It's about Time! Exploring Time Allocation Patterns of Adults with Lower Literacy Skills on a Digital Assessment

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Bibliographic Details
Title: It's about Time! Exploring Time Allocation Patterns of Adults with Lower Literacy Skills on a Digital Assessment
Language: English
Authors: Gal Kaldes (ORCID 0000-0002-5429-8194), Elizabeth L. Tighe (ORCID 0000-0002-0593-0720), Qiwei He (ORCID 0000-0001-8942-2047)
Source: Grantee Submission. 2024 15.
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2024
Sponsoring Agency: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Contract Number: R305A210344
R305A180299
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
High Schools
High School Equivalency Programs
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Time Management, Adults, Literacy, Computer Assisted Testing, Equivalency Tests, High School Equivalency Programs, High Stakes Tests, Student Participation, Adult Students, Demography, Individual Characteristics, Digital Literacy, Behavior Patterns
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: General Educational Development Tests, Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC)
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1338014
Abstract: Introduction: Despite the necessity for adults with lower literacy skills to undergo and succeed in high-stakes computer-administered assessments (e.g., GED, HiSET), there remains a gap in understanding their engagement with digital literacy assessments. Methods: This study analyzed process data, specifically time allocation data, from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), to investigate adult respondents' patterns of engagement across all proficiency levels on nine digital literacy items. We used cluster analysis to identify distinct groups with similar time allocation patterns among adults scoring lower on the digital literacy assessment. Finally, we employed logistic regression to examine whether the groups varied by demographic factors, in particular individual (e.g., race/ethnicity, age) and contextual factors (e.g., skills-use at home). Results: Adults with lower literacy skills spent significantly less time on many of the items than adults with higher literacy skills. Among adults with lower literacy skills, two groups of time allocation patterns emerged: one group (Cluster 1) exhibited significantly longer engagement times, whereas the other group (Cluster 2) demonstrated comparatively shorter durations. Finally, we found that adults who had a higher probability of Cluster 1 membership (spending more time) exhibited relatively higher literacy scores, higher self-reported engagement in writing skills at home, were older, unemployed, and self-identified as Black. Discussion: These findings emphasize differences in digital literacy engagement among adults with varying proficiency levels. Additionally, this study provides insights for the development of targeted interventions aimed at improving digital literacy assessment outcomes for adults with lower literacy skills.
Abstractor: As Provided
IES Funded: Yes
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: ED652586
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Introduction: Despite the necessity for adults with lower literacy skills to undergo and succeed in high-stakes computer-administered assessments (e.g., GED, HiSET), there remains a gap in understanding their engagement with digital literacy assessments. Methods: This study analyzed process data, specifically time allocation data, from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), to investigate adult respondents' patterns of engagement across all proficiency levels on nine digital literacy items. We used cluster analysis to identify distinct groups with similar time allocation patterns among adults scoring lower on the digital literacy assessment. Finally, we employed logistic regression to examine whether the groups varied by demographic factors, in particular individual (e.g., race/ethnicity, age) and contextual factors (e.g., skills-use at home). Results: Adults with lower literacy skills spent significantly less time on many of the items than adults with higher literacy skills. Among adults with lower literacy skills, two groups of time allocation patterns emerged: one group (Cluster 1) exhibited significantly longer engagement times, whereas the other group (Cluster 2) demonstrated comparatively shorter durations. Finally, we found that adults who had a higher probability of Cluster 1 membership (spending more time) exhibited relatively higher literacy scores, higher self-reported engagement in writing skills at home, were older, unemployed, and self-identified as Black. Discussion: These findings emphasize differences in digital literacy engagement among adults with varying proficiency levels. Additionally, this study provides insights for the development of targeted interventions aimed at improving digital literacy assessment outcomes for adults with lower literacy skills.
DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1338014