Many industry "certifications", such as CCNA, CCNP, CCDA, CCDP and the
qualifying exams in CCIE, as well as the various Microsoft implementations
of industry certification are done online. It may be a form of testing
with which students will need to become familiar. Practice would help -
for computer related issues. One issue that I have with computers and
their screens in particular, is that the format of paper has remained the
same for a long time (A4 or US letter), but screens are getting wider, but
not deeper, meaning that the size of text is scrunched up, only half a
document is readable, and for two column "journal" style PDF documents,
reading is impossible.

The Assessment Discussion List <assessment at nifl.gov> writes:

>Some of us in Colorado are very concerned about computer-based GED

>tests—the cost is bound to be truly prohibitive for many students—and

>rest assured that the cost will figure prominently. Some people assure us

>that a computer-based test format  is bound to occur—just a matter of

>time. The digital divide still exists, though, and yet, as Jason alludes

>to in his question, shouldn’t GED grads be at least minimally

>technologically proficient? This is a big can of worms as far as I’m

>concerned, and yes, it’s a great question to put on the table.

>

> 

>

>Stephanie Moran

>

>Durango, CO

>

> 

>

>

>

>

>From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov] On

>Behalf Of Marie Cora

>Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 5:24 PM

>To: Assessment at nifl.gov

>Subject: [Assessment 2223] FW: [Technology 2386] The *new* GED & Tech

>

>

>

>

> 

>

>Dear Colleagues,

>

> 

>

>There’s been some discussion on the Technology & Distance Learning List

>(to subscribe, go to:  [ http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/Technology/

>]http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/Technology/) regarding the new GED

>Test – some of you may be interested in joining in there. 

>

> 

>

>I’m forwarding the post that started that discussion off - I am

>interested in the questions that Jason asks at the end of his email –

>what do folks think of the questions he poses?  

>

> 

>

>“Should the new test be administered using computers? Should technology

>be added to the GED as a content area?  Would these changes help GEDTS

>frame the GED as gateway to college?  Would a more sophisticated GED test

>leave too many people behind who would otherwise have been able to pass

>the test?”

>

> 

>

>Thanks, I’m looking forward to reading people’s thoughts on this.

>

> 

>

>Marie Cora

>

>Assessment Discussion List Moderator

>

> 

>

> 

>

>-----Original Message-----

>From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov] On

>Behalf Of Jason Keith Guard/AC/VCU

>Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 1:42 PM

>To: Technology at nifl.gov

>Subject: [Technology 2386] The *new* GED & Tech

>

> 

>

>The GED Testing Service recently announced an apparent change in thinking

>about the content, purpose, and possibly method of delivery of the GED

>Test. (See their press release here:  [

>http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/news/National_Needs_Alter_Plans_for_GED_5th_Edition_100809.pdf

>]http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/news/National_Needs_Alter_Plans_for_GED_5th_Edition_100809.pdf).

> Although roughly 40% percent of high school seniors cannot pass the GED

>test, the issue of the test's adequacy for certifying the skill levels of

>high school completers has long been at issue. 

>

>The press release describes the new GED as "a new, more comprehensive

>assessment program."  Two common areas of high school experience not

>addressed by the GED test are computer and digital literacy.  My

>questions depends on your interpretation of the GED Testing Service

>announcement, because some there appears to be a shift taking place

>regarding the GED. Should the new test be administered using computers?

>Should technology be added to the GED as a content area?  Would these

>changes help GEDTS frame the GED as gateway to college?  Would a more

>sophisticated GED test leave too many people behind who would otherwise

>have been able to pass the test? 

>

>Thanks for your consideration.  I look forward to sharing our respective

>speculation.       

>

>Jason Guard

>GED Specialist

>Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center

>Virginia Commonwealth University

>3600 West Broad Street, Suite 669

>Richmond, VA  23230-4930

>Phone:  1-800-237-0178 or  804-827-2635  

>Virginia GED Helpline: 1-877-376-9433

>eLearn Virginia: 1-888-589-9003

>Fax:  804-828-7539

>Email: jkguard at vcu.edu

>Twitter: jkguard

>[ http://www.valrc.org ]www.valrc.org

>[ http://www.GEDVA.com ]www.GEDVA.com

>[ http://www.elearnva.com ]www.elearnva.com

>

>-------------------------------

>National Institute for Literacy

>Assessment mailing list

>Assessment at nifl.gov

>To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to

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