The iSkills™ assessment is the only Information and Communication Technology (ICT) literacy test that assesses critical thinking in a digital environment. The test has questions that simulate real-world scenarios. Knowledge of the topics and ability to manipulate technology are needed to complete tasks such as extracting information from a database, developing a spreadsheet, or composing an e-mail based on research findings. The iSkills assessment does not have multiple-choice questions.
The Core and Advanced assessments are designed similarly. However, the Advanced assessment is designed to be more challenging and requires more sophisticated reading comprehension skills.
What does the iSkills assessment measure and how?
The iSkills assessment measures the range of cognitive and non-cognitive ICT literacy skills aligned with nationally recognized Association of Colleges and Research Libraries (ACRL) standards (PDF). Your students' ability to navigate, critically evaluate and make sense of the wealth of information available through digital technology is measured — so you can make the necessary changes to narrow skill gaps.
The content areas measured are:
Content Topics:
Humanities
Social Sciences
Practical Affairs
Popular Culture
Natural Sciences
Technology Topics
Web Use – E-mail, Instant Messaging, Bulletin Board Postings, Browser Use, Search Engines
Database Management – Data Searches, File Management
Software – Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Presentations, Graphics
ICT Proficiencies (PDF)
A clear understanding of how your students perform on each of the 7 ICT literacy proficiencies helps you identify where further curriculum development is needed to help your students succeed.
Define
Know how to articulate a need for and determine where to locate information
Create a research topic to fit a particular information need or complete a concept map
Access
Search and collect information from the Internet and databases
Read and refine a search to locate resources
Evaluate
Assess the relevancy, veracity and completeness of information for a specific purpose
Select the best database to use and determine the sufficiency of information on a website for a particular need
Manage
Develop and use a comprehensive organizational scheme
Document relationships using an organizational chart and sort e-mails into appropriate folders
Integrate
Synthesize, summarize, compare and draw conclusions from information from multiple sources
Compare and contrast information from web pages or a spreadsheet and synthesize information from instant messages into a word processing document
Create
Generate information by adapting and critically analyzing current data
Create a graph that supports a point of view. Select text and graphics to communicate the point of view
Communicate
Convey information persuasively to various audiences using the right medium
Be able to adapt presentation slides and revise an e-mail
More information
