We talked about "the nation's report card" in an earlier post. Well, the governing board for the National Assessment of Educational Progress has announced that starting in 2012, its test of the nation's school performance will include a measure of proficiency with technology.

21st Century Skills

Work is underway now on a way to measure how well students understand and can use technology in the classroom. Businesses have been clamoring for greater attention to technological literacy, but as yet there is no state or national standard to measure against.

Online Classes Develop Proficiency

Students learn by doing, and those who participate in online learning have an advantage when it comes to familiarity with 21st century technology and the skills it engenders, such as seeking relevant information and using multiple sources.

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posted by Teresa Berry at 8:29 AM 0 Comments

Teachers need to do more than present subject matter when preparing students for the Ohio Graduation Test and other assessments required by the No Child Left Behind Act.

Preparation is Key

First, it is important that teachers assess their students' learning styles. There are learning style inventories or other diagnostic tools to help accomplish this. Second, teachers can match their learning activities to the test's criteria. Learning activities should be exciting for the students in order to make them more memorable. Third, teachers can insure they have a quality learning environment in which students can work. For example, adequate space is needed for a learning activity that require students to move around.

To learn more about successful testing, see our article on making a plan for test preparation.

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posted by Teresa Berry at 8:31 AM 0 Comments