Violeta, Shena Kerl

BSED Science 2B

Appendix D: Computer Skills Assessment for

Teachers

Computer Skills Assessment for Teachers

Adapted from digital literacy self-assessments developed by SABES Program Support PD Center and
the Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN)

This self-rating form is comprehensive and suitable for use in helping teachers determine their own
technology competencies. You may want to use the items here as a guide to develop your own
checklist that focuses on the skills required by the particular distance education program you are
offering.

Access to Technology

1. Do you have a device for teaching that you can use at your local agency, satellite locations,
and/or home (if needed)?
2. Do you have access to high-speed internet at your local agency, satellite locations, and/or home
(if needed)?
3. Do you have access to other technology needed for the distance education program (e.g.,
smartphone, tablet, software, applications)?

For each of these areas below, please indicate your skill level integrating these tools/skills into
teaching activities and your interest in attending professional development on this topic using the
scales below:

My skill level integrating these tools/skills into learning activities My interest in attending
PD on this topic

1 I have no experience, or I do not feel comfortable with this Not interested

tool/skill.
2 I have used this before a few times, or I am somewhat Somewhat interested
comfortable with this tool/skill.
3 I use this skill/tool fairly regularly or I feel comfortable with Interested
this tool/skill.
4 I use this skill/tool regularly or I feel very comfortable with Very interested
this tool/skill.

Basic Computer Operation

There are some basic skills and knowledge that both you and your students need to have in order to
learn with technology, such as start-up steps, using the keyboard, printing, and troubleshooting

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simple problems.

My skill level
integrating these My interest in
tools/skills into attending
learning PD on this topic
activities
Performing basic computer operations, such as
managing files, using the toolbar, keyboarding, 3 Interested
opening and closing programs, moving between
programs, and printing
Fixing minor computer problems, such as the
3 Interested
computer freezing, not printing, or no sound
coming from the speakers

Productivity Software

These tools allow people to perform various tasks, including creating written documents, graphs and
spreadsheets, and presentations. Some popular productivity software includes MicrosoftOffice (Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) and Google Applications (Docs, Sheets, Slides).

My skill level
integrating My interest in
these tools/skills attending
into learning PD on this topic
activities
Using a word processing program (e.g., MS Word,
Google Docs) to create a variety of documents
4 Interested
Using presentation software (e.g, PowerPoint, Interested
Google Slides) to create presentations
4
Using a spreadsheet (e.g., Excel or Google Sheets)
4 Interested
for personal use and to automate administrative
tasks, such as keeping a gradebook, making a
budget, or graphing survey results
Locating, scanning, and manipulating graphics and
4 Interested
saving them in a variety of formats

Instructional Software

These resources include a wide array of programs, ranging from complete online curricula to those
used for specific skill development, e.g., reading, writing, math, work skills, and ESOL.

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 My skill level
integrating these My interest in
tools/skillsinto attending
learning PD on this topic
activities
Evaluating and using a variety of content-specific Very
instructional software programs for specific
3
Interested
learning purposes
Regularly tracking and supporting student progress
online
4 Very
Interested
Developing and aligning individual learning plans
for students with particular software and the goals
of the student Very
Using a learning management system or a digital 3 Interested
homeroom where students can access and submit
assignments Very
Teaching online classes via webinars or video chats
3 Interested

Assistive Technology (AT)

These tools include assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices. AT promotes greater independence
for people with disabilities by enabling them to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to or
had great difficulty accomplishing.

My skill level
integrating My interest in
these tools/skills attending
into learning PD on this topic
activities
Creating learning resources that are
4 Very
accessible for learners with disabilities
Interested
Making computers and other technology more
Very
accessible (e.g., making the cursor speed slower, 4
increasing font size, or using text-to-speech
Interested
software)
Locating software, such as graphic organizers, Very
and/or assistive devices, such as adaptive
4 Interested
keyboards

Using Online Resources

Many classes have access to and use the Internet on a regular basis because adult learners need the

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skills involved for further education, at their places of employment, and for daily life needs.

My skill level
integrating these My interest in
tools/skills into attending
learning PD on this topic
activities
Using online resources on a regular basis; moving
easily between websites for purposes such as 3 Interested
research and communication
Evaluating the content of websites for validity and 3 Interested
appropriateness
Creating and maintaining a website for information 3 Interested
and communication
Saving and sharing documents, bookmarks, and 3 Interested
other materials online

Communication Tools

People today communicate using a variety of online technology tools. Some examples include email,
shared online documents, blogs, and social networking sites.

My skill level
integrating these My interest in
tools/skills into attending
learning PD on this topic
activities
Setting up an email account and communicating Interested
via email, including attachments
3
Creating or contributing to online discussions via a Interested
blog, wiki, discussion, board, podcast, instant
3
messaging, or social media
Joining and participating in an online (e.g., Interested
webinar, videoconference) meeting 3

Video Technologies

These tools include video cameras and other digital media tools as well as video editing software.
These tools can be used to create both teacher- and student-generated videos.

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 My skill level
integrating these My interest in
tools/skillsinto attending
learning PD on this topic
activities
Creating video using a smartphone, camera, or
3 Interested
tablet
Uploading/sharing video, for example via Vimeo or
3 Interested
YouTube

Professional Development

Keeping up with and integrating technology into classrooms requires continuous learning and
exploring. There are many ways you can continue to learn, including doing research online,
subscribing to email lists, using Twitter or other social networking sites, talking to colleagues,
attending conferences, and even using this self-assessment tool.

My skill level
integrating My interest in
these tools/skills attending
into learning PD on this topic
activities
Participating in professional development courses
or workshops related to integrating technology into 3 Interested
the curriculum
Using listservs (email discussion lists), blogs, social
media, online courses, and other web-based
resources 3 Interested

Evaluating and Using New Technologies

One of the most challenging tasks you may face is simply keeping up with current technologies and
choosing what is best to use in your classroom and program. Sometimes our students are way ahead
of us!

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 My skill level
integrating these My interest in
tools/skillsinto attending
learning PD on this topic
activities
Having knowledge of and using technology tools to
3 Interested
design and develop digital learning experiences
and assessments
Using features of a mobile device or phone such as
text messaging, web access, and downloading and 3 Interested
logging onto apps
Selecting technology appropriate for tasks;
understanding and applying examples of how
subject matter and technology are integrated into 3 Interested
the teaching/learning process to facilitate student
achievement, creativity, and innovation

Social and Legal Issues

The instructor serves as a role model when it comes to using technology. This includes knowing and
obeying copyright, privacy, and other computer and Internet usage laws; modeling healthy habits
while using computers; and thinking and talking about the role of technology in society.

My skill level
integrating My interest in
these tools/skills attending
into learning PD on this topic
activities
Knowing about Internet safety, privacy, and
4 Interested
security; digital footprint; and online reputation
Knowing strategies and techniques regarding
4 Interested
information literacy and impact on daily life

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 ETC (2020). IDEAL Distance Education and Blended Learning Handbook. EdTech Books.
https://edtechbooks.org/ideal_dl_handbook

CC BY-NC-SA: This work is released under a CC BY-NC-SA

license, which means that you are free to do with it as you please
as long as you (1) properly attribute it, (2) do not use it for commercial gain, and
(3) share any subsequent works under the same or a similar license.

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