Sample Scenario-Based Tasks and Discrete Questions

In the NAEP TEL assessment, students were tested using computer simulations of technology and engineering problem-solving tasks set in a variety of real-world contexts. Through interaction with these multimedia scenario-based tasks, students used an assortment of tools and applied their TEL knowledge and skills to solve problems across the content areas and practices.

The Andromeda task was administered in the 2014 and 2018 TEL assessments. The tasks Chicago, Bike Lanes, Iguana Home, and Recreation Center were administered in the 2014 TEL assessment—these tasks were subsequently made available to the public and were not administered in the 2018 assessment.

Task features:

  • Some tasks measured student performance in one content area and practice while other tasks measured more than one content area or practice.
  • The assessment included long tasks (about 30 minutes) and short tasks (about 10 to 20 minutes).
  • Tasks were designed to be accessible to all students so they could progress through each task to completion and demonstrate their TEL knowledge and skills.

Learn more about tasks.

The TEL assessment also included interactive discrete questions that were not part of a scenario. See examples of discrete questions below.

Explore how selected items are mapped on the NAEP TEL scale by using Item Maps.

Available Sample Tasks
Learn how students engaged with and performed on specific tasks. You can even try tasks yourself!

Collect images to be used on a website advertising a television show about the Andromeda Galaxy.

Content Area:
Information and Communication Technology
Practices:
Understanding Technological Principles, Developing Solutions and Achieving Goals, Communicating and Collaborating
Task Time: 10 minutes | Assessment Year Used: 2014 and 2018
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Develop an online exhibit about Chicago's water pollution problem in the 1800s.

Content Areas:
Technology and Society, Design and Systems
Practices:
Understanding Technological Principles, Developing Solutions and Achieving Goals, Communicating and Collaborating
Task Time: 30 minutes | Assessment Year Used: 2014
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Design a safe bike lane.

Content Area:
Design and Systems
Practice:
Developing Solutions and Achieving Goals
Task Time: 18 minutes | Assessment Year Used: 2014
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Evaluate and explain how to fix the habitat of a classroom iguana.

Content Area:
Design and Systems
Practice:
Developing Solutions and Achieving Goals
Task Time: 30 minutes | Assessment Year Used: 2014
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Create website content to promote a teen recreation center.

Content Area:
Information and Communication Technology
Practice:
Communicating and Collaborating
Task Time: 19 minutes | Assessment Year Used: 2014
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Sample Questions From The Assessment

Examples of questions from the 2018 NAEP TEL assessment, including how students performed on them, are presented below. Each example contains a brief description of the question, the format type (selected response or constructed response), the content area, the practice, the measured skill, and student performance. The percentage of students who answered a selected-response question correctly or who received full credit for their answer to a constructed response question is also displayed.

Select a data visualization (History of Animation)
Selected response
Information and Communication Technology
71% Correct
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Multiple choice question regarding the best visual aid to demonstrate film history

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Explain how a technological change might impact collaboration (School Election)
Constructed response
Information and Communication Technology
68% Correct
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Open-ended question regarding improving a voting system

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Describe the environmental benefit of a technological change (Plastic Packaging)
Constructed response
Technology and Society
63% Correct
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Open-ended question packaging and its environmental impact

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Process information needed for evaluating alternative technologies (Lightbulbs)
Selected response
Technology and Society
33% Correct
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Question requesting students to click the best light bulb option

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