Digital Literacy Checklist

This checklist is designed to list the skills required to use, interpret, and create digital multimedia web pages. A user can take the test on pencil and paper and then score themselves to discover what areas they need to hone their personal computer skills in to be competitive in today's digital environment.

First, I have to say that while I understand this is a work in progress, there is a certain negative irony in suggesting a digital literacy test be taken and scored using old fashioned pencil and paper. At this point there is no auto scoring system, no systematic interpretation of possible numeric scores, and no way to process the test online. Also it is an extensive list that might appear less exhausting if it were broken up into sections, contained an estimated time of completion as well as save points, similar to the FAFSA online. As it is it just goes on and on and one wonder if one will ever reach the the end of it and how many hours that might take to accomplish, as well as how many sheet of paper it would take to print out this checklist in order to use it.

So onto the positive points. I like the idea of using video to demonstrate each skill in case a user needed clarification. I think I prefer the 1-5 scoring technique to the more b&w yes or no answers. Some of these skills overlap and just because a user had never performed a specific operation, it may be possible that they would still be able to use their previous computer experience to problem solve and complete an unfamiliar action.

Overall, as a piece of rhetoric, I had difficulty in understanding who the audience was that this piece was intended for. Business professionals would require something more complete and convenient. Teachers might use it but would need a scoring system. Students might use it but it would require reference to outside resources for instruction in the skills they were lacking.
Really, this page just felt like an unfinished project, not a bad idea but it lacks refinement and manpower to finish all the details.