Doug Johnson

These rubrics are part of the The Indispensable Teacher’s Guide to Computer Skills, 2nd edition, Linworth Publishing.

Please note that the letters and numbers following the rubric name indicate with which ISTE’s National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) or Technology Standard for School Administrators it can be correlated.

The Beginning (Basic) Rubrics have been validity tested. E-mail me if you want more information.

Self-Evaluation Rubrics for Teacher Internet Use (2002)

I.    Internet basics and history (NETS I.A., V.A., VI.A.)
Level 1     I do not understand how networks work, nor can I identify any personal or professional uses for networks, including the Internet. I do not have an account on any network nor would I know how to get one.
Level 2     I can identify some personal or professional uses for networks, and understand they may have a value to my students and to me. I’ve read some articles about the Internet in the popular press. I can directly use network access to a library catalog or CD-ROM.
Level 3     I can describe what a computer network does and how it can be useful personally and professionally. I can distinguish between a local area network, a wide area network, and the Internet and can describe educational uses for each. I can describe the history of the Internet, recognize its international character, and know to a degree the extent of its resources. I know the purpose and historical significance of newsgroups, gophers, and telnet. I have personal access to the Internet that allows me to receive and send email, download files, and access the World Wide Web. I know that I must protect my password, and should restrict access by others to my account
Level 4     I use networks on a daily basis to access and communicate information. I can serve as an active participant in a school or organizational planning group, giving advice and providing information about networks. I can recommend several ways of obtaining Internet access to others.

II.    Email (I.A., I.B., IV.B., V.A., V.D., VI.A.)
Level 1     I do not use email.
Level 2     I understand the concept of email and can explain some administrative and educational uses for it.
Level 3     I use email regularly and can:
• read and delete messages
• send, forward and reply to messages to    
• create nicknames, mailing lists, and a signature file
• send and receive attachments
Level 4     I can send group mailings and feel confident that I could administer an electronic mailing list. I use activities that require email in my teaching. I can locate lists of subject oriented mailing lists.

III.    The World Wide Web (NETS I.B., II.D., V.A., V.C., VI.A.)
Level 1     I do not use the World Wide Web.
Level 2     I am aware that the World Wide Web is a means of sharing information on the Internet. I can browse the Web for recreational purposes.
Level 3     I can use a Web browser like Explorer or Netscape to find information on the World Wide Web, and can list some of the Web’s unique features. I can explain the terms: hypertext, URL, http, and html. I can write URLs to share information locations with others. I can use Web search engines to locate subject specific information and can create bookmarks to Web sites of educational value.
Level 4     I can configure my web browser with a variety of helper applications. I understand what “cookies” do and whether to keep them enabled. I can speak to the security issues of on-line commerce and data privacy.

IV.    Search tools and evaluation strategies (NETS II.C., V.C., VI.C.)
Level 1     I cannot locate any information on the Internet.
Level 2     I can occasionally locate useful information on the Internet by browsing or through remembered sources.
Level 3     I can conduct an efficient search of Internet resources using directories like Yahoo or search engines like Google. I can use advanced search commands to specify and limited the number of hits I get. I can state some guidelines for evaluating the relevance of sited and the quality of the information I find on the Internet. I can write a bibliographic citation for information found.
Level 4     I can identify some specialized search tools for finding software and email addresses. I can speculate on future developments in on-line information searching including know-bots, meta-search engines, and other kinds of intelligent search agents.

V.    Newsgroups, telnet and electronic mailing lists (NETS I.A., II.C., V.A.,V.B., V.D.)
Level 1     I have no knowledge of newsgroups, telnet or electronic mailing list functions.
Level 2     I know that there are resources in a variety of formats available on the Internet, but cannot confidently access them.
Level 3     I read the newsgroups that interest me on a regular basis, and I can contribute to newsgroups. I can access a remote computer through the telnet command, including remote library catalogs. I can find the help screens when emulating remote computers and can log off properly. I can subscribe, unsubscribe and contribute to electronic mailing lists (listservs) related to my educational field.
Level 4     I know how to find, configure, and use the specialized tools for newsgroups and telnet access. I use the resources found in these areas with my students.


VI.    Obtaining, decompressing, viewing and using files (NETS I.A., VI.D)
Level 1     I cannot retrieve files from remote computers.
Level 2     I know that documents and computer programs that are useful to my students and to me are stored on computers throughout the world. I cannot retrieve these files. I can open a .pdf file with a browser plug in.
Level 3     I understand the concept and netiquette of “anonymous FTP” sites. I can transfer files and programs from remote locations to my computer, and can use programs or plug-ins that help me do this. I can extract compressed files, and know some utilities that help me view graphics and play sounds and movies. I understand the nature and danger of computer viruses, and know how to minimize my risk of contracting a computer virus.
Level 4     I use information I have retrieved as a resource for and with my students. I understand the concept of a network server, and the functions it can serve in an organization. I can use an ftp client to upload files to a server. I can create a .pdf document.

VII.     Real-time, streaming and push technologies (NETS II.C., III.C., V.A., V.C.,V.D.)
Level 1     I use only static documents and files I retrieve from the Internet.
Level 2     I have some information sent to me on a regular basis through e-mail and I check some sites on a regular basis for information.
Level 3     I use chat-rooms, instant messaging, and customized news and information feeds. I can listen to audio streamed from the web. I know the hardware and software requirements for web-based videoconferencing. I can install the plug-ins necessary to hear and view multimedia resources.
Level 4     I can use real-time applications to design a “virtual” classroom or interactive learning experience. My students use videoconferencing for communication with experts and project collaboration with other students.

VIII.     Webpage construction (NETS II.D, III.A., III.B., IV.B., V.C., V.D., VI.E.)
Level 1     I cannot create a page which can be viewed with a web browser.
Level 2     I can save text I’ve created as an html file with a command in my word processor. I know a few, simple html commands. I can use a form-based tool to create a webpage.
Level 3     Using hand-coded html or a web page authoring tool, I can:
- view web pages as source documents
- create a formatted web page that uses background color, font styles and alignment, graphics, and tables
- include links to other parts of my document or other Internet sites in my page
- know basic guidelines for good web page construction and the district’s web policies
Level 4     I can use the web as an interface to databases. When appropriate, I can register my pages with search engine sites. I can help write web creation policies for design, content, and use.

IX.    Learning opportunities using the Internet (NETS III. A-D.)
Level 1     I am not aware of any ways the Internet can be used with students in my classroom.
Level 2     I occasionally allow my students to use the Internet to find information.
Level 3     I know a variety of projects and activities that effectively use the Internet to instruct and involve students. I know sources for collaborative projects, can direct students to on-line tutorials and learning resources, and encourage a variety of activities that use email.
Level 4     I can design and implement an Internet project or maintain an educational Internet site.

X.    Netiquette, On-line Ethics, and Current Issues Surrounding Internet Use in K-12 Schools (NETS VI.A-E.)
Level 1     I am not aware of any ethics or proprieties regarding the Internet nor am I unaware of any issues dealing with Internet use in a school setting.
Level 2     I understand a few rules that my students and I should follow when using the Internet. I understand that the Internet is sometimes a controversial resource which many educators and parents do not understand.
Level 3     I have read a guideline for Internet use such as Rinaldi’s “The Net: User Guidelines and Netiquette” or other source, and follow the rules outlined. I know and read the FAQ files associated with sources on the Internet. I am aware that electronic communication is a new communications medium that may require new sensitivities. I can identify print and on-line resources that speak to current Internet issues like:
    - censorship/site blocking software
    - copyright
    - legal and illegal uses
    - data privacy
    - security
    I can list some of the critical components of a good Acceptable Use Policy and know and use our district’s policy.
Level 4     I can use my knowledge of the Internet to write good school policies and activities that help students develop good judgment and good information skills.