1. Welcome to the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessments Webinar
Call and enter # 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.

2. Northstar Digital Literacy Assessments – Technical Assistance Webinar
June 6, :00-3:30 pm
Presenters:
Karen Stacy (West Georgia Technical College)
Cecila Adamson (Oconee Fall Line Technical College)
Host: Kimberlee Bryant, TCSG

3. What is NORTHSTAR? 85% is passing score! Public site
Must pass test in the proctored site

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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”

8. 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

9. Why Use Northstar? To Build Needed Skills
Parents with children need computer skills to keep up with their child’s online gradebook and send s to the teacher.
More services require you to apply online.

10. How is WGTC Using Northstar?
To Help Job Seekers
Many jobs require computer skills such as using , 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

11. 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.

12. 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!!

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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).

16. 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!

17. 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.

18. 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!

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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.

22. Why use Northstar? Students gain tangible achievement:
Earning certificate/s
Immediate
Certificates are printed in color and on cardstock.

23. 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!

24. 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.

25. 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
Information Literacy

26. 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!

27. 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

28. 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!!!

29. Nuts and Bolts of Northstar
PART 2
Nuts and Bolts of Northstar

30. 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

31. 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!

32. 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

33. 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)

34. BASIC STEPS
Add student names to Generate Access Codes on admin site. Print Codes.

35. BASIC STEPS
First time Testers: Set up your backpack, but minimize it as you take the proctored test.
backpack.openbadges.org

36. 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:
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

37. BASIC STEPS
Instruct students on procedures; read through Code of Conduct; answer questions.
Remind students to watch the short introduction, adjust sound if needed

38. 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.

39. BASIC STEPS Print Certificate if score is 85% or higher.
Print score sheet with standards to work on.

40. 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.

41. BASIC STEPS
If student did not earn a certificate, show student how to access tutorials at
Click on Module Standards needed

42. BASIC STEPS Student will click on links for missed standards.
Each bulleted link will open a training opportunity (video, handout, etc)

43. 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

44. 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.

45. Curriculum Help!
Use Saint Paul Public Library to cover standards missed for any module.

46. Curriculum Help!
Saint Paul also has four curricula to teach several modules through Technical Literacy Collaborative:
Beginning computer, beginning , beginning internet, and Microsoft Word.

47. Curriculum Help!
Use Goodwill Community Foundation for basic to advanced skills.

48. Questions? Comments? Share your own advice?

49. Cecila Adamson cadamson@oftc.edu
Karen Stacy