Assessing Students’ Digital Literacy With Interactive Computer-Based Tasks Created in Google Apps Script

Abstract

This paper presents the development and testing of two interactive computer-based tasks for assessing aspects of students' digital literacy. The tasks were created using Google Apps Script to allow students to work with authentic digital productivity tools. Results from 156 university students indicate that the task requiring analysis of data in a spreadsheet application was significantly more difficult than the task requiring information literacy to make edits in a word processor application. These types of tasks offer more authentic ways for students to engage with digital technology during the assessment of their digital literacy. This study highlights the potential of Google Apps Scripts for developing and delivering tasks in performance-based assessments of students' digital literacy.