Computer Literacy Placement Exam Design and

Assessment

Amber M. Epps

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

What is Computer Literacy?

Computer-related terminologyHardware and software basicsBasic operating system functionalityFile managementUsing the internet and understanding

related issuesProductivity applications

Why Do We Care?

Facts

May or may not be a required courseStudents complain!Faculty complain!

Myths

Students already know “this stuff”Should be removed from curriculum

without a backup plan

Survey Says...

Students don’t always know as much as they think they do

Students need to meet minimum proficiency requirementsSchool-definedIndustry-defined

Every school is differentNeed to continue research

So Now What??

Assessment!According to the Higher Learning Commission: “Assessment of student learning is a participatory, iterative

process that: Provides data/information you need on your students’ learning Engages you and others in analyzing and using this

data/information to confirm and improve teaching and learning Produces evidence that students are learning the outcomes

you intended Guides you in making educational and institutional

improvements Evaluates whether changes made improve/impact student

learning, and documents the learning and your efforts.”

Assessment! (cont)

Accreditation often requires computer literacy standards

Not always fun...but importantEvolving work in progress

Don’t expect perfection right away

Where to Begin?

Know your school’s policiesWho else is involved?Consider the scope

How many students will be affected?Online students?Staffing requirements

Get faculty involved!Use tools that are available to you

Next...Platform issues: PC vs MacPlan...

What’s important?What do you want to know?

Start with your competenciesWhat should students know?

Find balance between theory and applicationAsk faculty what matters most

Suggestions!Use a question pool

Check text book instructor resources

Separate competencies by sectionAutomate as much as possible

Clear rubrics when manual grading required

What is a passing score?Pilot test with a focus groupBe flexible and aware of changesRemote testing?

So I’ve Created My Exam...Now What?

What to assess:Pass/fail rate overallPass/fail rate per majorPre/post test differencesAnything that’s important to YOU and

YOUR school

What Does Assessment Tell Us?

Achievement of learning outcomesCompetency proficienciesCompetency deficienciesChanges to degree requirements?

Let’s Look At Some Real Examples

Pre-Test: Theory*Based on 80% as Passing Score

Test-Out Results*Based on 80% as Passing Score

Questions!!

Why is the pre-test passing rate so low?

Why is the test-out passing rate so high?

Time to share!

Feel free to contact me:Amber M. EppsThe Art Institute of Pittsburgh412.291.7398amepps@aii.edu