Learning.com’s new assessment provides data into how well teachers demonstrate 21st century teaching skills

Aligned to ISTE NETS-T, WayFind Teacher Assessment provides teachers with a roadmap for professional development to build their 21st century teaching skills

Portland, Ore. – June 2, 2010
Administrators and teachers no longer have to wonder whether they are equipped to help their students grasp critical 21st century skills. Now they can clearly know their strengths and where to focus support with Learning.com’s WayFind Teacher Assessment, fully aligned to the ISTE NETS-T standards.

This new assessment from Learning.com provides district leaders with insight into which teachers are highly skilled in 21st century teaching skills, and which need support. Now districts can identify their best teachers as master teachers, and provide professional development for those who need it.

The assessment provides psychometrically valid data in reports that show four levels of proficiency with the overall ISTE NETS-T standards, and with each of the five strands:

Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Districts need to demonstrate that they and their teachers are providing students with the 21st century skills that students need to succeed and compete in a global economy. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) released NETS-T standards for instruction in 21st century skills in 2008. WayFind assesses teacher performance against these standards with a mix of knowledge-based and performance-based questions that ask teachers to demonstrate their skills. WayFind also offers a portfolio assessment in which teachers can demonstrate and practice their skills, and also use that project with their own students.

WayFind was beta tested in more than 40 districts throughout the United States, including collaborating with state departments of education that sought data on how well their states’ teachers met these important skills. This beta testing enabled Learning.com to gather statistically significant information on how well teachers at all grades in K-12 performed on each question in the assessment. Following the beta testing, WayFind underwent psychometric validation to ensure the data are accurate and statistically significant.

In addition to WayFind, Learning.com offers a comprehensive suite of Web-delivered, technology literacy and technology integration tools. TechLiteracy Assessment and 21st Century Skills Assessment each provide valid data on how well students meet critical technology literacy skills. The company’s technology literacy curriculum, EasyTech, uses both direct instruction and project-based activities to help teachers and students integrate technology skills instruction seamlessly into core subject areas.

For more information, visit www.learning.com/wayfind.

About Learning.com
Founded in 1999, Learning.com supports K-12 teachers and administrators to improve student learning outcomes through our Sky digital learning environment, and our Sky-delivered curriculum and assessment solutions. With Sky’s open design, educators can integrate learning objects from any source to create custom curricula and individualize instruction. Sky makes it simple for teachers to use digital resources in the classroom, and for districts to capture and replicate successful teaching strategies district-wide. Learning.com’s Web-delivered solutions include STEM, science, math, and technology literacy curricula, and assessments for technology and 21st century skills.

Learning.com’s new assessment provides data into how well teachers demonstrate 21st century teaching skills

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