By Dawn Prescott on June 29, 2005 in Project-Based Learning.

Session: Every Eighth Grade Student Tech Literate
Presenter: Darlene Nowak
Time: June 29 at 3:30 p.m.

If you are looking for a viable NETS-S Assessment solution for the 8th grade students in your district, TechYES should be one you seriously consider to measure student technology literacy. According to NCLB federal mandates, every 8th grade student must be technology literate by the year 2006, and authentic, project-based solutions are clearly the best ways to engage students in their learning.

TechYES, designed for grades 6-9, aims to develop students’ abilities to responsibly use appropriate technology and apply it to lifelong learning. The program is project-based and flexible, building on middle school technology knowledge and authentic learning. TechYES is student-centered and student-powered, offering students the opportunity to develop leadership and peer mentoring skills. The program is designed to give the school local control over its implementation and national certification to the students upon successful completion.

Students begin the program by working from the student guide and the TechYES web portal to complete two projects. Teachers can set up the program in a variety of ways, with many schools choosing to conduct the TechYES program as a technology club or before school hours several times a week.

The student, the peer mentor (most often an older student) and an adult advisor then evaluate the finished technology projects. Successful completion of a student’s TechYES projects will signify proficiency in the ISTE NETS-S Standards and fulfillment of the NCLB goals. National TechYES certification is awarded to the students completing the program, and experience then improves the process as students become peer mentors for other students. Tech YES also has a peer mentor guide that will benefit students as they tutor their fellow classmates.

TechYES offers a complete kit for 30 students and includes 30 student guides, a comprehensive implementation guide, access to the TechYES web portal, certificates, posters and a TechYES resource CD. The one-time kit cost is just under $500.00, however additional student guides can be purchased as needed.

Many great project examples can be found on the TechYES web site and will provide a springboard for students as they begin creating their own projects and traveling the path to technology literacy. A powerful way to show that students can be responsible for their own learning, TechYES is a technology assessment solution well worth an honest look.

Link:

http://www.techyes.net/