The Chronicle: 11/12/2004: Testing Service to Unveil an Assessment of Computer and Information Literacy

(reg. req.)The Chronicle: 11/12/2004: Testing Service to Unveil an Assessment of Computer and Information Literacy: "The Educational Testing Service plans to unveil a standardized test this week designed to measure the computer savvy and information literacy of college students.

The test will evaluate how well students can judge the validity of online information, build a spreadsheet, compose e-mail messages summarizing a passage, and perform other tasks. Called the ICT Literacy Assessment -- the first three letters stand for 'information and communication technology' -- it was developed on the basis of advice from a committee of representatives from seven universities.

Officials of the testing service said the new exam, which students will take online, is unique because it attempts to measure not only proficiency in using computer software, but also information-processing skills that are increasingly important in college and in many jobs.

The testing service, which administers the SAT in college admissions, hopes to have colleges give the new exam to students to see how well prepared they are for high-tech assignments..."