The GED is a gateway to employment for many.  To pose a possible barrier by requiring the GED to be online is not a good idea.  To keep options open and go toward the one that is most cost effective seems to make sense to me.   The problem with computer based test would seem to be those who have problems with reading off of a computer and those intimidated by a computer.  
I would want the option to test in a setting to get the most accurate measurement of testable knowledge.
Evelyn

Evelyn Brown
Academic Development Specialist
Parkland College
2400 West Bradley
Champaign, IL 61821
217.351.2587 
ebrown at parkland.edu


>>> "Ellithorpe, Kathy" <KathyE at monte.k12.co.us> 10/20/2009 12:08 PM >>>


I like the idea of computer based testing for GED students.  It offers so much more flexibility and accountability.  I am not sure about the cost...would it be more costly?  Why?  It might be an initial cost for testing sites...would this necessarily be visited on the testers?
As for students taking it online-I think computer literacy is a necessary skill in the work world. We should be including that in  our curricilums anyway... There are not many jobs anymore that don't require a minimum knowledge of computers.  All post secondary education requires an in depth knowledge of the use of computers.  


 

-----Original Message-----
From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Peter Woof
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 10:41 AM
To: The Assessment Discussion List
Subject: [Assessment 2226] Re: FW: [Technology 2386] The *new* GED & Tech

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_Al 

>ter_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 

>http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/assessment 

>Email delivered to pwoof at nisgaa.bc.ca 




"We don't care what you know until we know that you care"


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