I'm not sure if that is meant to be an actual question on the media/literacy technology test but it sure demonstrates a question that is culturally, economically, and linguistically biased and deeply flawed.  Even if one follows the test taking strategy that the longist answer is probably the best answer one is left with the question of whether or not "paying for the creation and upkeep of sets" is equivalent to paying "rent on Jerry Seinfeld's New York City apartment" as if one could remove the "apartment" from the fictional entity that is a TV show or if any "rent" is being paid at all.  

Weird!
Barry Bakin
Pacoima Skills Center
Division of Adult and Career Education
Los Angeles Unified School District


-----Original Message-----
From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Gerstle, Alan
Sent: Wed 2/14/2007 9:12 AM
To: The Technology and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: RE: [Technology 857] Re: Question regarding computer literacy in agingworkers
 
Not an assessment of computer literacy specifically, you should probably be aware that the ETS (Educational Testing Service)--developers of the GRE, TOEFL, etc.,--has just developed a media/technology literacy test for high school students for the benefit of college admissions offices that may now be re-assessing just what types of literacy they wish their students to possess--in addition to (or as a replacement for) the more traditional forms of literacy testing such as verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, vocabulary, mathematical skills, and the like.   You may find multiple-choice questions as follows:
 
The entity that paid the rent on Jerry Seinfeld's New York City apartment was
 
a)  Elaine
b)  Gerry
c)  Kramer
d)  George's parents
e)  the viewers of the show whose numbers and allegiance to the show were able to generate the income from the sponsors of the show who in turn paid NBC for the production of the show who in turn paid for the creation and upkeep of the sets in the show.
 
(Albeit, the questions on the test may be time-bound and biased toward the technological universe of its developers--whose literacy may be indicative of aging workers)
 
Alan Gerstle, Ph.D.
Intake/Assessment Specialist
Workforce Development and Continuing Education
Montgomery College
Westfield South Office Building
11002 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 210
Wheaton, MD 20902
301-962-8906
 

  _____  

From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of David Rosen
Sent: Wed 2/14/2007 11:17 AM
To: The Technology and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [Technology 857] Re: Question regarding computer literacy in agingworkers



Hello Eduardo,

NCES is planning a new computer literacy assessment, I believe for 
this year.  I understand that it will focus on measuring adults' 
ability to use digital technologies to access, manage, integrate, 
evaluate, generate, and communicate information in order to pursue 
personal, professional, and civic interests and goals.   "The 
computer literacy test will measure the ability to navigate the 
Internet, handle emailing and instant messaging, and handle word 
processing and spread sheets."  (Sheida White, NCES, at the NIFL 
BOard Meeting, March, 2006)

Sheida White at NCES might be able to tell you if there have been 
other studies.

David J. Rosen
djrosen at comcast.net


On Feb 14, 2007, at 11:01 AM, <Eduardo.Caso at wellsfargo.com> wrote:


> Good morning,

>

> My name is Eduardo Caso and I am an MBA student at the University 

> of Texas.  Currently, I am working on a research paper that 

> involves mature workers and the use of technology.   One area of 

> discussion is related to computer literacy among different age 

> groups (from 25 to 65 years old), unfortunately I have not been 

> able to find any statistical data/information concerning this 

> topic.  Would it be possible to obtain from you some advice or 

> suggestion on where I could find this data?

>

> I would really appreciate any information regarding this topic.  

> Thanks

>

> Eduardo

>

>

> This message may contain confidential and/or privileged 

> information. If you are not the addressee or authorized to receive 

> this for the addressee, you must not use, copy, disclose, or take 

> any action based on this message or any information herein. If you 

> have received this message in error, please advise the sender 

> immediately by reply email and delete this message. Thank you for 

> your cooperation.

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------

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David J. Rosen
djrosen at comcast.net



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