Introduction to SmarterMeasure
The SmarterMeasure Learning Readiness Indicator is a web-based tool which assesses a learner's likelihood for succeeding in an online and/or technology rich learning program. SmarterMeasure indicates the degree to which an individual student possesses attributes, skills and knowledge that contribute to success including:
- Self-motivation
- Time-management skills
- Self-discipline
- On-screen Reading Rate and Recall
- Persistence
- Availability of time
- Ability to use a laptop, printer, software, and the Internet
- Typing speed and accuracy
There are two versions of SmarterMeasure available (1) Higher Education and (2) Secondary School. The higher education version is designed for undergraduate and graduate students at colleges and universities. This version is also appropriate for use at technical and career colleges. The secondary school version is developmentally appropriate for high school students. Multiple reading passages exist for students in grades 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and college.
SmarterMeasure does not rely on simple self-assessment questions with obvious "right" and "wrong" answers. Rather, SmarterMeasure uses a sequence of activities to measure the degree to which students possess the traits needed for success in studying at a distance and/or in a technology rich course.
SmarterMeasure provides an immediate score and diagnostic interpretation of results to the student and to their prospective school.
SmarterMeasure includes seven major assessment components which measure:
- Individual Attributes - motivation, procrastination, willingess to ask for help, etc.
- Life Factors
- Learning styles
- Technical Competency
- Technical Knowledge
- On-screen Reading Rate and Recall
- Typing Speed and Accuracy
SmarterMeasure has partnered with the world's leading learning company, Pearson Education, to provide student success resources at a discounted rate. Through using these resources students can learn how to enhance their opportunities for success in higher education.
Benefits of Using SmarterMeasure
Research literature shows that maintaining high retention rates in distance education programs is a significant challenge. SmarterMeasure serves as an early warning device to identify students who may be deficient in the skills and attributes necessary for successful distance and technology rich learning and who may, therefore, be at risk of dropping out of these programs.
Educational institutions invest heavily in attracting and recruiting students. However, there is little return on the investment when students quickly drop out of the program. SmarterMeasure not only helps schools to identify the students who are likely to drop out, it also provides resources for remediation so that at-risk students can improve.
As individuals, students also invest thousands of dollars in their education and may be hesitant to continue their education for fear that they might not do well. SmarterMeasure helps students to recognize their strengths and provides resources to strengthen their weaknesses. Students who are confident of their readiness are much more likely to enroll in a distance learning course.
Each year schools which use SmarterMeasure are surveyed to identify how they use SmarterMeasure and how their students are benefitting from it. View the Annual Reports: 2011 | 2009 | 2008.
Integrated Features
Reporting - Each student who takes SmarterMeasure receives immediate feedback in the form of an individualized report that shows his/her score for each of the various SmarterMeasure components. The scores are presented in textual and graphical formats. Licensed institutions receive a summative report detailing overall usage, as well as the individual SmarterMeasure scores of their students.
Solutions - If the instrument determines that a user is not ready, links to potential remediation resources are provided. At this point the participating institution may also provide additional resources.
Ease of Interpretation - Results are presented in easy-to-interpret charts and graphs instead of confusing columns of numbers and figures. The on-screen report consists of colorful charts that indicate the participant's level of readiness in reading rate & comprehension, technical competency, individual attributes, life factors, typing speed & accuracy, and preferred learning styles.
