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!!!

Nuts and Bolts of Northstar PART 2 Nuts and Bolts of Northstar

digitalliteracyassessment.org/admin 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

https://digitalliteracy assessment.org/assessment/proctored 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)

digitalliteracyassessment.org/admin 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

Questions? Comments? Share your own advice?

Cecila Adamson cadamson@oftc.edu Karen Stacy karen.stacy@westgatech.edu