Study Guide

Field 016: Computer/Technology (Subtest I)
Sample Constructed-Response Assignments

The following materials contain:

Directions for the Focused Constructed-Response Assignments

For each constructed-response assignment in this section, you are to prepare a written response of approximately 150–200 words and type it in the response-box on-screen. Read the assignments carefully before you begin to write. Think about how you will organize your responses. You may use the erasable sheets to make notes, write an outline, or otherwise prepare your responses. However, your score will be based solely on the version of your responses typed in the on-screen response box presented with each assignment.

Your response to each assignment will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Purpose: The extent to which the response achieves the purpose of the assignment
  • Content Knowledge: The extent to which the response accurately and effectively applies the relevant content knowledge and skills
  • Support: The extent to which the response provides relevant and specific support

The assignments are intended to assess subject matter knowledge and skills, not writing ability. Your responses, however, must be communicated clearly enough to permit a valid judgment of your knowledge and skills. Your responses should be written for an audience of educators in the field.

Your responses must be your original work, written in your own words, and not copied or paraphrased from some other work. You may not use any reference materials. Remember to review what you have written and make any changes you think will improve your responses. The final version of each response should conform to the conventions of edited American English.

Sample Focused Constructed-Response Assignment #1

Use the spreadsheet below to complete the exercise that follows.

Using your knowledge of spreadsheet software and the excerpt of a spreadsheet above, write a response in which you discuss the use of formulas in spreadsheets. In your response:

  • describe two significant benefits of using formulas in a spreadsheet; and
  • explain the significant steps necessary to modify the spreadsheet above so that the average test grade for each student is displayed.

Sample Strong Response to Focused Constructed-Response Assignment #1

  The use of formulas in spreadsheets provides the user with several benefits. First, the spreadsheet will do the math for the user automatically. For example, once a sum formula has been entered, the user can see, at a glance, totals for columns or rows. Second, as data is added to or changed in the existing spreadsheet, the formula automatically updates the sums or averages without any added work on the user's part. So, if the user adds new test scores, for example, the average for each student will be adjusted to include the new information.
  To add a formula that calculates the average test grades for the three students shown in the spreadsheet example, the user would have to make the following changes. First, add a column heading called “Average.” The user could add this title to column E. After creating the “Average” column in column E, the user would click in cell E3, for example, and type the following: =(B3+C3+D3)/3, and then press Enter/Return. The user should see the numerical average of the data in cells B3 through D3 appear in cell E3. The user would then highlight from cell E3 to cell E7 and select Edit . . . Fill . . . Down. The user would then see the averages for all of the students appear in the “Average” column (column E). Once the user has completed these modifications, he or she will be able to see at a glance how the students in this class are performing on the tests.

Sample Focused Constructed-Response Assignment #2

Complete the exercise that follows.

Using your knowledge of methods for searching for information on the Internet or in a database, write a response in which you discuss search strategies. In your response:

  • describe the type of results that will be returned when combining two terms using the search operator OR, such as instructional OR software; and
  • discuss the type of results that will be returned when combining two terms using the search operator AND, such as instructional AND software.

Sample Strong Response to Focused Constructed-Response Assignment #2

  When searching for information on the Internet, it is important to understand how certain search terms work in a search engine. For example, if I want to search for sources of information on instructional software, I might enter the search string instructional AND software. The AND lets the search engine know that I want both words represented in the returned links. However, if I were to type in instructional OR software, I would be searching for sites with either word represented, not only sites with both words represented. I would probably find many more hits with this search than with the previous one. These sites would show up in the second search and not the first because the second search string is asking for any sites with the word software on them, while the first search is asking only for sites with both words (instructional and software) present.

Performance Characteristics

Responses are scored holistically based on the following performance characteristics:

Purpose The extent to which the response achieves the purpose of the assignment
Content Knowledge The extent to which the response accurately and effectively applies the relevant content knowledge and skills
Support The extent to which the response provides relevant and specific support

Scoring Scale

The three points of the scoring scale correspond to varying degrees of performance.

Score Point Score Point Description
3
 The "3" response reflects a thorough understanding of the relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response thoroughly achieves the purpose of the assignment.
  • The response demonstrates an accurate and effective application of relevant content knowledge.
  • The response provides relevant and specific support.
2
 The "2" response reflects a general understanding of the relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response largely achieves the purpose of the assignment.
  • The response demonstrates a generally accurate and generally effective application of the relevant content knowledge.
  • The response provides some relevant support.
1
 The "1" response reflects limited or no understanding of the relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response partially achieves or fails to achieve the purpose of the assignment.
  • The response demonstrates a limited, inaccurate or ineffective application of the relevant content knowledge.
  • The response provides limited or no relevant support.
U
 The response is unrelated to the assignment, is unreadable, is primarily in a language other than English, or does not contain a sufficient amount of original work to score.
B
 There is no response to the assignment.