| Technological Literacy - part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) |
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| Written by Ken Task | |||
| Saturday, 11 October 2008 00:42 | |||
Beginning in 2012, the test will measure students' proficiency with technology in addition to reading, math, science, history, writing, and other subjects. The new test will mark the first time students' technology literacy has been assessed on a national level. The National Assessment Governing Board has awarded a $1.86 million contract to WestEd—a nonprofit educational research, development, and service agency based in San Francisco—to develop the 2012 NAEP Technological Literacy Framework. WestEd is a national nonprofit research and service agency working with education and human development communities to promote excellence, achieve equity, ..." http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=55483 Live Classroom WestEd's partner for providing these services is Horizon Wimba Cost Options range from basic provisioning to production and training services; costs range from $500 for a one-time service to $20,000 for an annual contract. Format of Live Classroom WestEd, in partnership with Horizon Wimba, can provision a classroom for one-time use or can create a dedicated "live classroom." A Live Classroom event allows participants to call into a teleconference line, hear presenters, and watch on their individual computer screens the presenters' slides, handouts, and projected web links. Participants can also participate in live discussion. Materials from the presentations can be archived and downloaded at any time. Hmmmmm $20,000 OR cost of hardware for Moodle ($0.00) in conjunction with DimDim ($0.00) and some other mods loaded in Moodle. When will the FEDS understand ... no $ means it's difficult to keep up with new requirements which cost $. Yet another un-funded initiative. Don't get me wrong, Technology Literacy/Assessment is needed ... but governments (State or Federal) always going a commercial route rather than looking into supporting an open source solution is NOT helping!
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