TechYES

TechYES - A Research-Based and Proven Model

TechYES was designed based on the latest research about how students learn to use real technology. Generation YES is at the forefront of creating resources for schools looking for authentic, project-based technology learning for students - backed up with reliable assessment.

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Technology literacy whitepaper
Download PDFAre you looking for the research that shows that technology literacy is not a checklist and should not be assessed by a multiple choice test? Then take a look at this whitepaper written by Jonathan D. Becker, J.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University, with Cherise A. Hodge, M.Ed. and Mary W. Sepelyak, M.Ed. Dr. Becker is an expert researcher in achievement and equity effects of educational technology and curriculum development.

Assessing Technology Literacy: The Case for an Authentic, Project-Based Learning Approach (PDF)

This whitepaper takes a comprehensive look at the research, policies, and practices of technology literacy in K-12 settings in the United States. It builds a research-based case for the central importance of "doing" as part of technology literacy, meaning more than just being able to answer canned questions on a test. It also explores the current approaches to develop meaningful assessment of student technology literacy at a national, state, and local level.

"Where "doing" is central to students gaining technological literacy, traditional assessments will not work; technological literacy must be assessed in ways that are more authentic."

Building on this definition, the whitepaper lays out the case for connecting project-based learning and constructivism, which both hold "doing" as central to learning, as the only authentic way to assess technology literacy.

"True project-based assessment is the only way to properly assess technological literacy."

Finally, it examines the TechYES Student Technology Literacy Certification program in this light.

"TechYES is research-based, builds on current learning theory and provides practical resources for teachers and students. TechYES provides students with valuable formative assessment as they work on real projects, giving students the opportunity to correct misunderstandings, gain new skills, and make decisions that lead to increased knowledge."

"A review of existing technology literacy models and assessment shows that the TechYES technology certification program... is designed to provide educators a way to allow students to participate in authentic, project-based learning activities that reflect essential digital literacies. The TechYES program includes an excellent, authentic, project-based method for assessing student technology literacy and helps state and local education agencies satisfy the Title II, Part D expectations for technology literacy by the eighth grade."

National Reports

Each year, Generation YES provides annual summative TechYES reports on a national, regional (district) and school level. The reports are generated from two sources:

  1. Data from the TechYES website – Throughout the school year students input information about their two required TechYES projects. Both peer mentors and advisors perform assessments of these projects. Based on these assessments, ISTE NETS Proficiency scores are generated for each project. Each TechYES studentsʼ two project proficiency scores are combined to obtain the total student proficiency score.
  2. End of School Year Surveys – Each TechYES student, peer mentor and advisor complete a survey asking questions about their TechYES experience.

Data from both these sources are combined to produce annual TechYES Reports. This report not only provides information to help Generation YES improve the model, but help schools, districts, and funding agencies to:

  • Provide evidence that their students are technology literate and meet the ISTE NETS as well as the national mandate that all 8th grade students are technology literate.
  • See a summary of how the TechYES projects were integrated into all subject areas.
  • See a summary of what technologies were used to produce TechYES projects.
  • Provide the data that can help sustain and expand TechYES in a school or district.

2009/2010 annual TechYES Report (PDF) (click on link to download or right click and select "Save As")

Every TechYES school or district has access to individual reports to monitor their own TechYES implementation and compare results to district, state, and national norms.

Report Highlights

  • TechYES advisors, peer mentors and students felt that there was significant positive change in the knowledge and skills of all those involved in TechYES.
  • Advisors saw growth in their students' technology skills, in peer mentors' skills as effective leaders and tutors, and in their own abilities to teach technology.
  • Advisors reported a significant improvement in their own abilities to teach technology and use project-based, collaborative methods.

Independent Evaluation Studies

New York State Student Technolgy Leaders (NYSSTL)
The State of New York used federal Title II Part D (EETT) funds to establish the New York Student Technology Leaders (NYSSTL) model in 45 rural districts in two BOCES (service centers) in the fall of 2008. Part of the NYSSTL model included all middle school students in these districts completing two TechYES projects to show technology literacy.  During the 2008-09 school year, 2,332 students completed two technology projects each and were certified technology literate.  Twenty-four additional schools joined NYSSTL in the 2009-10 school year.  An evaluation of the program concluded that the percentage of students achieving proficiency on statewide math tests increased across all participating schools over the course of the program.  “This finding suggests that the certification process has created an environment of vigorous learning and that the TechYES initiative evokes an enthusiasm in learning that becomes cumulative over time."

Download the Verizon Evaluation Study


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Evaluation Summary (2 page PDF)


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Full Evaluation Report (28 page PDF)


Verizon California Technology Literacy Project
The Verizon California Technology Literacy Project involved implementation of the TechYES program with over 10,000 7th grade students in schools in California’s San Joaquin Valley.  In an evaluation completed by the Woodside Research Consortium, Dr. Steven A. Schneider found that “there was a significant positive change in the knowledge and skills of all those involved in TechYES”.  Teachers/advisors found growth in their own as well as their students’ technology skills, and the development of students’ leadership skills, particularly among the peer mentors.  Overall, “advisors, peer mentors and students in the TechYES program agree that TechYES is a productive way to ensure that middle school students are technology literate and that TechYES is an effective strategy to bridge the digital divide”

Evaluation Highlights

  • Advisors agreed (97%) that TechYES helped bridge the digital divide in their primarily Hispanic and Southeast Asian schools.
  • 100% of advisors agreed that TechYES is a good way to ensure middle school technology literacy.
  • TechYES advisors, peer mentors and students felt that there was significant positive change in the knowledge and skills of all those involved in TechYES.
  • Advisors saw growth in their students' technology skills, in peer mentors' skills as effective leaders and tutors, and in their own abilities to teach technology.
  • Advisors reported a significant improvement in their own abilities to teach technology and use project-based, collaborative methods.

More information on the California Technology Literacy Project can be found on the Generation Y website.

TechYES is Research-Based

TechYES was designed using the latest research in how students really learn with, and about, technology. TechYES is based on the premise that in the area of technology literacy, the students can take on much of the responsibility of demonstrating they possess these skills. Students do this by creating two projects that show they meet national technology standards. Including students as peer mentors and evaluators further reinforces this student-centered model.

TechYES technology literacy is built on four proven research results:

  1. Project based learning is effective - Doing projects using technology shows that students know and understand technology as compared to simply learning out of context technology skills.
  2. Authentic assessment is accurate and informs practice - Student achievement can be assessed better and provide relevant feedback if the evaluators know the student and the assessment is based on student-produced work rather than tests.
  3. Peer mentoring is effective - Students learn from their peers in a non-competitive learning community better than they do in a completely teacher-directed classroom. In addition, the benefits to the peer mentors are well documented.
  4. Students can be agents of positive change - Students can be accountable for their own learning when given well-designed opportunities and trusted to take that responsibility seriously.

The TechYES Implementation Guide contains a wealth of research on these topics. Besides the theory, the guide lays the TechYES model out step-by-step, in an easy to understand manner. Best practices, guidelines, and helpful tips mean that the research is more than just theory. Every aspect of the TechYES program was designed to create conditions of success proven in international research studies, and provide every teacher and advisor the tools to make them happen at the local site.

We would be happy to email you the chapter of the TechYES Implementation Guide that contains the research that supports the TechYES model. Contact us through the online form here and request the TechYES Research chapter.