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Welcome to the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessments Webinar Call 1-866-590-5055 and enter 8019870# to connect to the webinar audio. During the presentation, phone lines will be muted. Press *6 to unmute your line and *6 to place yourself back on mute.
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Welcome to the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessments Webinar • Call 1-866-590-5055 and enter 8019870# to connect to the webinar audio. • During the presentation, phone lines will be muted. Press *6 to unmute your line and *6 to place yourself back on mute.
Northstar Digital Literacy Assessments – Technical Assistance Webinar June 6, 2018 2:00-3:30 pm Presenters: Karen Stacy (West Georgia Technical College) Cecila Adamson (Oconee Fall Line Technical College) Host: Kimberlee Bryant, TCSG
What is NORTHSTAR? 85% is passing score! Public site Must pass test in the proctored site
How is WGTC Using Northstar? • Our Model: • Day 1: Registration documents and TABE Online testing (3 hours) • Day 2: Orientation - including Northstar (approximately 3 hours) • Day 3: Attend class, teacher/student conference; Distance Ed students – set up appointment to take tests 2-4 • Day 4+: Northstar embedded in classrooms
When is WGTC Using Northstar? • Orientation: • Module 1 - Basic Computer Skills • Distance Education: • Module 1 – Basic Computer Skills • Module 2 – World Wide Web • Module 3a – Windows 7 or 10 or Module 3b – Mac OS X • Module 4 – Using Email
When is WGTC Using Northstar? • Current Students: • Module 5 – Microsoft Word* • Module 6 – Social Media • Module 7 – Excel Basics* • Module 8 – Microsoft PowerPoint* • Module 9 – Information Literacy * 2010 or 2016 versions
Why Use Northstar? • To Assist Students with Testing • Both TABE Online and the GED use computer based testing • Student with weak computer skills struggle to “show what they know”
Why Use Northstar? • To Build Confidence • Students who pass immediately earn a certificate and a badge. Challenge them to keep going! • Those who struggle… Practice! Retesting is available
Why Use Northstar? • To Build Needed Skills • Parents with children need computer skills to keep up with their child’s online gradebook and send emails to the teacher. • More services require you to apply online.
How is WGTC Using Northstar? • To Help Job Seekers • Many jobs require computer skills such as using email, searching the internet, and creating a document or spreadsheet • Longtime workers losing a job find they need computer skills to obtain and keep a job
How is WGTC Using Northstar? • To Help Job Seekers • Northstar Certificates can be used in a job interview to prove digital literacy • Read “How to Talk to Employers About Your Digital Literacy Skills” (Practice Interview, page 8) found in the Resource Library folder on the Admin page.
My Story with Northstar • 1st Thought: Learn a new program? No way! Outcome: The public test was fun! • 2nd Thought: Proctor Training? No way! Outcome: Not too bad… but I did take notes! • Next Thought: What do I do now??? Outcome: The ADMIN page is a lifesaver!!
My Story with Northstar • Karen’s Tips for Getting Started: - Just do it! - Get a notebook and take notes while watching the Proctor Training module. * If you don’t pass, watch it again until you do. This is what your students will do if they don’t pass a Northstar assessment.
My Story with Northstar • Karen’s Tips for Getting Started: - Pretend you’re on Let’s Make A Deal! * Go to the Admin page and click on every link to see what’s behind that door.
My Story with Northstar • Karen’s Tips for Getting Started: - Print off a copy of the Instruction Manual (or know how to access it in a hurry).
My Story with Northstar • Karen’s Tips for Getting Started: - Take all of the assessments yourself. *Hint: If you’re nervous about not passing, take the test on the public site first!
My Story with Northstar • Karen’s Tips for Getting Started: - Proctor a co-worker or single student. - Print a certificate and complete other tasks. -Familiarize yourself with the review sites. - Practice counseling a student on how to study for a retest.
My Story with Northstar • Karen’s Tips for Getting Started: - Watch Part Two of this webinar for specifics about using Northstar. But first, let’s hear from Cecila!
How is OFTC Using Northstar? • Our Model: • Orientation and TABE Online testing • First day of class: Students are registered in online software through Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Steck Vaughn for SEPs. • Students also have opportunity to work on Northstar.
How is OFTC Using Northstar? • Individual study • Students may also choose to complete Northstar if the instructor is covering material that he/she has mastered. • As a prerequisite for college and career. • Transition easier to college • Prepare for career or workforce
Why use Northstar? • Prepares for real-world: • College classes require use of technology: • Software programs for assignments • College programs such as Blackboard and Canvas for uploading • Many jobs require use of technology: • Spreadsheets, business documents, letters, etc.
Why use Northstar? • Students gain tangible achievement: • Earning certificate/s • Immediate • Certificates are printed in color and on cardstock.
My Story with Northstar? • 1st Thought: This is different. I’m not sure I know how to get started. • Outcome: Only one way to learn – I became a proctor. • 2nd Thought: I’m a proctor, now what? • Outcome: Started finding my way. I played with it. • Next Thought: I think I’ve got it! • Outcome: I asked a student to be my helper, a.k.a.guinea pig!
My Story with Northstar • Cecila’s Tips for Getting Started: - Nothing to it, but to do it! * Take notes, ask for help, complete proctor training. - Become familiar with the admin page. * Explore the content. Click on everything! - Practice, and complete assessments. * Earn certificates yourself so you can teach your students.
Northstar Digital Literacy • Create a flyer to post by computer stations: • This is what I use: When you are ready, proctored assessments are available in the following course modules for a certificate: Basic Computer Microsoft Word World Wide Web Social Media Windows Microsoft Excel Mac Os X Microsoft PowerPoint Email Information Literacy
Demonstrate Enthusiasm • Only one thing is constant: Change! • Instructor needs to show enthusiasm. • When students pass, students get excited. • Encourages others and a desire to earn more certificates: domino effect!
Recruitment Tool • Not just for GED students! • May recruit students needing additional employment skills or college prep: • May already have a high school diploma or GED • May need help with college classes before taking them
Classroom Implementation • Ways I implement Northstar into the classroom: • During individual study • Students who have mastered content being covered • Students seeking employment skills • Through blended learning after lesson where students demonstrate skills You Can Do It Too!!!
PART 2 Nuts and Bolts of Northstar
BASIC STEPS • Become a Proctor digitalliteracyassessment.org/admin Ask your program administrator for your site’s Username and Password. If they do not have it, contact Kim Bryant right away! After you become a proctor, your name will appear here Click on LAUNCH PROCTOR TRAINING
BASIC STEPS • Set up a Mozilla Backpack Account backpack.openbadges.org Click on SIGN UP Note the Password Requirements: 10 characters including Upper case, lower case, number, & symbol!
BASIC STEPS • Have a co-worker proctor your assessments - As a “student” become familiar with: * Setting up Mozilla backpack * Logging in as a student to test * Saving your badge (if 85% or higher) * Printing score report
BASIC STEPS • Prepare for an assessment: - Computers with audio - Headphones & wipes - Quick link icon on desktop in computer lab - Working printer - Prepare copies of Code of Conduct - Have your site login name, password, and computer authorization pin (from admin page)
BASIC STEPS • Add student names to Generate Access Codes on admin site. Print Codes.
BASIC STEPS • First time Testers: Set up your backpack, but minimize it as you take the proctored test. backpack.openbadges.org
BASIC STEPS • Ask students to type in the following URL or set up a quick link icon on computers: https://digitalliteracy assessment.org/assessment/proctored Student Name 6 digit code from Generate User Code 5 digit Computer Authorization Pin Click on your site name from drop down list
BASIC STEPS • Instruct students on procedures; read through Code of Conduct; answer questions. • Remind students to watch the short introduction, adjust sound if needed
BASIC STEPS • Students will let you know by a raised hand when they are done. *Remind them to wipe down the headphones before putting them away. • Help students save badges to their Mozilla account.
BASIC STEPS • Print Certificate if score is 85% or higher. • Print score sheet with standards to work on.
BASIC STEPS • Check backpack to ensure the badge saved. backpack.openbadges.org • Or check the student name on Recently Proctored Results to see if icon appears under Badge Claimed.
BASIC STEPS • If student did not earn a certificate, show student how to access tutorials at http://guides.sppl.org/northstar Click on Module Standards needed
BASIC STEPS • Student will click on links for missed standards. Each bulleted link will open a training opportunity (video, handout, etc)
Now, Let’s Practice! • Create an account for badges backpack.openbadges.org • Explore the public site digitalliteracyassessment.org • Explore the admin site digitalliteracyassessment.org/admin • Explore the practice site http://guides.sppl.org/northstar
Curriculum Help! • Once you can view the admin site, click on the last folder near the bottom to see what’s in the Resource Library.
Curriculum Help! • Use Saint Paul Public Library to cover standards missed for any module. http://guides.sppl.org/northstar
Curriculum Help! • Saint Paul also has four curricula to teach several modules through Technical Literacy Collaborative: • Beginning computer, beginning email, beginning internet, and Microsoft Word. http://tlc-mn.org/digital-inclusion/curriculum
Curriculum Help! • Use Goodwill Community Foundation for basic to advanced skills. https://www.gcflearnfree.org
Cecila Adamson cadamson@oftc.edu Karen Stacy karen.stacy@westgatech.edu