Demonstrating IT Application Proficiency
Today, many people use many operating system and data management applications but do not know
what it means to be “proficient” in using these applications. How do you evaluate whether or not
someone is proficient in using a specific IT application such as WinZip?
There are different levels of skill you can demonstrate using IT applications. The rubric1 for Operating
System and Data Management applications [aka Computer Operations Applications] (see Figure 1
Rubric Table, next page) outlines four levels of skill or proficiency:
Novice  Approaching Proficiency  Proficiency  Above Proficiency
The object of the lesson is to help you attain a proficient level of skill (Proficiency Level 3) in using
operating system and data management applications. The lesson is structured around the
Measurement Criteria for Proficiency Level 3 of the Operating System and Data Management
Applications Rubric Table. It does not focus exclusively on one particular computer operations
application, however, but rather interconnects the use of information technology with a real situation
commonly found in a career field.
Please note:
▪
Level 3 Proficiency assumes mastery of levels 1 and 2 in addition to Level 3.
▪
Level 4 Proficiency is included to show skill levels above proficiency and does not have
assigned point values.
Your success with the lesson will be measured by the points you achieve against the three
Performance Elements of the Operating System and Data Management Applications Rubric Table.
The maximum points for the three Performance Elements are:
▪
▪
▪
Performance Element 1 (PE1): 10 points
Performance Element 2 (PE2):
8 points
Performance Element 3 (PE3):
2 points
The maximum overall points for Level 3 Proficiency are 20. The minimum is 13 points.
1
A rubric is a framework for evaluating or assessing performance based on a range of criteria.
Figure 1: Operating System and Data Management Applications Rubric Table2
Performance
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Element
Novice
Approaching
Proficiency
Above
(PE)
Proficiency
Measurement Criteria
Measurement Criteria
Proficiency
Measurement Criteria
Measurement Criteria
PE1:
Power on the computer and
Connect ports of the
Configure desktop
Perform simple testing and
Manage
peripherals.
computer to
environment and applications
diagnos-tics of devices (e.g.
computer
Start an application (such
peripherals.
for efficient operation (e.g.,
sound card, serial port, disk
operations.
as word processor, Internet
Install/uninstall an
create short cuts, customize
surface test).
browser, email) from
application.
monitor size, and menu bars).
Modify configuration of
desktop icons or the menu
Interrupt and restart
Apply basic commands of
devices (e.g. modem,
bar.
applications or the
operating system software
monitor)
Use features of an
computer when they
(e.g., create, rename, and
Partition hard disk for data
application simply by using
freeze.
delete directories).
and application sharing.
the mouse, keyboard, and
Employ desktop operating
Perform disk clean up and
the application’s menu bar.
skills (e.g. use mouse buttons
disk defrag-menter tasks.
Max Points = 10
and keyboard shortcuts).
PE2:
Maintain all files on local
Maintain all files on
Backup data periodically to a
Perform scheduled
Manage file
hard drive.
local hard drive.
backup media such as a CD,
systematic backup
storage.
Put all data files in a single
Put data files in
disk, etc. or server.
procedure.
level directory or one folder.
different level
Use appropriate system tools
Recover, as much as
Distinguish file versions by
directories or folders.
to optimize memory and disk
possible, erased or
space usage (e.g., backup,
corrupted data.
disk cleanup, disk defrag).
Demonstrate knowledge of
Determine file organization
the system utilities used for
(e.g. use of appropriate
file management (e.g.,
directory structures and
change protection modes,
names).
rename, delete).
Max Points = 8
different names.
PE3:
Uncompress files
Uncompress files
Compress and uncompress
Select and use compression
Compress or
unknowingly using add-ons
using compression
files/folders using
software to improve
alter files.
to applications (e.g.
software.
compression software.
compression ratio.
viewing JPeg files in the
Convert files by using
Convert file formats (e.g.,
browser).
“save as” feature of
convert Excel or Word format
Save file as the applications
an application (e.g.
file to PDF format).
Max Points = 2
2
From IT Across Careers Rubrics, an NSF-ATE project.
Performance
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Element
Novice
Approaching
Proficiency
Above
(PE)
Proficiency
Measurement Criteria
Measurement Criteria
Proficiency
Measurement Criteria
default type.
text file to word
Convert existing files using
Open file only with
processor file, save
utilities provided by the
application that created the
MS word doc file to
software.
file.
RTF file).
Measurement Criteria