Assessment Methods
for The Fifth Dimension Sites
This page is referred as the Home Page.
The purpose of this website is to support Fifth Dimension sites that wish to assess the effectiveness of their programs. The assessment instruments described here are intended to measure cognitive changes in elementary school children, and focus on assessing knowledge and skills that are relevant to Fifth Dimension activities.
Computer
Merit Badge Test
A
hands-on test to measure computer
literacy knowledge.
Computer Knowledge
Quiz
A 40-item paper-and-pencil test to measure
computer literacy knowledge.
Word Problem Comprehension Test
A 12-item multiple choice test using arithmetic
word problems to measure comprehension skills.
Following Directions Test
A 12-item test using written directions to
measure comprehension skills.
Puzzle Tanks Test
A dynamic test involving learning to play a new
computer game to measure problem-solving skills.
The Cloze Test
A cloze test based on instructions for a
computer game to measure
comprehension skills.
Click here for more information concerning how to design a site assessment program.
Click here for more information concerning research reports.
Most pages are made available for download as a Portable Document Format (PDF). However, in order for you to read PDF files, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader program, Click Here to download the free software.
Due to possible printing problems, it is highly recommended that you download the files that are available rather than print the files directly from your browser.
This project was supported by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. This web site was designed by Richard E. Mayer, Rachel Michael, and Chad Valchar at the University of California, Santa Barbara. If you have an assessment instrument you would like to share or you would like more information, please email Richard E Mayer, or write to the following mailing address: Richard E. Mayer, Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106.