The Program Support PD Center team is excited to collaborate with ACLS to coordinate access to trainings and resources for Northstar.
About Northstar
Northstar Digital Literacy defines basic skills needed to perform tasks on computers and online. Online, self-guided modules assess the ability of individuals to perform tasks based on these skills. Included are basic computer digital literacy standards and modules in three main areas:
- Essential Computer Skills: Basic Computer Skills, Internet Basics, Using Email, Windows OS, Mac OS
- Essential Software Skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs
- Using Technology in Daily Life: Social Media, Information Literacy, Career Search Skills, Accessing Telehealth Appointments, Supporting K–12 Distance Learning, Your Digital Footprint.
To Request a Northstar License
Please complete this form to request to be added to the MA Adult Education Northstar Digital Literacy Network.
Professional Development
You can find and register for Northstar PD on the SABES Registration Calendar by typing "Northstar" into the "Title" field. Attending live PD is valuable because you can ask questions and hear from your peers. If that's not possible, check out the on-demand recordings below.
On-Demand PD
Previous SABES Northstar PD sessions can be found in the PSPDC On-Demand Library in the DESE-funded Online Products page.
Northstar Updates
Updated Internet Basics to be Released October 1!
Northstar is excited to announce the release of a revised and updated Internet Basics Assessment. This assessment will go live on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 and will replace the current assessment version.
Why have updates been made to the Internet Basics assessment? The goal of the revisions was to update technology references, improve accessibility for individuals accessing Northstar using screen readers, and increase the assessment’s mobile compatibility, which includes improving the ability to use a mobile device to complete tasks, as well as updating content to teach mobile digital skills more inclusively. We recognize that learners' initial capacity for digital literacy is often built on smartphones, and we want to be responsive to that.
How does this impact sites and learners? We hope these changes provide a positive benefit to our sites and learners, who will now be able to more easily complete the assessment on a mobile device or using a screen reader. The format of the assessment remains the same, and we do not anticipate that average scores will significantly change.
Is this going to cause a need for instructional changes? Instructional changes are not needed. The Northstar Digital Literacy Internet Basics Standards have not changed. The assessment reflects a valid and reliable assessment of the standards. These updates are a continuation of the mobile compatibility updates already made to the accompanying Internet Basics NSOL module.
What action needs to be taken/ What do we need to do to prepare? None. The new assessment will be automatically rolled out on Tuesday, October 1 and will replace the previous version.
We welcome questions and feedback on the revised assessment, please email us at support@digitallteracyassessment.org.
You can read more about the Northstar Revisions Project here.
