Yes you are reading it correctly.

 

It's kind of "why deal with a problem when we can discuss it to death?

 

Gail Troy, M.Ed

Lead Teacher

Nelson County Adult GED

 

 

________________________________

From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Richard Sebastian
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 11:16 AM
To: The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List
Subject: [Technology 2405] Re: The *new* GED & Tech,could it drive tech
expansion?

 

I don't know about the rest of you, but I find this announcement by
GEDTS to be somewhat strange. These announced changes seem almost, well,
impulsive.  In fact, after I read the first release, I briefly
considered it to be a prank (The Yes Men?).  The FAQ
<http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/National_Needs_Announc
ement_FAQs.pdf%20>  provided by the GEDTS seems to generate more
questions than answers.

That said, once I accepted the announcement's legitimacy, I got excited,
primarily because having a computer-based GED test that not only
measures high school skills but also reflects the knowledge and skills
test-takers will need for college might help spur the field of ABE to
move towards technology integration and transitioning. It would, in my
mind, give the credential more value and be of greater benefit to
passers.

But then I read this sentence in the FAQ: 

"GED Testing Service realizes that developing a more rigorous test, to
prepare credential recipients for postsecondary education and careers
that provide a sustainable living wage, will require investment in
academic preparation programs and post-credential transition programs.
Accordingly until support systems pre and post test are improved, GEDTS
will not launch a more rigorous test."


If GEDTS is taking its cue from the field, then I imagine we are going
to be stuck in a bit of a standoff. The easy way out for everyone would
be to do nothing, unless some kind of federal mandate requires our field
to move in this direction.  

Who in ABE can provide the leadership and vision to prevent this from
happening? Am I reading this correctly?

Richard Sebastian
Instructional Technology Specialist
Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center
Virginia Commonwealth University
3600 W. Broad St./ Suite 669
Richmond, VA 23230-4930
(804) 828-7537

On Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 8:33 PM, Silver-Pacuilla, Heidi
<HSilver-Pacuilla at air.org> wrote:

Dear All - this is all so interesting. Thanks for your post, Kay.

 

Jason, you must know that many years ago VA leveraged the innovation of
computerized testing in K-12 statewide, touting the reliability and
speed/ease of scoring, to get computers and broadband in every school
and tech literacy on every child's agenda.  The state legislature paid
for the infrastructure as part of the state testing contract, rather
than leaving it to individual districts. Altho state testing has not
been a fairy tale by any means, the "pipes" were put in so that
districts could focus on using them for instructional content the other
179 days of the school calendar.  

 

Might this computer based GED test on the near horizon drive some
similar expansions in adult ed??  How could states and programs ensure
that it does??

 

Intrigued -

 

Heidi Silver-Pacuilla

American Institutes for Research

 

From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Combs, Kay
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 9:50 AM
To: The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List; The Technology
and Distance Learning Discussion List
Subject: [Technology 2396] Re: The *new* GED & Tech

 

In the State of Kentucky, our Kentucky Adult Education folks purchased
the computer-based official practice test several years ago for all of
our centers in Kentucky.  Even though the current test is print-based,
our students can take the OPT on the computer.  

 

In our local program, we have strongly supported the computer-based test
for our students to use for the computer-based OPT.  The test is
self-directed.  As students begin one part of the test, the computer
begins timing the test for each subject.  We do not have to set a timer
ourselves.  This allows for more freedom of our staff and their time.
We just have one proctor for  our computer lab.  We provide instructions
for our students prior to the test beginning and each part of the test
has the instructions repeated as well.  If students feel like their
typing skills are weak, they are given the option of writing the essay.
The huge advantage is that it is scored immediately by the software
program as soon as the student is finished with each portion of the
test!  We only have to score the essay.  In addition, you can print out
exactly what test items were missed in each subject and this allows the
students to know where they need concentrate on improving their skills
if they need to prior to taking the actual GED test.

 

We ask our students prior to OPTing if they would like to do the
print-based or computer-based assessment and 90% of our students want
the computer-based test.

 

I think there will not be such a huge "technology" issue for the
majority of the students in regard to the GED test being computerized.
Obviously, it will be our older students who may have the most problems.
I do think that with many of the students, it will be the fear that
their "typing" skills are not as good as they would like to complete the
Essay based on time limit.

 

I think field testing is the answer, but I do not see many issues as far
as signficant changes in the GED classroom.  We should be integrating
technology into our curriculum and classroom anyway.  This will just be
one more reason to be more pro-active on the part of the encouraging our
students to engage in learning and technology. This should be the case
already.........how many employers now use the computer to complete
their job applications?  Our students need to be able to understand how
to use the computer to even do the basics such as obtain a job.

 

Kay Combs

Program Coordinator

Center for Lifelong Learning

Georgetown, KY  40324

502-570-8984

kay.combs at scott.kyschools.us

 

________________________________

From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Jason Keith Guard/AC/VCU
Sent: Thu 10/15/2009 4:03 PM
To: The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List
Subject: [Technology 2389] Re: The *new* GED & Tech

The FAQ document released today by the GED Testing Service says that
Computer Based Testing (CBT) with the GED will be piloted in 2010.  They
will also begin field testing test items that will fill gaps between
conventional wisdom concerning college/career-readiness and the current
GED 2002 test series.   

Thought on this? Will the test become more challenging? Will instruction
need to integrate technology more seamlessly to adequately prepare
testers for CBT? Will these development help expand GED credentialing or
will adult learners be left behind by these developments?   

I look forward to the discussion. Here is the document.   

http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/National_Needs_Announce
ment_FAQs.pdf
<http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/National_Needs_Announc
ement_FAQs.pdf>  

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
www.valrc.org
www.GEDVA.com
www.elearnva.com 

"Troy, Gail " <gtroy at nelson.k12.va.us> 
Sent by: technology-bounces at nifl.gov 

10/14/2009 05:18 PM 

Please respond to
The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List
<technology at nifl.gov>

To

"The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List"
<technology at nifl.gov> 

cc

 

Subject

[Technology 2387] Re: The *new* GED & Tech

 

 

 




I too wonder about that brief press release. 
  
I believe that adding a test on-line to show digital literacy could be
done and would be a great idea. 
  
If the test is to be made more difficult, so that it is even more
difficult than obtaining a high school diploma, (as you noted now 40% of
graduating hs students could not pass) - ACE has a huge reality problem
. 
  
Gail Troy, M.Ed 
Lead Teacher 
Nelson County Adult GED 
  
  

 

________________________________


From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto: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_Alt
er_Plans_for_GED_5th_Edition_100809.pdf
<http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/news/National_Needs_Al
ter_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
www.valrc.org
www.GEDVA.com
www.elearnva.com----------------------------------------------------
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