process.
Purpose: TechYES is a technology proficiency and certification program for students in grades 6-9. The student projects address the six technology foundations (NETS ∙ S) developed by ISTE. Students are encouraged to complete technology projects that are fun and personally involving. These projects are the basis for the TechYES evaluation and certification.
Description: This is a multi-faceted structured program, not a single assessment tool. It builds on continual learning and continual adjustments based on feedback. It can be used during or after school or out of school. It is rigorous in the types of technology used and students learn from their peers. In order to receive a TechYES certification, students must demonstrate an understanding of requirements related to Internet safety, ethics, and evaluation Internet resources plus complete two projects using technology in creative way. Projects are judged by three people: the student, a peer mentor, and the advisor. The program includes all necessary resources: individual student guidebooks, customized teacher/advisor materials, handouts and resources, access to a fully interactive support website, and certificates of completion. Students take on the major responsibility of becoming technologically literate by creating projects that meet state and local technology proficiency requirements.
Standards Addressed:

All strands of CT Student Technology Competencies are addressed

1. Basic Operations and Concepts: Students are proficient in the use of technology.
2. Social, Ethnical and Human Issues: Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology.
3. Technical Productivity Tools: Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
4. Technology Communication Tools: Students use telecommunications to collaborate and interacts with peers and other audiences.
5. Technology Research Tools: Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
6. Technology Problem Solving and Decision Making Tools: Students use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions.

Please refer to Connecticut Student Technology Standards.
Skills Addressed: Project-based learning that demonstrates broad range of abilities including Internet safety, ethics, and evaluating Internet resources.
Format & Logistics: Activities may be incorporate into existing technology classes in middle school or as an extra-credit activity. In many schools, the class will be a semester, quarter, or trimester class in a daily or block schedule. If there is not adequate time, projects could be assigned as homework or through an after school club. TechYES has a flexible format with multiple options, therefore, it may be conducted as a club or incorporated into a curriculum such such as math. Projects need to be complex and open-ended to engage students.
Reporting Format: In order to receive certification, students must successfully complete two projects that have been reviewed and accepted by a Peer, Mentor, and Advisor. There is no report but rather an evaluation process as each student submits a project. Performance assessment means students are active participants in the process and demonstrate skills in that context.
  Advantages:
  • Comprehensive program supported by materials and online resources, peer involvement, and uses performance-based assessment.
  • Student projects are correlated to the ISTE NETS ∙ S standards and demonstrate effective use of technology as it relates to four criteria: gather, organize, construct, and share.
  • TechYES is a research based model and developed by Generation YES.
  Disadvantages:
  • Cost may be a factor
  • Requires a substantial investment in time and organization plus support from the school.
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A Collaborative Project from the Alliance of RESCs and CT. State Department of Education