Ontario Students Have Superior Computer Information Literacy (CIL) Skills, According to First International Test of its Kind

TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2014 /CNW/ - Ontario students were among the top performers in computer information literacy (CIL) on the first-ever administration of the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS), in 2013, according to reports released today by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC). No participating jurisdiction's students performed better than Ontario's.

Ontario's CIL achievement results were significantly above the international average. In addition, survey results from ICILS 2013 show that Ontario students and teachers are using information and communication technology (ICT) for learning and have positive attitudes about its value. Most Ontario schools put a priority on facilitating the use of ICT for teaching and learning, however some obstacles to its usage remain.

QUICK FACTS

• ICILS is the first international study of students' acquisition of CIL skills. It was administered to a random sample of approximately 60,000 Grade 8 students from about 3,300 schools in 20 countries, including Canada. Only two Canadian provinces participated, including Ontario. Since a representative sample of Ontario students participated, valid and reliable comparisons between Ontario and the other participating jurisdictions are possible.
  
  
• Ontario students' average CIL score (547) was significantly above the international average (500). No jurisdiction's students performed better than Ontario's. Students in the Czech Republic and Australia performed as well as those from Ontario.
  
  
• Ontario students reported that they are experienced and confident in their use of ICT and like using it.
  
  
• Ontario teachers also reported that they are experienced and confident in their use of ICT, and that they believe this technology adds value to learning.
  
  
• Most Ontario schools have ICT resources available for teaching and learning.
  
  
• The majority of Ontario schools put a priority on facilitating the use of ICT for teaching and learning.
  
  
• Teachers and ICT coordinators in Ontario identified a number of obstacles to the use of ICT for teaching and learning.

QUOTES

"It should inspire both pride and confidence that Ontario students fared so well on ICILS 2013, given how important computer information literacy is to life in the digital age. It is valuable to have an international indicator of achievement in this increasingly important area."
—Brian Desbiens, Chair, EQAO Board of Directors

"The ICILS 2013 results confirm that Ontario students, teachers and principals are harnessing the power of information and communication technology to support learning. A modern education system requires us to build on this solid foundation and continue enhancing the use of ICT in schools. EQAO will do its part as it continues its transition to offering its provincial assessments online."
—Bruce Rodrigues, CEO, EQAO

LEARN MORE

• ICILS 2013: Overview of Ontario Results
  
  
• ICILS 2013—Preparing for Life in a Digital Age: Results from Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador (CMEC report)

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ABOUT ICILS

ICILS is a computer-based assessment that investigates the ways in which young people understand and use information and communication technology (ICT) in the digital age. This study is the first of its kind to assess Grade 8 students' acquisition of computer information literacy (CIL) skills using an international comparative research perspective. ICILS is a program of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) and was first administered in 2013.

Twenty countries participated in ICILS 2013, including Canada. The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) coordinated Canada's participation. In Canada, only two provinces participated—Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador. Since a representative sample of Ontario students (English and French) participated in ICILS 2013, valid and reliable comparisons between Ontario and the other participating jurisdictions are possible. Ontario's participation was coordinated by EQAO on behalf of the provincial government.

In total, approximately 60,000 students from about 3,300 schools participated in ICILS 2013. In Ontario, approximately 3,700 students from nearly 200 schools (English-language and French-language) participated. Since the assessment is administered to a random sample of students in a random sample of schools, individual student, school and school board results are not available.

ABOUT EQAO

EQAO's provincial assessments measure student achievement in reading, writing and mathematics in relation to Ontario Curriculum expectations. EQAO also coordinates Ontario's participation in international assessments on behalf of the Ministry of Education. The resulting data provide accountability and a gauge of quality in Ontario's publicly funded education system. By providing this important evidence about learning, EQAO acts as a catalyst for increasing the success of Ontario students.

SOURCE: Education Quality and Accountability Office

Kathleen Garrett, APR, Senior Communications Officer, 416-325-9902, [email protected]