Requirements

The Feinstein School of Education and Human Development (FSEHD) requires that all students in initial teacher preparation programs (undergraduate, second degree, RITE, and M.A.T.) demonstrate proficiency using technology to enhance teaching and learning by meeting the Technology Competency Requirement.

It is in the interest of all students to become proficient, as more and more schools are considering technology knowledge in their hiring decisions. Students are expected to become fluent in a set of core skills identified by FSEHD as essential for all teachers.

Beginning in the fall semester of 2006, entering freshmen and transfer students who have been admitted to Rhode Island College will be required to meet the technology competency requirement during the semester that they are enrolled in FNED 346.

Meeting the Requirement

Students have various options to fulfill the Technology Competency requirement:

• Complete, with a grade no lower than a C, INST 251: Introduction to Emerging Technologies, a 3 hour lab course offered every semester
• Participate in a one credit computer workshop, INST 180: Workshop in Computers and pass the Technology Test
• Learn the required skills independently and pass the Technology Competency Test

Instructional Technology 180

INST 180 (one credit) is a workshop course designed for students who have some but not all of the skills included in the FSEHD Technology Competency Test. The workshops include individualized or small group hands-on learning. Enrolled students attend one hour weekly session. INST 180 meets for 15 housrs per semester and is available in both the fall and spring semesters. Please register online for INST-180. The workshops are not a substitute for the Technology Competency Test. Students may take the test in the final workshop meeting and / or during regularly scheduled test sessions.

Test Information

Schedule

The FSEHD Technology Competency Test is offered each Wednesday during the fal and spring semesters. Test dates are available in the Department of Educational Studies, via FNED 346 and on this website. The exam is given via WebCT.

Registration

To register for the FSEHD Technology Competency Test you must register in the first two weeks of the semester via RIConnect. The courses are titled INST 100 (sections 1-12). Please see the schedule for test dates and section numbers.

There is no walk-in or telephone registration all registration must be completed via RIConnect.

Test fee

There is no fee for the FSEHD Technology Competency Test.

Before the test

As the exam is given via WebCT, you should become fluent in its use. Within 48 hours of registering for the exam a WebCT course with practice exams will be made available to you. You should login to WebCT using your RIC network account user name and password. Please note, be sure you are able to login to WebCT before the day of the exam. Password help will not be available the day of the exam.

The day of the test:

This hands-on test requires students to complete a series of tasks using a computer. Students will receive test directions and will complete all sections of the test using the WebCT Assignment Manager and Quiz Manager. Students are responsible for arriving at least five minutes prior to the start of the test and will not be admitted late. If for any reason you are unable to attend a test session for which you are registered, you must send an email message to that effect to fsehdtech@ric.edu at least 48 hours prior to the test date. Otherwise this test session will be counted as one of your four opportunities to take the test.

Test results

Test results will be available within the My Grades area of WebCT no later than two weeks after the test session. Each test section will be graded pass / fail. Students have three opportunities to retake any test sections which they failed, for a total of four test sessions. Students do not need to retake any sections they have already passed. Please note that all sections of the exam must be passed in order to receive credit. Results will not be given out over the telephone or email.

Special accommodations

Any student who may need special accommodations for the test due to a disability should contact the Department of Educational Studies at least two weeks in advance of the test session for which he/she is registered.