Canadian middle schoolers have impressive computer literacy

A new international test shows Ontario students are among the most computer literate even though the province’s schools generally put less priority on facilitating the use of technology than other participating countries. The International Computer and Information Literacy Study was administered last year to some 60,000 Grade 8 students in 20 countries. The study looks at students’ ability to collect, manage, produce and exchange information using a computer, as well as teachers’ and principals’ attitude and confidence regarding technology in the school setting. It is believed to be the first international test of its kind. Ontario students scored an average of 547 out of 600 in overall computer literacy, significantly above the international average of 500. The province is in a statistical tie for the top spot with Australia and the Czech Republic. Students had to perform basic tasks such as copying or saving a document, creating and modifying information and using multiple applications at once. They also had to answer a questionnaire, as did teachers, principals and technology co-ordinators. The CEO of the Education Quality and Accountability Office, which helped arrange Ontario’s participation in the test, said the results show the province’s efforts to integrate technology into the classroom have paid off.